Toolbox Talk: Electrical Safety
Treat every wire as live, use GFCIs and good cords, and leave electrical work to qualified people.
- Toolbox Talk
- Construction
- General Industry
Prints on one Letter-size page with a sign-in sheet.
Electrical Safety
Why it matters
Electricity can kill in an instant, and even low voltage can be deadly in wet conditions. Electrocution is one of the leading causes of construction deaths.
Talking points
- Assume it's live: treat every wire and conductor as energized until it has been tested and locked out.
- Use GFCIs: ground-fault circuit interrupters on temporary power and outdoors stop a shock before it kills.
- Inspect tools and cords: remove damaged cords, missing ground pins and cracked housings from service.
- Water and electricity: keep cords, tools and connections out of water, and never use electrical equipment while standing in water.
- Qualified persons only: only trained, qualified electricians work on electrical systems and panels.
- Look up: stay at least 10 feet from overhead power lines, and more for higher voltage.
Ask the crew
- Where is our temporary power coming from, and is it GFCI protected?
- What cords and tools should we check before using them?
- Where are the overhead or buried lines near our work?
Before we start work today: Test the GFCIs, and take any damaged cord or tool out of service.
Who attended
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Source: OSHA: Electrical safety. General safety information only, not legal advice; follow your employer’s program, the manufacturer’s instructions and current regulations. Keep signed sheets with your safety records. FirstDayTraining.com · Todd Allyn Media Inc.
Learn more: Electrical Basics · GFCI Protection · Temporary Power
Standards & references
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