It's November and things are getting cooler. Good time to refresh our work apparel with cotton fabric, long sleeve shirts. Today I found two good work shirts at a local outlet store for 8 buck's apiece-jackpot!
This month's electrician's safety tip is: Be aware of energy hazards in the work place.
Now there is a wide scope of possibilities involved with this broad statement. As electricians, we understand the obvious presence of danger with electric current in our environment; there are,however, many energy related hazards present we may not be cognizant of. For example; in the industrial setting of my current work environment, there is the potential energy of (1)extremely hot or cold temperatures in systems or components(2)trapped energy in the way of pressure ,in liquid or gas form ,in piped systems(3)potential physical energy of components and equipment above our heads that can fall on us, and (4) the ever present hazard of our own selves, containing the momentous energy of causing injury from a trip or fall.
Recognizing and maintaining a sense of awareness of the potential energy dangers in our work environment will help us conduct our work in a safe and timely manner, as well as provide us with the opportunity to use peer checking in warning others of the potential hazards of energy dangers present.
In short, any where energy is generated,stored, conducted or used there is the potential for damage or injury should that energy be released in a way it was otherwise intended.
This month's term and definition( taken from Article 100 of our National electric code book) is Accessible,Readily :(Readily Accessible) Capable of being reached quickly for operation,renewal, or inspections, without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders,etc.
It is especially important that any means of disconnecting equipment (such as motors, water heaters,air handlers, air conditioning units,etc) be readily accessible. Always consult the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) about your local acceptable requirements of disconnecting means being readily accessible.
A good rule of thumb in keeping any means of disconnect readily accessible is,: under 6 feet, within sight or 50 feet.
If the main service panel to your home,for example, is in the wall of your garage, then the circuit breaker in that panel would be considered an acceptable means of disconnect for ,say, a water heater also in the same garage.
Sorry to go off topic there a little bit. Just make sure an inspector doesn't need a ladder or bucket truck to inspect an outlet and chances are, it can be considered "Readily Accessible".
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