Safety Compliance Tips: Electrical Disconnects and Installations

November 8, 2024

Lockout/Tagout/Tryout

Electrical systems and installations are highly regulated for the safety of all involved. Follow these guidelines to ensure you are in compliance.

If systems need to be energized for work, only properly trained, licensed, and qualified people may work on these systems. The systems can only be worked on with proper controls in place and authorized employees must wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). You are expected to follow this facility’s lockout/tagout/tryout procedures.

Understanding Electrical Disconnects

Circuit breakers and disconnects need to be marked in accordance with the equipment they serve.
- These markings allow the proper location of energy-isolating devices for lockout/tagout activities in accordance with your organization’s energy control procedures.
Circuit breaker identification listings need to be near or on the inside door of panel boxes that house circuit breakers. Ensure that they correspond to circuit breaker disconnects inside the panel boards.
Keep areas around electrical disconnects clear to allow access.
- Do not use them as storage areas.
- There should be at least 3 feet of clearance in front of and to the side of electrical equipment.
Assure electrical disconnects are correctly marked and correspond to the equipment’s energy control procedures for lockout activities.
Missing circuit breakers in panel boxes must have blanks installed to prevent access to energized parts.

Know the location of circuit breakers and disconnects so they may be accessed and shut off in an emergency.

Electrical Lines, Extension Cords, and Cables Safety

Extension cords are NOT to be used in lieu of permanent wiring.
Extension cords for portable electrical tools and appliances must be three-wire types.
Grounds are never to be removed from equipment or extension cords.
Secure them in doorways and work areas so they will not be damaged and will not cause a tripping hazard.

Never

Use them as a substitute for fixed wiring.
Run them through walls, ceilings, floors, doorways, or windows.
Attach to building surfaces.
Conceal behind building walls, ceilings, or floors.

Temporary Lights

Temporary lights and lighting that are exposed to breakage shall be equipped with guards to prevent accidental contact with the bulb.
Temporary lights can’t be suspended by their electric cords unless the cords and lights are designed for suspension.
Splices are NOT permitted.

Panel Boards, Access, and Ground Fault Systems

These must always have dead fronts on them except when being serviced.
All electrical equipment should have at least a three-foot clearance in front of the equipment.
The area needs to be controlled for unauthorized access.
A ground fault system is used to prevent shock hazards.
This may include the use of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or an assured equipment grounding conductor program (AEGCP).

Tool and Equipment Condition

All wiring and electrical equipment, tools, and machinery must be in excellent repair.
Frequent inspection and documentation must be included in the preventative maintenance program.

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