Both at work and at home most people are exposed in someway to electricity. Because the human brain, heart, lungs, muscles, and nervous system all rely on electical impulses to function, electricity can be a serious hazard. Figure 4-1 outlines what specific amounts of current (AMPs) can do to the human body.

Awareness and Safety
Making a mistake around electricity could easily be your last mistake. Those working in the electronics and electrical industries stand to be at a higher risk given the nature of their work. Below are some things you should consider to minimize the risk of electric shock when you or your employees are working around high power.

1. Always make sure electric tools are properly grounded or double insulated. A double insulated tool must have an undamaged outer case and be clearly labeled as "double insulated" by the manufacturer.

2. Always check to be sure the grounding system is complete. Unless they are designated as double insulated, grounded power tools must be attached to a grounded service circuit. If there is any doubt about the grounding, test it. (Ground testers are inexpensive.)

3. Use heavy duty grounded extension cords. These cords have two layers of insulation, with reinforcement between the layers. Heavy duty cords will be round, not flat, and will have a marking on the insulation such as: "S", "SJ", or "SJO".

4. Avoid mixing water and electricity. You should not only keep cords, tools and working/walking surfaces dry, keep your hands and feet dry as well. The electrical resistance of wet skin is at least 100 times less than dry skin. It is also advisable to use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI ) when working around water.

5. If you are working on high power do not work alone. Have a second person there to help you if an incident occurs.

6. Use Lock Out and Tag Out procedures when working on power circuits. The Lock Out ensures that only you have the power to control the energizing of the circuit or equipment. Become familiar with your companies Lock Out/Tag Out procedures as this information may prevent serious injury.

7. Use a circuit tester to verify that a circuit is not energized before working on it, as many people have been injured by working what they assumed to be a dead circuit.

8. Be sure to have the proper safety equipment on hand, and that it has been properly stored and maintained. Make sure that you have protective clothing, rubber insulated gloves and sleeves, dielectric footwear, GCFI's and GCFI cord sets, as well as Lock Out/Tag Out equipment.

9. Make sure that high risk areas are labeled with the appropriate hazard signs. These signs should be highly visible on and around devices and areas that pose a risk of electric shock.

Training
Having well maintained and the proper safety equipment is only part of the solution. Proper training on the use of this equipment is essential for high power safety.

The training or workshop you select should illustrate the proper use of safety equipment. Emergency situations should be addressed to give the individual an understanding of what to expect, and what to do, when accidents happen.

Additional information on electrical safety and training, including the Electric Safety Student Manual, can be found at the Centers for Disease Control - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health website: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/injury/traumaelec.html