Safety Facts:
Electrical Safety
The majority of Canadians use electricity every day, both in the workplace and at home. There are very
few places left in Canada that are not connected to a utility power grid or an onsite generator. However,
we don’t often consider the hazards in our day to day activities associated with electricity or electrically
powered equipment. Common mistakes associated with electrical safety are:
Common mistakes associated with electrical safety: Power bars:
• Using extensions cords where installing more • Often a large number of high energy appliances
electrical outlets is more appropriate and components, or a number of extension cords
are plugged into the power bar without considering
• Overloading circuits by excessive use of power bars
the electrical load that being placed on the bar
• Using damaged electrical plugs
• In older houses and buildings that do not have
• Using damaged power cords 3 prong plugs, or in workplaces where 2 prong
• Using electrically powered equipment outside in extension cords are being used, the practice is
areas of high moisture/humidity often to break off the 3rd prong on the appliance,
tool or device instead of ensuring proper electrical
connectors are used. This third prong is actually
Extension cords: a means of grounding the electrical circuit to
• Are meant to be a temporary means of providing minimize the risk of an electrical shock to the user
electrical power during construction or while
carrying out a non-standard task. However it has WorkSafeBC OHS Regulations
become an accepted practice to use extension
cords in lieu of an adequate number of outlets WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation 9.14 requires that
both in the workplace and at home “portable electrical equipment be double-insulated
or effectively grounded by the use of approved
• Pose a tripping hazard and can also pose a fire cords and polarized plugs inserted in grounded
hazard if the cord is too long or too small a gauge polarized receptacles.”
for the wattage load of equipment plugged into it
Double-insulated tools do not have a 3rd prong
• Should be protected against damage from mobile
on the plug; however they have supplemental
equipment rolling over them and against wet
insulation on all wiring in the tool to minimize
surfaces or pooling water.
the risk of contact with the outer shell.
• Coiling an extension cord is dangerous as well
WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation 9.15 requires the
because it can cause a heat build up and resultant
“use of a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
fire in the area of the coiled cord
or other acceptable means of protection if portable
electrical equipment is used outdoors or in a wet
or damp location.”
More information can be found at: GFCIs are an added level of protection against
[Link]/oshanswers/safety_haz/power_tools/saf_elec.html electrical shock because they will trip the circuit
or [Link]/niosh/docs/2009-113/pdfs/[Link] if there is any imbalance in the flow of current,
where you can find the Electrical Safety: Safety and even an extremely small one.
Health for Electrical Trades Student Manual A GFCI “cannot be used in place of grounding unless
permitted by the Electrical Safety Regulation.” You
find GFCI outlets in bathrooms, laundry rooms and
outside receptacles in most homes built since 1975.
To learn more about Electrical Safety
Contact us or visit us online at [Link]
Toolbox Talk*
Name of Supervisor: Date:
Key Learning Points
Safety Specific Training Requirements
Identified Hazards/concerns
Employee feedback/questions
Workers who attended
Name Initial Name Initial
Toolbox Talks are short, informal safety meetings led by a supervisor that are focused on a specific job-related topic or hazard.
This document is meant to support the delivery of a Toolbox Talk and not intended to replace the supervisor-guided discussion.
Unit A, 43833 Progress Way T 1.604.795.9595 [Link]
Chilliwack, BC V2R 0E6 F 1.604.795.9507 E manufacturing@[Link] Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC 2017