Washington State University
SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

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Electrical Safety

University supervisors and/or supervising faculty are to insure that the work or learning/research area is free from electrical hazards.

Electricity may create a hazard and cause injury or damage in any one of three ways:

• When a person becomes part of an electrical circuit. (This may result in electric shock. See first-aid procedures in S45.12.)


• When elements of an electric circuit, which are unprotected, are subjected to electrical overload and become hot. (This may result in a fire.)


• When arcing or sparking occurs, generally due to the "jumping" of electricity from one conductor to another. This may occur during the making and breaking of a contact, as in operating switches or discharging static electricity. (This may result in fire or explosion if arcing takes place in an atmosphere containing an explosive mixture of a flammable substance.)

Supervisors and faculty are responsible for ensuring that employees and students are trained to safely use electrical equipment. This training is to be part of the safety orientation (see S20.30).

All personnel using electrical equipment are to know the locations of secondary electrical panels (see below) for the work or learning/research area.

Address concerns regarding electrical circuits in University buildings to the Facilities Operations Electrical Shop; telephone 335-9000. (Contact the manufacturer or a qualified repairman with questions regarding equipment plugged into University building circuits.)

Main distribution panels control electricity after it enters the building and before it goes to branch circuit panels. All main distribution panels are located in locked electrical closets or mechanical rooms.

Only trained Facilities Operations and Student Service Maintenance personnel and approved electrical contractors may access University main distribution electrical panels. Only authorized maintenance personnel may access rooms containing main distribution panels.

Departmental personnel may access branch circuit breaker panelboards in order to turn off electricity in an emergency or to reset branch circuits. If a branch circuit requires setting more than once, notify Facilities Operations electricians; telephone 335-9000.

Departmental personnel requiring voltage readings of building electrical circuits are to contact Facilities Operations electricians. If voltage readings are required on a regular basis, electricians may permanently connect a voltmeter to the building circuit.

As part of the periodic self inspection, unit administrators and supervisors are to check the work or learning/research area for electrical hazards.

See S20.50 for self-inspection procedures.

Ensure that all electrical equipment is properly grounded. Use 3-prong plugs in 3-prong outlets. Do not bend or remove the grounding prong of a plug in order to use it in an ungrounded outlet.

Use grounded or double-insulated portable power tools.

Do not use adapter cubes. If additional outlets are required, use a breaker-protected multiple outlet strip.

Replace frayed and worn electrical cords and cables.

Do not use temporary wiring or extension cords as a substitute for permanent wiring.

Flexible extension cords may be used only on a temporary basis.

Extension cords must be at least 16 gauge, 3-wire/3-prong.

Do not run extension cords under carpeting or through walls, ceilings, floors, doorways, windows, or other locations where they could sustain damage.

Do not use electrical equipment for purposes other than the intended use.

Label electrical panels and keep them free of obstructions.

Use ground fault circuit interrupters when utilizing electric power in damp areas.

Immediately remove a hazardous or malfunctioning electrical equipment item from service. Prevent use by installing barriers, removing the power source, removing the equipment, or locking the item out.

Notify employees and/or students that the machine is not to be operated. Tag the equipment item as "Out of Service." Include the following on each tag: date of removal from service, description of the problem, and name of the reporting party.

Obtain the services of qualified electricians to correct electrical malfunctions.

Report hazards directly to the supervisor or use a Hazard Notification form (see S20.15) as appropriate.

Immediately discontinue the use of hazardous electrical tools or appliances. Wait until the equipment item has been declared safe to use by a supervisor or qualified electrician.

Do not use electrical equipment which has been determined to be unsafe.

Do not attempt to repair electrical equipment unless qualified.

Direct questions about electrical safety to the Environmental Health and Safety.