Electrical Ground Safety

electrical-ground-safety-FEMA_-_33797_-_Electrical_box_being_installed_at_a_mobile_home_site_in_California-resized.jpg

Date Posted: 09/17/2016

It is critical to understand where electricity is located on a jobsite in order to avoid electrocutions of electrical workers.

In the Ground

  • Before any digging takes place, even with a shovel, utility locates are required. Some lines are barely beneath the surface.

  • Locates include sewer, telephone, fuel, electric and water lines.

  • Outline / mark your planned dig site in white.

  • Two business days before you dig, CALL 811. Remember, the day you call does not count.

  • Do not dig until all known utilities are marked.

  • Maintain all marks.

  • Determine the precise location of the marked utilities by hand digging.

  • Dig safely using proven excavating methods.

  • Use handheld digging tools when digging within 24 inches of the outside edge of any underground lines .

  • Emergency excavation is not exempt from calling for locate.

  • Locate marks expire 45 days from the date the excavator provides notice.

  • Use pot-holing, vacuum excavation, or hand tools when digging close to lines.

Best Practices for Maintaining Locate Marks

  • Preserve or protect as much of the original marks as possible.

  • Use off-set staking, in areas where original locate marks will be continuously destroyed by excavation or weather.

  • The off-set staking must be uniformly aligned and must be accurately indicated at the location of the original locate

    markings.

  • Digital scaled photo, or other permanent scaled imaging or drawings, may be used in areas where original locate

    marks will be destroyed by excavation or weather.

  • Use white paint to maintain the original markings.

  • Bookend the original locate marks with solid white squares or brackets.


Presenter tips

  • Pre-read the Toolbox Talk. Your comfort level and confidence will be higher if you know your topic.

  • Discuss related tasks, work areas or events that make the Toolbox Talk relevant to your job site.

  • Involve the workers by asking questions and input that drives discussion.

Questions for Discussion

  • What lines are you likely to hit when digging at the surface?

  • What does red concrete indicate?

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