Section 39.26. Electrical hazards

(a) General. Hands and tools should be kept away from all electric circuits and apparatus.

(b) Grounding for static. If static electricity exists, belts and rapidly moving parts of machines should be grounded. In the presence of explosive or flammable gases or dust, no metal lacings or metal plates for fastening belts should be used.

(c) Sparking motors. In gaseous or dusty locations, the hazard from sparking commutators should be eliminated by using an induction type of motor, or a type approved by the United States Bureau of Mines as explosion-proof.

(d) Drop and portable installations. Only heavy, reinforced cords, known in the trade as packing house or brewery cord, should be used in connection with portable lamps or tools. They should be kept well insulated and be so laid or strung as not to create a tripping or catching hazard. All electrical handtools and other drop or portable installations should be well insulated. They should be frequently inspected and tested for current leaks. All frayed cords or other unserviceable and hazardous parts should be immediately removed from service. Portable extension lights should be equipped with guards for the bulbs and sockets.

(e) Connected equipment. Electrically connected equipment should not be installed, repaired, or removed, except by trained electricians or workmen under their immediate personal supervision. If electrical hazards are encountered in the course of other work, such work should be stopped immediately until a trained electrician is available to supervise such work until the electrical hazards are removed.

(f) Pole and high tension work. Electricians working on poles or other places where a falling hazard exists should always wear safety belts. On high tension work rubber gloves should also be worn. The gloves should be tested to detect the presence of holes before each use.

(g) Open switch protection. If possible, no work should be performed on high voltage electrical equipment until the current is turned off. Switches which are opened for that purpose should be locked or blocked open and a suitable warning device placed on the switch.

(h) Water contact. No stream of water used for extinguishing a fire, cleaning, or other purposes should be permitted to come in contact with electrical equipment at any time. This does not apply to water-cooled bearings or similar equipment.

(i) Pulling fuses. Fuses should not be pulled with the bare hands. Rubber gloves or fibre fuse pullers should be used for this purpose.

(j) Rubber mats. Rubber mats should be placed in front of all switchboards and panelboards.

(k) Jokes. The dangerous practice of playing ‘‘electrical jokes’’ on fellow workers should be prohibited. Reference should be made to Subchapter B (relating to electric safety).