By Dennis K. Neitzel, CPE, CESCP
Director Emeritus
AVO Training Institute

Adherence to the following basic inspection and safety tips can help avoid serious - or even life-threatening - injuries while working with electrical equipment and systems. Important safety tips to help avoid injuries include, but are not limited to:

• Identify the electrical shock and arc flash hazards as well as other hazards that may be present
• Use the right tools for the job
• Isolate equipment from energy sources
• Test every circuit and every conductor every time before you touch it
• Work on electrical equipment and conductors only when de-energized
• Torn off, try, test, lockout/tagout, and ground before working on equipment
• Treat de-energized electrical equipment and conductors as energized until proper lockout/tagout, test, and ground procedures are implemented
• Wear protective clothing and equipment, and use insulated tools for electrical hazards