Electrical Safety is Important to Everyone on a Home Building Site

Electrical safety on jobsites can often be overlooked by many workers whose primary jobs do not include electrical work. But all workers and visitors on a home building jobsite can be exposed to electric risk if proper safety procedures are not followed.

Due to the industry’s reliance on job specialization and subcontracting, many other workers might not think about the electricity on a jobsite. Electricians come in and do the hard work for a home’s systems.

But after a home is electrified, there are still plenty of hazards within the system. Other workers typically install finishes that involve electricity, such as a ceiling fan. There is also a risk of contact with live wires outside, like when working with metal ladders or in the case of a downed wire.

Beyond a home’s system, workers can be exposed to electrical risk through power tools that are malfunctioning or have frayed wiring.

Follow these best practices for jobsite safety to prevent electrical injuries:

• All workers should do a visual survey of the work area and look for any overhead power lines or buried power lines before starting work.
• Use GFCI protection on 120-volt, 15- and 20-amp receptacles. Use double insulated or properly grounded tools and equipment and follow manufacturers’ instructions on proper usage.
• Always inspect all equipment and tools before use and remove from service any tool with frayed, damaged cords, missing ground pins, and damaged or cracked tool casings.
• Most electrical tools and equipment have safety features built into them by the manufacturer. However, if used in ways not intended by the manufacturer, operators of such equipment can no longer rely on these features.
• Never work on energized or “hot” electrical circuits until all power is shut off or de-energized and a lockout/tagout system is in place, which protect workers from the dangers of the accidental or unexpected startup of electrical equipment.

For more resources on electrical safety, watch the video below and download a handout (available in English and Spanish) with safety tips. See more resources in the NAHB Electrical Safety Toolkit.