| What to do |
How to do it |
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Restrict access
High voltage sign |
Restrict access to electrical systems and equipment to trained personnel.
- Allow only trained professionals to perform electrical work.
- Work with high voltage sources (greater than 600 volts) may be performed only by a qualified person with specialized training and experience.
- Keep electrical rooms properly labeled and secured.
- Obey barriers, signs, and other warnings to stay away from electrical equipment you're not authorized or trained to service.
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Building occupants |
Consider how electrical maintenance and service actions may impact the work and safety of building occupants.
Important: Unanticipated interruptions of electrical service may expose people to hazardous situations.
- Notify EH&S in advance, (858) 534-3660, if you are concerned your electrical work may cause a hazardous condition.
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Safety guidelines
 Local power disconnects |
Follow these safety guidelines for work on or near electrical systems.
Important: Electricity travels in closed circuits and wants to reach ground any way it can.
- Be aware of situations where you could become grounded while touching a "hot" wire or electrical apparatus.
- Know where your overcurrent devices are (e.g., circuit breakers and fuses) so they can be easily and quickly reached in case of emergency.
- Isolate equipment from energy sources:
- Test every circuit and every conductor every time before you touch it.
- Use a polarity tester to confirm that live ground wires have not been reversed when repair work has been done to an electrical wire.
- Follow lock out / block out rules:
- Treat de-energized electrical equipment and conductors as energized until lockout / blockout, test, and ground procedures are implemented (where appropriate).
- Read about UCSD's lockout/ blockout program below.
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Lock out / Block out |
Practice lockout / blockout (LOBO) procedures for work involving energy sources and machinery.
LOBO practices ensure that all energy sources are disengaged or blocked, and that energy sources are de-energized and locked in the "off" position during work or repair.
- Equipment or machinery may store one or more types of kinetic energy. Consider potential hazards of the following types:
- Electrical
- Hydraulic
- Pneumatic
- Mechanical
- Thermal
- Chemical
- Get LOBO training: Employees who directly operate, repair, or maintain equipment or machinery where unexpected energization could cause injury or death, must receive lockout / blockout training before beginning work.
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Work near flammables |
Use special caution around flammable materials.
- Be especially cautious around flammable liquids, vapor, or dust. A spark from electrical equipment could ignite an explosion or fire.
- Ventilate the area before you start work and use only electrical equipment identified as safe for that use.
- Contact EH&S Fire & Life Safety, (858) 822-5706 or 534-3531, if you have questions.
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Reliable equipment |
Use appropriate, properly functioning equipment.
- Use insulated tools and protective equipment, such as special rubber gloves or boots, when you work with electrical equipment.
- Inspect electrical equipment and wires before using them. Make sure they're properly insulated and grounded and electrical connections are tight.
- Inspect portable equipment, including extension cords, before each use. Repair or replace cords with missing insulation or separation of insulation and wires where the plug is connected.
- Don't use any piece of defective electrical equipment that sparks, smokes, smells, or shocks, or is otherwise malfunctioning. Mark it "out of order" and report it to your supervisor immediately.
- Be sure electrical plugs match their receptacles; never alter a plug (e.g., use only a three-prong outlet for a 3-prong plug).
- Never use a metal ladder around live electricity. Use ladders with nonconductive siderails if there is any possibility the ladder could contact exposed energized parts.
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