STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

ELECTRICAL WORK

Prepared by:

Seth LymanBingham Entrepreneurship and Energy Research CenterUtah State University320 N Aggie BlvdVernal, UT 84078

Certified by:

Certification Date:

DOCUMENT NUMBER: BRC_161202_AREVISION: ORIGINAL RELEASEDATE: 2 DECEMBER 2016

320 North Aggie Blvd Vernal, UT 84078 rd.usu.edu ubair.usu.edu

1. General Safe Practices for Construction, Repair and Use of Electrical and Electronic Instrumentation

1. If you are working alone, do not attempt to repair or build electrical or electronic parts or instrumentation outside of normal work hours when someone can quickly respond to an emergency that arises.

2. Read operation manuals for equipment or instrumentation and be sure you thoroughly understand any hazards before beginning work to make sure you know how to keep yourself safe.

3. If you aren’t confident in the electrical work you are attempting, that is a sign that you shouldn’t be doing it. Instead, learn what you need to do and how to do it, consult someone who has done it before, and then start work.

4. Don’t do any electrical or electronic work on an instrument until the instrument’s power has been completely disconnected. If you are uncertain about whether any electrical or electronic part is still “live,” use a volt meter to make absolutely certain before you touch it or work on it.

5. Do not disable or bypass any safety features such as ground fault circuit interrupters, fuses, interlocks, etc.

6. Be sure that the total amperage for instruments you plug in to an outlet is not in excess of the outlet’s rating.

7. If there is sparking, smoke, or odor coming from an outlet, plug, circuit, or tool/equipment, disconnect power immediately and don’t reconnect power until you fully understand why the malfunction occurred and have corrected the malfunction.

8. Don’t modify any building electrical hardware. This is a job for a professional electrician only.9. Do not use any electrical tools or equipment around flammable liquids, solvents, adhesives,

gases, or combustible dusts, unless they are rated for such use.10. Keep water away from electronics and away from yourself while you are working on electronics. 11. Make sure all electrical equipment is appropriately grounded, internally and externally. 12. When making electrical connections or assembling any electronic equipment, be sure the

connectors and wiring used are rated for the voltage and amperage your equipment will be using.

13. Beware of excessive heat. If you are working with electrically-powered heaters, don’t touch them while they are hot, and don’t touch them while they are powered.

2. What to Do if You Experience an Electrical Shock

1. Remove yourself from the situation that caused you to experience electrical shock, and remove any possibility of hazard to others. Engage others to help you if needed.

2. If it was a mild shock, tell your supervisor and discuss together how the hazard you experienced can be eliminated, then take steps to eliminate the hazard.

3. If it was a severe shock—meaning one in which you were injured:a. seek medical help immediately, including by calling 911 if needed.

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b. As soon as you are able, contact your supervisor to let her or him know what happened, the extent of your injuries, etc. Discuss with your supervisor how the injury occurred and how it can be prevented in the future.

c. If appropriate, contact USU human resources about making a Worker’s Compensation claim related to the injury.

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