Colorado College - Electrical Safety Program
Electrical power is ever-present. We rely on electricity for such a wide variety of tasks and operations that it has become second nature in our daily lives. Due to this acclimation we may forget about some of the inherent risks and that electricity can shock, burn or even kill in an instant.
Electrical Safety has a few different components here at Colorado College and each person may have different responsibilities depending on independent roles for the Faculty, Staff, and Student body. The information below will help to ensure that you have the adequate information to safely use electrical equipment while on the Colorado College Campus.
Electrical Safety
OSHA identifies two categories of employees when addressing Electrical Safety: Qualified and Unqualified.
An "unqualified" employee is one who faces risk of electric shock but who is not trained to work on or near exposed or energized parts. Although this group of individuals ar allowed to work with tools and other electric equipment, they need to stay clear of exposed electrical parts and installations (breaker boxes) to keep themselves and co-workers safe from the dangers of electricity. Unqualified employees also must have a general knowledge of how electricity works, be trained on and have the ability to recognize electrical hazards in the workplace, and know what protective measures can be taken to protect themselves and others that may be exposed.
A "qualified" employee are those specially trained to avoid the hazards of working around exposed or energized parts. This group of people may include electricians or engineers who are responsible for repairing or maintaining electrical equipment in the workplace.