Electricity has been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing users to such dangers as electric shock, electrocution, fires and explosions.
The danger of injury and/or property damage through electrical shock is possible whenever electrical power is present. When a person's body completes a circuit and thus connects a power source with the ground, an electrical burn or injury is imminent. Most fatal injuries result from high-voltage exposure; however, people can sustain severe injuries from low voltage power if it has a high current flow.
OSEH strives to protect all employees, students, and other personnel from potential electrical hazards. This will be accomplished through compliance with the work practices described in this Program. The objective of the Electrical Safety Program is to minimize such potential hazards by specifying proper use and design characteristics of electrical devices, equipment and systems.
The University’s Electrical Safety Program is based on federal OSHA's Electrical Safety Standards that were carefully developed to cover only those parts of any electrical system that a user would normally use or contact. The exposed and/or operating elements of an electrical installation – lighting equipment, motors, machines, appliances, switches, controls, enclosures, etc. - must be so constructed, installed and maintained as to minimize electrical dangers to people in any workplace or occupancy.
Please contact EHS at (313)583-6679 for more information.