Safety Tips around Electricity

WBMLP Headquarters
WBMLP Headquarters

Be Safe. Stay Alive & Healthy with WBMLP's Safety Tips.

With electricity it's always best to err on the side of caution. Here are just some of the most important guidelines for the use and handling of electricity. Check out the Safety Tips below.

DO THIS BEFORE YOU DIG.

DigSafe 811 logo

Call before you dig! CALL DIGSAFE BY DIALING 811. It's the law.

Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call -- even small projects like planting trees and shrubs. The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Call two days in advance of digging and a representative will send out someone to mark underground facilities.

At least 2 days in advance, do the following:

  • 1. Call DIGSAFE by Dialing 811.
  • 2. Click here for more important DigSafe procedures.

ASK OSHA.

OSHA logo

OSHA, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration offers great safety tips and a lot of expertise in the field.

Electrical hazards and carelessness can cause burns, shocks and electrocution.

Click here for more information.

SAFETY FOR KIDS.

ESFi logo

The Electrical Safety Foundation Institute has a great corner of their website called "Kids' Corner". It's loaded with interactive lessons, activities and videos aimed at keeping your children safe.

Share it with your family here. Stay safe, healthy and alive.

Other Important Rules...

  • Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.
  • Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call the electric utility company to report fallen electrical lines.
  • Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires.
  • If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone to call the local electric utility company and emergency services.
  • Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water.
  • Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized.
  • Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it.
  • If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
  • Always use caution when working near electricity.
Back to top