Electricity

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Electricity voltage and the available electrical current in regular businesses and homes has enough power to cause death by electrocution. A simple task like changing a light bulb without unplugging the lamp can be hazardous because coming in contact with the "hot", "energized" or "live" parts of the socket could kill a person. Unaddressed electrical hazards may lead to four main types of injuries: electrocution (fatal), electric shock, burns, and falls. It is important to contact the local utility before digging.

Employer duties

The employer must make sure that a worker, including communication workers, who work on any energized electrical conductor or equipment, is competent, or an indentured apprentice under the direct supervision of a competent person. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.2]

Employers must also make sure:

all electric machinery is disconnected from its source of power and locked during repair or maintenance; [OHS General Regs., S. 31.3]
the installation, use, and maintenance of any electrical wiring or equipment including temporary wiring) complies with the Electrical Inspection Act and regulations and that newly installed electrical utility and communication lines and equipment are installed and conform to the CSA Standard CAN3-C22.3 No.1-15 for "Overhead Systems" and "Underground Systems" CAN3-C22.3 No.7-20, as amended; [OHS General Regs., S. 36.4]
that workers do not work on energized electrical conductors or equipment unless adequate protective devices are used that match the specifications for protection against the voltage involved; [OHS General Regs., S. 36.5]
rubber gloves having a minimum rating of 10,000 v, shields and other necessary safety equipment is provided and workers wear them when working on energized electrical conductors or equipment that operates at a potential greater than 120 v, and up to 5000 v phase to phase; [OHS General Regs., S. 36.5 (2)]
rubber gloves having a minimum rating of 20,000 v or adequate hot lines are provided and used by workers when working on energized electrical conductors or equipment in excess of 5000 v and not more than 15000 v phase to phase; [OHS General Regs., S. 36.5 (3)]
rubber gloves are testes at least twice a year and replaced as required; and[OHS General Regs., S. 36.5 (4)]
rubber gloves are worn at all times while working on energized circuits, or while within the primary zone on poles or structure carrying over 120 v phase to ground to 25000 phase to phase circuits. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.5 (5)]

Energized equipment

Employers are responsible for making sure:

No worker works on any energized electrical conductor or equipment operating at more than 3,000 v. Exceptions may occur when the employer is using procedures approved by the Director and is providing workers with tools to safely work on equipment exceeding those limitations. In such cases, the employer must train workers how to safely work on such equipment. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.6 (1)]
At least two workers are present while working on an energized electrical line or equipment which is at a voltage more than 600 v. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.6 (2)]

2 workers are not necessary for fusing of transformers where the transformer fuses are accessible without passing or reaching past electrical wires or appliances carrying more than 240 v; and[OHS General Regs., S. 36.6 (3)]
2 workers are not required for work done with special tools that are designed to work on energized electrical lines that exceed 600 v. Workers must be specially trained in the use of such tools. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.6 (3)]

No work is done close to energized electrical wires or equipment which is normally isolated by position or elevation, except where electrical lines or equipment are provided with guards capable of preventing contact between the worker and equipment being used or handled. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.6 (5)]
Notices reading "Danger - High Voltage" are prominently placed close to electrical equipment operating at over 600 v that are accessible to workers. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.6 (7)]
Electrical conductors or equipment are de-energized before work begins. The worker in charge of the work must open, lock and tag the switching device supplying electrical energy to the conductors or equipment being handled. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.7]
Electrical utility lines or equipment are de-energized before work begins. The worker in charge of the work shall be responsible for making sure it is properly de-energized before work begins. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.8]
After work on de-energized electrical conductors, utility lines, or equipment is complete, the worker in charge of the work clears the work areas of other workers and authorizes its re-energizing. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.9]
Adequate protective guards and equipment are provided for workers working in proximity to energized electrical conductors or equipment. Without the protective guards and equipment, workers may not work around the energized electrical conductors or equipment. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.10]
All electrical switching devices are kept clear of any obstructions. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.14]
An adequate barricade is installed for others to pass below workers working on poles or other structures. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.15]
When setting or removing poles, light standards or any similar object between energized electrical conductors exceeding 600 v, cover conductors with adequately protective devices or protect them by an approved guard installed on the pole before it is lifted. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.16] Employers performing this type of work must: [OHS General Regs., S. 36.17]

Wear adequate rubber gloves.
Use cant hooks or other approved controlling devices.
Only get on the lifting machine after the pole is in a secured position.

Lifting machines or devices used for setting or removing poles, light standards or any similar objects between or within 3 100 mm (10 ft.) of energized electrical conductors are grounded and have any outriggers extended. A minimum of two competent workers must be present at all times during this work. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.18 - 36.19]
Except for electrical utilities, no worker shall perform work that may bring a person, apparatus, machine, machine component, material or property closer to energized electrical conductors than specified in the table below. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.20]

Nominal Phase to Phase Voltage of Live Power Line	Minimum Distance
Up to 750 volts	900 mm (3 ft.)
751 - 100,000 volts	3 600 mm (12 ft.)
100,001 - 250,000 volts	5 200 mm (17 ft.)
250,001 - 345,000 volts	6 100 mm (20 ft.)

Workers do not start work where the voltage is in excess of 345,000 v before receiving instructions on proper procedures from the electrical utility owning or operating the conductors. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.21]
Contact the electrical utility owner or operating the conductors before starting work which may bring a person, apparatus, machine, component, material or property closer to overhead electrical conductors than the distance in the table above. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.20] Make sure from the utility that the conductors are properly de-energized or the energized electrical conductors or equipment are properly insulated or guarded. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.22]
Ensure during structural repairs, extensions, paint work or any other similar type of work near energized electrical conductors or equipment, that the conductors are properly de-energized or the energized electrical conductors or equipment are sufficiently insulated or guarded. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.23]
Metal ladders, including ladders with reinforcing wire or other conducting material, are not used near energized electrical conductors or equipment. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.24]
Hand tools, such as pliers, screw drivers, fuse pullers, etc. used in connection with electrical work, are of an approved type and adequately insulated. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.25]
All temporary wiring is done according to the Electrical Inspection Act and its regulations. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.26]
When using portable electric conductors a sufficient number of fixed outlets must be installed at points where they are safely accessible. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.27]
A rubber covered cord is used for portable electrical tools, extension lamps, etc. that may see hard usage. Do not use single strand wire for temporary wiring. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.28]
Armouring and sheathing of electric cables, metal conduits and their fittings, metallic safeguards and other non-current carrying metal parts of electrical equipment are effectively grounded. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.29]
Grounding conductors are of low resistance and have enough capacity to safely carry the heaviest flow of current which may result from a breakdown of the insulation of the equipment to be protected. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.30]
To mechanically protect grounding conductors at places where they are likely to be damaged. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.31]
To prevent accidental contact with persons or objects where it is impossible or impracticable to enclose electrical circuits or current-carrying parts of electrical equipment operating at 50 v AC or more to ground, install: [OHS General Regs., S. 36.32]

The circuits or equipment in rooms or enclosures that can only be accessed by authorized people.
On balconies, galleries or platforms that are designed to exclude unauthorized people.

Before workers do work that will affect the stability of a pole or structure, climb or support themselves on any pole or structure, or before any work affecting the stability of the pole or structure, be sure to: [OHS General Regs., S. 36.33]

Test the pole or structure for soundness.
Guy or otherwise support the pole or structure before any wires or cable are changed when there doubts that is sound.
Leave guys or supports in place until workers are clear of the pole.
Not consider pike-poles to be adequate support.

Mail boxes, signs, clotheslines or other hazards that are on or in close proximity to poles where workers are required to work are not allowed. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.34]
Switches and meters are clear of obstructions. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.35]
All electrical distribution switches and controls are clearly marked to indicate the machinery or equipment which they serve. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.36]
The worker in charge is responsible for de-energizing, grounding, tagging, and locking out the controls to prevent the system from being re-energized before it is safe to do so. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.37]
When the control devices are not under the direct control of workers, they must have permission to return to work from the worker in charge. The worker in charge must record that permission was granted and it is safe for work to proceed. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.38]
Before starting the work on the de-energized part of the system, all workers must be protected from re-energization by using short-circuiting and grounding, or other effective means. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.39]
That every practical step is taken to prevent anyone at the workplace from being endangered by a live electrical conductor or apparatus. Electric tools must be effectively grounded or double insulated. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.40 (2)]
Main service switches and secondary electrical panels are:

securely mounted on substantial supports;
readily accessible to authorized persons and within their easy reach; and
kept clear of any obstruction in front for 1 000 mm (3.2 ft.). [OHS General Regs., S. 36.41]

Service switches have a suitable device for locking it in the open position. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.42]
All areas where people are employed and all access routes are adequately lighted. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.43]
Nobody operates a crane, or similar lifting device, closer than the length of the boom of the crane to a power line for electricity without a competent signaler stationed within view to signal danger from the power line. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.44]

Working in Manholes and Tunnels

Employers are responsible for making sure tunnels and manholes containing energized conductors or equipment:

Are kept free from water, sewage or other drainage when it is necessary for workers to enter. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.13]
Have at least two competent workers present when workers are working on lines or equipment with a voltage of more than 240. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.6 (4)]
Have continual communications between a competent employee and those working in the tunnel or manhole when workers are working on lines or equipment in excess of 600 v. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.11]

Insulated mats or platforms are provided to protect workers when working in manholes containing energized electrical conductors or equipment. The exception is manholes containing only telephone, telegraph, signal wires or cables. [OHS General Regs., S. 36.12]