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FEBRUARY 2020

Electrical safety is your business

COVER STORY

Electrical safety is your business

Every year, electrical accidents in the workplace cause more than 4,000 injuries, and each injury results in an average of 13 days away from work. That’s a lot of lost time.

Not only is keeping your workplace safe from electrical hazards the right thing to do, it makes business sense as well. Here are some tips to help keep employees, vendors and customers safe in your workplace.

Safe workplace practices

  • Use proper lockout/tagout procedures when working on powered machinery or equipment.
  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment when working with powered devices.
  • Before connecting electrical equipment, check for frayed wiring or other defects. Repair or replace the equipment if you suspect a problem.
  • Maintain a safe distance from power lines and ground any equipment that may become energized.
  • Unplug energized equipment before performing any maintenance or repairs.
  • Inspect electrical tools regularly and maintain them according to manufacturers' recommendations.

Controlling electrical hazards
Is your facility safe from electrical hazards? A quick inspection could reveal potential problems. Here are some things to watch for:

  • Make sure powered equipment is certified for safety by a nationally recognized testing organization, such as UL, previously known as Underwriters Laboratories.
  • Avoid using extension cords on a permanent basis, and don't place them under rugs or furniture. They can present potential electrical and fire hazards.
  • Water, electrical equipment and power cords don't mix. Protect outlets in restrooms, kitchens or any environment that's wet or damp with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
  • Signs of electrical issues include dimming lights, discolored outlets or switch plates and frequent circuit breaker trips. Contact a qualified electrician if you suspect a problem.

Safety resources
Knowledge is power. Check out these resources on the web for more tips on promoting safety at your business:

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration: osha.gov
  • Electrical Safety Foundation International: esfi.org

    • Source: Questline

    Save energy and money. Visit pplelectricbusinesssavings.com.

    Bright Lights - Honoring the people who brighten our world

    Nominate a Bright Light in your community today

    This year, we’re marking a century of people powering life. To celebrate our centennial, we’re honoring the people who work to transform lives in our communities. These are the bright lights powering progress and making a difference.

    In 2020, the PPL Foundation will award $100,000 in grants to nonprofits in honor of those Bright Lights who are leading the charge to create a better world.

    We need your help to identify the brightest lights in our community.

    Any customer can nominate an employee of any nonprofit agency working to improve education and make our communities more sustainable. The employee and agency must be located within the 29 Pennsylvania counties served by PPL Electric Utilities. The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2020.

    For more details and to submit a nomination, visit pplweb.com/brightlights.

    Safety is a family affair

    Safety is a family affair

    Each year, we ask our employees to have their children draw pictures of what safety means to them. Here is one of our favorites from 2019. Have your children join in the fun! Share your drawings with us on Twitter @PPLElectric.

    Kids electrical safety book

    Bringing the electrical safety message to the community

    We care about your safety and the safety of your loved ones. That’s why PPL invests in promoting electrical safety within the communities we serve.

    PPL Electric Utilities developed a cool, illustrated children’s book called “How We Stay Safe Near Electricity.” Our book is available free for fourth-grade students in schools throughout our 29-county service territory. Teachers may order the books in batches of 25. To check out a PDF of the book or place an order, visit pplelectric.com and click on “Safety & Community.”

    PPL’s Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit travels our territory to teach first responders, contractors, businesses, students and the public how to stay safe around electricity. The exhibit has been viewed by more than 27,000 people to date.

    Each school year, PPL works with the National Theatre for Children to bring an interactive electrical safety performance to elementary schools across Pennsylvania. Since launching the program in 2015, we’ve brought the tour to more than 200 schools and reached more than 84,000 students.

    Shrink your electric bill

    Stay warm, safely

    Many of us use electric space heaters to supplement heat and keep us warm. Space heaters can be effective, but they can also be dangerous.

    Did you know that about 6,000 Americans each year visit an emergency room for burns associated with space heaters?*

    When you're using an electric space heater to warm up your home, office or business, follow these tips to stay out of harm’s way:

    • Only buy newer models with current safety features.
    • Make sure the product has an Underwriter’s Laboratory(UL) label.
    • Position the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic.
    • Always keep children and pets away from space heaters.
    • Plug all electric space heaters directly into wall outlets.
    • Avoid using extension cords with space heaters. If you need to use an extension cord, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • Buy a space heater with a tip-over safety switch.

      • * Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

    Have a suggestion for a newsletter? Email us at connect@pplweb.com.