Fireworks cause an average of 20,000 reported fires per year. Additionally, 240 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month surrounding the holiday. Sparklers seem simple and harmless without the expected crackle and boom that come with most fireworks, but the flame burns at approximately 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt certain metals. In 2013, sparklers caused 41% of fireworks injuries.

Consumer fireworks are illegal in many areas so it’s best to check with your local police department before purchasing or using any this holiday. The safest option is to attend public displays that are put on by professionals.

Make sure you obey all local laws and read cautionary labels when it comes to fireworks. Here are a few tips if you decide to legally put on your own show.

• Legal consumer fireworks always come with a label, manufacturer’s name, warnings, and usage directions. Illegal ones are usually unlabeled and come in a brown paper bag.
• Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
• Keep your pets in mind; animals have sensitive hearing and the loud noise may stress them out.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Don’t hold them in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting.
• Only light one firework at a time and never relight a dud.
• Always use outside and point them away from people, homes, brush, leaves, and other flammable substances.
• Move away to a safe distance immediately after lighting one.
• Keep a bucket of water and hose nearby in case of an accident.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away to prevent a fire.

The post Avoid common 4th of July injuries appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

Electrical wire colors probably don’t mean anything to the average homeowner, but those distinctions are actually very important and knowing the proper color coding is essential when performing electrical work. Each color serves a different purpose and you should be aware that all wires, no matter their function or color, can carry a current at some point so they should be handled carefully.

In 1881, the New York Board of Fire Underwriters issued the first set of safety guidelines for electrical wiring. In 1893 the first National Code of Rules for Wiring Buildings for Electric Light and Power was created and in 1897 the NBFU produced the first National Electrical Code but colors weren’t addressed. Wire color codes were finally mentioned in the 1928 edition of the NEC.

*The basic guidelines below apply to electrical wiring in the United States, though there are a few exceptions, so calling a certified electrician is your safest option.*

Green, green with a yellow stripe, or bare copper

These are ground wires that keep you, your appliances, and your home safe from electrical fires. Their purpose is to provide a path for a circuit’s electrical current if a device shorts out or trips a breaker.

Black

Black indicates a hot or live wire that’s carrying a current and is used for power in all circuits. These wires feed an outlet or switch and are often used as switch legs (the connection that runs from the switch to the electrical load).

Red

This will be your second hot wire when doing a 220-volt installation for large appliances such as a stove, clothes dryer, or air conditioner. Red can also be the interconnecting electrical wire between two hardwired smoke detectors.

Blue & Yellow

These two colors are hot wires usually pulled in conduit for common plug-in electrical devices. Blue wires are used as travelers, usually on three- or four-way switches (controlling a light from multiple locations) or as switch legs for things such as fans or lights. Yellow wires are almost always used as switch legs for outlets, fans, or lights.

White or Gray

White or gray indicates a neutral wire, which provides the return path for the current carried by the hot wires and is grounded within the electrical panel.

The post Yes, electrical wire colors do matter appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

A single circuit breaker controls the electrical current that flows to a specific outlet and it’s meant to protect your home from power surges or current overloads. A surge is when there’s a brief spike in your home’s electrical current. It can occur when large appliances, such as refrigerators or air conditioners, kick on or when there are nearby lightning strikes. An overload is when more amperage travels across a circuit than it is set to handle. For example, a wire that can safely carry 15 amps should be protected by a 15-amp breaker. If the wire is connected to a 20-amp breaker, it allows 20 amps to travel across a wire that’s only designed to handle 15 amps.

For these reasons, breakers are designed to fail safely and prevent problems such as a fire. If the current flowing through one of the breakers exceeds a certain level, the switch will automatically break the circuit (flip to the “off” position) and protect anything beyond that switch. When the switch is in the “on” position, power is flowing to that outlet. If it’s “off,” there has either been a power surge, a current overload, or someone manually turned it off.

It’s imperative that your breakers are labeled to identify what circuits connect to each outlet and avoid confusion if there’s a tripped breaker. Usually the builder or electrician will label the panel for you or you can do it yourself as soon as you move in. These labels should be located next to their corresponding switches or on the inside of the panels’ cover. The identifying stickers can relate to either specific appliances (dishwasher, stove, etc.) connected to corresponding outlets or the actual location of the outlet (kitchen, living room, etc.)

If you move into your home and there aren’t any labels in the electrical panel, you should take care of it immediately. You can leave the main breaker (located atop the single switches) on and turn the others off. Then, turn one switch on at a time and take a look around the house for appliances or outlets that are working and then label that switch. Do this with each breaker in both columns.

About 200 people die annually from household electrocutions. Power leaves the electrical panels on hot or energized wires, works through the device or outlet, and then the current comes back to the panel along neutral wires. Electrocution occurs when a person’s hands touch hot and neutral conductors, which causes the current to complete its circuit through the body.

All of those neutral circuits connect to a neutral bar in your electrical panel. They then connect to the main circuit neutral wire where it returns the current to the utility company’s transformers, which is usually the source of your electricity. So power comes from the electrical company’s line, through the meter located on the outside of your home, and into your service panel.

When working with electricity, it’s important to turn off the circuit breaker where you’re working. Electricity is very dangerous, causing about 4,000 injuries per year, so it’s best to call a certified electrician if you need work done or have any questions.

The post How does your electrical panel work? appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

• Of the approximate 180 related to consumer products, large appliances are responsible for 10 percent.
• Electrocutions from wiring hazards, including damaged or exposed wiring and household wiring, totaled about 20 percent.
• Ladders contacting power lines caused nine percent of electrocutions; in another five percent of deaths, victims contacted the high power lines.
• Power tools were responsible for another nine percent of deaths.
• Landscaping, gardening, and farming equipment cause 67 percent of electrocutions each year.

Data from the National Safety Council indicates that electrical hazards in the workplace cause nearly one fatality every day.

• Annually, electrical hazards are listed as the cause of about 4,000 injuries.
• While only a small portion of electrical incidents occur on the job, they’re far more likely to be fatal.
• Electricity ranks sixth among all causes of occupational injury in the United States.
• Before the installation of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs), which de-energize a circuit when they detect a ground fault, nearly 800 people died annually from household electrocutions. Now, less than 200 people die annually from household electrocutions.
• Twenty-five percent of U.S. consumers don’t understand the purpose of their GFCIs.
• More than 25 percent of consumers don’t know that GFCIs can help prevent electrocution.
• Nearly one-half of U.S. families never test their GFCIs.
• Among those who routinely test their GFCIs, none do so according to safety recommendations—at least one per month and after storms.

Electrocutions don’t tell the entire story. Electricity is the cause of more than 140,000 fires each year, resulting in 400 deaths, 4,000 injuries, and $1.6 billion in property damage. Total economic losses due to electrical hazards are estimated to exceed $4 billion annually.

Although Electrical Safety Month only happens once per year, remember we’re exposed to electricity every day so respect it, stay safe, and stay alive.

Nickle Safety … It’s How We’re Wired

Mike Anderson, CHST

Safety Director

The post Electrical safety statistics appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

Here are 10 things you can do to stay safe:

1. 1. Keep dry. Never touch electrical equipment/cords with wet hands, feet, or clothes, and never use electrical equipment near water.
2. 2. Avoid overloads. For example, don’t plug six cords into an outlet that’s only capable of handling two.
3. 3. Repair or replace damaged cords. Damaged cords should only be repaired by a qualified electrician. It’s safer to replace the damaged one with a new one.
4. 4. Unplug items immediately after you use them. That way short circuits or failure to turn an item off won’t cause damage.
5. 5. If you smell something burning, turn the item off immediately and unplug it from the outlet. This could be a sign that an appliance plug is overheating and starting to melt.
6. 6. Cut the item off and unplug it immediately if it’s getting warm. You’ll also want to turn off the circuit breaker (found in the breaker box) to this outlet. Check to see if there’s any damage to the outlet and/or plug.
7. 7. Purchase a special fire extinguisher just for electrical fires.
8. 8. Turn off the circuit breaker when working on any switches, plugs, outlets, or fixtures.
9. 9. Do not unplug a cord from the other side of the room.
10. 10. Install outlet covers if you have small children in your home.

While these are some great tips to keep you safe, we were only given one set of eyes, ears, hands, and feet, so take time to protect them. And we only have one heart, which wasn’t designed to receive an electrical shock, so please be careful. If you’re not comfortable working with electricity or unsure of the extent of your electrical knowledge, leave it to the professionals. The life you save may be your own.

Nickle is here to help if you’re in need of service or simply have a question. Feel free to contact us here.

Nickle Safety – It’s How We’re Wired

Mike Anderson, CHST

Safety Director

The post How to be safe around electricity appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

The NFPA 70E is a national consensus safety standard published by the NFPA primarily to assist OSHA in preparing electrical safety standards. Federal OSHA has not incorporated it into the Code of Federal Regulations.

OSHA bases its electrical safety standards on the comprehensive information found in NFPA 70E. It focuses on protecting people and identifies requirements that are considered necessary to provide a workplace free of electrical hazards. The OSHA regulations and NFPA standards work so well together it’s been said that OSHA provides the “shall” while NFPA provides the “how.”

For example, OSHA mandates that all services to electrical equipment be done in a de-energized state. Working live (or working in an energized state) can only be done under special circumstances. NFPA 70E defines those special circumstances and sets rigid electrical safety limits on voltage exposures, work zone boundary requirements, and necessary personal protective equipment.

In 2015, the NFPA released the tenth edition of the 70E standard for electrical safety in the workplace based on the 2014 NFPA 70 (NEC) Code. The previous edition was published in 2012 and there are significant differences between the two.

The 2015 edition reflects a major shift in how electrical risk is evaluated. In previous editions, risk was established by performing a shock and arc flash analysis that would quantify the risk. Moving forward, the new edition streamlines the requirements for arc and shock protection and outlines revised program requirements with emphasis on risk assessment—now called a flash risk assessment. This means the potential for harm is now based on the combination of severity and the likelihood of failure. The flash risk assessment addresses hierarchy of controls, such as electrical installation (engineering controls) and work practices.

Below are highlights of the remaining changes from the 2012 to the 2015 edition.

1. Safety-related maintenance requirements were added to clarify that training and auditing are equally important.

2. All references to bare-hand work were removed.

3. A new definition of “energized electrical work permit” was added and the definition of “qualified person” was revised.

4. Prohibited approach boundary was deleted.

5. An electrical safety program must now include elements that consider condition of maintenance.

6. Audits of field work must be performed at intervals not to exceed one year.

7. The location, sizing, and application of temporary protective grounding equipment must be identified.

8. New requirements clarifying where normal operation of electric equipment is permitted were added.

9. Clarification was added that either the incident energy analysis method or arc flash PPE category method be used on the same piece of equipment for the selection of PPE, but not both.

10. Labels must be updated when the arc flash hazard risk assessment identifies a change that renders the existing label inaccurate.

11. Additional text now provides the user with a boundary to the existing requirements in 130.6(D).

12. A new “yes or no” format task-based table was added to determine when arc flash PPE is required.*

13. A new arc flash PPE category/equipment-based table was added for determining the arc flash PPE category.

14. Hazard/risk category 0 from Table 130.7(C)(16) will now be referred to as PPE category.

15. The criterion for employees to use insulated tools or handling equipment has been changed from the limited approach boundary to restricted approach boundary.

16. Barricades cannot be placed closer than the limited approach boundary.

17. An electrician must perform a risk assessment if the likelihood of contacting energized electrical lines or parts exists.

18. There are clarifications that the equipment owner or designated representative is responsible for maintenance of the electrical equipment and documentation.

19. New maintenance program for test instruments must include functional verification.

20. Risk assessment must be performed prior to any work on a battery system.

*NFPA added the new task-based table (referenced in #12 above) to utilize a simple yes-or-no format to determine if arc flash PPE is required. If yes, the new equipment-based table (referenced in #13 above) is then used to determine the flash PPE category (previously known as hazard risk category) and arc flash boundary. Finally, to determine PPE needed, the newly modified category table referenced in #14 above is used.

Nickle Safety – It’s How We’re Wired

Mike Anderson, CHST

Safety Director

The post OSHA Standards & NFPA 70E Regulation Changes appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

Nickle Electrical Companies received two safety awards from local contractors associations for exemplary performance over the past year.

On March 12, Nickle was selected as one of the recipients of the 2014 Governor’s Safety Awards for the fourth year in a row. The honor was co-sponsored by the Delaware Contractors Association and the Delaware Department of Labor.

The award is given to contractors that “bring distinction, skill, and integrity to the construction industry.”

On May 7, Nickle was presented with its ninth consecutive Associated Builders and Contractors of Delaware STEP Award for safety. The STEP (Safety Training and Evaluation Process) program is designed to support ABC members with development and improvement of safety and training efforts. The awards are given in five levels based on a company’s safety program and this was the second year Nickle received the top award at the Diamond level.

Nickle Co-Ops Ryan Cooke and Greg Yazidjian also received recognition at the event, accepting an ABC Delaware Student Award. It’s presented to students from the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District who are enrolled in the construction trade curriculum and have shown outstanding academic achievement while successfully completing a co-op program with an ABC member.

The post Nickle honored with safety and student awards appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

1910.305 Electrical, Wiring Methods and 1910.303 Electrical, General Requirements are categories consistently on OSHA’s top 10 list of most commonly cited safety violations.

The top five serious electrical violations are:

1) 1926.404(f)(6) – Grounding Path (502 violations)

2) 1926.404(b)(1)(i) – Ground Fault Protection (306) violations)

3) 1926.405(g)(2)(iv) – Flexible Cords – Strain Relief (232 violations)

4) 1926.416(e)(1) – Worn/Frayed Cords or Cables(216 violations)

5) 1926.403(b)(2) – Equipment Installation and Use (213 violations)

Penalties for OSHA violations are costly. Failing to follow their workplace posting requirements could result in a Posting Violation with a penalty of $7,000. Serious Violation (hazard could cause injury/illness likely to result in death) penalties may also cost up to $7,000 for each offense. Failure to Abate Violations (not correcting cited violations) may result in a $7,000 per day penalty for each day the violation continues beyond the date the correction was supposed to be made.

For each Willful Violation (employer knowingly failed to comply or acted with indifference) or Repeat Violation (cited for same or similar condition), the penalty may be as high as $70,000. If an employer is convicted in a criminal proceeding for committing a Willful Violation that resulted in a death, penalties may be as high as $500,000, in addition to the possibility of a prison term for six months or more.

If an employer falsifies records, they may be subject to a prison term of six months and/or a criminal fine of $10,000. Assaulting, resisting, or interfering with an OSHA Compliance Officer in the performance of their duty to spot these violations is a criminal offense resulting in a prison term of up to three years and a possible fine of $5,000.

The best way to avoid paying costly penalties or fines is by staying compliant with OSHA regulations and standards. In addition to avoiding the cost of expensive penalties, compliance reduces expenses associated with accidents and injuries, lowering insurance costs and increasing productivity.

May is Electrical Safety Month and I will be doing a blog post each week. If you have a topic that may interest you, feel free to email me.

Nickle Safety – It’s How We’re Wired

Mike Anderson, CHST

Safety Director

The post OSHA’s Top 5 Electrical Violations appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

Anderson will again write weekly posts throughout the month to celebrate and educate about electrical safety. Let’s take a look at some of last year’s themes.

Do’s and Don’ts. Mike covered generic tips for avoiding electrical hazards. In the United States, electricity is the cause of more than 140,000 fires each year, resulting in 400 deaths, 4,000 injuries, and $1.6 billion in property damage. Total economic losses due to electrical hazards are estimated to exceed $4 billion annually. Following his 10 safety tips could save your life.

Behavior-Based Safety. This applies the science of behavioral changes to real world problems. It focuses on what people do, why they do it, and a research-supported strategy is applied to improve what people do. Nickle implemented a BBS program last year and it has been a major contribution to safety excellence.

Benefits of a Safety Committee. Mike covered five elements of creating a successful safety committee within your organization. It covers setting goals, appointing a leader, and including a diverse group of members.

Don’t Ignore Near-Misses. According to the National Safety Council, 75% of all accidents are preceded by one or more near-misses, minor incidents, or close calls. With effective training, these behaviors and near-misses can be diminished.

Are there any safety topics you hope Mike discusses in the coming weeks?

The post Electrical Safety Month begins tomorrow appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

PREPARATION

Make sure you know who you’re meeting with and where. Have this person’s contact information readily available. Sometimes it’s hard to navigate a construction site or find an appropriate place to park. If you have access to plans or blueprints of the site, study them and bring them with you. You don’t want to be wandering aimlessly around a dangerous site or driving in areas where vehicles aren’t allowed.

Ask what safety equipment is required. Every location differs and you want to be prepared. Without the proper protective equipment you may not be allowed on site. Hard hats, safety glasses, reflective vests, and steel toe boots are a few pieces you may need. If you don’t have any, ask your contact if you can borrow them.

Carry small, helpful tools. You may need a flashlight to see into a dark room or in between walls if the electricity hasn’t been installed yet. A tape measure will come in handy if you need to know whether your desk is going to fit through the door frame of your new office. If you want to reference a site later on, taking pictures with a small camera is beneficial.

Use the bathroom. This may sound silly, but do you really want to use the portable toilets on site? Sometimes the field office will have a private bathroom, but it might not be accessible to visitors. And even if bathrooms in the building have been installed, it’s unlikely they’re ready to be used.

AT THE SITE

Check in and check out. Report to the field office or check in with the person you’re meeting. It’s imperative that the supervisor keeps track of who’s been on site in case of theft, emergency, or accidents. You also want to stick with the group you’re touring with or the person showing you around the site as they’re responsible for you.

Mind your business and don’t get involved. Unless you have the authority to give direction, don’t tell the laborers what they should and shouldn’t be doing. They know more about the project than you do so it’s not only disrespectful, but could potentially cause serious problems if they take your advice.

Watch your step and stay alert. Construction sites are very dangerous. Keep an eye out for holes in the floor, exposed nails, and low overheads. Equipment operators are focused on their load, not on pedestrians, so you must move out of the way or face the consequences.

Avoid touching or taking anything. Construction material and equipment can be extremely expensive. You don’t want to be responsible for removing or damaging something from the site that will cost the owner or contractor big bucks. You should also be careful of what you touch. You don’t want to be electrocuted or accidentally leave a hand print in wet cement.

Ask before taking photos or videos. People are very particular about their privacy. Some sites may contain confidential information or material. The owner or contractor may be wary of what you plan to do with those pictures and videos. Or maybe someone simply doesn’t want to be on camera.

SAFETY

Shoes. Hard-soled boots or steel toe boots are necessary. Nails can penetrate soft-soled sneakers and steel toes will protect your feet in case something is dropped. Open-toed, open-heeled, and high-heeled shoes are forbidden.

Hard hat. You want to keep that cranium safe. Head injuries can be fatal. Make sure it fits snugly around your head and doesn’t fall off when you look up, down, and around.

Safety vest. This component isn’t necessary at every site but it’s good to keep handy, just in case.

Safety glasses. Again, these aren’t always required but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you wear prescription glasses, you can probably get away with just wearing those. But most safety glasses fit over them.

Long sleeves and long pants. These will protect your skin from scrapes or burns. No piece of clothing should have holes in them. Also, clothes that are too loose have the potential to get caught on something, so make sure everything fits comfortably.

All in all, make sure you’re kind, courteous, self-aware, and use common sense. Every single construction site is unique so these guidelines may not apply to all, but follow them as precautionary measures.

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