May is National Electrical Safety Month
New Emerging Technology Resources
To commemorate National Electrical Safety Month each May, ESFI spearheads an annual campaign to educate key audiences about the steps that can be taken to reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss. ESFI’s National Electrical Safety Month 2023 campaign features a comprehensive collection of new and updated resources to help facilitate an effective electrical safety awareness campaign for your community, organization, school, or family. Utilize the following emerging technology and consumer safety resources to keep yourself safe:
• Prepare your Home or Business for Electric Vehicles
• Electric Vehicle Charging Safety
• Lithium-ion Battery Safety
• Avoid Non-Approved Electric Vehicle Adapters
• EV Charging Equipment
• Qualified EV Installation
• Solar Energy
• Downed Power Lines
• Electrical Warning Signs
• Extension Cord Safety
• Understand Your Breaker Box
• What is a GFCI
National Electrical Safety Month 2023
New Workplace Safety Resources
Contact with or exposure to electricity continues to be one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries in the United States. Between 2011 and 2021, there was a total of 1,201 workplace fatalities involving electricity reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and 1,653 electrical fatalities reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. During this period, 69% of all electrically related fatalities happened in non-electrically related occupations. Utilize the following resources to keep yourself and others safe on the worksite:
• Importance of Qualified Workers – Video Short
• Lockout / Tagout – Video Short
• Overhead Power Line Safety – Video Short
• Test Before You Touch – Video Short
• Workplace Safety: Avoid Common Electrical Hazards
• Electrical Fatalities in the Workplace: 2011 – 2021
Electrical Safety in the Workplace
Avoid Common Electrical Hazards
Contact with or exposure to electricity is one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. Follow these tips to avoid electrical injury:
• 45% of all electrical fatalities were caused by working on or near energized conductors or parts
• 74% of these fatalities were in electrical occupations
• Always test for voltage before you perform work. Be sure also to test the area around the equipment you are working on to avoid accidental contact with energized equipment
• Always perform a site and risk assessment before conducting work. Hazards exist on and near the equipment you are working on
• When possible, turn off the power before conducting work
• Follow proper lockout / tagout procedures
• Avoid complacency. Every job is different, make sure you follow the hierarchy of controls and other electrical safety work practices on every job
Lithium-ion Battery Safety
Lithium-ion batteries power many portable consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and even store power in energy storage systems. In normal applications, the Li-ion batteries are safe, but if damaged or overheated, they can cause fires.
• Only use manufacturer-provided or authorized batteries and charging equipment. All equipment should be certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
• Remove the battery or charging device from power once charging is complete to avoid overheating
• Keep batteries and charge them at room temperature. Issues can occur below 32° F or above 105° F
• Keep batteries and devices from heat sources or anything that can catch fire
• Do not store batteries in vehicles or direct sunlight
• All maintenance on batteries or e-mobility devices should be completed by a qualified professional
Discontinue using devices or batteries that have an unusual odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, are leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge.
Protect your Electric Bike and Scooter
Please utilize our free-to-share materials to help promote National Electrical Safety Month throughout your home, workplace, and community.
Sincerely,
Electrical Safety Foundation International
Electrical Safety Foundation International | 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 900, Rosslyn, VA 22209
