Work on an electrical installation: precautions to take

Work on an electrical installation: precautions to take



Although interventions on electrical installations can be frequent, they require maximum vigilance in order to mitigate any risk of accident. Risk analysis, authorization of employees, signaling of installations, de-energization, wearing of personal protective equipment: find 5 measures to take when working on an electrical installation.
1. Analyze electrical risks
Analyzing the electrical risks beforehand, before each work on an electrical installation, makes it possible to reduce the risks incurred. Indeed, a lack of knowledge of the various dangers leads to an increase in the risk of electrical accidents. Regular analysis thus makes it possible to anticipate possible dangerous situations and to better plan interventions.
How to carry out an electrical risk analysis? Several elements must be taken into account:
The characteristics of the installation: positioning of the cables, primary and secondary sources, voltage range (very low, low, high), etc.
The environment of the intervention: movement of nearby machinery, risk of falling tools or other elements, etc.
The actions to be taken during the work: position of the person working, mandatory equipment, actions to be taken, etc.
2. Empower employees
Not everyone is authorized to carry out work on electrical installations. You can turn to a licensed professional to carry out this type of intervention. Or, as a business manager, you have the possibility of issuing an authorization to your employees, subject to certain conditions.
As a first step, it is necessary to ensure that the employee(s) concerned have the skills – experience, interpersonal skills, etc. – and technical skills to receive this authorization. Above all, they will have to undergo training provided by an organization approved by the Ministry of Labour. Only authorized employees will have the right to work on or near electrical installations.
3. Report electrical installations
Cabinets, premises or any other location presenting an electrical hazard must be properly delimited and indicated by the presence of a warning sign: a yellow triangle, with an arrow in the shape of a lightning bolt. Only authorized persons are authorized to access these premises.
In the event of work on electrical installations and the opening of an electrical cabinet, it is necessary to set up clear and visible markings – a ribbon or a red and white chain, for example – which must not be able to be crossed. inadvertently. Similarly, a warning sign must be installed to warn of the ongoing intervention.
4. Carry out work with the power off
One of the main precautions to be taken is to carry out work on a de-energized electrical installation. Separating the installation from any source of electrical energy remains the only way to operate in total safety. It is also advisable to condemn all means of re-energizing as long as the work is in progress.
Carrying out work under tension is possible, but this must remain a very exceptional case. This may be the case if the conditions make switching off dangerous, or if it is technically impossible. This intervention is only tolerated on a written order from the company manager, who justifies the need to carry out this work under voltage.
5. Wear personal protective equipment
If it is not possible to completely eliminate the risks when working on an electrical installation, approved persons must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to contain them as much as possible. These PPE must comply with the design rules defined in the Labor Code and display the CE marking, signifying their conformity.
Among the main PPE to wear when working on electrical installations, we find:
an insulating helmet;
face and eye protection;
an insulating suit;
insulated gloves;
insulated boots.
It should be noted that the person carrying out the work must not wear jewelry or objects that may come into contact with exposed live parts. This is the case, for example, of rings, chains or even watches. Work clothes must also not have electrically conductive parts.