No matter the job site your on, worker safety should be your highest priority. One common safety concern your construction site should pay attention to is when working with electricity. If proper electrical precautions are not in place, the crew members are at risk of a severe shock. That being said, contractors are required to utilize safe grounding practices. OSHA estimates that construction-related fatalities in 2018, 8.5% were electrocutions.
What Makes Electricity dangerous?
The nature of electricity and how it transfers is what makes it a danger for employees. Electrical charges want to be equal. That being said, if there is a discrepancy between two objects that come into contact, A current will flow between them as the charges seek to equalize. If a worker were to have touched charged power lines, they will experience a severe shock unless they are grounded. Grounding gives the direct pathway a connection to the earth. The electricity will then dissipate safely without electrocution.
One effective way to utilize ground is by creating an equipotential grounding zone through the use of galvanized steel grates. This can assure workers a grounded work zone from fault currents. Any faults that may occur within the area are grounded and directed along the ground instead of through their body.
Grounding Grates Make the Most Sense
One piece of equipment that can be utilized is an EPZ grounding great. Single-piece grates are easy to deploy and are used to create an equipotential zone for any configuration. To learn more about grounding on a construction site and how EPZ grounding grates can be utilized, take a look at the accompanying resource below.
Courtesy Of Yak Mat, an electrical grounding mats supplier
