PPE and safety footwear for workshop workers: risk prevention and occupational health and safety

Prevention of occupational hazards when working with electricity

Electricity is an essential element in most work environments, but it also represents a significant risk if not handled properly.

Electrical accidents can have serious consequences, from burns and shocks to fires or explosions. This is why the prevention of occupational hazards in electrical work is a key issue in any company or industry.

Identification of electrical risks

In order to establish effective prevention measures, it is essential to identify the electrical hazards present in the working environment. The main hazards include:

  • Direct contact with live parts: This can occur when touching live parts without proper protection.
  • Indirect contact: This occurs when a person comes into contact with a surface that has been electrified due to an insulation fault.
  • Electric arcs: Discharges that can cause severe burns and structural damage.
  • Overloads and short circuits: Situations that can lead to fires or damage to electrical equipment.
  • Static electricity: Risk present in certain industrial processes, especially in environments with flammable substances.

Preventive measures for work with electricity

The prevention of electrical risks must be tackled from an integral approach, combining organisational, technical and individual protection measures.

1. Training and awareness-raising

The first step in prevention is the training of workers. All employees operating in environments with electricity must be trained on the associated risks and relevant safety measures.

2. Disconnection and lockout of electrical sources

Whenever possible, before carrying out maintenance or repair work on electrical installations, disconnection of power should be ensured. In addition, the use of lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures prevents accidental reconnections that could endanger workers.

3. Appropriate installations and equipment

Appropriate installations and equipment
Electrical installations must comply with current safety regulations. Protective devices such as earth leakage protection and earthing systems are recommended to minimise the risk of electrocution.

4. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

The use of personal protective equipment is crucial to minimise risks in electrical work. Among the most important PPE are:

  • Insulating gloves: Protect against direct and indirect discharges.
  • Flame-retardant clothing: Reduces the impact of possible electric arcs.
  • Goggles and face shields: Essential in environments where there is a risk of particles or sparks being projected.
  • Safety footwear: The use of boots with puncture-resistant soles and insulating materials helps to reduce certain risks arising from the working environment. It is advisable to choose models with rubber or polyurethane soles, which offer greater electrical resistance than other conductive materials.
5. Preventive maintenance

Proper maintenance of electrical installations is key to avoiding incidents. Periodic inspections should be carried out to detect insulation wear, circuit overloads and faulty connections.

6. Marking and delimitation of risk areas

Areas of high electrical risk should be clearly marked and, as far as possible, restricted to authorised personnel. Adequate marking helps to reduce accidents due to unintentional contact with live installations.

The prevention of occupational hazards in electrical work is a fundamental aspect of any industrial environment. The correct identification of hazards, the application of preventive measures and the proper use of PPE can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Although dielectric footwear is the best option for protection against direct discharges, in environments where this feature is not required, quality and resistant safety boots are still essential to ensure worker safety.