One fundamental safety related work practice of work on an electrical system.

Is that exposed live electrical parts must be de energized before work on or near them is permmitted, the only exception to this rule is for a qualified person. and only when absolutely necessary due to equipment design or operational limitations, and then other work practices must be followed to protect that person. the bottom line is that all of us,including unqualified and qualified persons,must protect ourselves from all potential contact with live electrcal parts. protection may be provided via shielding, insulated tools or protective electrical gloves and clothing to properly isolate electrical energy to prevent exposure to electrical hazards.

The system or parts of the system must belocked or tagged out, in accurdance with your company lockout tag out policy, lockout is defined as the placement of a lockout or tag out device. on an energy isolation device, such as an electrical disconnect switch, in accordance with a written sprocedure, this is performed to ensure that the isolating device. will be controlled from inadvertent or accidental operation,untill all employee are safe and the lockout tag out device is removed,regarding work on an electrical system,a lock with a tag must be placed on all disconnecting devices. the lock must be seurely attached and locked. the tag must contain a statement; prohibiting energization or operation of the equipment and removal of the tag, in addition a qualifiled person must test the equipment to verify that the circuit elements and  parts that are isolated are in fact de-energized, electrical equipment should never just be presumed to be dead verification is always necessary.

If the electrical system is over 600 volts, the test equipment used by the qualifiled person,must be checked immediately before and after to assure proper operation, a very important safety procedure is the reenergization of electrical disconnect swithes,if an electrical malfunction should occur, it is critical that you and other employee are clear of the electrical equipment. never stand in front of a disconnect swith when you are energizing the circuit. proper closing or activation of swithes means that you always stand to the unhinged side of the cabinet, close the swith with your near hand or arm and turn you head away from the cabinet. this is done to reduce the risk of injury. in case of a malfunction of the swith starer which could cause the release of an arc of energy.Although this is a rare occurence it can and does happen, if this were to occur you could be struck by the cabinet door and seriously burned by the intense electrical arc.