Electrical safety in the lab
Lab Edu✕
DON'T
Don't daisy-chain strips
No strip plugged into another strip.
Step 3 / 6VOICE · ON
IN ONE LINE
Wet hands, daisy-chained strips and frayed cords are the three electrical hazards that injure most in labs.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Identify the common electrical hazards in lab settings.
Use GFCI protection and avoid overloading.
De-energise equipment safely before servicing.
READ THE LESSON
Water is the multiplier
Labs are full of sinks, water baths and spills, and water dramatically lowers your body's resistance. Keep electrical equipment and wet areas apart, and use GFCI outlets near water.
Cords tell a story
Cracked insulation, scorch marks and a strip plugged into a strip are warnings you can see. Replace damaged cords and give high-draw equipment its own dedicated outlet.
Dead before you open it
Before you clear a jam or open a panel, unplug and lock out the equipment. Capacitors can hold a charge even after the power is off.
GFCI
A ground-fault circuit interrupter cuts power in milliseconds when current leaks. By any water source, it's required.
QUICK CHECK
1 / 5You must never handle electrical equipment with…
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OSHA · 09
KEY POINTS
Never handle power with wet hands.
Use GFCI outlets near water.
No daisy-chained power strips.
De-energise and lock out before service.
REFERENCES
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S — Electrical
NFPA 70E — Electrical safety in the workplace
IEC 61010 — Lab equipment
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