Basic Safety in an Electrical Laboratory: Important Procedures & Tips

 1. Introduction and Pillars of Occupational Safety and Health (K3)

Occupational Safety and Health (K3) is a systematic effort to ensure a safe, healthy, and risk-free work environment for accidents or occupational diseases.

In the Electrical Engineering laboratory, potential hazards are quite complex: from high voltages and sensitive electronic components to experimental equipment.

Objectives of this material:

• Students will be able to recognize potential hazards.
• Implement standard safety procedures.
• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) correctly.
• Provide first aid.
• Cultivate an attitude of discipline, responsibility, and concern for the work environment.

2. Identifying Potential Hazards in the Electrical Laboratory

• Electrical hazards: high voltage, leakage current, ground faults, capacitors still holding charge
• Mechanical & thermal hazards: rotating tools, hot plates, ovens, lasers, and the risk of injury from broken glass.
• Environment: slippery floors, messy cables, disorganized chemical storage
• Chemicals & sharps: spills or contact with corrosive chemicals, sharp instruments such as needles, broken glass, which can potentially cause injury.

3. Spatial Layout, Facilities, and Supporting Infrastructure

• Spatial layout: chemical- and heat-resistant tables, adequate ventilation, clean and non-slippery floors, clearly labeled exits
• Safe storage: chemicals are stored in special cabinets at a safe distance from sprinklers/lights, strong and sturdy shelves, separate incompatible chemicals.
• Power lines: avoid cables on the floor, know the location of the electrical panel, check the condition of cables & insulation
• Grounding: ensure proper equipment grounding to prevent electric shock through the casing.
• Emergency equipment: Fire extinguisher, first aid kit, emergency signs, evacuation system, and spill kit are available and recognized.

4. Equipment Use and Maintenance: Electrical Safety Procedures

• Equipment Inspection: Regularly check the condition of the cables, insulation, and cleanliness of dust and oil to prevent current leakage.
• Isolator & Grounding Installation: especially for high voltage circuits, and avoid direct contact when working
• Capacitor handling: capacitors must be discharged before being touched, use insulating tools.
• Safe measurement: use a measuring tool with an insulated handle; keep one hand in a pocket or behind the body to prevent current from passing through.
• Motors and rotating equipment: use non-series-cycle motors (reduce sparking) near flammable materials.
• Power outage before servicing: always disconnect power before servicing equipment; only qualified technicians should perform repairs.
• Ventilation and cleanliness: avoid condensation, steam or spills that could cause short circuits or fire.

5. Laboratory Behavior and Rules

• Prohibited activities: no eating, drinking, smoking, loud talking, joking, or using cell phones—to maintain concentration and prevent accidents.
• Mandatory PPE: lab coat, closed shoes, hair tied back, avoid jewelry and contact lenses, use gloves, mask/additional PPE if necessary
• Enter the laboratory: only authorized personnel or students, and always read the procedures before working.
• Do not work alone: always have supervision from a technician or lecturer; do not work alone during practice.
• Report incidents: minor accidents, spills, damaged equipment must be reported immediately without panic.

6. Training, Risk Assessment, and OHS Culture

• Safety training: mandatory for lab users to learn how to use PPE and respond to incidents such as shocks or fires.
• Hazard identification form: before work, users fill out a risk assessment and safety contract.
• Regular evacuation drills: understand evacuation routes, assembly points, fire extinguisher locations
• Culture of discipline: individual awareness and responsibility create a safe, disciplined and healthy work environment.

7. Emergency Measures and First Aid

Electric Shock:

• Turn off the power before assisting the victim.
• If you cannot turn it off, use an insulating stick or dry cloth to move the victim away from the source.

Fire axe:

• Do not use water to extinguish electrical fires! Turn off the source then use a CO₂ or dry fire extinguisher

Chemical Spills:

• Flush skin/eyes for at least 20 minutes if exposed to the material. Call a doctor/technician immediately.

Evacuation:

• Know the routes and assembly points, and practice regularly.

8. Practical Summary & K3 Checklist

Space & Facilities : Ventilation, safe floors, neat arrangement, safe storage, emergency equipment available

Tools & Infrastructure : Good insulation cables, grounding, clear electrical panel, regular maintenance

Behavior & PPE : Prohibit hazardous activities, lab coats, closed shoes are mandatory, avoid jewelry

Work procedures : Inspection, turn off the flow before servicing, discharge the capacitor, use safe measuring tools.

OHS Training & Culture : Risk assessment, training, evacuation procedures, individual responsibility

Emergency response : Turn off the power, CPR, spills, fires → APAR according to type, report immediately

Conclusion

Safety in an Electrical Engineering laboratory is not just about technical procedures or equipment, but rather about a safety culture—starting with individual awareness, disciplined training, and systematic processes before, during, and after work. By consistently applying the above principles, we can create a productive and safe research environment.