You might find this interesting.... _______________________________________________________________________________ To: Multiple recipients of list SAFETY From: Safety on Fri, May 24, 1996 5:18 AM Subject: Re: Crock Pots
In a message dated 96-05-24 02:17:59 EDT, you write: >A few days ago, one of our food service workers received an >electric shock when her hand touched a crock-pot while wiping >down a countertop. Bill's experience is just one more good example of (1) why talking about near misses is so important and (2) a hazard that is not well recognized. Two-prong unpolarized plugs and miswired recepticals with the hot and neutral reversed lead to the case of appliances being hot. According to Ed Egan at OSHA, 35 people die annually from fatal shocks of this origin. JCAHO and CAP both ask for annual checking of electrical equipment for voltage leaks. Ground Monitors or circuit analyzers should be use to check the receptical wiring. The two-prong unpolarized plugs should be replaced with three-wire cords and plugs. In the meantime, remember, the ripple side of the cord goes to the wide side of the receptical. If you saw a drunk coming at you with a jug of "Ripple", most of you would stay "wide" of him or her! Maybel not Ralph! (only kidding Ralph). ...jak Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Workshop, 192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760 email:[email protected]; 508-647-1900; fax 508-647-0062. The Laboratory Safety Workshop is a non-profit organization whose mission is to make health and safety an integral and important part of science education.
