Document jy8M4DpB14gVrwD4Rnoe9BYZQ

consultation corner L.,c.by SMJTH,. NSC Industrial Oapartmant I! i Safe Cleaning of Electrical }. Switch Panels ; i Question: I have a question coni caning electrical safety. Would a cleaning rag made of a synthetic fabric such as rayon, dacron, or an acetate conduct electricity if used to dust and clean an electrical switch panel? Is there any chance of ad electrical shock, and if so what fab-i ties have the highest and lowest conductivity? '' , The above questions have no reference to static electricity. els for cleaning and then you can use a rag, brush, or vacuum-type cleaner. | You might jcontact your local electrical utility company for their recommendations as to cleaning these panels. It may also be possible to use a clear loose plastic covering of some kind over these panels to keep the dust from collecting. 1 Who Has the Responsibility For Safety? Answer. In reply to your problem concerning tbe conductivity of ragi made from synthetic fibers, I doubt if this is your real problem. Fabrics are considered poor conductors! However, reaching into an energize` panel is not a safe procedure be cause there is always a chance oi receiving an electrical shoclc. Appar ently, from your operation you havt a problem keeping your electrical panels free of cement and dust, and are cleaning them with rags without) de-energizing the panel. It would be advisable to de-energize the pan-) Question: Herq at our organization the question Ijas arisen as to the correct person in management who should have {he safety responsibility. Looking through my Accident Prevention Manual, 5th edition, in -Section 2, page 8, I note that the Council conducted a survey in 1961 to determine tjie organizational po sition of safety. Of the respondents, 44.8 per cent reported directly to a member of top management, president, ^ice-president, etc.; 19.3 per cent reported to the plant man ager or superintendent; 30.4 per cent reported to the industrial rela- 100 3M | Filter Masks for only *14.12!! For pennies a day. per man 3M Brand Filter Masks protect workers from contaminated air. Give effective . protection from non-toxic dusts, powders, and spray particles. Proved 90.6% efficient (by weight) in atmospheres with 96% of particles 1 smaller than five microns. Lightweight, 1 comfortable, easy to breathe and talk through. Reusable, too--but at this low price they can be discarded after a single wearing. For complete - information, write 3M Company, Dept. CON-29, St. Paul. Minn. 55101. "Nlc* thing a!bout that used as product, Mr. Jomo, Is lad, B's parfaerfy sdM" National Safety News, February 1969 3B* Fitter mask ' . CIRCLE 71 ON REACH CARO 21