How to Be Safe when Installing Outdoor Lighting

There are two important factors involved in ensuring your safety when you are installing outdoor lighting. You need to follow ladder safety rules to prevent falls and electrical safety to prevent shock. If you are just putting up your holiday lights safety rules are fairly easy. For installing permanent outdoor lighting there are other factors to consider. You should also follow the most current N.E.C. building code guidelines to be sure that your installation is up to code.

Ladder safety:

For commercial and industrial work O.S.H.A., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has set guidelines for ladder safety requirements. The same safety rules can be applied for home ladder use. These are only a few of the many rules that apply to ladder safety but they are geared to home ladder use.

Do not allow your ladder to come in contact with electrical lines.

Use the appropriate ladder for the weight of the individual who will be working on it.

Do not use a ladder that has been damaged, has broken rungs or has been bent.

Always be sure of the footing of the ladder. The footings of the ladder should always be level and on a smooth surface. Do not use a ladder on ice.

When using a extension ladder both sides of the top must be supported.

Proper angle should be used when setting an extension ladder. The distance from the base of the ladder to the wall should be one fourth the distance of the ladder length in feet. An eight foot ladder should be placed at a two foot distance from the base of the wall.

Face the ladder while climbing and descending.

Use both hands when climbing a ladder.

Additional safety points are to have a helper "foot" the ladder for you. The helper's job is to make sure the ladder does not slip. It is also recommended to not use aluminum ladders when doing electrical work. Fiberglass is a better choice.

Electrical safety:

Always turn off the power to any circuit you are working on. Use a hot stick or other testing device to be sure the power is off.

Use the appropriate tools for the job. Wires strippers work much better than a pocket knife and are less likely to cut you.

Use appropriate size wire nuts to make your connections. Nuts that are too large may come loose. Just taping connections with electric tape is not a connection.

When you are installing outdoor lighting be sure to use the correct enclosures. Special boxes are made for wet location use. Do not forget to use the gaskets that are supplied with the boxes.

It is always better to avoid outdoor ladder and electrical work in inclement weather. Rain, ice and lightning will not make the job easier.

For installing holiday lighting follow guidelines from the manufacturer. Do not connect too many strings of lights together. Do not overload any one circuit. Always be sure that the lights you are using are rated for outdoor use. You should also use caution around bushes or shrubs. Some outdoor holiday lights can become quite warm as they burn so avoid placing them directly on any dried or damaged branches.

While it is not necessary for you to understand the complete National Electric Code you should be familiar with specific requirements for installing outdoor lighting and any code requirements for your area. The code is meant for your safety and to insure proper electrical function of the devices you install. For more N.E.C. information check out their website: http://www.necplus.org/Pages/Default.aspx?sso=0

　

Full O.S.H.A. guidelines can be found here:

http://www.osha.gov/comp-links.html