August 27, 2010, Newsletter Issue #258: Cable Installation Safety

Tip of the Week

Whether you are installing cables in your home or at work, there are certain precautions you should take. Here are some cable installation safety tips, courtesy of NetDay, a national education technology non-profit organization.

Wear safety glasses: if you're working in a crawl space or above a dropped ceiling, you never know what might fall from above or what you might lean into.Use common sense with ladders: don't stand on the top two steps and don't overreach. Move the ladder as you work.Wear protective clothing: wearing long shirts and pants will protect you from minor cuts and keep materials from rubbing against your skin.Don't be careless when lifting: bend your knees and keep your back straight and don't be afraid to ask for help.Don't use power tools unless you know how to use them: if you use a saw or drill, work from a stable position. To avoid making dust fly when you drill, place a damp sponge over the surface to be drilled and then drill through the sponge. Don't trip over lengthy extension cords. Don't leave tools lying around.Be wary of electrical cable: especially cables in ceilings and walls because you never know when they might be live. Know where the nearest fire extinguisher is.Know local code: building code may prohibit drilling holes in fire walls or ceilings. Some buildings may contain asbestos or another material that must be handled by trained technicians. If you find damaged insulation, don't run cable in that area. If your plan includes routing cable through spaces where air is circulated, you may need to use fire-rated (also called plenum-rated) cable.

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