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Electrical Safety

Training
Qualified workers
Only Qualified workers are allowed to work on or near exposed energized
equipment.

Unqualified workers
Unqualified workers are not permitted to work on or near exposed energized
equipment

Concerned About Electricity?


How many sets of Christmas lights do you plug into
one extension cord?
Do you still use your hot and sparking electric drill?
Is your vacuum cleaners cord twisted and frayed?
Have you installed outlet covers to protect your
probing fingers?

Electrical Safety Outline


Electricity and the human body
Electrical hazards and safe work practices
Quiz

Electrical Circuits
A basic completed electrical circuit requires three
things to function correctly:
Electrical source
Electrical user
Wires

Rules of Electricity
Electricity travels in a completed circuit
Electricity always travels in the path of
least resistance
Electricity tries to travel to ground

Electricity and People


A person usually offers a lessor resistance
for the electricity
The person forms a completed circuit when
touching the ground
Electricity always tries to travel to ground

Voltages and Amperes


Voltage = Amps X Ohms
(resistance)
Converting voltage to amps
Typical Industrial Voltages
110/120 Volts = 60
milli-amps (mA)
220/240 Volts = 120 mA
440/480 Volts = 240 mA

Effects on the Human Body


1 mA: Can be felt by the body
2-10 mA: Minor shock, might result in a fall
10-25 mA: Loss of muscle control, may
not be able to let go of the current
25-75 mA: Painful, may lead to collapse
or death
75-300 mA: Last for 1/4 second, almost always
immediately fatal

Bodys Resistance
Skin offers most of the bodys electrical resistance

Increased resistance
Thick and callused skin (foot or hand)
Dry skin

Decreased resistance
Thin skin (inner forearm)
Wet or sweaty skin
Broken or abraded skin (scratches)

Resistance Varies
Different levels of electrical resistance
for each person
Ranges from 500 ohms to many thousands of ohms
The greater the bodys resistance, the less chance
of harm
A similar voltage shock can be minor to one person
and deadly to another.

Additional Resistance
Gloves
Shoes
Mats

Hazard Control
Electrical systems are inherently safe
Injuries typically occur when:
Procedures are inappropriate
Procedures are not followed or ignored
Safety systems are circumvented

General Electrical Hazards


High-voltage overhead
power lines
Damaged insulation on wires
Digging or trenching near
buried lines
Broken switches or plugs
Overloaded circuits
Overheated appliances or tools
Static electricity
Flammable materials

Portable Power Tools


Inspect portable power tools
Never use damaged equipment
Tag it out of service
Have it repaired or replaced

Never use portable power equipment in wet or


damp areas
Stop using power tools if they become hot or
start sparking

Extension Cords
Inspect and check
for capacity
For temporary work only
Do not use as a rope
to pull or lift objects
Should not be fastened with staples or
hung over hooks

Electrical Cord Inspection


Deformed or mission pins
Damaged outer jacket or insulation
Evidence of internal damage
If damaged, take out of service until repaired

Circuit Protection
Energize or de-energize with appropriate
switches, breakers, etc.
Do not energize or de-energize with fuses,
terminal lugs, or cable splice connections
If circuit protection device is trippedinspect

Grounding Equipment
Most electrical equipment is designed with a
grounding system
Do not use equipment with damaged grounding
connectors
Do not use adapters that interrupt the grounding
connection

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters


GFCIs reduce the likelihood of fatal shocks
Detect small amount of earth current and
automatically switch off the power
Used with extension cords and portable tools
Fuses and circuit breakers protect equipment,
not people

Static Electricity
Created when materials rub together
Can cause shocks or even minor skin burns
Reduced or prevented by:
Proper grounding
Rubber matting
Grounding wires, gloves, or shoes

Flammable/Ignitable Materials
Flammable gases, vapors, or liquids
Combustible dust
Can be ignited by static electricity
Require specially designed electrical equipment

Machine Operators
Never tamper with electrical interlocks
Do not repair electrical components of
your machine
Properly shut off machinery before
working in the point of operation
Obey warning signs and follow safe
procedures

Summary
Electricity will try to reach ground even if it
means going through a person
Even the small voltage from your home
can cause serious injury
Always inspect power tools and cords and
do not use them if damaged
Do not attempt to repair electrical equipment
unless trained and qualified

Electrical Injuries
Call for emergency help immediately

Everyone experiences minor electrical shocks from time to time. In some cases, however, even small amounts of
electricity can be life-threatening because they can produce unconsciousness, cardiac arrest, and cessation of
breathing.

Electrical shocks also can produce serious, deep burns and tissue injury, although often even a serious electrical
burn appears as only a minor mark on the skin.

If you find a person whom you think has been electrocuted, look first--do not touch. He or she may still be in
contact with the electrical source, and touching him or her may only pass the current through you.

If possible, turn off the source of electricity. If this is not possible, move the source away from you and the affected
person using a non-conducting object made of cardboard, plastic, or wood.

Once the person is free of the source of electricity, check the person's breathing and pulse. If either has stopped or
seems dangerously slow or shallow, initiate resuscitation immediately .

If the person is faint or pale or shows other signs of shock, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the
trunk of his or her body and the legs elevated.

Treat any major burns and wait for emergency medical assistance to arrive.

Question 1
Where does electricity always want to go, even if it
means traveling through a person?

Question 1
Where does electricity always want to go, even if
it means traveling through a person?

Electricity always wants


to travel to ground,
which will complete the
circuit.

Question 2
A shock from an outlet at home may be
painful, lead to collapse, or even death. (True or
False)

Question 2
A shock from an outlet at home may be
painful, lead to collapse, or even death. (True or
False)

True. A 120-volt outlet at


home can give the
average person a shock of
60 mA.

Question 3
Which part of the human body offers the most
electrical resistance?

Question 3
Which part of the human body offers the most
electrical resistance?

The skin offers the most


electrical resistance.

Question 4
Flammable materials can easily be ignited by
___________ electricity.

Question 4
Flammable materials can easily be ignited by
___________ electricity.

Static electricity can


easily ignite a
flammable material.

Question 5
Only ___________________ workers are
permitted to work on or near exposed electrical
components.

Question 5
Only ___________________ workers are
permitted to work on or near exposed electrical
components.

Only qualified and trained


workers can repair or
troubleshoot electrical
equipment.

Question 6
When should power tools and extension
cords be inspected?

Question 6
When should power tools and extension
cords be inspected?

Inspect power tools and


extension cords before
each use.

Question 7
Fuses and circuit breaker are designed to protect
people from shocks. (True or False)

Question 7
Fuses and circuit breaker are designed to protect
people from shocks. (True or False)

False. Fuses and circuit


breaker protect
machinery and electrical
systems

Question 8
When a circuit breaker trips, you should
immediately reset it. (True or False)

Question 8
When a circuit breaker trips, you should
immediately reset it. (True or False)

False. A tripped breaker


could indicate a
problem, so it should
be checked by a
qualified worker.

Question 9
Extension cords should never be used as a
permanent power source. (True or False)

Question 9
Extension cords should never be used as a
permanent power source. (True or False)

True. Extension cords


are designed as a
temporary power
source.

Question 10
What should be done with a damaged power tool or
extension cord?

Question 10
What should be done with a damaged power tool
or extension cord?

Tag it as out of service


and have it replaced or
repaired by a qualified
electrician.

Power Line Safety


http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Mult
imedia/Videos.asp?ReportID=34818

The hazards of power lines

You cannot tell if a downed power line is energized


just by looking at it.

The electricity in a power line always seeks a path to


the ground. This path might include a tree, a vehicle,
or a fence. These objects then become energized. If
you touch the energized line or object, the electricity
can flow through your body. Keep away from any
object that is in contact with a power line.

Once electricity reaches the ground, the ground


itself becomes energized. This can happen if a
broken power line falls to the ground or onto a
vehicle or tree. The electricity then flows through the
ground over a wide area, spreading out like ripples
in a pool of water.

Safe work practices for first responders

Treat downed power lines and anything in contact with them as energized.

Park away from the power lines. When you arrive at the scene, park your vehicle well
away from any downed lines. Before you exit your vehicle at night, shine a flashlight
through the window to make sure you are not near a downed power line.

Stop traffic and keep people away. Pedestrians or motorists may not see power lines
that are on the ground. The surrounding area will be energized. Secure the area and
keep everyone back at least 10 metres (33 feet) - more if the voltage is over 60 kilovolts.

Don't become a victim yourself. You cannot help anyone if you are injured or
electrocuted. Never touch anything that is in contact with a downed power line, including
injured or trapped victims, puddles, vehicles, or trees. Do not use a dry stick or piece of
hose as they will not protect you.

Call the power company immediately. The power company can ensure that automatic
switching equipment will not restore power to the line. A crew with proper training and
equipment will arrive as soon as possible.

Wait for the power company representative to confirm that it is safe to approach
the scene. Only the power company can confirm that the system has been deenergized and that power will not automatically be restored.

Staying safe inside a vehicle that is in


contact with power lines

If possible, move the vehicle away to break


contact with the power line.

If the vehicle cannot be moved, stay inside


until emergency crews can safely approach.
If anyone approaches the vehicle, open the
window and call out. Tell them to keep away
and to call 9-1-1 for help.

If there is a fire and you must leave the


vehicle, jump out with your feet together.
Never touch the ground and the vehicle at
the same time. Move away slowly by
shuffling and keeping both feet close
together.

Questions?

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