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Electrical Hazards: Primary and Secondary Hazards

This document discusses electrical hazards in the workplace. It explains that there are three types of electrical hazards: electric shock, arc flash, and blast. Shock occurs when a worker touches an energized conductor, while arc flash and blast refer to burns or injuries from the flash or explosion of an electrical discharge. The document emphasizes that understanding the nature of these hazards is not enough - employers must implement protective strategies like de-energizing equipment or using personal protective equipment to keep workers safe from electrical dangers.

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Nishant Raj
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331 views

Electrical Hazards: Primary and Secondary Hazards

This document discusses electrical hazards in the workplace. It explains that there are three types of electrical hazards: electric shock, arc flash, and blast. Shock occurs when a worker touches an energized conductor, while arc flash and blast refer to burns or injuries from the flash or explosion of an electrical discharge. The document emphasizes that understanding the nature of these hazards is not enough - employers must implement protective strategies like de-energizing equipment or using personal protective equipment to keep workers safe from electrical dangers.

Uploaded by

Nishant Raj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Primary and secondary hazards


Modern society has produced several generations who have grown accustomed to
electricity. This acclimatization has been made easier by the fact that electricity is silent,
invisible, odorless, and has an “automatic” aspect to it. In the late 1800s, hotels had to place
signs assuring their guests that electricity is harmless. By the late 1900s, signs had to be hung
to remind us that electricity is a hazard. In fact, the transition of electricity from a silent
coworker to a deadly hazard is a change that many cannot understand until it happens to
them. Because of these facts, the total acceptance of an electrical safety procedure is a
requirement for the health and welfare of workers. Understanding the steps and procedures
employed in a good electrical safety program requires an understanding of the nature of
electrical hazards. Although they may have trouble writing a concise definition, most people
are familiar with electric shock. This often painful experience leaves its memory indelibly
etched on the human mind. However, shock is only one of the electrical hazards. There are
two others—arc and blast. This chapter describes each of the three hazards and explains
how each affects the human body. Understanding the nature of the hazards is useless unless
protective strategies are developed to protect the worker. This chapter also includes a
synopsis of the types of protective strategies that should be used to protect the worker.

An electrical hazard can be defined as

 a dangerous condition where a worker could make electrical contact with energized
equipment or a conductor, and from which the person may sustain an injury from shock;
and/or,

 There is potential for the worker to receive an arc flash burn, thermal burn, or blast
injury.

An electric hazard is considered to be removed when protective measures are put in place
at the source (remove hazard or de-energize), or along the path (place electrical
insulation/barrier between the worker and the electrical hazard). Where PPE is relied
upon for worker protection, an electrical hazard is considered to remain and it is still
necessary to address safety requirements.

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