Title: Arial, bold, white, 36pt

BASIC ELECTRICAL SAFETY AWARENESS

Date: Arial, white, 18pt

Date :
CFAO ………………..
Learning outcomes

● At the end of this session, participants should be able to:

 Explain nature of electricity
 Define basic terminologies associated with electricity
 Identify electricity hazards
 List causes of electricity hazard
 List indicators to electrical hazard
 Identify factors influencing severity of electric shock on human body
 List common causes of electric shock
 Define electrical fires and explosion
 Define power arcs
 Enumerate effects of electricity on man
 Describe safe work practices
 List electrical safety tips
 Describe electrical emergencies response

CFAO ……………….. 3
BRAIN TEASERS

● A man is looking at a photograph of someone. His friend asks who it

is. The man replies, “Brothers and sisters, I have none. But that
man’s father is my father’s son.” Who was in the photograph?

● Paul’s height is six feet, he’s an assistant at a butcher’s shop, and

wears size 9 shoes. What does he weigh?

CFAO ……………….. 4
Nature of electricity

● Electricity is of two types

 Static (stationary)
– Flow of liquids and powders through pipes
– Pouring of powders through insulating plastic bags
– Spraying
– Unwinding of rolled insulating foils
 Dynamic (moving)
– Characterised by flow of electrons through a conductor
● Electricity can be generated through:
 Friction
 Pressure
 Heat
 Light
 Chemical reaction
 Magnetism
● Seeks easiest and all paths to ground

CFAO ……………….. 5
Definition of terminologies

● Electric materials
 Materials that can conduct electricity
● Conductors
 Materials that have free electrons and are capable of carrying electric
current
– Metals
– Aqueous solutions of salts
– Graphite
– Human body
● Insulators
 Materials that inhibit the flow of electricity
– Plastics
– Paper
– Rubber
– Glass
– Dry air

CFAO ……………….. 6
Definition of terminologies

● Voltage
 The pressure (from electrical circuit’s power source) that pushes current
(charged electrons) through a conductor (conducting loop).
 It is measured in volts (V).
● Current
 It is the flow of electrical charge carriers (electrons).
 It flows from negative points to positive points.
 It is measured in ampere (A).
● Resistance
 It is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.
 It is measured in ohms (Ω).

CFAO ……………….. 7
Relationship between voltage, current & resistance

● V = IR
 The higher the voltage, the higher the current and vice versa
 The higher the resistance the lower the current and vice versa

CFAO ……………….. 8
Electricity hazards
● Electric shock
 Term used to describe the unwanted or undesirable exposure to
electricity at a detectable level.
● Burns
 80% of all electrical injuries are burns from arc flash and ignition of
flammable clothing
● Falls
 Secondary effects
● Electrocution
 Occurs when the body becomes part of an electrical circuit
– Contact with both conductors in a circuit
– In between ungrounded conductor and ground
– Person may provide a path between the ground and a conducting material in
contact with an ungrounded conductor

CFAO ……………….. 9
Factors influencing severity of electric shock on the
body

● Voltage
● Frequency and amount of current passing through the body
● Path taken by the current through the body
● Length of contact time with the body
● General health, gender and age of person involved
● Electrical resistance of the skin and the internal body resistance
● Factors associated with footwear and clothing being worn
● Environmental issues
 Floor surface
 Elevated positions

CFAO ……………….. 10
Indicators to electrical hazards

● Tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses

● Warm tools, wires, cords, connections or junction boxes
● Worn or frayed insulation around wire or connection
● Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) that shuts off a circuit

CFAO ……………….. 11
Common causes of electric shock

● Work on electrical circuits by unqualified persons

● Work on live circuits
● Replacement of fuses and light bulbs on supposedly dead circuits
● Working on de-energised circuits that accidentally become re-
energised
● Using electrical equipment in a wet environment
● Faults in electrical systems

CFAO ……………….. 12
Electrical fires and explosion

● Common causes of electrical fires are:

 Wiring with defects such as insulation due to age or poor maintenance or
physical damage
 Overheating of cables or other electrical equipment through overloading
 Too high a fuse rating for the circuit to be protected
 Poor connections due to the effects of use/ lack of maintenance or
unskilled workers

CFAO ……………….. 13
Power arc

● Arc flash
 Electrical short circuit that occurs when air flashes from an exposed live
conductor to either another conductor or to the ground.
 The flow of electricity through air from one conductor to another
– It is a visible plasma discharge between conductors
– It is caused by electric current ionising gases in the air
– Concentrated energy explodes outward
– High intensity flash
– Temperature up to 35,000 F (skin ignites @ 480 F)
– Vaporises conductors and copper with exploding particles
● Arc blast
 Pressure wave caused by arc flash
● Electric arcs occur in nature in the form of lightning

CFAO ……………….. 14
Causes of arc flash

● Improper training
● Insulation failure
● Human error including dropped tools, accidental contact with
electrical systems and improper work procedures
● Equipment failure due to use of sub-standard parts, improper
installation, or normal wear and tear
● Improper design/ repair
● Voltage testing with inappropriate equipment
● Lack of maintenance
● Build up of dust, corrosion on insulating surfaces
● Sparks produced during racking of breakers, replacement of fuses
● Over confidence

CFAO ……………….. 15
Effects of current flowing in the human body
CURRENT (mA) LENGTH OF TIME LIKELY EFFECTS
0–1 Not critical Threshold of feeling. Undetected by person.
Tingling sensations
1 – 15 Not critical Threshold of cramp. Muscle contractions and pains.
Independent loosening of the hands no longer
possible

15 – 30 Minutes Cramp-like pulling together of the arms, breathing

difficult. Limit of tolerance

30 – 50 Seconds to minutes Strong cramp-like effects, loss of consciousness

due to restricted breathing. Longer time may lead to
fibrillation. Respiratory paralysis

50 – 500 Less than one heart period (750 ms) No fibrillation. Strong shock effects

Greater than one heart period Fibrillation, loss of consciousness, burn marks

Over 500 Les than one heart period Fibrillation, loss of consciousness, burn marks

CFAO ……………….. 16
Safe work practices

● Qualified personnel should always work on electrical installations

● Procedures should always be in place
 Risks involved
 Elimination or mitigation of the risks
● De-energise, lock, tag and test all circuits (> =50V) before starting
work
● De-energise all power sources
● Disconnect from all electric energy sources
● While working, isolate area from all traffic
● Post signs & barricades
● Use insulated tools, mats and sheeting

CFAO ……………….. 17
Electrical safety tips

● Power tools
 Never use in wet environment
 Use tool only for its designed purpose
 Never disconnect by pulling on the cord
 Never carry a tool by the cord
 Ensure power is switched off before plugging or unplugging tool
 Inspect tool before use
 Mention others…..

CFAO ……………….. 18
Electrical safety tips

● Extension cords
 Inspect cord before use
 Keep extension cords away from heat, chemicals, oils and sharp edges
 Ensure cord is of correct amperage
 Verify condition of plug and cords and check rated use before use
 Do not overload electrical outlets
 Never disconnect power by pulling the cord

CFAO ……………….. 19
Electrical emergencies response

● Approaching the incident

 Never rush into an accident situation
 Call 767 or 112 as soon as possible
 Get the aid of trained electrical personnel, if possible
 Approach accident scene cautiously
● Examining the scene
 Visually examine to ascertain if victim is in contact with energised
materials
 Do not touch the victim or conductive surfaces while the victim is still
energised
 De-energise electrical circuit if possible
 If unable to de-energise;
– Ensure hands and feet are dry
– Wear protective equipment
– Stand on a clean dry place
– Use non-conductive material to remove a victim from the conductor

CFAO ……………….. 20
Electrical emergencies response

● First aid application

 Apply CPR, if victim is not breathing
 Give first aid for injuries and treatment for shock, if victim is breathing
and has a heartbeat
 Ensure victim gets medical care as soon as possible
 Stay with the victim until help arrives
 Provide medical personnel with information on voltage level, shock
duration, entry and exit point(s)

CFAO ……………….. 21
CFAO ……………….. 22
Evaluation

● Mention any 3 ways electricity can be generated 3

● Define the following terms and give 2 examples in each case:
 Conductors 3
 Insulators 3
● Give the measurement unit in which the following terms are
expressed
 Current 1
 Resistance 1
● Mention any 2 electricity hazards 2
● Mention any 3 factors that can influence severity of electric shock 3
● Mention any 2 electrical safe work practise 2
● Mention any 2 causes of electric shock 2

CFAO ……………….. 23