Electricity - The Dangers
About 5 workers
are electrocuted
every week
Causes 12% of
young worker
workplace deaths
Takes very little
electricity to cause
harm
Significant risk of
causing fires
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Electricity How it Works
Electricity is the flow
of energy from one
place to another
Requires a source of
power: usually
generating station
A flow of electrons
(current) travels
through a conductor
Travels in a closed
circuit
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Electrical Terms
Current -- electrical movement (measured in amps)
Circuit -- complete path of the current. Includes electricity source,
a conductor, and the output device or load (such as a lamp, tool,
or heater)
Resistance -- restriction to electrical flow
Conductors substances, like metals, with little resistance to
electricity that allow electricity to flow
Grounding A conductive connection to the earth which acts as a
protective measure
Insulators -- substances with high resistance to electricity like
glass, porcelain, plastic, and dry wood that prevent electricity
from getting to unwanted areas
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Electrical Shock
An electrical shock is received when
electrical current passes through the
body.
You will get an electrical shock if a
part of your body completes an
electrical circuit by
Touching a live wire and an
electrical ground.
Touching a live wire and another
wire at a different voltage.
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Shock Severity
Severity of the shock
depends on:
Path of current
through the body
Amount of current
flowing through the
body (amps)
Duration of the
shocking current
through the body,
LOW VOLTAGE DOES
NOT MEAN LOW
HAZARD
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Dangers of Electrical Shock
Currents above 10 mA* can
paralyze or freeze
muscles.
Currents more than 75 mA
can cause a rapid, ineffective
heartbeat -- death will occur
in a few minutes unless a
defibrillator is used
75 mA is not much current
a small power drill uses 30
times as much
* mA = mili ampere =
1/1,000 of an ampere
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Electrical Injuries
There are four main types of electrical
injuries:
Direct:
Electrocution or death due to
electrical shock
Electrical shock
Burns
Indirect - Falls
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Burns
Most common shock-related
injury
Occurs when you touch
electrical wiring or equipment
that is improperly used or
maintained
Typically occurs on hands
Very serious injury that
needs
immediate attention
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Falls
Electric shock can
also cause indirect
injuries
Workers in elevated
locations who
experience a shock
may fall, resulting in
serious injury or
death
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Electrical Hazards and How to Control Them
Electrical accidents are
caused by a
combination of three
factors:
Unsafe equipment
and/or installation,
Workplaces made
unsafe by the
environment, and
Unsafe work
practices.
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Hazard Exposed Electrical Parts
Cover removed from wiring or breaker box
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Control Isolate Electrical Parts
Use guards or barriers
Replace covers
Guard live parts of electric
equipment operating at 50 volts
or more against accidental
contact
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Control Isolate Electrical Parts - Cabinets,
Boxes & Fittings
Conductors going into them must be protected, and
unused openings must be closed
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Control Close Openings
Junction boxes,
pull boxes and
fittings must have
approved covers
Unused openings
in cabinets, boxes
and fittings must be
closed (no missing
knockouts)
Photo shows violations
of these two requirements
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Hazard - Overhead Power Lines
Usually not insulated
Examples of
equipment that can
contact power lines:
Crane
Ladder
Scissors lift
Raised dump
truck bed
Aluminum paint
roller
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Control - Overhead Power Lines
Stay at least 10 feet
away
Post warning signs
Assume that lines are
energized
Use wood or fiberglass
ladders, not metal
Power line workers need
special training & PPE
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Hazard - Inadequate Wiring
Hazard - wire too small for the
current
Example - portable tool with an
extension cord that has a wire
too small for the tool
The tool will draw more
current than the cord can
handle, causing
overheating and a possible
fire without tripping the
circuit breaker
The circuit breaker could be
the right size for the circuit
but not for the smaller-wire
extension cord
Wire Gauge
WIRE
Wire gauge measures
wires ranging in size from
number 36 to 0 American
wire gauge (AWG)
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Control Use the Correct Wire
Wire used depends on operation, building materials, electrical
load,
and environmental factors
Use fixed cords rather than flexible cords
Use the correct extension cord
Must be 3-wire type and designed for hard or extrahard use
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Hazard Defective Cords & Wires
Plastic or rubber
covering is
missing
Damaged
extension cords
&
tools
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Hazard Damaged Cords
Cords can be damaged
by:
Aging
Door or window edges
Staples or fastenings
Abrasion from
adjacent materials
Activity in the area
Improper use can cause
shocks, burns or fire.
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Control Cords & Wires
Insulate live wires
Check before use
Use only cords that are 3-wire type
Use only cords marked for hard or
extra-hard usage
Use only cords, connection devices,
and
fittings equipped with strain relief
Remove cords by pulling on the
plugs, not the cords
Cords not marked for hard or extrahard use, or which have been
modified, must be taken out of
service immediately
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Grounding
Grounding creates a
low-resistance path
from a tool to the earth
to disperse unwanted
current.
When a short or
lightning occurs,
energy flows to the
ground, protecting you
from electrical shock,
injury and death
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Hazard Improper Grounding
Tools plugged into
improperly grounded
circuits may become
energized
Broken wire or plug on
extension cord
Some of the most
frequently violated
OSHA standards
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Control Use GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter)
Protects you from shock
Detects difference in current
between the black and white
wires
If ground fault detected, GFCI
shuts off electricity in 1/40th
of a second
Use GFCIs on all 120-volt,
single-phase, 15- and 20ampere receptacles.
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Hazard Overloaded Circuits
Hazards may result from:
Too many devices plugged
into a circuit, causing
heated wires and possibly
a fire.
Damaged tools
overheating.
Lack of over current
protection.
Wire insulation melting,
which may cause arcing
and a fire in the area where
the overload exists, even
inside a wall.
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Control - Electrical Protective Devices
Automatically opens circuit
if excess current from
overload or ground-fault is
detected shutting off
electricity Includes GFCIs,
fuses, and circuit Breakers.
Fuses and circuit breakers
are
Over current devices. When
too much current:
1. Fuses melt
2. Circuit breakers trip
open
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Tool Safety Tips
Use gloves and appropriate footwear
Store in dry place when not using
Dont use in wet/damp conditions
Keep working areas well lit
Ensure not a tripping hazard
Dont carry a tool by the cord
Dont yank the cord to disconnect it
Keep cords away from heat, oil, & sharp
edges
Disconnect when not in use and when
changing accessories such as blades & bits
Remove damaged tools from use
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Temporary Lights
Protect from contact and damage, and dont suspend by
cords unless designed to do so.
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Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist
Tripped circuit
breakers or blown
fuses
Warm tools, wires,
cords, connections, or
junction boxes
GFCI that shuts off a
circuit
Worn or frayed
insulation around wire
or connection
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Lockout and Tagging of Circuits
Apply locks to power
source after de-energizing
Tag deactivated controls
Tag de-energized
equipment and circuits at
all points where they can
be energized
Tags must identify
equipment or circuits
being worked on
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Safety-Related Work Practices
To protect workers from
electrical shock:
Use barriers and guards
to prevent passage
through areas of exposed
energized equipment
Pre-plan work, post
hazard warnings and use
protective measures
Keep working spaces and
walkways clear of cords
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Safety-Related Work Practices
Use special insulated
tools when working on
fuses with energized
terminals
Dont use worn or frayed
cords and cables
Dont fasten extension
cords with staples, hang
from nails, or suspend by
wire.
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Preventing Electrical Hazards - Planning
Plan your work with
others
Plan to avoid falls
Plan to lock-out and
tag-out equipment
Remove jewelry
Avoid wet conditions
and overhead power
lines
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Avoid Wet Conditions
If you touch a live wire or other
electrical
component while standing in even
a
small puddle of water youll get a
shock.
Damaged insulation, equipment, or
tools
can expose you to live electrical
parts.
Improperly grounded metal switch
plates
& ceiling lights are especially
hazardous
in wet conditions.
Wet clothing, high humidity, and
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perspiration increase your chances
Preventing Electrical Hazards - PPE
Proper foot
protection (not
tennis shoes)
Rubber insulating
gloves, hoods,
sleeves, matting,
and blankets
Hard hat (insulated nonconductive)
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Preventing Electrical Hazards Proper Wiring
and Connectors
Use and test GFCIs
Check switches and
insulation
Use three prong plugs
Use extension cords
only when necessary
& assure in proper
condition and right
type for job
Use correct connectors
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Training
Train employees working with electric equipment in
safe work practices, including:
De-energize electric equipment before
inspecting or repairing
Using cords, cables, and electric tools
that are in good repair
Lockout / Tag out recognition and
procedures
Use appropriate protective equipment
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Summary Hazards & Protections
Hazards
Inadequate wiring
Exposed electrical parts
Wires with bad insulation
Ungrounded electrical
systems and tools
Overloaded circuits
Damaged power tools and
equipment
Using the wrong PPE and
tools
Overhead power lines
All hazards are made worse
in wet conditions
Protective Measures
Proper grounding
Use GFCIs
Use fuses and circuit
breakers
Guard live parts
Lockout/ Tag out
Proper use of flexible
cords
Close electric panels
Training
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Summary
Electrical equipment must be:
Listed and labeled
Free from hazards
Used in the proper manner
If you use electrical tools you
must be:
Protected from electrical
shock
Provided necessary safety
equipment
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Presented By: Koushik Dasgupta
Date:
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