Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 1 - Electricity
The flow of electricity is like the flow of water in a pipe.
Resistance
Pressure
Flow
Current Electrical flow is measured in Amperes.
Voltage Electrical equipment powered by 440 volts or less is “low voltage”.
Resistance Resistance is measured in Ohms.
The rate of electrical current depends upon the voltage and resistance.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 1 - Electricity
The flow of electricity is like the flow of water in a pipe.
Resistance
Pressure
Flow
Current Electrical flow is measured in Amperes.
Voltage Electrical equipment powered by 440 volts or less is “low voltage”.
Resistance Resistance is measured in Ohms.
The rate of electrical current depends upon the voltage and resistance.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 2 - Effects of electrical current flow
10 milliAmps - muscular contractions
making it difficult to release grip on the
electrical conductor.
20 milliAmps - severe muscular
contractions making it difficult to breathe.
50 milliAmps - severe breathing difficulties
or breathing stopped.
70 to 200 milliAmps - erratic heart motion
resulting in loss of blood circulation.
400 milliAmps - burns at the entry and exit
points of the electrical current flow path.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 2 - Effects of electrical current flow
10 milliAmps - muscular contractions
making it difficult to release grip on the
electrical conductor.
20 milliAmps - severe muscular
contractions making it difficult to breathe.
50 milliAmps - severe breathing difficulties
or breathing stopped.
70 to 200 milliAmps - erratic heart motion
resulting in loss of blood circulation.
400 milliAmps - burns at the entry and exit
points of the electrical current flow path.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 3 - Checking portable electrical equipment
Always check for:
• cracks in the insulation casing;
• loose or missing casing screws;
• splits or damage to the power cord
insulation;
• exposed wires;
• loose connection between the power
cord and the tool;
• bent or missing plug pins; and
• cracks in the plug.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 3 - Checking portable electrical equipment
Always check for:
• cracks in the insulation casing;
• loose or missing casing screws;
• splits or damage to the power cord
insulation;
• exposed wires;
• loose connection between the power
cord and the tool;
• bent or missing plug pins; and
• cracks in the plug.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 4 - Double insulated power tools
Non-conductive, shatter proof
outer casing
Double Insulated
symbol
Double insulation does not provide total protection from electric shock because:
• immersion of the tool in water can allow an earth leakage; and
• it does not protect against any defects in the cord, plug or power outlet.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 4 - Double insulated power tools
Non-conductive, shatter proof
outer casing
Double Insulated
symbol
Double insulation does not provide total protection from electric shock because:
• immersion of the tool in water can allow an earth leakage; and
• it does not protect against any defects in the cord, plug or power outlet.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 5 - Electrical inspection tags
Each portable electrical tool should be fitted with a current inspection tag.
COMPLETE WHERE APPLICABLE
Owner Test Date
Equipment type Licence Number
Plant Number Signature
PLEASE INFORM YOUR ELECTRICAL SERVICES IF THIS APPLIANCE IS DEFECTIVE IN ANY WAY
RED: January to March
GREEN: April to June
BLUE: July to September
YELLOW: October to December
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 5 - Electrical inspection tags
Each portable electrical tool should be fitted with a current inspection tag.
COMPLETE WHERE APPLICABLE
Owner Test Date
Equipment type Licence Number
Plant Number Signature
PLEASE INFORM YOUR ELECTRICAL SERVICES IF THIS APPLIANCE IS DEFECTIVE IN ANY WAY
RED: January to March
GREEN: April to June
BLUE: July to September
YELLOW: October to December
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 6 - Residual current devices
Residual Current Device will disconnect the
electricity supply at a level of 30 milliAmps.
It will disconnect within 10 - 15 milliseconds.
Power
RCD Outlet
If you are unsure if you have earth leakage protection,
use a portable Residual Current Device.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 6 - Residual current devices
Residual Current Device will disconnect the
electricity supply at a level of 30 milliAmps.
It will disconnect within 10 - 15 milliseconds.
Power
RCD Outlet
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 7 - Using Portable Electrical Equipment
You should never:
• kink the power cord;
• allow power cords to contact water, oil or steam;
• leave power tools switched on when not being used;
• handle electrical equipment with wet hands, in high
humidity, or outdoors after a rain storm; or
• disconnect a power tool without first switching off at the
power outlet.
Position power cords so they will not become a trip hazard for other people.
Fully unwind extension cords from storage reels before energising them.
TRAINING NATIONAL
Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment
Sheet 7 - Using Portable Electrical Equipment
You should never:
• kink the power cord;
• allow power cords to contact water, oil or steam;
• leave power tools switched on when not being used;
• handle electrical equipment with wet hands, in high
humidity, or outdoors after a rain storm; or
• disconnect a power tool without first switching off at the
power outlet.
Position power cords so they will not become a trip hazard for other people.
Fully unwind extension cords from storage reels before energising them.
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