17ME662 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 59

MODULE-4
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
INTRODUCTION:
 Electricity flows through some bodies easily than others. They offer little resistance for flow of
current. They are called conductors. Example – metals, many liquids, surface or sub surface of earth
etc.
 Other materials or substances generally slow or stop the flow of current and they are called
insulators. Example – glass, plastic, porcelain, clay, pottery, dry wood.
 Air is an insulator but can become conductor during an arc or lightening. Similarly pure water is poor
conductor but small impurities in water like salt, acid, solvents or other materials can change water to
conduct electricity.
 Similarly water can turn some insulators like wet wood, wet cotton etc. into conductors.
 Dry skin has a fairly high resistance to electric current. But when skin is wet or moist it acts as a
conductor.
 That means anyone working with electricity in damp or wet environment need to exercise extra
caution to prevent electrical hazards.
 However electricity has become part of our life both in domestic and industry and hence utmost care
to be taken while using electricity due to its inherent hazard.

DANGERS OF ELECTRICITY:
 Electric shocks resulting in burns, injury, deaths
 Electric flashovers resulting in deaths, fires, damages
 Electric faults resulting in arcing, explosions, and fires
 Explosions in electrical equipment resulting in damage to installations and deaths.
 Fire hazards resulting in destruction, loss of life and release of smoke. Dust, gases which spread over
large areas quickly.
 Pollution from power plants
 We are all aware of the above hazards related to electricity. Still we neglect many aspects and tend to
be careless while working with electrical apparatus. Careless use of electricity is dangerous and leads
to fires, shocks, destructions and deaths.
 Safety precautions are necessary and essential in design, manufacturing, testing, transport,
installation, operation and maintenance of electrical equipment and installations. Safety precautions
to be taken should be known understood by all concerned personnel and should be documented as
per statutory requirements as well as check list and do’s and don’ts.
 Safety Inspection is to be carried out at every stage right from design to operation including
maintenance.

PROVISIONS AS PER INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES 1956

 Electric supply lines and apparatus shall be sufficient ratings, mechanical strength and so
constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained to ensure safety of human beings, animals
and property. IS and NEC shall be followed(R 29)

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 Supplier and consumer both will take due precautions to avoid danger from service lines and
apparatus on consumers premises(R 30)
 Suitable cut outs like fuse in fire proof receptacles shall be provided in every service line (other than
earth lines) at consumers premises (R 31)
 Earth and neutral conductors shall be identified to distinguish from live conductor and position of
switches and cut out shall be safe (R 32)
 Earth connection (terminal) shall be provided near the point of start of supply and the consumer shall
take steps to protect it from mechanical damage (R 33)
 Bare conductors should be inaccessible with readily accessible switches to cut off power supply (R
34)
 Danger notice in Hindi, English or local language with a sign of skull and bones and the words
‘Danger’ and ‘ ….Volts’ is necessary near medium and high voltage installation ie above 250 V (R
35)
 For the safety from supply lines and apparatus, earthing from lines, PPE to workers (gloves, rubber
shoes, safety belts, ladders, earthing devices, helmets, line testers, form electrical and mechanical
injury) and authorised working on live lines are necessary (R 36)
 Vehicle cut off switch (in operation) is a must in every electric vehicle, crane etc. and the metal rails
if any should be electrically continuous and earthed (R 37)
 Insulating and Protective material of electric line should not be of material that may produce noxious
and hazardous gases on excessive heating (R 39)
 Street boxes should be free from influx of water or gas and should be regularly inspected. (R 40)
 Different circuits should be distinguished from each other (R 41)
 Voltage should not exceed the limits and AC-DC circuits should not come in contact with each other
when live (R 42)
 Fire extinguishers for electric fire, fire buckets with clean dry sand, first aid boxes, two or more gas
masks, to be used in the event of a fire or smoke are necessary (R 43)
 Fatal accidents should be reported within 24 hours and non fatal within 48 hours (R 44A)
 Electrical work should be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor under direct supervision of a
competent person and person holding permit by the State Govt. Unauthorised work shall not be
energised. (R 45)
 Inspection of installation at every 5 years by the inspector (R 46)
 (R 47 to 59) gives general conditions relating to supply and use of energy
 (R 60 to 62) for low and medium voltages (up to 650 V) and (R 63 to 73) for high and extra high
voltage provide for insulation resistance test, earth connection, ELCB, testing operation and
maintenance.
 (R74 to 93) gives important safety clearances above ground and between conductors and provision
for material strength, stresses, joints, guarding, earthling, safety and protective devices.
 (R 94 to 108) is for traction and provides for voltage supply to vehicle, insulation of lines, current
density in rails, height of trolley wire etc.
 (R 109 to 132) is regarding safety precautions while working in mines and oil fields. They include
plans, notices, lighting, communications, fire precautions, earthing, protective equipment, voltage
limits etc.
 (R 133 to 142) gives relaxations and penalty provisions.

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OSHA STANDARDS ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY:

OSHA standards focuses on the design and use of electrical equipment and systems.
They cover only the exposed or operating elements such as lighting equipment, motors, machines,
appliances, switches, controls and enclosures requiring that they be constructed and installed to minimise
work place electrical dangers.
Also the standard mandates that an approved testing agency to certify the electrical equipment before use in
the workplace to ensure it is safe.
OSHA cover many electrical hazards in different industries. OSHA electrical standards are based on
National fire protection association (NFPA) standard, National Electric Code (NEC) and Electrical safety
requirements for Employee in work place.
OSHA states two important basic points:

 First point is that live parts shall be de-energised before working on or near them.
 Second point that even after the exposed parts have been de-energised, they shall be treated as
energised until LOTO system is applied.
This can be achieved by following Process:
1. Determine all possible source of electrical supply to the equipment referring to diagrams, drawings,
and identification tags.
2. After properly interrupting the load current open the disconnecting devices if each source.
3. Where it is possible, visually inspect for disconnection
4. Apply LOTO system as per policy
5. Use voltage detector to test and verify they are de-energised
6. Where possibility of induced voltage or stored electrical energy exists, ground the phase conductors.

HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICITY:

Electricity is invisible and hence hazards are hidden and invisible. The various types are hazards associated
with electricity are:
1. Electric shock due to direct contact with live wire/conductors while standing on earth or while in
contact with metallic earthed part.
2. Electric shock due to direct contact with non-effectively earthed metal part carrying leakage current
or fault current or induced current
3. Electric shock and burn injuries due to flashovers from live part to the person in contact with earth
or earthed metallic part
4. Shocks due by capacitively charged electrical conductors disconnected from power circuit. Eg.
Capacitors, bus bars
5. Falling of persons from height due to shocks or flashovers while working on overhead structures.
6. Falling of overhead parts such as conductors, hardware, structures on body.
7. Falling of tools, objects, welding sparks etc on body.
8. Explosion of oil filled equipment due to internal arcing.
9. Fires caused by electric loose connections, electric arc, electric short circuits and electric flashovers
10. Release of poisonous liquids/gases. Release of SF6 gases from circuit breakers during maintenance,
release of synthetic fluids from capacitor cans

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11. Natural disasters such as lightning, strokes, earth quakes land slides
12. Manmade disasters such as sabotage, bombing etc
13. Short circuits caused by snakes, birds, rodents
14. Explosions or accidents associated with high power rotating machines due to leakage of cooling
medium, failure of mechanical parts
15. Injury due to contact with rotating parts of motors (fan, coupling)
16. Sparks in electrical equipment installed in explosive atmosphere (mines)
17. Mechanical accidents due to failure of electrical controls, interlocks, protections, machine or
structural components.

HAZARDS IN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND APPARATUS:

Sl No INCIDENCE/CONDITION EFFECT
1 Person touches live conductor or charged conductor Electric shock

2 Person touches faulted structure or any metal part Electric shock

3 Person touches faulted equipment enclosure Electric shock

4 Person places ladder or metal rod near live conductor Electric shock, flash over, fault

5 Person carries metal rod/tool in clearance zone Electric shock, flash over, fault

6 Person touches pre-charged capacitor or conductor Electric shock

7 Person using tool cuts insulation of live cable Electric shock, fault, fire

8 Person falls down from height injury

9 Person falls in trench, manhole injury

Injury, fire, oil filled equipment
10 Explosion of porcelain enclosed equipment
destruction
11 Explosion in oil filled power transformer Fire, Destruction, outage

12 Lightning strokes in tower, earth wire, equipment Flashover, failure

13 Rotating shafts/flanges without protection cover Accident

14 Unearthed rotating equipment body Shock

15 Loose contact leads to sparking, melting and faults Equipment failure and fault
Loose hardware in current circuit leads to melting, faults,
16 Equipment failure and fault
and fires
Faults in power cable due to overheat, insulation failure,
17 Cable burst, fire, outage
over voltage
18 Fault and fire in cable due to breaking of conductor Cable burst, fire, outage

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PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTRICAL HAZARD:

Most Electrical accidents result from:
1. Unsafe Equipment or Installation
2. Unsafe Environment
3. Unsafe Work Practices
 Some ways to prevent these accidents are through usage of insulation, guarding, grounding, electrical
protective devices and safe work practices.
 Insulators such as glass, mica, rubber or plastic is used to coat the metals and other conductors help
to stop or reduce the flow of current. This prevents shocks, fire and short circuits. To be effective
they should be suitable for the voltage levels and conditions like temperature and environmental
factors such as moisture, oil, corrosive fumes or other factors which can cause failure of insulation.
 Guarding involves locating or enclosing the electrical equipment to make sure people do not
accidentally come in contact with the live parts. Effective guarding requires equipment with exposed
parts is accessible to only authorised persons. Sturdy and permanent screens can also act as effective
guards.
 Conspicuous signs must be posted at the entrance to the electrical rooms and guarded locations to
alert the people to the electrical hazards and to forbid unauthorised entry. Signs like Danger,
Warning, Caution, High voltage etc to be exhibited.
Unsafe acts or Unsafe work practices include:

 Opening and closing of switches without authority, failure to place warning signals wherever needed,
operating the equipment without proper knowledge.
 Working unsafely such as throwing tools, not maintaining proper working space which is free from
obstacles, good house keeping etc
 Making safety devices inoperative
 Using unsafe equipment, wrong tools, or using hands instead of hand tools.
 Distraction, ill health, disturbed state of mind
 Failure to use safe clothing, PPE
 Working in unsafe conditions
 Ignorance of potential hazard
 Sacrificing safety for the sake of speed and higher productivity
 Use of alcoholic beverages, mobile phones etc.

EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT ON HUMAN BODY:

Electric shock occurs when the body becomes part of the electric circuit. Shocks can occur in three ways:
1. A person may come in contact with both the conductors In a circuit
2. A person may provide a path between an ungrounded conductor and ground.
3. A person may provide a path between the ground and a conducting material that is in contact with a
ungrounded conductor.
The extent of injury of shock depends upon three factors:
1. The amount of current conducted through the body
2. The path of the current through the body
3. The length of time a person is subjected to the current.

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The amount of current depends upon the potential difference and the resistance. Effect of low current on the
human body ranges from mild tingling to death. An electric shock can injure you in either or both the
following

 A severe shock can stop the heart or the breathing muscles or both
 The heating effects of current can cause severe burns especially where the electricity enters and
leaves the body.
Other effects include severe bleeding, breathing difficulty and ventricular fibrillation.

CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS:

1. Any person or animal coming in contact with snapped overhead conductor
2. Any person or animal coming in contact with metallic line support, stay wire, unauthorised
energisation of fencing, electrical apparatus etc through which there is leakage of current due to
failure of insulation, damaged insulators etc.
3. Coming in contact with live overhead conductors during renewal of blown out fuses, replacing street
lamps, cutting across live underground cable or touching live overhead conductors with metallic rods
etc.
4. Climbing up poles, or towers and coming in contact with live overhead electrical conductors
maliciously, out of ignorance or with deliberate attempt to commit suicide.
5. Natural disasters leading to electrical accidents
6. Due to improper or defective equipment, failure to provide adequate PPE
7. The human factor

PREVENTION OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS:

1. Enforcements of Safety rules and Acts: In this approach the rules are mandatory and no deviation
is accepted and deviation will be viewed seriously and punished. Do’s and Don’ts are specified and
enforced. Dos are always and Don’ts are never. People are made accountable for the Acts.
Mandatory rules and Laws regarding electrical safety are enforced on manufacturers, contractors,
Power supply companies and users.
2. Human Resource development approach: In this approach emphasis is on training of every person
for following safety principles. Special training is organised periodically including on the job
training in safety by seniors, experienced persons and outside experts.
3. Psychological approach: Safety awareness is created in the work place by placing sign boards,
display of drawings, displaying Dos and Don’ts, conducting safety demonstrations, safety
competitions and rewards for safe working.
4. Safety Management approach: Management is committed for safety and Accident prevention.
Safety manager is appointed and safety systems are established.
5. Engineering analytic approach: This emphasis is on cause and effect relationship and multi cause
analysis and determines the various methods to eliminate the possible causes at the root. Engineering
approach is very essential in electrical safety
6. Total Quality Management approach: Safety is ensured by Quality Assurance and Quality control
at various stages including specifications, system design, product design, manufacturing, testing,
despatch, receipt, storage, installations, commissioning, operation and maintenance and safety

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management. TQM approach insists on quality excellence at every stage to ensure 100 % safety.
TQM correlates quality with safety and gives integrated management approach for ensuring safety

ELECTRIC SHOCK:
Electric shock is a sudden stimulation of the nervous system of human body by flow of current through a
part of the body. Electric shocks are life threatening situation. Shocks are caused by direct contact with live
conductor or a flashover.
The severity of the shock depends upon the amount of current passing through the body and the duration.
The result of shock can be simple annoying sensation to serious burn injuries to death within seconds.
1. Primary shock is an electric shock of such magnitude that it may produce direct physiological harm.
The result of primary shocks are Fibrillation (irregular heart beat), respiratory tetanus (continuous
contraction of muscle).
2. Secondary shock is of such magnitude that it will not produce direct physiological harm, but it is
annoying and may cause involuntary muscle reaction. Result of secondary shocks are annoyance,
alarm and aversion, and loss of balance due to involuntary muscle reaction.
Electric shocks occur due to one or more of the following situations:

 When part of the body bridges two phase wires by direct contact
 When part of the human body bridges one phase and earth, two phases and earth by direct contact
 When part of the body bridges two points of the same phase which are at different potential
difference by direct contact.
 When part of the body touches two points having potential difference across them. (due to supply
voltage or induced voltage or charged voltage
 Flash over involving part of human body

The current flowing through the body Ib = Vb/Rb where Vb is Voltage across the part of the body and Rb is
the Resistance of the part of the body. In practice value of current 10mA and above are in the shock range.

Body part Resistance (Ohm)

Dry skin 10 – 50 Mega ohm
Wet skin 1000 ohm
Hand to foot (Excl. skin) 500 – 600 ohm
Ear to Ear (Excl. skin) 100 ohm

 Dry skin is much safer than wet skin. Dry surrounding are safer than the wet surrounding. Skin with
perspiration has low resistance.
 Wet walls and wet insulation are dangerous
 Ear to ear shock is most dangerous. Hand to hand and hand to foot is very dangerous. Shocks not
involving heart, brain and involving only remote skin is less dangerous. Skin with cuts and wounds,
bruises has low resistance.
Electric shocks may occur due to unsafe acts or unsafe conditions associated with Electric work/installation.
In practice following types of supply systems are most commonly used:
1. Three phase AC system with neutral earthed, either three wire system or four wire system.

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2. Bipolar DC system with neutral earthed, either three wire system or two wire system. One pole is
positive and other negative with respect to earth.
Effect of Magnitude of Shock currents is mentioned below

Current level (mA) Probable Effect on Human Body

1 mA Perception level. Mild sensation/ no sensation.

Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing. Average individual can let go.
5mA
However, strong involuntary reactions to shocks in this range may lead to injuries.

Painful shock, begin to lose muscular control. Commonly referred to as the freezing
6mA - 16mA
current or "let-go" range.

Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contractions. Individual cannot let
17mA - 99mA
go. Death is possible.

Ventricular fibrillation (uneven, uncoordinated pumping of the heart.) Muscular

100mA - 2000mA
contraction and nerve damage begins to occur. Death is likely
> 2,000mA Cardiac arrest, internal organ damage, and severe burns. Death is probable.

AC VERSUS DC CURRENT SHOCKS:

 In shocks from AC currents of normal frequency, the shock current is sinusoidal with frequency of
50 Hz.
 The mechanism of electric shocks is related to central nervous system in human body.
 The central nervous system controls the vital functions of the body by rhythmic control of heart and
lunge diaphragm by the brain.
 Under normal state, tiny cyclic signals flow from muscles to brain and vice versa through central
nervous system. These cyclic signals produce pumping of heart at the rate of 70-80 cycles per minute
and breathing by lungs at the rate of 12 to 16 cycles per minute. These tiny periodic signals are in the
range of few micro amps. These tiny signals give muscles to contract or relax.
 Large external signals from shock current result in cramp of freeze of the muscles into sudden
contraction without giving time to relaxation
 Flow of AC electric current from external source in to the human body disturbs the natural periodic
electric signals in the body.
 Electric AC current currents flowing through the body are of the order of several milli amps and they
cause sudden contraction of muscles
 As a result, firstly the person touching the live conductor cannot move his muscles and is unable to
get detached (let- go)
 Secondly the muscles of lung diaphragm get contracted and the functioning of the lungs gets
adversely affected resulting in irregular breathing or stoppage of breathing.
 Thirdly the various muscles of heart operating in synchronisation with each other during normal state
behave erratically during flow of shock current through the body. Shock currents of certain
magnitude cause stoppage of heart resulting in stoppage of blood to brain and victim dies within few
seconds. This is called Fibrillation.
 Normal frequency of heart beat is 70 cycles/min. AC supply has frequency of 50 cycles/sec or 3000
cycles/min. Hence 50 cycle current is very dangerous to lungs and heart.

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 This does not happen in DC shock current. With DC current shocks the disturbance in frequency of
heart signals is only once. Hence DC voltage levels produce the shock effects at higher voltage
values than the corresponding AC voltages.

PREVENTION OF SHOCKS:
 Apparatus/structures must be earthed
 Conductors should be insulated/enclosed/non accessible
 Persons should maintain safe clearances form HV conductors
 Persons should wear safety insulating shoes and insulating hand gloves.
 Live line working should be avoided.
 Conductors should be touched only after making dead and discharged.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN SMALL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS:

 Before carrying out repair work, switch off the main switch, take out the fuse holders and keep it
with you till the repair work is over.
 Use shock proof appliances.
 Use correct fuse wires
 Miniature circuit breakers are preferred.
 Do not use immersion water heaters, exposed room heaters
 Use good quality copper wires for wiring
 Replace worn out wiring
 Do not allow water leakages. Seepage in walls/over switch boards.
 Replace defective switches immediately
 While working on live wires, stand on a dry wooden stool, use insulated tools. However it is better to
switch off the mains during the repair.
 Ensure that earthing system is healthy. Provide secured three pin plug for secured earthing of
appliances.

SAFETY PROCEDURES IN ELECTRIC POWER PLANT:

Procedures and paper work for the following should be enforced from the beginning and continued while
commissioning, operation and maintenance of electrical installations:
1. Permit to work
2. Access to work
3. Entry passes
4. Material gate pass etc.
Safety: The installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance work should be carried out with written
permission of authorised person. Steps should be taken by concerned authorities to ensure safety. They
include:
1. Isolation of the part from live parts during the period of installation, testing and maintenance. No
switching on by mistake.
2. Danger notices and safety notices should be place in work place
3. The neighbouring switches should be locked upon to avoid switching by a third person.

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4. Proper tools, safety devices should be provided to the electricians.

5. Earthing: The work equipment and conductors should be isolated and then earthed by means of
earthing connections, from all ends /incomers/out goers
6. The electricians should be well trained.
7. First aid should be available
8. Make sure to switch off the supply from all ends. Switching on should be allowed after the
completion of work and after cancellation of the permit by the authority.
9. Follow the safety rules faithfully
10. Work as per the permit system of the company. Take a work permit before starting of any job and
return it to the authority after completion of the job.
11. The repair/maintenance work on HV line/apparatus should not be undertaken unless the apparatus is
made dead and isolators open and locked, earthing switches closed and locked. All HV conductors
should be discharged and connected securely to earth.
12. Use appropriate PPE
13. Do not use wet clothes, wet shoes and metal tapes.
14. Barricade the area under maintenance to clearly indicate the maintenance zone and safe zone
15. Earth the various metallic parts of structures, bus sections, conducting parts etc at two or more places
before commencing the work.
16. Be familiar with circuit and auxiliary supply circuits and switch off both.

Recommended precautions to be taken before working on HV lines/apparatus:

1. Apparatus/parts are dead, isolated and earthed
2. Steps to be taken to lock off from other live conductors
3. Effectively earthed at all points of disconnections, of supply to such apparatus or between such
points and point of work.
4. All caution boards are to be displayed.
5. Barricading/screening of work area to prevent encroachment in unsafe zone.
6. Authorisation to work is obtained through work permit system. Following all safety instructions,
precautions and usage of safety devices/PPE as specified in the Permit.
7. The work to be carried out by trained personnel in accordance with the rules.
8. Safety clearances between live system and other physical objects like ladders platforms, lifting
devices etc to be ensured before taking up/ while executing the job.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE):

 The Electrical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program provides requirements to ensure
electrical workers are protected from electrical hazards while working on electrical equipment.
Employees who work with electrical equipment shall be provided with appropriate electrical PPE
and be knowledgeable in the selection, use, limitations, inspection, donning, doffing, and
maintenance of PPE.
 Electrical workers are exposed to electrical hazards when working on or near electrical equipment
that may be energized at or above 50 volts AC or DC. Working near electrical equipment means
placing any body part within the limited approach, restricted approach, or arc flash boundaries.

Electrical hazards include shock hazards and arc flash hazards.

Shock Hazard:

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 The level of shock hazard is determined by the voltage to which the employee may be exposed. PPE
is selected based on the level of shock hazard.
 Shock protective PPE is required for parts of the body potentially exposed to the shock hazard.

Arc Flash Hazard:

 Arc flash hazards are determined by the incident energy in the electrical equipment and must be
determined by calculation or using appropriate NFPA 70E tables. Arc rated PPE must provide
protection at or above the rated incident energy level or PPE category level.
 Typically, arc rated PPE incudes apparel that protects all body parts.

Other Hazards:

 Working on or near electrical equipment may expose employees to other hazards including falls from
elevation, slips, trips, or falls, lacerations from sharp edges or tools, pinch and nip points and rotating
equipment from electrical driven gears and motors, heat, cold, or burns, and atmospheric hazards
when working in confined or enclosed spaces.
 These hazards must also be considered when selecting PPE for electrical hazards.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL PPE:

 NC State will provide electrical PPE required by this program. Qualified employees shall use
appropriately rated shock and arc rated PPE for the specific body part to be protected, as specified by
the manufacturer.
 PPE shall be tested and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions
 Employees are responsible for providing compliant under layers of clothing made from natural
fibers.
 Exposed body parts shall be protected with nonconductive materials.
 Protective equipment and clothing intended for protection from an arc flash must be rated by the
manufacturer for use in the environment where the energized equipment is located.
 Arc rated clothing is tested and rated as an assembly.
o Qualified employee shall always use all components of the assembly required by the
manufacturer.
o Qualified employees shall not mix components from other arc rated manufacturers unless
permitted to by the manufacturer. Specific under layers, undergarments, safety glasses, and
hearing protection devices are typically not specified by the manufacturers of arc rated outer
wear.

BODY PROTECTION INFORMATION:

1. Head and Face protection:
 Nonconductive hardhats shall be worn when whenever there is a danger of head injury from electric
shock or burns due to contact with live parts or from flying objects resulting from an electrical arc
flash explosion.
 Arc rated hoods protect the entire head.
 Balaclavas fit over the head to cover the forehead, cheeks and chin. This protection extends down to
shield the neck over a full 360 degrees. In addition the front of the balaclava can be pulled up over
the mouth to provide additional protection for the face. The protective mask does not cover the eyes.

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2. Eye protection:
 Employees shall wear PPE for the eyes and face whenever there is a danger of injury from electric
arcs, flashes, or from flying objects resulting from an electrical explosion.
 Face shields with the appropriate arc flash rating (in cal/cm2) shall be used for electrical work.
Safety glasses or goggles must always be worn underneath face shields.
 Nonconductive safety glasses or goggles are to be worn.
 Eye protection may be tinted to protect from flash injury. If necessary, use additional illumination
when using tinted face shields during electrical work.

3. Torso and Limb protection:

 Employees shall wear nonconductive protection for the torso and limb whenever there is danger of
injury from exposure to electric arcs, flashes, or from flying objects resulting from an electrical arc
flash explosion.
 Electrical workers shall wear arc rated natural fiber apparel such as long sleeve shirts, long pants,
jackets, coats, bib overalls, or coveralls to protect the torso and limbs from arc flash hazards.
 PPE must be arc rated at or above the incident energy or category level of the equipment being
worked.

4. Hearing protection:
 Hearing protection is required when working in the arc flash boundary. Hearing protective inserts are
used to protect the employee in the event of an arc blast. The sound pressure level of an arc flash
incident could exceed 140 decibels.

5. Hand protection:
 Employees shall wear rubber-insulating gloves and properly sized leather protectors where there is a
danger of hand or arm injury due to contact with live parts or possible exposure to arc flash burn.
 Rubber gloves are used for shock protection. Rubber gloves must be tested after each use if not worn
with leather protectors.
 Rubber and leather protective sleeves shall be worn together in combination

6. Foot protection:
 Electrical workers shall wear leather EH-rated footwear. Shoes should be clean and free of oil and
debris.

7. Under Garments:
 Employees are responsible for providing compliant under layers of clothing that must be made from
natural fibers.

VITTAL BHAT M-ASST PROFESSOR-DEPARTMENT OF EEE-P A COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING-MANGALURU.

 17ME662 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 71

 Non-melting flammable garments (i.e. cotton, wool, rayon, silk, or blends of these materials) may be
used as under layers beneath AR apparel.
 Conductive items should not be worn underneath protective clothing. Examples include jewelry,
metal belt buckles, rings, bracelets
 Meltable fibers such as acetate, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or spandex shall not be permitted in
fabric undergarments next to the skin.

OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENTS INCLUDES:

RUBBER MATS:
Rubber mats are used to cover and insulate floors for personnel protection. Rubber insulating mats should
not be confused with the rubber matting used to help prevent slips and falls. This type of mat is sold by
many commercial retail outlets and is not intended for electrical insulation purposes. Rubber insulating mats
will be clearly marked and labeled as such.

RUBBER BLANKETS:
Rubber blankets shown in Figure below are rubber insulating devices that are used to cover conductive
surfaces, energized or otherwise. They come in a variety of sizes and are used anytime employees are
working in areas where they may be exposed to energized conductors.

LINE HOSE:
Rubber insulating line hoses are portable devices used to cover exposed power lines and protect workers
from accidental contact. Line hose segments are molded and shaped to completely cover the line to which
they are affixed.

HOT STICKS:
Hot sticks are poles made of an insulating material. They have tools and/or fittings on the ends which allow
workers to manipulate energized conductors and equipment from a safe distance. Hot sticks vary in length
depending on the voltage level of the energized equipment and the work to be performed. Modern hot sticks
are made of fiberglass and/or epoxiglass. Older designs were made of wood which was treated and painted
with chemical-, moisture-, and temperature- resistant materials. Figure below is an example of a simple hot
stick fitted with a tool suitable for operation of open-air disconnect switches.

VITTAL BHAT M-ASST PROFESSOR-DEPARTMENT OF EEE-P A COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING-MANGALURU.

 17ME662 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 72

INSULATED TOOLS:
Insulated tools, such as those shown in Fig, are standard hand tools with a complete covering of electrical
insulation. Every part of the tool is fully insulated. Only the minimum amount of metallic work surface is
left exposed. Such tools are used to prevent shock or arc in the event that the worker contacts the energized
conductor.

BARRIER TAPE:
Barrier tape is a continuous length of abrasion-resistant plastic tape. It should be a minimum of 2 inch wide
and should be marked or colored to clearly indicate the nature of the hazard to which employees will be
exposed if they cross the tape line. Figure below shows a type of barrier tape suitable for marking and
barricading an area where an electrical hazard exists.

SIGNS:
Warning signs should be of standardized design and easily read. They should be placed in such a way to
warn personnel of imminent hazard. Figure shows a type of sign suitable for use as an electrical hazard
warning.

VITTAL BHAT M-ASST PROFESSOR-DEPARTMENT OF EEE-P A COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING-MANGALURU.

 17ME662 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 73

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VITTAL BHAT M-ASST PROFESSOR-DEPARTMENT OF EEE-P A COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING-MANGALURU.

 17ME662 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 74

VITTAL BHAT M-ASST PROFESSOR-DEPARTMENT OF EEE-P A COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING-MANGALURU.