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25 views

English

Uploaded by

Naufal Hammam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Electricity

 Electricity – movement
of the free electrons between
atoms;
Related terms:
 Current – the movement of
electrical charge
 Resistance – opposition to current flow
 Voltage – a measurement of electrical force
 Conductors – substances, such as metals, that have little resistance to electricity
 Insulators – substances, such as dry wood, rubber, glass and Bakelite, that have
high resistance to electricity
 Grounding – a conductive connection to the earth which acts as a protective
measure
Electrical Hazards
Electrical Hazards
BE SAFE:
 Burns
 Electrocution
 Shock
 Arc flash/arc blast
 Fire
 Explosions
Electrical Hazards
Burns:
 Most common shock-related injury
 Three types of electrical burns:
 Electrical
 Arc flash
 Thermal contact
Electrical Hazards

Electrocution:
 Is fatal
 Meaning: to kill with electrical shock
 Results when a human is exposed to a lethal amount of
electrical energy
Electrical Hazards
Shock:
 Body becomes part
of electrical circuit
 Reflex response to
passage of electric
current through the body
Electrical Hazards
Arc Flash/Arc Blast
 Arc flash
 Sudden release of electrical energy through air when a high-
voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between
conductors
 Gives off thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that
can cause burns
 Temperatures as high as 35,000°F
Electrical Hazards
 Arc blast – high-voltage arcs can also produce
considerable pressure waves by rapidly heating the air
and creating a blast
Electrical Hazards
Fire:
 Most result from problems with "fixed wiring”
 Problems with cords, plugs, receptacles, and switches also
cause electrical fires
Electrical Hazards
Explosions:
 Occur when electricity ignites explosive mixture of material in
the air
 Note:
 Electricity is source of these hazards
 All hazards are of equal importance
 Lesson focuses on eliminating electrical hazards
Electrical Hazards
Examples of fatal accidents:
 Case #1: Worker electrocuted when the ladder came in contact
with overhead power lines
 Case #2: Worker electrocuted when mast came in contact with
high voltage overhead lines
Electrical Hazards
 Case #3: Worker changing energized ballast on light fixture was
electrocuted and fell to the concrete floor while working from
an 8' fiberglass stepladder.
Electrical Hazards
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
 156 electrocutions for 2014
 Up from 141 in 2013
Types of Electrical Hazards
Contact with overhead power lines:
 Overhead and buried
power lines carry
extremely high voltage
 Risks
 Electrocution (main risk)
 Burns and falls
Types of Electrical Hazards

 Cranes are not the only equipment that


can reach overhead power lines.
 Use of ladders or suspension in a man-
basket under or near power lines are risks.
Types of Electrical Hazards
 Important: the covering on an overhead power line is
primarily for weather protection; therefore, workers need to
know that if they touch a power line, covered or bare, death
is probable.
Types of Electrical Hazards

Contact with energized sources:


 Live parts
 The major hazards
 Electrical shock and burns
 Electrical shock occurs
when the body becomes
part of the electric circuit
Types of Electrical Hazards
 Severity and effects of an electrical shock depend on a number
of factors
 Pathway through the body
 Amount of current
 Length of time of the exposure
 Whether skin is wet or dry

 Water
 Great conductor
 Allows current to flow more easily in wet conditions and through wet
skin
Types of Electrical Hazards
 Damaged or bare wires
 Fault current may travel through a body, causing electrical burns
or death, if
 Power supply is not grounded
 Path has been broken
 There are live parts or bare wires

 Extreme conditions and rough treatment can change electrical


equipment from safe to hazardous
Types of Electrical Hazards
• Defective equipment or tools
Types of Electrical Hazards
 Improper repairs
 Examples of incidents
 Ballast strap not replaced after repair = Electrocution of 11 year old boy
 Cutting off bleed resistor on capacitor= causes 370-volt shock
 Removing and leaving off terminal insulator on capacitor = causes 440-volt
shock
Types of Electrical Hazards
Improper use:
 Extension and flexible cords
 Care
 Connection
 Capacity
Types of Electrical Hazards

 Capacity affected by
 Size of wire
 14 gauge = 15 amps

 12 gauge = 20 amps

 Length of the cord


 UL tag capacity

 In general any cord over 100 ft.


requires one size larger cord
(14 gauge to 12 gauge)
Types of Electrical Hazards
 Power strips:
 Can be over loaded
because of multiple
plug arrangement
 Most have overload protection
but often malfunction causing fire
 Use fixed wiring when possible
Types of Electrical Hazards
 Portable heaters and appliances:
 Manufacturer recommendations
not followed
 Do not plug into a power strip!
This causes overloads and fires.
Electrical Protection Methods
Maintain safe distance from
overhead power lines:
 Staying away
 Following table shows the safe power line
clearance distance for various line voltages.
Electrical Protection Methods
Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI):
 Designed to protect people from electrical
shock
 Detects ground faults and interrupts electric
current
 Limits duration of electrical shock
Electrical Protection Methods
Three types of GFCI:
 Receptacle GFCI
 Temporary/portable GFCI
 Circuit Breaker GFCI
Electrical Protection Methods
Inspect portable tools and extension cords:
 Workers need to inspect extension cords prior to their use for any
cuts or abrasion.
 Electric hand tools that are old, damaged, or misused may have
damaged insulation inside.
Electrical Protection Methods
Use power tools and equipment as designed:
 Follow tool safety tips to avoid misusing equipment
 Follow manufacturer’s instructions
Electrical Protection Methods
 Common examples of misused
equipment
Electrical Protection Methods
Tool safety tips
 Never carry a tool by the cord.
 Never yank the cord to disconnect it.
 Keep cords away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
 Disconnect when not in use and when changing
accessories such as blades and bits.
Electrical Protection Methods
 Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold fingers on the switch
button while carrying a plugged-in tool.
 Use gloves and appropriate footwear.
 Store in dry a place when not using.
Electrical Protection Methods

 Don’t use in wet/damp environments.


 Keep working areas well lit.
 Ensure that cords do not cause a tripping hazard.
 Remove damaged tools from use.
 Use double-insulated tools.
Electrical Protection Methods
Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures:
 Lockout/tagout
 Essential safety procedure
 Protects workers from injury while working on or
near electrical circuits and equipment
 Prevents contact with operating equipment
parts such as, blades, gears, shafts, etc.

Source:
OSHA
Electrical Protection Methods
 LOTO prevents the unexpected release of
hazardous gases, fluids, or solid matter in areas
where workers are present.
Electrical Protection Methods
Power source identification:
 Mark all breakers accordingly for the circuits they protect
 Mark all disconnect means accordingly for the equipment they
service
 Identify all voltages with proper labeling
Employer Requirements
Employer requirements to protect workers:
 Ensure overhead power line safety
 Isolate electrical parts
 Supply ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) protection
 Establish and implement an AEGCP
 Ensure power tools are maintained in a safe condition
Employer Requirements
 Ensure proper guarding
 Provide training
 Enforce LOTO safety related work practices
 Ensure proper use of flexible cords and power strips
 Ensure proper identification of power sources

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