Electrical Safety

BATTERY

Electricity
The flow of electrical power or
charge.

AMMETER
Causes 12% of young worker
workplace deaths

About 5 workers are electrocuted

every week.

Source: OSHA Office of Training & Education

BULB
Electrical Terms
Current - electrical movement (measured in amps)
Resistance - restriction to electrical flow
Grounding – a conductive connection to the earth which acts as a
protective measure
Conductors - substances, like metals, with little resistance to electricity that
allow electricity to flow
Insulators - substances with high resistance to electricity like glass,
porcelain, plastic, and dry wood that prevent electricity from getting to
unwanted areas
Voltage - measure of electrical force
Electrical Injuries
There are two classifications of electrical injuries:

DIRECT INDIRECT

Electrocution due to electrical Falls

shock Cardiac arrest
Electrical shock
Burns
Electrical Shock

An electrical shock is received when electrical current passes through

the body.

An electrical shock will occur if a part of the body completes an

electrical circuit by:
Touching a live wire and an electrical ground •
Static pressure build up within the body and touching something
with a different pressure (example: Metal, wood, person)
Shock Severity

The 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.
Effects of Electric Current in the Human Body
Current Reaction

Below 1 Generally not perceptible

milliampere

1 milliampere Faint tingle

5 milliamperes Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing. Average individual
can let go. Strong involuntary reactions can lead to other
injuries.

6-25 milliamperes Painful shock, loss of muscular control

Source: W.B. Kouwenhoven, “Human Safety and Electric Shock,” Electrical Safety Practices, Monograph, 112, Instrument Society of
America, p. 93. November 1968.
Effects of Electric Current in the Human Body
Current Reaction
9-30 milliamperes The freezing current or “let-go” range.* Individual cannot
let go, but can be thrown away from the circuit if extensor
muscles are stimulated.

50-150 milliamperes Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular

contractions. Death is possible. 1,000–4,300 milliamperes

1000-4300 Rhythmic pumping action of the heart ceases. Muscular

milliamperes contraction and nerve damage occur; death likely. 10,000
milliamperes

10000 milliamperes Cardiac arrest, severe burns; death probable

Source: W.B. Kouwenhoven, “Human Safety and Electric Shock,” Electrical Safety Practices, Monograph, 112, Instrument Society of
America, p. 93. November 1968.
Electrical Burns
Among the most serious burns and require immediate medical attention.
Occur when electric current flows through tissues or bone, generating heat
that causes tissue damage.

ARC FLASH & ARC BLAST BURNS THERMAL CONTACT BURNS

Result from high temperatures Caused when the skin touches

and pressure waves, hot surfaces of overheated
respectively, caused by an electric conductors, conduits,
electric arc or explosion near or other energized equipment.
the body. These burns should be
treated promptly.
“Freezing” during shock

When a person receives an electrical shock,

sometimes the electrical stimulation causes the
muscles to contract. This “freezing” effect makes
the person unable to pull free of the circuit.

It increases the length of exposure to electricity

and because the current causes blisters, which
reduce the body’s resistance and increases the
current.
Falls
In addition to muscle contractions that cause
“freezing,” electrical shocks also can cause
involuntary muscle reactions

These reactions can result in a wide range of

other injuries from falls, including:
bruises
wounds
bone fractures
death.
Protection Against Electrical Hazards

Electrical accidents are caused by a combination of unsafe

factors including:

Unsafe equipment and/or installation

Unsafe environment
Unsafe work practices
1. Insulation
Used to coat metals and other conductors help stop or reduce the flow of
electrical current. This helps prevent shock, fires, and short circuits. (e.g. glass,
mica, rubber, or plastic)

Insulation must be suitable for the voltage used and conditions

temperature
moisture
gasoline, corrosive fumes, or other substances that could cause the
insulator to fail
1. Insulation
Color Coding

Green

Green w/ yellow stripes

} Equipment grounding conductors

White

Gray
} Insulation covering grounded
conductors

Black

Red
} Ungrounded Conductors (Hot
Wires)
1. Insulation
Equipment grounding conductors
These are wires specifically designed to connect the metal parts of electrical equipment to the
ground. Their primary purpose is to prevent electric shock by ensuring that any fault current is safely
directed to the ground, thereby protecting users and equipment.

Insulation covering grounded conductors

These are typically neutral wires that return current to the power source. They are connected to the
ground at the main service panel, which helps to stabilize the electrical system and provide a path for
fault currents.

Ungrounded Conductors (HotWires)

Hot wires are the conductors that carry current from the power source to a device or appliance.
These wires are typically energized, meaning they carry live electricity, and can cause electric shock if
touched.
2. Guarding
Guarding involves locating or enclosing electric equipment to make sure
people don’t accidentally come into contact with its live parts.

Effective guarding requires equipment with exposed parts operating at 50

volts or more to be placed where it is accessible only to authorized people
qualified to work with it.
2. Guarding
Recommended Locations:
room, vault, or similar enclosure
a balcony, gallery, or elevated platform; or a site elevated 8 feet
(2.44 meters) or more above the floor
Sturdy, permanent screens also can serve as effective guard

Signages
Conspicuous signs must be posted at the entrances
to electrical rooms and similarly guarded locations to
alert people to the electrical hazard and to forbid
entry to unauthorized people.
e.g. “Danger”, “Warning”, “Caution”, “High Voltage
Keep Out”
3. Grounding
“Grounding” a tool or electrical system means
intentionally creating a low-resistance path that
connects to the earth. This prevents the buildup of
voltages that could cause an electrical accident.

Grounding is normally a secondary protective

measure to protect against electric shock. It does
not guarantee that you won’t get a shock or be
injured or killed by an electrical current.
4. Circuit Protection Devices
Circuit protection
devices limit or stop
the flow of current
automatically in the
event of a ground
fault, overload, or
short circuit in the
wiring system.
4. Circuit Protection Devices
Fuses and Circuit Breakers

Open or break the circuit

automatically when too
much current flows through
them. When that happens,
fuses melt and circuit
breakers trip the circuit
open. Philippines: 15-20
amps, 220 volts
4. Circuit Protection Devices
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GCFI)

A fast acting circuit breaker designed to shut

off electric power in the event of a ground
fault within as little as 1/40 of a second. It
works by comparing the amount of current
going to and returning from equipment along
the circuit conductors. When the amount
going differs from the amount returning by
approximately 5 milliamperes, the GFCI
interrupts the current.
4. Circuit Protection Devices
Arc-fault Devices
An arc fault is an unintentional electrical discharge or
spark between two conductive surfaces, often caused
by damaged, corroded, or loose wiring, which can lead
to high temperatures and potentially start a fire. Arc
faults differ from standard current flows and are
detected by Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs). These
devices monitor the circuit for irregular current
patterns, characteristic of arc faults, such as sudden
fluctuations or sparking sounds, and disconnect power if
a fault is detected, preventing overheating and fires.
What work practices help protect
you against electrical hazards?

Electrical accidents are largely preventable through safe work practices.

Examples of these practices include the following:

• deenergizing electric equipment before inspection or repair

• keeping electric tools properly maintained
• exercising caution when working near energized lines,
• using appropriate protective equipment.
Protection Against Overhead
Power Lines
An overhead power line is an
electric power transmission line
suspended by towers or poles.
Since most of the insulation is
provided by air, overhead power
lines are generally the lowest-
cost method of transmission for
large quantities of electric
power.
Protection Against Overhead
Power Lines
Ensure that you maintain a safe distance to the lines and, for very high-
voltage lines, ground any equipment such as cranes that can become
energized.
Ensure that the lines have been deenergized and grounded by the owner or
operator of the lines.
Employees unqualified to work with electricity, as well as mechanical
equipment, should remain at least 10 feet (3.05 meters) away from
overhead power lines. If the voltage is more than 50,000 volts, the
clearance increases by 4 inches (10 centimeters) for each additional
10,000 volts.
Personal Protective Equipment
Employees who work directly with electricity
should use the personal protective
equipment required for the jobs they
perform.
rubber insulating gloves
hoods
sleeves
matting
blankets
line hose
industrial protective helmets
Training for Employees
All employees should be trained to be thoroughly familiar with the safety
procedures for their particular jobs. Moreover, good judgment and
common sense are integral to preventing electrical accidents.

Basic procedures:
deenergize the equipment,
use lockout and tag procedures to ensure that the equipment remains
deenergized
use insulating protective equipment
maintain a safe distance from energized parts
Lockout/Tagout Procedure
Lockout Tagout Procedure
Lockout Tagout Procedure
Lockout Tagout Procedure
Lockout Tagout Procedure
Training for Employees
Electrical safe work practices training is required for anyone working near
energized, or potentially energized electrical circuits of fifty (50) or more
volts to ground to become Qualified Electrical Worker

Training should also be provided to employees who are not exposed to

energized parts, but operate electrical equipment
Retraining
Mandatory retraining (or refresher) training is required a minimum of every
three (3) years or when conditions change.
Sample checklist for basic electrical safety?
Inspect Cords and Plugs
Check extension cords and plugs daily. Do not use, and discard cords and
plugs if they are worn or damaged.
Have any extension cord that feels more than comfortably warm checked
by an electrician.
Eliminate Octopus Connections
Do not plug several items into one outlet.
Pull the plug, not the cord.
Do not disconnect power supply by pulling or jerking the cord from the
outlet. Pulling the cord causes wear and may cause a shock.
Sample checklist for basic electrical safety?
Never Break OFF the Third Prong on a Plug
Replace broken 3-prong plugs and make sure the third prong is properly
grounded.
Never Use Extension Cords as Permanent Wiring
Use extension cords only to temporarily supply power to an area that does
not have a power outlet.
Keep extension cords away from heat, water and oil.
Do not allow vehicles to pass over unprotected extension cords. Extension
cords should be put in protective wireway, conduit, pipe or protected by
placing planks alongside them.
Thank you!