Basic Electrical Safety

Health& Safety & Fire Department

Phone : safety-2008, Fire -2000, OHC- 2111, Security - 2060

Basic Electrical Safety

Electricity is a form of energy, which is in visible, but can be felt by its effects. Types of electricity
Course not designed to teach you to work on electrical equipment. You will not be qualified to work on electrical equipment. If you spot problems with electrical equipment you should report it to your supervisor.

Objectives
Be familiar with the fundamental concepts of electricity. Be familiar with the effects of electricity on the human body. Be able to recognize common electrical hazards.

Objectives
Be familiar with electrical protective devices.

Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

To flow electricity must have a complete path. Electricity flows through conductors
water, metal, the human body

Insulators are non-conductors The human body is a conductor.

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Why be concerned about electrical safety? Comply with applicable regulations Reduce injuries Reduce liability Reduce operating costs Provide a safe work environment

Electrical Safety Statistics

Average of 4,000 non-disabling and 3,600 disabling electrical contact injuries annually. One person is electrocuted in the workplace every day. Electrocutions were the fourth leading cause of traumatic occupational fatalities. Over 2,000 workers are sent to burn centers each year with electrical burns.

Safety Triangle

Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

Have You Ever Been Shocked?

THE BASICS
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Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

Human body is a conductor when the live wire touches the body current completes its path through body & earth. The muscular functions will get effect due to current action on the nervous system.

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Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

Effect of current at various value 0-8 ma - perceptible & not pain full. 9-15 ma - pain full but muscular in control. 15-20 ma - pain full shock but muscular in control. 20-50 ma - breathing difficulty. 50-100 ma - instant death.
Over 4 amps heart paralysis; severe burns. Usually caused by >600 volts

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Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

Hazards of Electricity Electrocution/Shock/Burns/Death/Arc flash/Fire ignition Minimum distance from overhead lines 10 ft.

Inspect all electrical tools and equipment

Frayed, cut, broken wires grounding prong missing Improper use of cube taps improperly applied or missing strain relief
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Normal Condition
Maint. Work

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Abnormal Condition
Maint. Work

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Electrical Protection
Circuit Breakers
Provided to protect EQUIPMENT not people Do not reset breakers with a line voltage higher than 120V and only reset if you know why it tripped

GFCIs - Provided to protect people

- Trip range 4-6ma - Monthly test

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Electrical Protection
Distance
If you sense the presence of an electrical hazard or exposed conductors that may be energized, keep your distance and STAY AWAY

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Terminology

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Electrical Grounding

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Electrical Grounding

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Electrical Grounding

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Electrical Grounding

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Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

Voltage
electrical pressure (water pressure)

Amperage
electrical flow rate (gallons/min)

Impedance
restriction to electrical flow (pipe friction)
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Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

Circuit
path of flow of electricity

Circuit Element
objects which are part of a circuit and through which current flows.

Fault
current flow through an unintended path.
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Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

What is Grounding?
Protection from electric shock
normally a secondary protection measure

A ground is a conductive connection

between electrical circuit or equipment and earth or ground plane creates a low resistance to the earth.
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Basic Rules of Electrical Action

Electricity isnt live until current flows

Electrical current wont flow until there is a complete loop, out from and back to the power source.

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Preventing Accidental Electrical Contact

Electrocution Prevention

Time

GFCI
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Dos and Don'ts

The important Dos Only qualified persons should undertake electric repairs. Treat all circuits as live unless ensured after testing dead. Ensure easy access to put off the power supply.

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Dos and Don'ts

The important Dos

While using any portable electrical equipment, ensure that it is properly earthed, there is no leakage of current through the body of the equipment. Place rubber mats where necessary. Use protective, while working on electrical installations such as rubber gloves, shoes and insulated tools.
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Dos and Don'ts

The important don'ts Do not have any unsafe temporary connections, naked joints/wirings. Do not just operate any switch unless you know the consequences. Do not overload on electrical point. Do not use water for extinguishing electrical fire. Do not crowd things near the electrical mains/switch boards. Do not work on live circuits, even the job is very small.

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Dos and Don'ts

Employees should know the location of electrical circuit breaker panels that control equipment and lighting in their respective areas. Circuits and equipment disconnects must be identified

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Dos and Don'ts

Temporary or permanent storage of any materials must not be allowed within 3 feet of any electrical panel or electrical equipment. Any electrical equipment causing shocks or with high leakage potential must be tagged with a Danger tag or equivalent.
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Dos and Don'ts

Electricity takes the path of least resistance. Electricity wants to go to ground.

If an electric tools falls into a sink or tub of water, the item will short out.

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Dos and Don'ts

PORTABLE ELECTRIC TOOLS Before you use a portable electric tool, make sure that it is properly earthed, unless it is damaged-insulated (safely) tool. Before using a double-insulated (safety) tool, make sure that the casing is undamaged, dont use the tool. Make sure that all cables and plugs are in good condition and adequately insulated. use tools only on the correct power supply as instructed on the makers label. Make sure that the power cable is long enough to reach your working place without straining it.

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Dos and Don'ts

PORTABLE ELECTRIC TOOLS Keep power cables off the floor. They may get damaged or trip somebody. Never stand on a damp or wet surface when using electrical equipment, and keep the equipment clean and dry. Never use a portable electric tool for work which it is not intended. Never connect a portable electrical tool to a lighting socket. Never use worn, blunt or damaged bits or other accessories. disconnect tools when not in use. Electric power tools should be regularly inspected and subjected to planned maintenance.

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Dos and Don'ts

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Myths and Misconceptions

AC reverse polarity is not hazardous. It takes high voltage to kill; 120 volts is not dangerous. Double insulated power tools are doubly safe and can be used in wet and damp locations.
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Statutory Requirements
Rule 61,61A 67 : Connection with earth : The following provision shall apply to the connection with the earth of three phase systems for use at high or extra high voltage. In the case of Star/Delta connected systems with earthed neutral points: Earthing system shall be tested for its resistances to earth on a dry day during dry season not less than

once in a year

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Statutory Requirements
Rule 63: Approval of Inspector is necessary before energizing any high voltage installation Rule 92 : Protection against lightening. Grant of certificate and Permit to Electrical supervisors/ Contractors. (Karnataka Rules 1976). Under this rule all electrical work shall be carried out only by the personnel (Industrial/Contractor) who has obtained required license, certificate or permit of competency to work in specified category of electrical work in a prescribed forms.

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Statutory Requirements

Indian Electricity Rules, 1956, Rule 6

All electrical supply lines of sufficient ratings for power, insulation and estimated fault are current and of sufficient mechanical strength for the duty which they may be required to perform under the environmental conditions of installation and they are constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained in such a manner as to ensure safety of humans, animals and property. Indian Electricity Rules, 1956, Rule 47A If the facility plans to install a generating plant, it gives a 30 days notice of the intention to commission the plant to the electricity supplier and the Electrical Inspector.

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Statutory Requirements General

In handling circuit known to be live -wherever possible use only one hand. It is best to keep the other hand behind your back. The most dangerous shocks are those from hand to hand. Line clear taken by one man should not be returned by any other. Do not cut or remove ground wires under any circumstances until you are directed to do so by proper authority in writing. All portable equipment must be grounded.

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