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Electrical Safety
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Electrical Safety
Electricity is an important part of
our modern world and sometimes it
is easy to forget just how
dangerous it can be.
Given the correct circumstances,
electricity can cause serious injuries
or even death.
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Electrical Safety
•
Electrocution is the cause of
12% of all workplace deaths
among young workers.
•
Electrocution is the third
leading cause of workrelated deaths among 16
and 17-year-olds.
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Electrical Injuries
The most common types of electrical injuries are:
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Electrical shock
•
Electrocution (death due to
electrical shock)
•
Burns
•
Falls
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Electrical Shock
Touching a live wire and an
electrical ground will cause a
shock.
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Electrical Shock
Touching two live wires of
different voltages will cause
electrical shock.
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Electrical Shock
The severity of the shock depends on:
•
Path of the current through your
body
•
Amount of current flowing
through your body
•
Length of time your body is in
contact with the circuit
LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT
MEAN LOW HAZARD
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Burns
Burns are the most common injury caused by
electricity. The three types of burns are:
•
•
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Electrical burns
Arc burns
Thermal contact burns
Electrical burns can occur
when you come into direct
contact with electricity.
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Burns
An arc occurs when there is a
gap between conductors and
current travels through the air.
•
•
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Electrical burns
Arc burns
Thermal contact burns
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Burns
Thermal contact burns can occur
when electricity ignites combustible
material.
• Electrical burns
• Arc burns
• Thermal contact burns
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Falls
Another common type of
electrical injury is falling.
Workers who experience a shock
on elevated work surfaces such
as platforms, ladders or scaffolds
can fall resulting in serious injury
or death.
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Electrical Hazards
To avoid injuries, you should be aware of electrical hazards.
Some of the most common electrical hazards are:
• Exposed electrical parts
• Overloaded circuits
• Defective insulation
• Improper grounding
• Damaged power tools
• Overhead power lines
• Wet conditions
Let’s take a closer look at each of
these hazards.
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Exposed Electrical Parts
Exposed electrical parts can include:
• Breaker boxes without a cover
• Electrical terminals in motors,
appliances, and electronic
equipment
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Overloaded Circuits
Overloading a circuit increases the potential for
fires to occur. Overload hazards exist if:
•
Too many devices are plugged into a circuit
•
The wire insulation melts
•
An improper overcurrent protection
device is used
•
No overcurrent protection
device is used
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Overloaded Circuits
Overcurrent protection devices include:
•
•
•
Circuit breakers
Fuses
Ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCI)
A circuit breaker automatically
“trips” and shuts off the current in
a circuit if it becomes overloaded.
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Overloaded Circuits
A fuse contains an internal part that melts and shuts off
the current if there is an overload.
•
Circuit breakers
•
Fuses
•
Ground fault circuit interrupters
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Overloaded Circuits
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
detects current leaking from a circuit to
ground and shuts the current off.
• Circuit breakers
• Fuses
• Ground fault circuit interrupters
Receptacle type
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Summary
It is very important to StartSafe and StaySafe around
electricity. In order to do so:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Know the hazards
Plan your work and plan for safety
Avoid wet working conditions and
other dangers
Avoid overhead power lines
Use proper wiring and connectors
Use and maintain tools properly
Wear the correct PPE for the job
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