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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:
•
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:
•
•
•
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.
•
•
•
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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Defective Insulation
To protect you, electrical wires are
insulated by a plastic or rubber
covering. Insulation prevents
conductors from coming in contact
with each other and with people.
Make sure the insulation of tools
and cords you are using is not
damaged.
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Grounding
When an electrical system is
properly grounded, there is a
path that allows the current to
travel to the earth (the ground).
When any electrical system is
not properly grounded, a hazard
exists.
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Power Tools
Power tools that are damaged or
not properly maintained can
cause you to be seriously injured.
If you touch a metallic part of a
power tool that is energized
because of damaged insulation or
improper grounding, you could
be shocked.
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Power Tools
To protect you from shock,
burns and electrocution, tools
must:
•
Have a three-wire cord with
ground and be plugged into
a grounded receptacle.
•
Be double insulated.
•
Be powered by a low-voltage
isolation transformer.
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Overhead Power Lines
Overhead power lines are not usually
insulated, and cause more than half of
all electrocutions.
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Wet Conditions
Wet conditions are hazardous because you can
become an easy path for electrical current.
There are many circumstances that create wet
conditions:
•
•
•
•
Standing in water
Wet clothing
High humidity
Perspiration
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Safe Work Practices
You can StartSafe and StaySafe by using
the following safe work practices:
•
•
•
•
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Inspect cords before each use
Never overload a circuit
Stay away from all
unguarded conductors
To unplug, pull on the plug, not
the cord
Don’t wear jewelry or use other
metal objects around electrical
equipment
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Safe Work Practices: Training
Training concerning electricity is very important.
Training for employees working with electrical
equipment must include how to:
•
De-energize the equipment
•
Use lockout and tag procedures
•
Use insulating protective
equipment
•
Maintain a safe distance from
energized parts
Use appropriate PPE
•
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Safe Work Practices: Lockout/Tagout
When performing lockout/tagout on circuits,
trained employees will do the following:
•
Turn off the power supply
•
Put a lock on all power sources
to the circuit
•
Apply a tag
•
Test the circuit
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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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