Electrical Safety

BY Chris Lacey And Robert Jude

Electrical Safety
OSHA and state safety laws have helped to provide safe working areas for electricians and other workers. Individuals can work safely on electrical equipment with today's safeguards and recommended work practices. In addition, an understanding of the principles of electricity is gained. Ask supervisors when in doubt about a procedure. Report any unsafe conditions, equipment, or work practices as soon as possible.

What Is Electricity?
Electricity is the flow of electrons from a power source through some form of a closed circuit. It travels through some sort of a conductor such as wiring. Volts is the measure of electrical force while Amps is the measure of electrical volume or intensity.

The Dangers of Electricity

People can be injured by electricity in the following ways: Electrocution resulting in severe injury or death Electrical shock Burns Falls resulting from a shock

Electrical Shock
Experienced when someone touches a live wire and a ground Or two wires of differing voltages 75 mA- Death could occur-a small power drill uses 30 times that amount The next slide shows some different Amp levels and the resulting shock felt

Readings Safe Current Values 1 mA or less 1 mA to 8 mA

Effects Causes no sensation - not felt. Sensation of shock, not painful; Individual can let go at will since muscular control is not lost. Painful shock; individual can let go at will since muscular control is not lost. Painful shock; control of adjacent muscles lost; victim can not let go. Ventricular fibrillation - a heart condition that can result in death - is possible. Ventricular fibrillation occurs. Servere burns, severe muscular contractions - so severe that chest muscles clamp the heart and stop it for the duration of the shock. (This prevents ventricular fibrillation).

Unsafe Current Values

8 mA to 15 mA

15 mA to 20 mA

50 mA to 100 mA

100 mA to 200 mA 200 mA and over

What To Do During An Electrical Shock

Free the victim from contact with the electricity in the quickest, safest way. This step, while it must be taken quickly, must be done with great care; otherwise, there may be two victims instead of one. In the case of portable electric tools, lights, appliances, equipment, or portable outlet extensions, the victim should be freed from contact with the electricity by turning off the supply switch or by removing the plug from its receptacle. If the switch or receptacle cannot be quickly located, the suspected electrical device may be pulled free of the victim. Other persons arriving on the scene must be clearly warned not to touch the suspected equipment until it is deenergized. Be sure to Protect yourself with dry insulating material. Use a dry board, belt, clothing, or other available nonconductive material to free the victim from electrical contact. Do NOT touch the victim until the source of electricity has been removed.

Statistics
Worker contact with electric current in some shape or form was responsible for 1,213 fatal workplace accidents during the period of 20022007. Additionally, 13,150 workers were so severely injured from these electrical contacts that their injuries required time off from work. Contact with overhead power lines was by far the leading category of onthe-job electrical death. The second leading category of electrical fatality involves workers coming in contact with wiring, transformers, or other electrical components. The third leading category of electrical fatalities involved workers coming into contact with electric current from machines, tools, appliances, or light fixtures.

OSHA Requirements
Section 1926.400/ Subpart K
Reference 1926.403(i)(2) Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by cabinets or other forms of enclosures

OSHA Requirements
Reference 1926.416, 1926.417

Only qualified persons may work on electric circuit parts or equipment that have not been deenergized. Such persons shall be capable of working safely on energized circuits and shall be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, PPE, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools.

Hazards-Overhead Power Lines

Stay at least 10 feet away Post warning signs Assume that lines are energized Use wood or fiberglass ladders, not metal Power line workers need special training & PPE

PPE
Proper foot protection (not tennis shoes) Rubber insulating gloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, and blankets Hard hat (insulated nonconductive)

Hazards & Protections

Hazards Inadequate wiring Exposed electrical parts Wires with bad insulation Ungrounded electrical systems and tools Overloaded circuits Damaged power tools and equipment Using the wrong PPE and tools Overhead powerlines All hazards are made worse in wet conditions Protective Measures Proper grounding Use GFCIs (Ground-Fault Circuit Interruptor) Use fuses and circuit breakers Guard live parts Lockout/Tagout Proper use of flexible cords Close electric panels Training

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Electrical Injuries

Some Electrocutions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtQtRGI0F 2Q&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX_ESSUl pYM&feature=related

QUIZ
1. What is the measure of electrical force? 2. What is the mA at which death could occur? 3. T/F You should use dry insulating material when freeing someone from electrical shock. 4. At what voltage do electrical equipment need to be enclosed to prevent accidental contact? 5. For safety, how far should you stay away from overhead power lines?