Electrical Hazards Awareness

and
Safety

Electrical Shock
Received when current passes
through the body
Severity of the shock depends on:
Path of current through the body
Amount of current flowing
through the body
Length of time the body is in the
circuit

The danger of electrical shock is mainly determined by

- value of current
- type of power supply
- duration of exposure
- passage/path of current
- human condition
The minimum current at which the human being feels an electric
shock is about 1 mA at 60 Hz. The limit current at which the human
being can endure the pain of an electric shock is about 7 to 8 mA.
The maximum current at which the human being can still move is
about 10 to 15 mA. When the current increases further, the heart
shivers and death results in a few minutes. A man may experience
shivering ventricles resulting in death when a current of about 100 mA
passes through the body for about 3 seconds.

Electricity in the body

Muscles
Muscles control all the body movements
Including & importantly those that keep us alive Breathing and Heart
The brain controls voluntary muscles using Current
pulses along nerves

January 2008

Ver 1.1

Electricity in the body

External current through the body causes
Loss of muscle control
Spasms & Involuntary movement
Inability to let go
Burns - external & internal

January 2008

Ver 1.1

Dangers of Electrical Shock

Currents greater than 75 mA*
can cause ventricular fibrillation
(rapid, ineffective heartbeat)
Will cause death in a few
minutes unless a defibrillator is
used
75 mA is not much current a
small power drill uses 30 times
as much

Defibrillator in use

* mA = milliampere = 1/1,000 of an ampere

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Low Voltage Does Not Mean Low

Hazard
A small amount of electrical current can cause injury,
even death
The current from a 7.5-watt, 120-volt lamp, passing
across the chest, is enough to cause fatal
electrocution
Deaths from 120 volts represent about 12 percent of
all electrocutions

Electrical Burns
Most common shock-related,
nonfatal injury
Occurs when you touch
electrical wiring or equipment
that is improperly used or
maintained
Typically occurs on the hands
Very serious injury that needs
immediate attention
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Caused by 24 volt DC
battery

Caused by kneeling on a
defective 110 volt ac
extension cord

Notice where watch band &

screwdriver were in contact Notice the path in & the path
out
with skin

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/burn_examples.html#electrical_burns

In response to an electrical accident, follow these

procedures immediately:
Call for help (can't be handled by one person) and
follow the emergency response system as set forth in
the safety procedures of each organization.
Get the approved first-aid supplies (these should be
easily accessible when required).
Deenergize the circuit.
Separate the person from the energy source.

 Make sure you and the victim are in a safe zone not in contact with any electrical source, away from
downed or broken wires.
Never grab the person or pull the person off the
current with your hands; you might become part of
the circuit and become injured as well.
Use a dry wood broom, leather belt, plastic rope
or something similar that is non-conductive such as
wood or plastic cane with hook on the end to free
the person from the energy source.

 Administer first aid. Apply mouth-to-mouth

resuscitation and/or CPR if you know what to do.
Keep the victim lying down, warm and comfortable
to maintain body heat until help arrives. Do not
move the person in case of injury to neck or back.
If the victim is unconscious, put him/her on side to
let fluids drain.
Make sure the victim receives professional medical
attention (person shocked could have heart failure
hours later).

Electrical Hazards and How to

Control Them
Electrical accidents are
caused by a combination of
three factors:
Unsafe equipment and/or
installation,
Workplaces made unsafe
by the environment, and
Unsafe work practices.

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Recognize the Hazards

Have you seen areas like these?

Both are NEC violations and present a safety hazard, based on inaccessible circuit control devices
Do not block the working space around electrical equipment (600 volts, nominal, or less). This space provides
and maintains sufficient access and working space to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such
equipment
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Hazard Exposed Electrical Parts

Cover removed from wiring or breaker box

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Recognize the Hazards

What do you do if you see these situations?

Call a timeout and inform your supervisor

Do not remove or open receptacle covers, switch plates, or covers of electrical equipment
unless qualified and authorized
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Recognize the Hazard

Assume all exposed wiring
is energized until proven
otherwise. STOP, protect
the area and contact
supervision if you
encounter this situation
Potentially
energized
exposed wire
with status
unknown
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Hazard Damaged Cords

Cords can be damaged by:
Aging
Door or window edges
Staples or fastenings
Abrasion from adjacent
materials
Activity in the area

Improper use can cause

shocks, burns or fire

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Recognize the Hazard

Tripping and Abrasion Hazards

Dont cause tripping

hazards or create
pinch points for
cords

If you must run a

cord temporarily
across the floor,
protect your coworkers by
covering the cord
appropriately

Not OK

OK

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Hazard Improper Grounding

Tools plugged into
improperly grounded
circuits may become
energized
Broken wire or plug on
extension cord
Some of the most
frequently violated OSHA
standards

22

Hazard Defective Cords & Wires

Plastic or rubber
covering is missing
Damaged extension
cords & tools

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Recognize the Hazards

Remove from service damaged or frayed cords
Report electrical equipment damage to your supervisor

Stay clear of
bare, exposed
wiring and
REPORT IT!

Visually inspect electrical equipment

before each use for damage and/or
external defects such as loose,
missing or deformed parts, pinched
or crushed outer jackets or
insulation. This type of external
damage may indicate internal
damage to the equipment.
Electrical cords that are worn or
damaged must be replaced without
delay.
Before cleaning electrical equipment,
turn it off and unplug it.

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Recognize the Hazard

Cabinets, Boxes, and Fittings
Junction boxes, pull boxes
and fittings must have
approved covers in place
Unused openings in cabinets,
boxes and fittings must be
closed (no missing knockouts)
Photo shows violations of
these two requirements
Report this situation to
management
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Hazard Overloaded Circuits

Hazards may result from:
Too many devices plugged
into a circuit, causing heated
wires and possibly a fire
Damaged tools overheating
Lack of overcurrent
protection
Wire insulation melting,
which may cause arcing and
a fire in the area where the
overload exists, even inside a
wall

OSHAX.org - The Unofficial Guide To the OSHA

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Recognize the Hazards

Never daisy chain multi-outlet strips (plugging into each other)

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Recognize the Hazard

Grounding Path
The path to ground from
circuits, equipment, and
enclosures must be permanent
and continuous
Violation shown here is an
extension cord with a missing
grounding prong
Do not make alterations to
polarized blades or ground pin
to make plug fit into nonpolarized or non-grounded
outlet
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Hazard - Overhead Power Lines

Usually not insulated
Examples of equipment that
can contact power lines:
Crane
Ladder
Scaffold
Backhoe
Scissors lift
Raised dump truck bed
Aluminum paint roller
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Recognize the Hazards

Electrical hazards may exist

overhead indoors

Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines

Crane power rails are an

example

Electrical hazards may also

exist overhead outdoors
Most lines are bare and
higher voltage than the
normal insulated wiring
Contact is not required to
initiate an arc or cause shock
and burn injuries
Maintain safe approach
distances when working near
energized overhead lines
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Control - 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

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Hazards in Electricity
Electricity is always trying to get
to the ground.
Kite string and you are one of the
best conductors for electricity.

Hazards in Electricity

Metal Ladder and you are

one of the best conductors
for electricity.

Hazards in Electricity
Have you ever wondered why the birds that
sit on power lines don't get electric shocks?
It's because the electricity is always looking
for a way to get to the ground, but the birds
are not touching the ground or anything in
contact with the ground.

Recognize the Hazard

Treat it as it is
designed to be
treated
Pull the plug, not the
cord

Handle portable electrical equipment carefully, in accordance with manufacturers

instructions, and in a manner that will not cause damage
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Hazard - Inadequate Wiring

Hazard - wire too small for the current
Example - portable tool with an
extension cord that has a wire too
small for the tool
The tool will draw more current than
Wire Gauge
the cord can handle, causing
overheating and a possible fire
without tripping the circuit breaker
WIRE
The circuit breaker could be the right Wire gauge measures
wires ranging in size from
size for the circuit but not for the
number 36 to 0 American
smaller-wire extension cord
wire gauge (AWG)

OSHAX.org - The Unofficial Guide To the OSHA

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37

1910. 304 (f) Grounding

(4) The path to ground from circuits,
equipment, and enclosures shall be
permanent and continuous

Grounding
There are two kinds of grounding:
1. Electrical circuit or system grounding
2. Electrical equipment grounding

Electrical System Grounding

One conductor of the circuit is intentionally
grounded to earth

Protects circuit from lightning, or other high

voltage contact

Equipment Grounding
All metal frames & enclosures of equipment are grounded
by a permanent connection or bond

The equipment grounding conductor provides a path for

dangerous fault current to return to the system ground at
the supply source should a fault occur

Grounding Equipment Connected

by Cord and Plug
Exposed non-current carrying metal parts of cord and
plug connected equipment which may become
energized shall be grounded
If in a hazardous location
If operated at over 150 volts

Note that properly bonded conduit and associated

metal enclosures can also serve as a grounding
conductor.

Safe Practices
Cord Control
Do not fasten electrical cords to surfaces with staples, nails,
wire, or any other method that might damage the cord
Extension cords

Place them in appropriate locations

Understand they are for temporary use only
Tool cords
Keep track of them, to assure they do not become
damaged
Do not plug or unplug electrical cords with wet hands or
while standing in water

EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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Safe Practices
Cord Control Cont.

Do not use portable electrical equipment or extension

cords in wet or damp locations without a ground fault
circuit interrupter (GFCI) ahead of the plug connection
GFCIs are also required for temporary power applications
in wet or damp locations, including extension cords
Remove loads from an appliance or extension cord before
unplugging it
If a plug wont stay placed snugly or fits loosely in a
receptacle, dont use it; call local E&I to replace it

EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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Safe Practices
Resetting Breakers
When circuit breakers and fuses trip, dont reset or
replace them!
Only qualified and authorized personnel are allowed
to reset breakers and replace fuses
Contact qualified personnel to determine the cause of
trips

EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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Safe Practices
Conductive Apparel
Dont wear loose
conductive apparel,
(such as rings,
watch bands,
bracelets,
necklaces, etc.)
when plugging in
electrical cords

Charm
contacted
plug
Burn
from arc

Charm
contacted plug
here

EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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Safe Practices
Wall Penetrations
When penetrating walls to hang pictures, bulletin boards,
signs, understand and follow site requirements to ensure
that concealed electrical wiring, conduit or piping will not be
contacted
A non-obtrusive survey (e.g., Ground Penetrating Radar,
proximity detection device) may be required, along with a
review of applicable drawings, to ensure that the electrical
system is not penetrated or contacted

EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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Safe Practices
Equipment Applications

Consumer electrical equipment or

appliances should be tested and
labeled by a recognized testing
laboratory. (Look for the UL, CSA,
ETL or MET Label)
Always read and follow the
manufacturers instructions carefully.
Be sure that the equipment or tool is
rated for the environment (wet, damp,
etc.)
Plug portable space heaters directly
into outlet: Do not use extension cord.
Use a circuit with as little else on it as
possible since space heaters take a
lot of power.
EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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Safe Practices
Qualifications
Do not remove/replace receptacle covers, switch
plates, or covers of electrical equipment that may
contain energized conductors without electrical
qualifications and authorization
Only qualified electrical workers may perform
activities such as electrical probing, measuring and
testing electrical energized components (such as
performing an absence of voltage test)

EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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What Now?
Inspect your work areas
Existing unsafe conditions
- Bare wires
- Open enclosures containing exposed wires
- Loose or missing covers or fasteners
- Use good electrical safe practices
- No daisy-chaining
- No overloading outlets
- Pull on plug, not cord
EFCOG Electrical Improvement Project

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What Now?
What do I do if I identify a hazardous condition?
When unsafe electrical conditions are found, correct
them if possible, or take steps to warn other
employees
Report unsafe electrical conditions verbally and/or in
writing to supervision so corrective actions can be
taken immediately
Barricade the area, if an immediate hazard exists
Notify supervision for correction and documentation

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