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ELECTRICAL SAFETY
HAZARDS
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Electrical Safety Hazards
Primary hazards:
– Electric shock
– Exposure to Arc-Flash
– Exposure to Arc-Blast
– Exposure to excessive light and sound energies
• Secondary hazards:
‒ burns, release of toxic gases, molten metal,
airborne debris and shrapnel.
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Electric Shock
When personnel come in contact with
energized conductors with current flowing
through their skin, muscles and vital organ.
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
LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT MEAN LOW
HAZARD!
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3 Basic Pathways Electric Current
Travels Through The Body
1. Touch Potential (hand/hand path)
2. Step Potential (foot/foot path)
3. Touch/Step Potential (hand/foot path)
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What is an Arc Flash Hazard?
“. . . a dangerous condition associated with the
release of energy caused by an electric arc.”
Arc Flash Hazards -- Construction Safety Association of Ontario PB/RH -- March 3, 2009
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Characteristics of an Electric Arc
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What Causes Arc Flash?
– Dropping tools
Equipment failure
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What is Arc Blast?
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Arc Flash Events
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Arc Flash Injuries
Electric shock
Severe burns
Blindness
Blast injuries
– Shrapnel wounds
– Lung blast injuries
– Ruptured eardrums
– Pressure wave injuries
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Electric Shock Injury – Burn
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Severe Burns from Arc Flash
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Shrapnel Wounds
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Blast Lung Injury (BLI)
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Arc-Flash Metrics
In order to determine the potential effects of an Arc-
Flash, we need to understand some basic terms. An
Arc-Flash produces intense heat at the point of the
arc. Heat energy is measured in units such as
BTU’s, joules, and calories.
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Severity Factors
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Severity Factors
Current-limiting devices such as Littelfuse type
LLSRK_ID or JTD_ID fuses will open in . AC cycle (8.33
milliseconds) or less under short circuit conditions.
Studies have shown that many existing molded case
circuit breakers take up to 6 AC cycles (100
milliseconds) or longer to open under short circuit
conditions.
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Hearing Damage
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Pressure Wave Injuries
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Common Causes
Faulty electrical equipment can also produce a hazard while
being operated. Electrical safety hazards such as exposure
to shock and Arc-Flash can be caused by:
1.Carelessness
2.Worn or broken conductor insulation
3.Exposed live parts
4.Loose wire connections
5.Improperly maintained switches and circuit breakers
6.Obstructed disconnect panels
7.Water or liquid near electrical equipment
8.High voltage cables
9.Static electricity
10.Damaged tools and equipment
The severity and causes of electrical hazards are varied, but the
best protection is to deenergize equipment before working
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on it.