Electric Shock and Burn— The Case of the Open Electrical Control Panel 11016915 ©2003 P O W E R P O I N T ® T R A I N I N G

Electric Shock and Burn—The Case of the Open Electrical Control Panel

11016915 ©2003

P O W E R P O I N T ® T R A I N I N G

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Let’s Look at the Hazards

Electrical shock can cause:PainLoss of muscle

control/coordinationInternal bleeding

Nerve, muscle,tissue damage

Cardiac arrestDeath

As little as 50 milliamperes (one-third the electricity needed to power a radio) can cause death!


Take a Look at the Facts

Employee is operating a tilt-pot, iron-melting furnace

Furnace controls mounted on enclosed pedestal

Tilt-pot lever will not engage—broken cotter pin

Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)

Employee opens console to replace cotter pin

Employee has performed this procedure many times

Console can be de-energized separately from the furnace

Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)

He reaches into console to replace pinEmployee slips, falls against 120-volt terminalEmployee gets electric shock & burns to shoulder


What Do You Think Went Wrong?

Could the employee easily access the inside of the console?

Did complacency have anything to do with the incident?

Why was the employee not aware that the console could be de-energized separately?

Were safety procedures ignored or overlooked?Is it ever okay to reach into an electrical panel?


Let’s Review the Causes

Broken cotter pinOver-confident employeeConsole easy to openLockout procedures not in

place or employee not trainedEmployee reached into “live” electrical panelSlippery floor


The Hazards of Electricity

1 mA: Felt by the body2-10 mA: Minor shock, may cause a fall10-25 mA: Lose muscle control, may not be

able to let go of the current25-75 mA: Painful, leads to collapse or death75-300 mA: Almost always immediately fatal


Qualified Electrical Workers

Qualified electrical workers– Are permitted to work on exposed energized

equipment– Know how to identify exposed energized parts– Know how to troubleshoot energized parts

Unqualified workers should know– How electricity works– Risks of working with energized equipment– Tasks to be performed only by qualified workers


Don’t Let it Happen to You

Report machine malfunctions Never open a “live”

electrical panelNever reach into

an electrical panelIf trained, use lockout

to de-energize the equipmentRe-evaluate your job practices


Quiz

1. The dangerous part of electricity is the voltage.True or False

2. Only _______ workers are allowed to work on or near exposed electrical components.

3. Electrical shock from a 120-volt circuit will expose the average person to how many mA?

4. Electrical panels should be easy to open and very accessible. True or False

Quiz (cont.)

5. When is it OK for a machine operator to reach into a “live” electrical panel?

6. What should a qualified worker do to make it safe to reach into an electrical panel?

7. How can a qualified electrical worker increase his or her resistance to electricity?

8. Unqualified workers must be trained to identify electrical hazards. True or False


Quiz Answers

1. Q. The dangerous part of electricity is the voltage.

True or False A. False, the amperage is the dangerous part of

electricity.

2. Q. Only _______workers are allowed to work on or near exposed electrical components.

A. Qualified.

Quiz Answers (cont.)

3. Q. Electrical shock from a 120-volt circuit will expose the average person to how many mA?

A. 60 mA.4. Q. Electrical panels should be easy to open and

very accessible. True or FalseA. False, panels should be difficult to open.

5. Q. When is it OK for a machine operator to reach into a “live” electrical panel?

A. Never.


6. Q. What should a qualified worker do to make it safe to reach into an electrical panel?

A. Lock out the electricity from the panel.7. Q. How can a qualified electrical worker

increase his or her resistance to electricity? A. Wear insulated gloves and boots, use insulated tools, and stand on an insulated mat.


8. Q. Unqualified workers must be trained to identify electrical hazards. True or False

A. True, it is important for all workers to be able to identify electrical hazards.

Documents

Electric Shock and Burn— The Case of the Open Electrical Control Panel 11016915 ©2003 P O W E R P O I N T ® T R A I N I N G