ELECTRICAL SAFETYHazard Recognition:There are several ways to recognize hazards including : inspecting work places, investigating accidents/incidents, keeping material safety data sheets, analyzing job safety and observing work processes.Hazards are evaluated based on risk, meaning the potential probability and severity of loss to people, equipment, materials and environment. There are several ways to control hazards. However , the order of preference is1. Engineering controls: Elimination completely removing the hazard Substitution replacing the hazard with the less hazardous one Isolation separating workers from the hazard2. Administrative controls3. Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)The following is a list of common electrical hazards: Improper grounding Exposed electrical parts Inadequate wiring Overhead power lines Overloaded circuits Wet conditions Damaged tools and equipmentImproper grounding:Grounding is the process used to eliminate the unwanted current. A ground is a physical electrical connection to the earth. Electrical Equipment must be properly grounded. Grounding reduces the risk of being shocked, burned or electrocuted. The ground pin safely returns leakage current to ground. Never remove the ground pin. Effects of Electricity on the Human Body:The effect that an electric shock has on your body depends on the path that the current flows through your body. This is because the body components such as your skin, fatty tissues, muscles and bones have different resistances that vary with external influences, such as if your skin is wet or dry as wet skin has a lower resistance than dry skin, the amount of contact surface area and the contact pressure. The duration of the shock and the frequency of the voltage also determine the effect that the shock has on your body. The extent of the Electric shock can vary from individual to individual due to each persons unique physiology. Involuntary muscular contraction can occur at low levels of current and can lead to physical actions such as falling off ladders which will then lead to more serious physical injuries. One of the problems with electrocution is the failure for the victim to let go of the conductor or appliance because of muscular contraction.Electrical Hazard Protection:There are some ways to prevent Electrical Hazards. They are as follows:1.Have only licensed electricians install, repair and dismantle jobsite wiring. That way, everything will be completed according to electrical safety codes, ensuring greater protection for the workers who will be using the wiring to power tools and equipment. Bringing in a professional electrician also prevents the injuries that result when less-qualified individuals attempt electrical jobs that they arent properly trained to do.2. Always plug into a GFCI.Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter protection is required at every plug-in point associated with your jobsites temporary electrical supply right down to extension cords. Make sure that onlyGFCI receptaclesare installed, and that portable GFCIs are kept on hand in case additional grounding needs arise.3. Check each extension cord before use.Ensure that insulation is completely intact (free from cracks, tears, or abrasion) and that power extension cables havent been knotted, which can cause conductor damage and increase the risk of fire.4. Do a thorough check for electrical wiring before cutting through any wall, floor or ceiling.Any time that a tool inadvertently makes contact with an unseen electrical line, the person holding that tool is likely to be shocked or electrocuted. Always size up the situation before you get started to reduce your risk of injury.5.Inspect power tools on a regular basis.Look over the tools power cords and plugs for any sign of damage to the insulation, blades, or grounding pin. If you find signs of excessive wear and tear, take tools out of commission until theyve been properly repaired. Maintain awareness during electrical tool use as well; if a tool starts to overheat, smoke, give off a burning smell, or shock you on contact, discontinue use immediately.6.Check insulated tools for damage before each use.Once the insulation layer of aninsulated hand toolbecomes nicked, cracked or cut, the tool is no longer effectively insulated it actually becomes more of an electrical conductor, and can increase your risk of injury. If a tool has damaged insulation, it is no longer safe to use destroy and replace it right away.7. Never modify electrical plugs.Under no circumstances should you ever file down the blades, remove the ground pin, or otherwise modify an electrical plug so that it will fit into a socket doing so only increases the likelihood of shock, electrocution, and fire. Either have a certified electrician change the devices plug, or replace outdated two-prong receptacles with grounded outlets that can accommodate a ground pin.8. Keep extension cords in a safe place where they wont be stepped on or driven over.The force of a vehicle or even repeated treading by pedestrians can cause an extension cords conductor to become misshapen or break, a problems that can lead to electrical fires. Because it occurs in the core of the cable, conductor damage isnt always obvious to the eye, so play it safe from the start by guarding jobsite extension cords withheavy-duty cord covers.9. Ensure that all electrical components stay dry.Its one of the cardinal rules of electrical safety: dont mix electricity and water. Store power tools and cables above water level when not in use, cover outdoor receptacles, and never use electrically powered tools in a wet environment.10.Use the right extension cord for the job.Before you plug in, make sure that the wattage rating of theextension cordyoure using is greater than the pull (or power requirement) of the equipment its powering. Using an extension cord to supply more wattage than its rated for can cause conductor strain, overheating, and possibly even fire.Insulation: Building insulation, added to buildings for comfort and energy efficiency Soundproofing, also known as acoustic insulation, any means of reducing the intensity of sound Thermal insulation, materials used to reduce the rate of heat transfer Insulator (electrical), the use of material to resist the flow of electric current and magnetism Insulated glass(energy saving)Grounding:Grounding is the process used to eliminate unwanted current. A ground is a physical connection to the earth. This allows leakage current to dissipate to the ground instead of going through the worker and possibly causing an injury.Inelectrical engineering,groundorearthcan refer to the reference point in anelectrical circuitfrom which voltages are measured, a common return path forelectric current, or a direct physical connection to theEarth.

Guarding:Electrical systems must be guarded to prevent inadvertent contact with live conductors. The following are requirements for guarding live electrical parts: Live parts to electrical equipment operating at 50 volts or more above ground must be guarded against accidental contact; Proper guarding can be achieved by use of an approved cabinet or other approved enclosure or by location in a room or vault that is accessible to qualified persons only; and If electrical equipment is located in an area where it is potentially exposed to physical damage, the enclosure or guard must be of sufficient strength to prevent such damage.Electrical Protective Devices:Equipment applied to electrical power system to detect abnormal and intolerable conditions and to initiate appropriate corrective actions. These devices include lightening arresters, surge protectors, fuses, and relays with associated circuit breakers.From time to time disturbances in the normal operation of a power system occur. These may be caused by natural phenomena such as lightning, wind or snow, by falling objects such as tree, by accidental means traceable to reckless drivers, or by conditions produced in the system itself such as switching surges, load swings or equipment failure. Protective devices therefore must be installed on power systems to ensure continuity of electrical service, to limit injury to people and to limit damage to equipment when problem situation develops. Protective devices are applied commensurately with the degree of protection desired or felt necessary for the particular system.Appliances:Household appliances can experience overload, short circuit and voltage transients, which may impede reliable operation. Circuit Protection solutions from TE help you meet regulatory standards and minimize returns.

Automotive:Automotive electronics components and motor drives require protection against overvoltage, transient voltage and dangerous thermal runaway conditions. TE Circuit Protection has a broad offering of protection devices that meet stringent AEC-Q standards.

Batteries:Volatile battery chemistries such as Li-ion require protection against overloads, short circuit conditions and voltage transients. TE Circuit Protection has a wide range of solutions to meet your battery protection needs.

Personal Protective Equipment: PPE for electrical hazards include: hardhats rubber or insulating gloves rated for the electrical hazards at the worksite. insulating clothing

Use appropriate rubber insulating gloves. Never use damaged PPE Make sure the gloves fit properly. Make sure the glove rating matches with the work to be performed. Not all gloves can be used to prevent electric shock. Hard hats offer protection. Hard hats are rated for certain uses. Metal hard hats SHOULD NOT be used when working close to electrical lines.Work Practices:De-energization of electrical equipment provides the highest level of safety when servicing or maintaining electrical equipment. Working on live electrical parts should be avoided when possible and should only be performed in the following two scenarios:1. De-energizing the equipment creates additional hazards, such as shutdown of hazardous ventilation systems or life safety systems; and2. Equipment must be energized to allow for testing that can only be performed live.Only employees that are qualified persons are allowed to work on live electrical parts that are 50 V or higher. Qualified persons must perform live electrical work in compliance with the most current National Fire Protection Association 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E).The following work practices must be followed when working on live electrical parts: Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used when required; Conductive apparel (watches, bracelets, rings, key chains, necklaces, zippers, cloth with conductive thread, etc.) must not be worn; Non-conductive hand tools must be used and must be rated for the voltage at which live electrical work is being performed; Barricades and signage must be posted a safe distance away from the work area and unqualified persons must not be allowed in the work area; Conductive materials and tools must be kept a safe distance away from live electrical parts; and Electrical equipment must be restored to safe conditions and all safeguards must be replaced when work is complete.When electrical equipment is not required to be live during servicing or maintenance work, equipment should be de-energized in accordance with the Lockout/Tagout policy.Ladders made from conductive materials such as aluminum or steel pose an electrocution hazard when working around overhead power lines. Refer to the Ladder Safety policy for requirements when using ladders around live overhead power lines or when performing live electrical work.Confined spaces with live, exposed electrical parts are considered permit-required confined spaces. Work inside these spaces must be conducted in accordance with the Confined Space policy.PolicyElectrical equipment shall be operated and installed and electrical work shall be performed in accordance with this policy.Authority and ResponsibilityEnvironmental Health and Safetyis responsible for:1. Assisting supervisors with complying with this policy;2. Conducting inspections to ensure compliance with this policy;3. Arrange for basic electrical safety training; and4. Annually reviewing and updating, if necessary, this policy.Department supervisorswith employees affected by this program are responsible for:1. Ensuring employees comply with all requirements of this policy;2. Determining the level of electrical safety training required for their employees;3. Providing employees with all the tools and equipment necessary to comply with this policy; and4. Ensuring that Unqualified and Qualified employees complete Basic Electrical Safety Training.Employeesare responsible for:1. Complying with all aspects of this program;2. Not performing electrical work for which they are not trained;3. Only performing on work on live electrical parts, greater than 50 volts, only when necessary;4. Following theLockout/Tagoutprogram; and5. Completing required training.Facilities Unitis responsible for:1. Ensuring that electrical installations for new facilities are compliant with the requirements in this policy.

Types of fire and rescuing methods:Building firesWe fight fires in every sort of building: peoples homes, in high rise office buildings, factories, shops, schools, restaurants, hotels, electrical substations, sporting facilities, scout halls and museums.In all building fires, the priority is to save lives. Firefighters are trained to search a burning building, wearing breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the smoke, and rescue any occupants. In homes, this includes searching in and under beds, in cupboards or behind furniture or anywhere else where someone may have fallen or hidden. In high rise buildings and commercial premises like factories and shopping centres, firefighters work with the building fire wardens and use the fire safety systems to protect and evacuate the occupants as well as conducting search and rescue.The second priority is to save property. We aim to stop the fire spreading and then put it out as fast as possible, minimising the damage to property. In 2001/02 we confined 65% of building fires to the object or room of origin. Once the fire is out, we assist the building owners and occupiers by salvaging furniture or other items from the damaged area, protecting them from further smoke or water damage, making sure that nothing is left smoldering and all safety hazards are identified and the premises are secure.Industrial firesFires in industrial premises present particular challenges to firefighters as they involve a wide range of machinery, industrial processes and products. Often, special firefighting techniques have to be used. For example, foam rather than plain water may be used to smother chemical fires. Fires inside industrial machinery can be hard to get to and there may be the risk of dust or gas explosions. Fires in bulk storage areas can also be difficult; the product being stored may be flammable, explosive, corrosive or poisonous and it can be difficult for firefighters to get at the seat of the fire to put it out. For example, fires in piles of car tyres create large quantities of toxic smoke and can take days to put out as the unburnt tyres have to be moved away from the burning tyres. While fighting these sorts of fires we also monitor the effect of the fire on the environment and take measures to limit the damage, for example by building dams to contain the water running off the fire so that it does not pollute the environment.Transport firesWe put out car fires, train fires, fires in trucks and semi-trailers and fires involving aircraft. We also fight fires on ships, including bulk cargo ships, passenger ships and pleasure craft. Often, transport fires also involve rescuing people trapped in the vehicles, and we stand by at rescues in case a fire breaks out. Transport fires can also involve hazardous materials, such as tankers full of petrol or containers of chemicals.