Shock and Fire Hazard

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Cholamandalam MS Risk Services


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SHOCK AND FIRE HAZARD

CAUSES AND MITIGATION


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Introduction

Shock :-

The term shock is used to denote an unexpected and

unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are

considered undesirable.

An average human can feel 1mA of AC and 5mA of DC.

An exposure to a current in such a frequency even over a

small time frame of 5 seconds can cause fibrillation or cardiac

arrest.

When not attended to electrocution can cause paralysis or

even death


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Electric shock is one of the most common hazards that can

occur within an organisation for which effects can over a widerange ranging from minor injuries to extensive fires and

building damage.

Another organisational drawback that an electric shock can

cause is that it can affect the organisational procedures andfunctions until it is fixed.

Possibilities of damage occurring to equipment in the

organisation can also cause heavy loss.

Hence, it is vital that an organisation possess all the safetymeasures to prevent the occurrence of an electric shock.


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Causes of shock and Electric hazards

Short Circuit :-The most common reason for the occurrence of a shock is a

short circuit.


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A short circuit occurs in an electric circuit (in this case withinthe electrical system of an organisation) when current travels

on an unintended path where there is a high degree of

resistance.

This results in meeting of two poles of opposite polarityresulting in sparking or melting of wires.

Exposure of electrical systems to moisture or crossing of

plumbing with electrical work can cause short circuits.

Short circuits may also be caused by improper load shedding,passage of a high degree of current into the system or

improper earthing in the building.


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Improper electrical maintenance within the organisation.

This is a situation where hazardous electrical entities are leftunattended thereby exposing the handler to an unexpected

shock.


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This type of damage occurs when proper maintenance of

electric lines and equipment is not done on a regular basis in

an organisation.

This leads to degradation of wires and hence a brittle nature

of the protective covering around a live wire.

Improper maintenance of faulty equipment can also lead to

shocking and damage of the equipment thereby incurring

replacement charges.

Not having industrial voltage stabilizers, circuit breakers or

fuses in each sub system or replacement of any of thepreviously mentioned when damaged is another reason.


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This is caused due to the carelessness of workers who are in

constant contact with electricity and power lines.

Avoiding usage of protective wear while handling electricity


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Lack of protection while handling electric equipment while

handling can lead to electric shock.

Lack of space to work in a power system can lead to unintended

contact with live wires.

Electrical workers sometimes fail to shutdown power when

repairing damaged lines or carrying out other maintenance

works.

Not using proper fuse lines (lead and tin combination) and

replacing conventional fuses with copper wires to prevent

frequent breakage of fuse may also cause short circuit andthereby electric shock.


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A building for an organisation will be provided approval by the

government or corporation only upon installation of all safety

measures against electrical hazards.

Prevention and mitigation of shock


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The buildings power systems, should be provided with a sufficient

earthing to prevent unwanted conductance.

All the wires so used must be thoroughly insulated and it must be

seen that the quality of the wires used must be up to the bureau of

Indian standards.

Faulty appliances and instruments must be mended as soon aspossible to prevent the leakage of electrical charge from them.

Maintenance of power systems must be done on a regular basis

and separate maintenance workers to handle electrical related

problems must be appointed. Warning signs must be placed in areas where shocking

probabilities are higher.


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Workers working with such type of equipment must be adorning

safety gloves and rubber sole boots.

Rodent control measures must be carried out in the building as

they like to chew on the insulation thereby exposing live wires.

All wires must run through pipes or through the walls in a building

and leaving out wires exposed around the building is not

encourages.

Fuses in the transformers and in the building must be constantly

checked and hanged immediately upon damage.

Proper first aids to victims and immediate evacuation of the area

must be properly facilitated.


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Fire hazard - Causes

Scrap, waste materials, dust, trash When these items are allowed to accumulate, the risk of

fire is increased.

Under the right conditions, the buildup of dust from wood,

plastic, or certain metal operations can lead to a fire orexplosion.

Combustible materials

Oily rags or other materials soaked in oil canspontaneously combust if placed in areas where the air

does not circulate.


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Electrical issues Overloaded circuits, damaged wiring, and defective

switches and outlets can all lead to electrical fires.

Placing space heaters near, or in contact with, combustible

materials poses a fire hazard.


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Hot work Any operation involving heated materials or open flames

can present a fire hazard.

Hot work procedures have been developed and are part of

this program. Machines and equipment

Machines that are not lubricated properly can overheat

and start a fire.

Electrical problems and equipment defects can lead to afire.


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Renovations and maintenance

Renovation or maintenance projects that do not meet therequirements of the Virginia building or fire codes can result in

improper egress, construction methods or materials, electrical

hazards, and so on.

Careless Smoking Smoking is prohibited in facilities owned or leased by the

university.

Some exceptions are made for certain residential facilities.

Outdoors, discarded smoking materials carelessly tossed inwaste containers or into landscaping can easily start a fire.


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Prevention and Mitigation of Fire Hazards

Housekeeping

Maintain premises free of unneeded and unnecessarycombustible materials.

Surplus or properly discard unused items being stockpiled orhoarded.

Hoarding increases the risk of fire and possible structuraldamage due to increased weight loading on floors.

Fire-Rated Doors

Fire-rated doors must not be blocked open with wedges,

stoppers, or anything else! These doors are to remain closed to reduce fire and smoke

spread through the rest of the building.


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Fire-Resistant Barriers All building materials used in renovation and building

projects must meet the state fire code requirements for

fire-resistance.

All work must be performed in accordance with thebuilding code requirements.

All penetrations of floors, ceilings, and walls are avenuesfor smoke and heat travel.

These penetrations must be properly fire-stopped whererequired.


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Electrical

Junction boxes and breaker/disconnects in electrical circuit

panels are required to be properly labeled.

Use of unapproved electric cords or equipment in wet or damp

locations may result in a short circuit.


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Flammable and Combustible Materials Where possible, substitute flammable materials with

safer, less/non flammable, non-toxic materials.

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Gases in these cylinders can pose fire or explosion hazards,may be toxic, or can displace oxygen in the area.

Perform a visual inspection of the cylinder and refusedelivery if the cylinder appears to be damaged or defectivein any way.

Cylinders must be stored in compatible groups, withflammables separated from oxidizers and corrosives.


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Fire Protection Systems Automatic fire alarm systems are installed to facilitate

notification of building occupants of a fire emergency.

Various types of smoke and heat detectors, along withmanual pull stations, are linked to the alarm system.

Fire suppression systems are interconnected to thebuilding fire alarm.

When a sprinkler head is activated, it automaticallyactivates the building fire alarm.

The building fire alarm can also be activated by smokedetectors or manually without the sprinklers going off.This is how a fire drill is conducted.


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CHOLAMANDALAM MS RISK SERVICES LTD.

PARRY HOUSE, 4TH FLOOR

NO.2, NSC BOSE ROAD, PARRYS, CHENNAI 600 001

Phone: 044 3044 5400 Fax: 044 3044 5550

Chola MS Risk Offices:

Chennai | Mumbai | New Delhi | Gurgaon |Kuwait & Singapore [Partner Offices]

[email protected]

www.cholarisk.com

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Shock and Fire Hazard