Www.CareerSafeOnline.com Electrical Safety. Electricity is an important part of our modern world and sometimes it is easy to

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Electrical Safety


Electricity is an important part of our modern world and sometimes it is easy to forget just how dangerous it can be.

Given the correct circumstances, electricity can cause serious injuries or even death.

Electrical Safety


• Electrocution is the cause of 12% of all workplace deaths among young workers.

• Electrocution is the third leading cause of work-related deaths among 16 and 17-year-olds.

Electrical Safety


The most common types of electrical injuries are:

• Electrical shock

• Electrocution (death due to

electrical shock)

• Burns

• Falls

Electrical Injuries


Touching a live wire and an electrical ground will cause a shock.

Electrical Shock


Touching two live wires of different voltages will cause electrical shock.

Electrical Shock

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/howshocksoccur.html


The severity of the shock depends on:

• Path of the current through your body

• Amount of current flowing

through your body

• Length of time your body is in contact with the circuit

Electrical Shock

LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT MEAN LOW HAZARD


Burns are the most common injury caused by electricity. The three types of burns are:

Burns

• Electrical burns• Arc burns• Thermal contact burns

Electrical burns can occur when you come into direct contact with electricity.


An arc occurs when there is a gap between conductors and current travels through the air.

Burns

•Electrical burns•Arc burns•Thermal contact

burns


Thermal contact burns can occur when electricity ignites combustible material.

• Electrical burns

• Arc burns

• Thermal contact burns

Burns


Another common type of electrical injury is falling.

Workers who experience a shock on elevated work surfaces such as platforms, ladders or scaffolds can fall resulting in serious injury or death.

Falls


To avoid injuries, you should be aware of electrical hazards. Some of the most common electrical hazards are: • Exposed electrical parts

• Overloaded circuits

• Defective insulation

• Improper grounding

• Damaged power tools

• Overhead power lines

• Wet conditions

Electrical Hazards

Let’s take a closer look at each of these hazards.


Exposed electrical parts can include:

• Breaker boxes without a cover

• Electrical terminals in motors, appliances, and electronic equipment

Exposed Electrical Parts


Overloading a circuit increases the potential for

fires to occur. Overload hazards exist if:

• Too many devices are plugged into a circuit

• The wire insulation melts

• An improper overcurrent protection device is used

• No overcurrent protection device is used

Overloaded Circuits


Overcurrent protection devices include:

• Circuit breakers

Overloaded Circuits

• Fuses • Ground fault circuit

interrupters (GFCI)

A circuit breaker automatically “trips” and shuts off the current in a circuit if it becomes overloaded.


A fuse contains an internal part that melts and shuts off the current if there is an overload.


• Fuses

Overloaded Circuits

• Ground fault circuit interrupters


A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) detects current leaking from a circuit to ground and shuts the current off.


• Fuses

• Ground fault circuit interrupters

Overloaded Circuits

Receptacle type


Summary

It is very important to StartSafe and StaySafe around electricity. In order to do so:

• Know the hazards• Plan your work and plan for safety• Avoid wet working conditions and

other dangers• Avoid overhead power lines• Use proper wiring and connectors• Use and maintain tools properly• Wear the correct PPE for the job

Documents

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