ECTRICAL Safety

AND
HAZARDS
 OUTLINE OF PRE SENTA TION
 OBJECTIVES

 INTRODUCTION

 BASIC ELECTRICAL

 ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

 ELECTRICAL INJURIES

 PREVENTION & SAFETY TIPS

 O BJE CTI V ES
 To understand the basic principles of electricity

 To know the danger of electric shock

 To learn practical measures to prevent electrical

shock

 To increase the level of awareness on electrical

safety
 TERMINOLOGIES
The amount of current that flows in a circuit
depends on voltage and resistance:

 Voltage is the "pressure"

that pushes electrons
through a circuit.
 The opposition the circuit
offers to the flow of
electrons is called
resistance.
 How does electricity flow?
 Water flow depends on the
amount of pressure
supplied by the pump, and
the width and friction of
the hose.
 Current flow depends on
pressure produced by the
generator, and the
characteristics of the
circuit.
 How is electricity measured?
 The "pressure" (voltage) that
"pushes" electrons through a
circuit is measured in volts.

 The flow of electrons (current)

passing a given point is
measured in amperes (amps).

 The opposition to the flow of

electrons (resistance) is
measured in ohms.
TERMINOLOGIES
 Electrical conductor is a material that
allows the flow of current.
Metals such as copper, aluminum are
good conductors.

 An electrical insulator is a material whose

internal electric charges do not flow
freely, and therefore very hard to conduct
an electric current under the influence of
an electric field.
A perfect insulator does not exist, but
some materials such as glass, paper and
Teflon, which have high resisitivity, are
very good electrical insulators
TERMINOLOGIES

 Direct Current (DC): Current that flows

in one direction and voltage never
changes, like a car battery.

 Alternating Current (AC): Current that

changes direction at a regular rate,
like electrical current supplied to your
home.
 IT’S A FACT
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED EACH
YEAR DUE TO ELECTROCUTIONS.

IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT

1% OF THE KNOWN ELECTROCUTION FATALITIES OCCU
T HOME,
4% IN GENERAL INDUSTRY &
5% ARE DUE TO CONTACT WITH SO-CALLED LOW
OLTAGE CIRCUITS, 600 VOLTS & UNDER

ELECTRICITY IS THE NO.1 SOURCE OF FIRE!

 OHM’S LAW

The current flowing in a circuit is

DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL
TO THE VOLTAGE
and
INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL
TO THE RESISTANCE

V
____
I=
R
 ALZHEIMERS’ EYE TEST

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 HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY

 ELECTRICAL SHOCK
• is the physical stimulation that occurs when
electric current flows through the human body.

• is a common hazard encountered by people

involved in the installation, maintenance, and
operation of electrical equipment.

• although voltage determines whether the body’s

resistance will be overcome, the damaging factor
in electrical shock is the current flow.
 HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY
 ELECTRICAL SHOCK
 HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY

 ARC
• A discharge of electricity through a gas,
normally characterized by a voltage drop in the
immediate vicinity of the cathode approximately
equal to the ionization potential of the gas.

• The heat and light energy release that is

caused by the electrical breakdown of and
subsequent electrical discharge through an
electrical insulator such as air.
 HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY

 BLAST
• When an electric arc occurs, it superheats
the air instantaneously. This causes a rapid
expansion of the air with a wave front that
can reach pressures of 100 to 200 lb per
square foot (lb/ft 2 )(4.79 to 9.58 kPa)

• Blasts do not always occur. Sometimes an

arc is not accompanied by a blast, but when
it is, it can be lethal.
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR

 Loose electrical connections

 Cord with frayed insulations
 Plugs that do not match their outlets, e.g. 3-
prong male plug to 2-prong female outlet

Handheld sander with

frayed cord
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR

 Inadequate wiring

 Exposed electrical parts

Electronic equipment with exposed

electrical wires
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR

 Overhead power lines

 Defective insulation

Linemen needs special training and Damaged extension

equipment to work safely cord
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR

 Non waterproof cords, plugs and outlets

used outdoors
 Equipment running over capacity

 Tools that smell smoke &spark

 Electrical cord in contact with hot

appliances or soaked in water
Overloaded circuit
 Overload circuits
 EFFECTS
OF
ELECTRIC CURRENT
TO
THE HUMAN BODY
 ELECTRICAL INJURIES
Direct:
•Electrocution or death due to
electrical shock
•Electrical shock
•Burns

Indirect:
•Fall
•Fire
 ELECTRICAL INJURIES
How does current enter the body?
 Typical points of entry are
the hands and feet as they
come in contact with
electrical current.
 Moisture beneath a ring or
watch will decrease the
skin's resistance and allow
current flow.
 ELECTRICAL INJURIES
How does current travel through the body?
 The body, composed mostly of
water, is a conductor of electricity,
so current travels easily.
 Current travels the path of least
resistance to complete its circuit.
 This path could be through upper
limbs or between upper and lower
limbs.
 If this includes the heart and
respiratory systems, it can result
in serious injury.
 SHOCK SEVERITY

 Severity of the shock depends

on:
• Path of current through the
body
• Amount of current flowing
through the body (amps)
• Duration of the shocking
current through the body,
 LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT MEAN
LOW HAZARD
 RESISTANCE OF THE HUMAN BODY
 The inner resistance of a human body is
about 500,000 ohms when dry, its down to
300 ohms when wet, but the skin
resistance greatly depends on the content
of moisture

RESISTANCE OF MATERIALS

 Most metals - >0 to 50 ohms

 Dry wood – 100,000 ohms
 Wet wood – 1,000 ohms
 Rubber – 100,000 giga-ohms
 RESISTANCE OF THE HUMAN BODY
TO HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICITY 220V

220 volts
------------- = 220 m.a. current flow
1,000 ohms

If a human body with 1,000 ohms resistance

is exposed to household electricity at 220 volts
a current of 220 milli-amperes will flow
through the body. (See effects in next slide.)
EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT ON THE BODY

 More than 3 ma - painful shock

 More than 10 ma - muscle contraction “no-let-go” danger

 More than 30 ma - lung paralysis- usually temporary

 More than 50 ma - possible ventricular fib. (heart dysfunction, usually fatal)

 100 ma to 4 amps - certain ventricular fibrillation, fatal

 Over 4 amps - heart paralysis; severe burns. Usually caused by >600 volts
 EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL BURNS

 Current flows through the body from the

entrance point until finally exiting where the
body is closest to the ground.

BIRD’S TRIVIA
 EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL BURNS

Exit Wound
Entrance Wound
 EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL BURNS

Arc or Flash Burns Thermal Contact Burns

EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL BURNS
Internal Injuries
EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL BURNS
Involuntary Muscle Contraction
EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL BURNS
 WAYS TO CONTROL ELECTRICAL HAZARD

Use barriers and guards to prevent

passage through areas of exposed
energized equipment
Pre-plan work, post hazard warnings and
use protective measures
Keep working spaces and walkways clear
of cords
Prevent shocking current from electrical
systems and tools by grounding them.
Prevent shocking current by using GFCI’s.
Prevent too much current in the circuit by
using overcurrent protection devices.
Conductor Cover (Orange color)
 PROTECTION AND CONTROL DEVICES

hould be installed for the safety of:

Electrical System – use circuit breaker

or fuse with appropriate rating

Human life (from electrocution) use gfci

or ground fault circuit interrupter.

35
 PROTECTION AND CONTROL DEVICES

Circuit breakers and fuses are

designed to protect equipment
and structures from fire.
 PROTECTION AND CONTROL DEVICES

 GFCI’s
- Provided to protect people
- Trip range 4-6ma

Portable Ground Fault

Circuit Interrupters
 GROUNDING
 Frames or cases of all tools or
structures in which electric devices
or circuits are present should be
grounded.

 The ground wire should be of low

resistance & large enough to resist
mechanical breakage & to carry off
the heaviest current flow that might Grounded
result from any insulation Electrical Devices
breakdown.
 GROUNDING

 Particulars regarding details of conductors sizes

& nature of grounds can be obtained from the
provision of the PEC governing them.

 GROUNDING ROD SPECIFICATION

 Steel Rod – 5/8” dia. & 8ft. long
 Copper Clad Steel Rod – ½” dia. & 8ft. Long
Grounding rod
 Galvanized Pipe – ¾” & 8ft. long
in the earth
 Resistance should not exceed 25 ohms.
 ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS

How can you protect yourself from

electrical current?
When working around electrical equipment,
ALWAYS:

 Assume that the circuit is energized

 Use the appropriate instrument for
testing.
 Use required PPE such as insulated
tools, gloves, and floor mats.
 ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS

How can you protect yourself from

electrical current?
When working around electrical equipment,
ALWAYS:

 Use warning signs and isolate

dangerous areas.
 Remove all conductors such as metal
jewelry and watches.
 Keep your skin dry!
 ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS

How can you protect yourself from

electrical current?
When working around electrical equipment,
NEVER:

 Make repairs unless the power is off and

unplugged from the circuit.
 Use equipment or appliances with frayed
cords.
 Operate, repair, submerge or work with
equipment in or around water.
 What are the proper steps for
responding to an electrical accident?
 What are the proper steps for
responding to an electrical accident?
Step #1: Turn off the Power
 Find the Emergency
Machine Off (EMO)
button and turn off the
power.

 Know in advance
where these buttons
are located.
 What are the proper steps for
responding to an electrical accident?
Step #2: Safely free the victim

 If you cannot find the EMO switch,

attempt to safely free the victim.
 Never attempt to pull the victim away
by hand; you could also lock onto the
source.
 Use the proper equipment such as a
body hook or a non-conductive object
to pry or knock the victim free.
 What are the proper steps for
responding to an electrical accident?
Step #3: Call for Help

 Pick up the phone and call for help.

 Be sure you know (ahead of time) the

emergency number at your site.
 What are the proper steps for
responding to an electrical accident?
Step #4: Do Not Leave the Victim

 Stay with the victim until

help arrives.
 Inform people in the area in
order to avoid further
injuries.
 Emergency Response Steps Review

Step #1: Turn off the Power

Step #2: Safely Free the Victim
Step #3: Call for Help
Step #4: Do not Leave the Victim
 THE SIX-STEP SAFETY METHOD

Think – Be Aware
 THE SIX-STEP SAFETY METHOD

Understand Your
Procedure
THE SIX-STEP SAFETY METHOD

Follow Your
Procedure
 THE SIX-STEP SAFETY METHOD

Use Appropriate
Safety Equipment
 THE SIX-STEP SAFETY METHOD

Ask if You are Unsure,

and Do not Assume
 THE SIX-STEP SAFETY METHOD

Do Not Answer if
You Do Not Know
THANK YOU
 If you do what you always have
done, you will get what you always
have got