Electrical Safety Program

How Electricity WorksHow Electricity Works

• Operating an electric switch is like turning on Operating an electric switch is like turning on a water faucet. Behind the faucet or switch a water faucet. Behind the faucet or switch there must be a source of water or electricity there must be a source of water or electricity with something to transport it, and with a force with something to transport it, and with a force to make it flow. to make it flow.

• In the case of water the source is a pump, and In the case of water the source is a pump, and the force to make it flow through the pipes is the force to make it flow through the pipes is provided by the pump. provided by the pump.

• For electricity, the source is the power For electricity, the source is the power generator. Current travels through electrical generator. Current travels through electrical conductors (wires) and the force to make it conductors (wires) and the force to make it flow, measured in volts, is provided by a flow, measured in volts, is provided by a generator.generator.

Electrical ShockElectrical Shock

• Received when current Received when current passes through the bodypasses through the body– You become part of the You become part of the

circuitcircuit

• Severity of a shock Severity of a shock depends on:depends on:– PathPath of current through of current through

the bodythe body– Amount of currentAmount of current

flowing through the flowing through the bodybody

– Length of timeLength of time the body the body is in the circuitis in the circuit

If Electrocution OccursIf Electrocution Occurs

• Call for helpCall for help• DO NOT touch the victim or the conductorDO NOT touch the victim or the conductor• Shut off the current at the control boxShut off the current at the control box• If the shutoff is not immediately available, If the shutoff is not immediately available,

use a non-conducting material to free the use a non-conducting material to free the victimvictim

• If necessary and you know how, begin If necessary and you know how, begin CPR when current is stoppedCPR when current is stopped

• In dealing with electricity, never exceed In dealing with electricity, never exceed your expertiseyour expertise

Electrical Burns Electrical Burns

• Most common shock-Most common shock-related, nonfatal injuryrelated, nonfatal injury

• Occurs when you Occurs when you touch electrical wiring touch electrical wiring or equipment that is or equipment that is improperly used or improperly used or maintainedmaintained

• Typically occurs on the Typically occurs on the handshands

• Very serious injury Very serious injury that needs immediate that needs immediate attentionattention

Controlling Electrical Controlling Electrical HazardsHazards

• Most electrical Most electrical mishaps are mishaps are caused by a caused by a combination of combination of three factors:three factors:• Unsafe equipment Unsafe equipment

and/or and/or installation, installation,

• Workplaces made Workplaces made unsafe by the unsafe by the environment environment

• Unsafe work Unsafe work practicespractices

Clues that Electrical Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist Hazards Exist

• Tripped circuit breakers or Tripped circuit breakers or blown fusesblown fuses

• Warm tools, wires, cords, Warm tools, wires, cords, connections, or junction boxesconnections, or junction boxes

• GFCI that shuts off a circuitGFCI that shuts off a circuit

• Worn or frayed insulation Worn or frayed insulation around wire or connectionaround wire or connection

Overload HazardsOverload Hazards

• If too many devices are If too many devices are plugged into a circuit, plugged into a circuit, the current will heat the current will heat the wires to a very high the wires to a very high temperature, which temperature, which may cause a firemay cause a fire

• If the wire insulation If the wire insulation melts, arcing may occur melts, arcing may occur and cause a fire in the and cause a fire in the area where the area where the overload exists, even overload exists, even inside a wallinside a wall

Preventing Electrical Hazards

• Ways of protecting workers and preventing electrical hazards are:

• Insulation• Grounding• Electrical protective devices (GFCI)• Safe work practices

InsulationInsulation

• Check insulation Check insulation prior to using prior to using cables, tools, or cables, tools, or equipmentequipment

• Remove from Remove from service any tools service any tools or equipment with or equipment with damaged damaged insulationinsulation

Cabinets, Boxes, and Cabinets, Boxes, and FittingsFittings

• Junction boxes, pull Junction boxes, pull boxes and fittings boxes and fittings must have must have approved coversapproved covers

• Unused openings in Unused openings in cabinets, boxes and cabinets, boxes and fittings must be fittings must be closed (no missing closed (no missing knockouts)knockouts)

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1) and (2)

GroundingGrounding

• Grounding creates a Grounding creates a low-resistance path low-resistance path from a tool to the from a tool to the earth to disperse earth to disperse unwanted current unwanted current

• When a short or When a short or lightning occurs, lightning occurs, energy flows to the energy flows to the ground, protecting ground, protecting you from electrical you from electrical shock, injury and shock, injury and deathdeath

Improper GroundingImproper Grounding

• Tools plugged into Tools plugged into improperly grounded improperly grounded circuits may become circuits may become energizedenergized

• Broken wire or plug on Broken wire or plug on extension cordextension cord

• Some of the most Some of the most frequently violated frequently violated OSHA standardsOSHA standards

Hand-Held Electric Hand-Held Electric ToolsTools

• Hand-held electric tools pose a Hand-held electric tools pose a potential danger because they potential danger because they make continuous contact with the make continuous contact with the handhand

• To protect you from shock, burns, To protect you from shock, burns, and electrocution, tools must:and electrocution, tools must:– Have a three-wire cord with Have a three-wire cord with

ground and be plugged into a ground and be plugged into a grounded receptacle, orgrounded receptacle, or

– Be double insulatedBe double insulated

29 CFR 1910.304(f)(5)(v)(C)(3)

Panel BoxesPanel Boxes

• Panel boxes are used to house Panel boxes are used to house circuit breakers that block or isolate circuit breakers that block or isolate energyenergy– Ensure panel boxes remain clearEnsure panel boxes remain clear– Label all circuits for what they controlLabel all circuits for what they control– Label panel boxes for what they controlLabel panel boxes for what they control– Replace circuit breakers with blanks Replace circuit breakers with blanks

when not in usewhen not in use

Final Advice

Treat electricity with the respect it demands,

and it will serve you efficiently and effectively

Questions?

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