Tools and Electrical Disclaimer: The content in this slide show has not been reviewed by the Department of Labor and Industries for accuracy and has been provided as “sample” curriculum only. Each Authority Having Jurisdiction must design, take authority of, and responsibility for, the actual training done by the Department. Local SOPs/SOGs, State regulations, and Federal laws may impact the material suggested. The Department of Labor and Industries and Washington State Fire Chiefs Association takes no responsibility for the outcomes or use of these training samples.

Learning Objectives Firefighters will use hand power tools that are grounded, inspected, guarded, and used properly. Firefighters will identify injuries and fatalities related to electricity, including shocks and burns. Firefighters will identify potential sources of electrocution and ways to prevent injuries in buildings, with tools, cords, at emergency scenes and by downed power lines.

WHY WE CARE 59- year-old male career Captain multiple fractures in his right thumb and incurred significant heart damage. 36-year-old male career Captain (the victim) was electrocuted 40-year-old male career Fire Captain (the victim) was electrocuted after coming into contact with a 12,400-volt overhead powerline volunteer fire fighter (the victim) was electrocuted while fighting a grass fire

WAC, Standards and FF 1 - FF2 Skills WAC (11) Firefighters shall not cut the electrical drip loop providing power to the structure nor pull the electrical meter. WAC Electrical NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health, prepares firefighters to safely control the hazards they face, including arc flash. Firefighters entering areas with arc flash potential must be aware of the danger and the protocol that must be followed. Exposure to shock hazards and electrocution risks are common and real. Personal protective equipment for arc flashes and arc blasts are similar to firefighter bunker gear. NFPA 70E Inspections of potential areas which could result in arc flash are vital. NFPA 70E, article states: “A flash hazard analysis shall be done in order to protect personnel from the possibility of being injured by an arc flash. The analysis shall determine the flash protection boundary and the personal protective equipment that people within the flash protection boundary shall use.” IFSAC FF Maintain powerplants, tools and lighting equipment

Power Tool Requirements Requirements Have a three-wire cord Be double insulated

GROUNDING Grounding creates a low resistance path from a tool to the earth to disperse unwanted current. When a short or lightning occurs, energy flows to the ground, protecting you from electrical shock, injury and death. Tools plugged into improperly grounded circuits may become energized Broken wire or plug on extension cord

GROUND TOOLS AND ELECTRICAL Ground power supply systems, electrical circuits, and electrical equipment Frequently inspect electrical systems to insure path to ground is continuous Inspect electrical equipment before use Don’t remove ground prongs from tools or extension cords Ground exposed metal parts of equipment

USE GFCI GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) Protects you from shock Detects difference in current between the black and white wires If ground fault detected, GFCI shuts off electricity in 1/40th of a second Use GFCI’s on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles, or have an assured equipment grounding conductor program.

INSPECT TOOLS Frequently inspect tools for Broken parts Missing guards Loose handles Broken cords

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Correct PPE Eye Protection Hearing Protection Respiratory Protection Gloves Helmets (overhead hazards)

TOOL SAFETY TIPS Know how to use your equipment Use gloves and appropriate footwear Don’t carry a tool by the cord Don’t yank the cord to disconnect it Disconnect when changing accessories such as blades & bits Remove damaged tools from use Store correctly in dry place when not in use

Learning Objectives Firefighters will identify injuries and fatalities related to electricity, including shocks and burns. CAUTION: The following slides contain graphic pictures.

ELECTRICAL INJURIES Types of Electrical Dangers: Direct: Electrical shock Burns Indirect : Falls after the “jolt” Other worker impacted

ELECTRICAL SHOCK Electrical Shock An electrical shock is received when electrical current passes through the body. You will get an electrical shock if a part of your body completes an electrical circuit by… Touching a live wire and an electrical ground, or Touching a live wire and another wire at a different voltage. This worker fell and grabbed a power line to catch himself. The resulting electric shock mummified his first two fingers, which had to be removed. The acute angle of the wrist was caused by burning of the tendons, which contracted, drawing the hand with them.

BURNS Most common shock-related injury Occurs when you touch electrical wiring or equipment that is improperly used or maintained Typically occurs on hands Very serious injury that needs immediate attention Same hand a few days later, when massive subcutaneous tissue damage had caused severe swelling (swelling usually peaks hours after electrical shock). To relieve pressure which would have damaged nerves and blood vessels, the skin on the arm was cut open. This worker was shocked by a tool he was holding. The entrance wound and thermal burns from the overheated tool are apparent

ELECTROCUTIONS Causes of Electrocution Fatalities Contact with Overhead Power lines Contact with Live Circuits Not following Lock/ Tagout procedures Poorly Maintained Extension Cords Defective Power Tools This victim contacted an overhead power line while working from an aerial bucket. NOTE: Most aerial equipment is NOT insulated.

HOW TO CONTROL ELECTRICAL HAZARDS Control Electrical accidents are caused by a combination of three factors: Unsafe equipment and/or installation, Workplaces made unsafe by the environment, and Unsafe work practices.

Responding Safely

ARCH FLASH Typical Structure Fire = degrees over several minutes of time Primary Arch Flash = >11,000 degrees in 1/10 of a second

HAZARD - EXPOSED ELECTRICAL PARTS Cover removed from wiring or breaker box

Safety BASICs As much as 80% of all electrical injuries are burns resulting from an arc-flash and ignition of flammable clothing Arc temperature can reach 35,000°F - this is four times hotter than the surface of the sun. Fatal burns can occur at distances over 10 ft. Over 2000 people are admitted into burn centers each year with severe electrical burns statistics: Progress Energy

Volts vs. Amps Amperage (amount) of current is the danger during electrical contact. The Human Body can withstand 1000’s of Volts Stun Guns = 50k volts (No Amps) 1/5 of 1 amp or 5ma can stop the Heart This is about what a household night light carries. More people are killed from 120/240 Volts than any other voltage. statistics: Progress Energy

Safety BASICs mA Affect on Person Tingling sensations Muscle contractions and pain “Let-go” threshold Respiratory paralysis Ventricular fibrillation Heart clamps tight Tissue and Organs start to burn Shock Current, Not Voltage causes Electric Shock Note: Reaction will vary with frequency and time of exposure statistics: Progress Energy

Safety BASICs Human body resistance (hand to hand) across the body is about 1000 Ohms Law: I = V / R (Amps.) I = 480 volts / 1000 = 0.48 amps (480 mA) The National Electrical Code® considers 5 mA to be the safe upper limit for children and adults. Shock statistics: Progress Energy

Safety BASICs Shock Current passing through the heart and lungs is the most serious photo credit: Progress Energy

Shock Resistance Table

Shocking! Over 30,000 non-fatal electrical shock accidents occur each year Over 600 people die from electrocution each year Electrocution remains the fourth (4th) highest cause of industrial fatalities Most injuries and deaths could be avoided statistics: Progress Energy

Things May Not Be As They Appear Don’t assume that because a wire isn’t sparking that it isn’t energized. A downed power line can still be hot. Don’t assume that a phone or coaxial cable line isn’t energized. It’s possible that a few spans away, an energized power line could be touching the phone or cable line, energizing it as well. And there’s always the possibility that what you think is a phone line is really a power line. BOTH CATV AND PHONE LINES CAN CARRY 7200 VOLTS! There could be hazards that you can’t see: a line down that is concealed by a tree, bush or brush; an energized line down a few spans away; and other hazards could still be present. statistics: Progress Energy

Ladders and Other Lifts Before raising or extending any kind of ladder, metal pole, or other equipment capable of reaching a power line, check in all directions for power lines. Be careful while carrying or positioning any kind of ladder, tool, equipment, or extension and keep them well away from energized overhead power lines, especially the weather head or service drop. statistics: Progress Energy Look up and live!

Fires and Electricity Utilities must de-engergize buildings and downed power lines Never pull a meter or cut wires A pulled meter does not guarantee there are no energized wires in the building

Service Wires On structure fires, do not cut service wires or electric drops leading to the building. Although service wires are low voltage, cutting them can still cause electrocution death. Cutting a wire does not always de- energize it. A downed wire can pose serious dangers to the public and fellow workers in the area. photo credit: Progress Energy

Electric Meters Only power company employees should ever attempt to pull the meter. It is only a measuring device and not a switch. It could short out at the base and possibly cause burns, eye damage, or even an explosion. photo credit: Progress Energy

Beware of “Back-Feed” Generators are fairly inexpensive. After power outages, many people run generators. Proper installation can save lives!

Vehicle Accidents and Downed Power Lines Most often the first responders are the Police or Fire Departments

Downed Power Lines Extremely hazardous Appearance can be deceiving Beware of Ground Gradient

High Voltage Shock Insulated cutters, but inappropriate tool to use for high voltage. Only High Voltage Hotsticks, with Voltage-rated Gloves can be used for this work. Qualified Electrical Workers only. Result: Electrocution. Effects photo credit: Progress Energy

High Voltage Shock Physical Effects of Electrocution photo credit: Progress Energy

High Voltage Shock Entry point of High Voltage photo credit: Progress Energy

High Voltage Shock Arcing Effects - Body to Grounded Conduits (2) photo credit: Progress Energy

High Voltage Shock Effects - Arcing to Grounded Conduits (2) photo credit: Progress Energy

High Voltage Shock Arcing Effects - Body to Grounded Conduit photo credit: Progress Energy

High Voltage Shock Blowout Effects Exit points (4) Thru the right thumb, left elbow, abdomen, and pelvic area; where High Voltage Arc blows out… completing the circuit to ground. photo credit: Progress Energy

High Voltage Shock Entry and Exit Wounds photo credit: Progress Energy

Learning Objectives Firefighters will identify potential sources of electrocution and ways to prevent injuries in buildings, with tools, cords, at emergency scenes and by downed power lines.

DAMAGED CORDS Cords can be damaged by Aging Door or window edges Staples or fastenings Abrasion from adjacent materials Activity in the area Improper use can cause shocks, burns or fire This fire was started by a damaged extension cord

OVERHEAD POWER LINES Keep Equipment 10’ feet away from Power Lines. Increase distance with increased kilovolt.

PREVENTING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - PPE Proper foot protection Rubber insulating gloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, and blankets Hard hat (insulated - nonconductive)

PREVENTING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS Proper Wiring and Connectors Use and test GFCI’s Check switches and insulation Use three prong plugs Use extension cords only when necessary & assure in proper condition and right type for job Use correct connectors

TRAINING Train members working with electric equipment in safe work practices, including: De-energize electric equipment before inspecting or repairing Using cords, cables, and tools that are in good repair and have not been modified from their original use and purposes Use appropriate protective equipment

SUMMARY Tools and Cords must be: Double Insulated GFCI Inspected Regularly Fixed and safe before Proper Use Prevent Electrocution by keeping: Cords in good condition At least 10’ from Power Lines Shoes with Rubber Soles