Why Worry About Electricity?

These Guys Aren’t.

Why is Safety Important? Electrocutions rank 4th in industrial fatalities (behind traffic, violence, and construction. 600 people die every year of electrical causes. Most are low voltage incidents (600v or less) 3,600 disabling injuries 4,000 non-disabling Countless cases go unreported. Most incidents happen to people who SHOULD know better!

Hazards Health Hazards Equipment Hazards Fire Hazards

Health Hazards Effects on Your Body The effects of electricity at 60 hz (cycles per second) on a 150 pound body are: Your body detects electricity at .03 - 1.5 mA Muscle contractions start at 1 – 5 mA Pain begins at 3 – 10 mA Ability to let go ends at 10 – 40 mA Respiratory paralysis begins at 30 – 75 mA Ventricular fibrillation begins at 75 – 100 mA Heart paralysis begins at 250 – 300 mA Organ burns begin at 5000 – 6000 mA

Ouch…

Types of Injuries Arc flash burns Nervous system effects Cardio vascular effects Injuries sustained from falls Typically, electricity travels hand to hand, or foot to foot. It damages internal organs in its path

Electricity Basics Electricity can be compared to a kitchen sink

Electricity Basics Voltage, or power, can be compared to water pressure waiting to be released by a valve. A faucet valve can be compared to an electrical switch. Typically, power wires are either black, red, orange, or blue. DON’T ASSUME! Always check with a voltage meter to verify wire colors and power source.

Electricity Basics Amperage can be compared to flow, or amount of water coming out of the faucet under pressure. In electrical terms, amperage equals the amount of power necessary for a device to work.

Electricity Basics Voltage returns to a circuit un-pressurized through the neutral wire, just as water returns through the sink drain un-pressurized. Neutral wires are typically white. DON’T ASSUME!

Electricity Basics Just as every plumbing system has friction loss due to pipe material, pipe size, valves, devices, etc., so does every electrical circuit. Wire size, material, length of run, devices, etc. add resistance to a circuit. Just as there is pressure in a water pipe, even with no water moving, there is voltage at a receptacle, even if current is not flowing. Another word for voltage is potential.

Electricity Basics Just like water, electricity follows the path of least resistance. Electrical current will not flow unless it has a complete path. You could be that complete path of least resistance!

Wire

Wire Wire can have 3 elements. A conductor (or many if it is stranded wire). An insulator (could be rubber, vinyl, plastic, fiberglass, or similar). An outer jacket that contains several individual insulated wires.

Wire Insulators protect people and equipment from being harmed or damaged by bare conductors. Outer jackets are not meant to insulate conductors. They are designed to bundle individual wires together. Electrical tape is not a suitable repair for extension cords.

How Does it Happen? Leading Causes We know better but intentionally do something unsafe (stupidity). These are unsafe acts. We don’t know any better (ignorance). Usually unsafe equipment or insufficient knowledge.

How Does it Happen? Leading Causes Both can be avoided with proper training, proper discipline, and proper planning. Most accidents occur due to human error.

Good Discipline

Unsafe Acts Failure to de-energize equipment. Failure to lockout/tagout equipment. Use of unsafe or defective tools. Use of tools too close to energized equipment. Using 2-wire cord with 3 –wire outlet. Removing ground prong from extension cords. Not verifying equipment is de-energized when making repairs Improper installation of circuits (wrong wire size, breaker, switches, outlets, ground installation, etc.). Not de-energizing capacitors when servicing equipment.

Unsafe Equipment Loose Connections Overloaded circuits Faulty insulation (exposed wire, improperly insulated connections, etc.). Use of improperly “homemade” extension cords. Defective parts Unguarded live parts

Not cool…

How Can You Avoid Accidents? Plan your work and plan for safety. Avoid working in wet locations. Avoid working near overhead power lines if possible when trimming trees or making repairs to buildings or homes. Exercise caution when using man lifts, backhoes, forklifts or other equipment.

How Can You Avoid Accidents? Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters in wet locations. GFCI’s measure voltage returning through the neutral wire to see if there is a “leak” outside its intended path. If so, the GFCI will trip the circuit. Don’t just keep resetting the GFCI, investigate the cause of the problem and fix it.

Ingenuity At It’s Finest!

How Can You Avoid Accidents? Only use extension cords that are in good condition. Cords must be UL listed and have 3 prongs. Use proper size cord for proper application. Make sure cord is sized properly for equipment being used. Too long of a cord that is wrong size could damage equipment. Do not run cords through walls, conduit, under doors, rugs, or across aisles. Do not repair cords. Buy new ones.

How Can You Avoid Accidents? DON’T ASSUME! Develop discipline and good habits when working with electricity. Know how to operate your meter and check leads with every use. Make sure meter is on proper setting. Be aware of your surroundings what you’re doing. Focus. Study electrical manuals and reference books to understand theory and codes. (Ugly’s and Black and Decker) Educate yourself. It’s your responsibility!

Don’t Assume!

How Can You Avoid Accidents? DON’T ASSUME! If you are uncomfortable, don’t do it. Ask for help!

Lockout/Tagout Use proper lockout/tagout equipment and procedures. Lockout/tagout kits come with a variety of options. Purchase the ones that best suit your needs. Often times a lockout kit won’t come with every lock that is necessary. A danger tag will suffice. Sign and date tags. Whoever uses the lock and signs the tag is in charge of the that lockout. All questions should be directed towards that person. Do not remove that lock or tag without his or her permission! DON’T ASSUME equipment has been repaired! We need to improve!

Lock It Out!

Personal Protection Avoid wearing items such as watchbands, bracelets, rings, key chains, necklaces, etc. that may come in contact with energized parts or become tangled in equipment cabinets. Wear electrical gloves and leather glove protectors if the situation calls for them. Make sure to inspect with every use. A small crack or puncture can cause a big problem. Use non conductive ladders. They should be wood or fiberglass and rated for proper weight. Wear proper footwear. Coded “EH” by ANSI standards.

Not good.

Tips If possible, use buddy system. Make sure partner recognizes signs of electrocution. Instruct them on how to remove buddy from energized equipment with something non-conductive. Give technician ample room when working. This could prevent any tripping or pushing them into energized equipment. Communicate!

First Aid Understand first aid CPR basics. Dial 911, inform supervisor and first responders. If incident occurs, keep others from being harmed by disconnecting power and securing the area.

Learn it…

Fire Safety Make certain you and your personnel understand how to operate a fire extinguisher and how to contain an electrical fire. Verify that an electrical rated extinguisher is available in key areas. Electrical fires are class “C” fires. (“C” is for circuits). Dial 911