Module 3: Basic Safety Rules and Measures in Workplace Hazards

Electrical Safety
Electrical safety is closely to fire safety.

What is Electricity?

Electricity is essential and considered as among the basic needs of everybody. Electricity is produced by means
of converting mechanical energy to electrical energy. Electricity is a form of energy or the flow of electrons in a
conductor.

 Voltage is a force that pushing the charged electrons to flow in a conductor.

 Current or Electric Current (unit is Ampere) is the flow of electric charge in a circuit, it is the rate of charge flow
past in a given point in a circuit.
 Resistance (unit is Ohm) is an electrical quantity that measures the reduction of electric current flow in a circuit.
It is an opposition to current flow.

Hazards of electricity:

1. Electric shock (and may result to fall) – electric shock is a common hazard encountered by people involved in the
installation, maintenance, and operation of electrical equipment. Electric shocks occur once the worker’s body
becomes part of an electrical circuit. The amount of internal current a person can withstand and still be able to
control the muscles of the arm and hand can be less than 10 mA. Currents above 10 mA can paralyze or “freeze”
muscles. Electric shocks occurs when accidentally the body contacts with the live wires, faulty grounds in a
circuit, faulty wires and components of electrical circuit, etc.
a. Electric shock prevention
i. Use of grounding system
1. System grounding – grounding of neutral point iron terminal of electrical circuits on
power transformer of electrical system
2. Equipment grounding – grounding of a non-charged metal part of electrical equipment
ii. Use double insulating materials
iii. Use appropriate disconnecting means
1. Fuse – a strip metal that melts at a pre-determined value of current flow.
2. Circuit breaker – detecting the excess current electromagnetically and cuts the electrical
supply
3. Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) – an electrical component that detects both over
current and earth leakage current. It is installed at supply line of the circuit.
Prepared by: Engr. Vonson Sani S. Alarcon, Mechanical Engineer
Module 3: Basic Safety Rules and Measures in Workplace Hazards
Electrical Safety
4. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – an electrical component that detects loss of
electrical current in a circuit. When a loss is detected, the GFCI turns the electricity off
before severe injuries or electrocution can occur. GFCI are not a replacement to a
component but an additional protective measure in a circuit.
iv. Proper maintenance of portable power tools

Effects of Electrical Current* on the Body 3

Current Reaction

1 milliamp Just a faint tingle.

5 milliamps Slight shock felt. Disturbing, but not painful. Most people can “let go.” However, strong
involuntary movements can cause injuries.

6-25 milliamps (women)† Painful shock. Muscular control is lost. This is the range where “freezing currents” start.
It may not be possible to “let go.”
9-30 milliamps (men)

50-150 milliamps Extremely painful shock, respiratory arrest (breathing stops), severe muscle
contractions. Flexor muscles may cause holding on; extensor muscles may cause
intense pushing away. Death is possible.

1,000- 4,300 milliamps (1- Ventricular fibrillation (heart pumping action not rhythmic) occurs. Muscles contract;
4.3 amps) nerve damage occurs. Death is likely.

10,000 milliamps (10 Cardiac arrest and severe burns occur. Death is probable.
amps)

15,000 milliamps (15 Lowest overcurrent at which a typical fuse or circuit breaker opens a circuit!
amps)

*Effects are for voltages less than about 600 volts. Higher voltages also cause severe burns. †Differences in muscle
and fat content affect the severity of shock.

Prepared by: Engr. Vonson Sani S. Alarcon, Mechanical Engineer

Module 3: Basic Safety Rules and Measures in Workplace Hazards
Electrical Safety

2. Burns

3. Fire – causes of fire is due to arc, sparks or overheating. Electric arc is produced when an electrical circuit
carrying a current is interrupted, either intentionally (by knife switch) or accidentally (by loose terminal). High
intensity of electric sparks may burned out the metal conductor and its insulation, the burned out conductor will
be spark and thrown out to other combustible material in an area. Electric conductors carry a current and heat is
generated, when high amount of heat is generated, it may also cause fire.
a. Hazardous locations are areas wherein highly flammable gases or vapors, combustible dust, explosive
and other combustible materials are present.
i. Class I: flammable gases or vapors are present or likely to become present
ii. Class II: combustible dust are present
iii. Class III: easily ignitable dust such as textile fibers are present but not likely suspended in the air
in sufficient concentration to produce an easily ignitable atmosphere

Basic electrical safety:

 Inspect cords and plugs

o Check the plugs and cords daily and discard if worn out or damaged
 Eliminate octopus connections
o Do not plug several power cords into one outlet
o Pull the plug, not the cord
 Never break off the third prong on a plug and make sure that the third prong is grounded
 Never use extension cords as permanent wiring
o Use extension cords in temporary power supply
o Keep the power cords away from heat, water and oil
Prepared by: Engr. Vonson Sani S. Alarcon, Mechanical Engineer
Module 3: Basic Safety Rules and Measures in Workplace Hazards
Electrical Safety
o Do not allow vehicles or any moving equipment to pass through over an unprotected power cords, it
shall be protected using rigid conduit or covers.

Prepared by: Engr. Vonson Sani S. Alarcon, Mechanical Engineer