Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety
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Electrical Safety
Electricity is an important part
of our modern world and
sometimes it is easy to forget
just how dangerous it can be.
Given the correct
circumstances, electricity can
cause serious injuries or even
death.
Electrical Safety
Electrocution is the cause
of 12% of all workplace
deaths among young
workers.
Electrocution is the third
leading cause of workrelated deaths among 16
and 17-year-olds.
Electrical Injuries
The most common types of electrical injuries are:
Electrical shock
Electrocution (death due to

electrical shock)
Burns
Falls
Electrical Shock
Touching a live wire and an

electrical ground will cause
a shock.
Electrical Shock
Touching two live wires of

different voltages will cause
electrical shock.
Electrical Shock
The severity of the shock depends
on:
Path of the current through
your body
Amount of current flowing
through your body
Length of time your body is in
contact with the circuit
LOW VOLTAGE DOES
NOT MEAN LOW
HAZARD
Burns
Burns are the most common injury caused
by electricity. The three types of burns
are:
Electrical burns
Arc burns
Thermal contact burns
Electrical burns can
occur when you come
into direct contact with
electricity.
Burns
An arc occurs when there is a
gap between conductors and
current travels through the
air.
Electrical burns
Arc burns
Thermal contact
burns
Burns
Thermal contact burns can occur
when electricity ignites
combustible material.
Electrical burns
Arc burns
Thermal contact burns
Falls
Another common type of
electrical injury is falling.
Workers who experience a
shock on elevated work
surfaces such as platforms,
ladders or scaffolds can fall
resulting in serious injury or
death.
Electrical Hazards
To avoid injuries, you should be aware of electrical
hazards. Some of the most common electrical
hazards
are: electrical parts
Exposed
Overloaded circuits
Defective insulation
Improper grounding
Damaged power tools
Overhead power lines
Wet conditions
Lets take a closer look at
each of these hazards.
Exposed Electrical Parts

Exposed electrical parts can
include:
Breaker boxes without a cover
Electrical terminals in motors,
appliances, and electronic
equipment
Overloaded Circuits
Overloading a circuit increases the
potential for
fires to occur. Overload hazards exist if:
Too many devices are plugged into a

circuit
The wire insulation melts
An improper overcurrent protection

device is used
No overcurrent protection
device is used
Overloaded Circuits
Overcurrent protection devices include:
Circuit breakers
Fuses
Ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCI)
A circuit breaker automatically
trips and shuts off the
current in a circuit if it
becomes overloaded.
Overloaded Circuits
A fuse contains an internal part that melts and
shuts off the current if there is an overload.
Circuit breakers
Fuses
Ground fault circuit interrupters
Overloaded Circuits
A ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) detects current leaking from
a circuit to ground and shuts the
current off.
Circuit breakers
Fuses
Ground fault circuit interrupters
Receptacle
type
Defective Insulation
To protect you, electrical wires

are insulated by a plastic or
rubber covering. Insulation
prevents conductors from
coming in contact with each
other and with people.
Make sure the insulation of
tools and cords you are using
is not damaged.
Grounding
When an electrical system is

properly grounded, there is
a path that allows the
current to travel to the earth
(the ground).
When any electrical system
is
not properly grounded, a
hazard
exists.
Power Tools
Power tools that are

damaged or not properly
maintained can cause you to
be seriously injured.
If you touch a metallic part of
a power tool that is
energized because of
damaged insulation or
improper grounding, you
could be shocked.
Power Tools
To protect you from shock,
burns and electrocution,
tools
must:
Have a three-wire cord
with
ground and be plugged
into a grounded
receptacle.
Be double insulated.
Be powered by a low-
Overhead Power Lines
Overhead power lines are not

usually insulated, and cause more
than half of all electrocutions.
Wet Conditions
Wet conditions are hazardous because you
can become an easy path for electrical
current.
There are many circumstances that create
wet conditions:
Standing in water
Wet clothing
High humidity
Perspiration
Safe Work Practices

You can StartSafe and StaySafe by using
the following safe work practices:
Inspect cords before each use

Never overload a circuit
Stay away from all
unguarded conductors
To unplug, pull on the plug,
not the cord
Dont wear jewelry or use
other metal objects around
electrical equipment
Safe Work Practices: Training

Training concerning electricity is very important.
Training for employees working with electrical
equipment must include how to:
De-energize the equipment
Use lockout and tag
procedures
Use insulating protective
equipment
Maintain a safe distance
from energized parts
Use appropriate PPE
Safe Work Practices: Lockout/Tagout

When performing lockout/tagout on circuits,
trained employees will do the following:
Turn off the power supply
Put a lock on all power sources
to the circuit
Apply a tag
Test the circuit
Summary
It is very important to StartSafe and StaySafe around
electricity. In order to do so:
Know the hazards
Plan your work and plan for safety
Avoid wet working conditions and
other dangers
Avoid overhead power lines
Use proper wiring and connectors
Use and maintain tools properly
Wear the correct PPE for the job

Electrical Safety

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Electrical Safety

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Electrical Safety

Electrocution (death due to

Touching a live wire and an

Touching two live wires of

Exposed Electrical Parts

Too many devices are plugged into a

The wire insulation melts

An improper overcurrent protection

Ground fault circuit interrupters

To protect you, electrical wires

When an electrical system is

Power tools that are

Overhead Power Lines

Overhead power lines are not

Safe Work Practices

Inspect cords before each use

Safe Work Practices: Training

Safe Work Practices: Lockout/Tagout

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