Safety & Prevention of Accidents

Unit-I: Safety & Prevention of Accidents Ghatal Govt.
Polytechnic
Safety & Prevention of Accidents

Definition of terminology used in safety:
Definition of Safety:
It is the state of being safe, the conditions of being protected from health and economical losses,
physical, damage accident, error, harm or other types of consequences of failure.
Safety can also be defined to be the control of recognized hazards to achieve an acceptable risk
level.
Industrial safety:
It is defined as policies and protections put in place to ensure plant and factory worker protection
from hazards that could cause injury.
Occupational Health & Safety:
Conditions and factors that effect, or could effect, the health and safety of employees or other
workers (including temporary workers and contractor personnel), visitors, or any other person in
the workplace.
Occupational Health & Safety Management System:
Part of an organization’s management system used to develop and implement its OH&S policy
and manage its OH&S risks.
Hazard:
Source, situation, substance or act with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health
or a combination of these. Hazard Identification Process of recognizing that a hazard exists and
defining its characteristics.
Acceptable Risk:
The risk that has been reduced to a level that can be tolerated by the organization having regard
to its legal obligations and its own OH&S Policy.
Risk:
Combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of a hazardous event or exposure(s) and severity
of injury or ill health that can be caused by the event or exposure(s).
Risk Assessment:
Process of evaluating the risks arising from hazards, taking into account the adequacy of any
existing controls, and deciding whether or not the risk is acceptable.
Definition of Event:
The possible incident that could result if a threat should release hazard.
Definition of Incidents:
An Incident is an unplanned event or chain of events, which has, or could have, caused injury or
illness and/or damage (loss) to people, assets, the environment, or reputation. It includes
accident and a near miss.
Definition of Accidents:
An Accident is an Incident, which has caused harm/loss.
Environmental Incident:
Any unplanned or uncontrolled release of material (liquids or gases or solids) likely to have an
environmental impact.
Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit-I: Safety & Prevention of Accidents Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Illness:
It is a health condition or disorder, other than resulting from an injury
Fatality:
A fatality is a classification of a death resulting from a Work Injury or Occupational Illness,
regardless of the time intervening between injury and death.
Substandard Acts or Unsafe Act:
It’s a human error or person mistake by which there is a chance of accident or property loss.
Substandard Condition or Unsafe Conditions:
It is the condition by which there has a chance of getting accidents and property losses.
Near Miss:
A Near Miss is an Incident, which results in no injury, illness, damage, product loss or harm to the
company reputation.
First Aid Case – FAC:

Any one-time treatment and subsequent observation of minor scratches, cuts, burns, splinters,
etc., which do not ordinarily require medical care by a physician.
Medical Treatment case – MTC:
A Medical Treatment Case is any reportable injury or occupational illness that involves neither
Lost Workdays nor Restrict Workdays but which requires treatment by a physician. Medical
Treatment does not include First Aid even if this provided by a physician or registered
professional personnel.
Restricted Workday Case – RWC:
A Restricted Workday Case is any work injury or occupational illness which prevents the
employee from doing either one or more parts of his regular duties or working complete shift.
The employee can do part of the job all day or all of the job for part of the day.
Definition of Lost workday case – LWC:
Because of work injury or occupational illness employee death has happen or person not able to
work furthermore comes under lost workday case.
Definition of Lost time injury – LTI:
Any work-related injury or occupational illness which renders a person temporarily unable to
perform any regular job for one or more day after the incident.
Meaning & causes of electrical accidents:

As the electric current flowing through a circuit cannot be seen or felt, it causes lot of accidents,
some of which may be quite serious. In industrialization every days life brought number of
problems. They are accidents on shop floor, environment condition, noise etc. these accidents
may be in form of life, loss of property etc.
An unplanned and unexpected event which may or may not cause injury can be called as an
accident. Mistakes are bound to take place knowingly or unknowingly. Sometimes a person being
expert in his field can also met with an accident.
Every case where a person receives an electric shock or suffers injury directly or indirectly, in
connection with generation, transmission, use of electrical energy should be treated as an
"Electrical Accident" even though it may not be serious. If a person gets injured due to fall from
electric pole, it should also be consider as an electrical accident. When an electrical accident has
occurred, all material evidence including the connected documents such as permit to work from
etc., should be secured up as they may be called upon subsequently during any official inquiry by
the electrical inspector.
CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
The following are the causes of electrical accidents:
(i) If a person touches the live wire or current carrying parts knowingly or unknowingly.
(ii) Working on live equipments or machines.
(iii) Working on defective equipments or machines.
(iv) Operation of switches etc., with wet hands may result into an accident.
(v) Accidental contact with live part.
(vi) If the equipment or machine is not provided with proper protective device.
(vii) Not using proper insulated tools such as insulated screw drivers, rubber gloves etc. (viii) Lack
of knowledge in handling electrical equipments or machines.
(ix) Not obeying proper instructions.
(x) Not using necessary safety precaution while working and handling the electrical equipment
or machine.
Electrical installations where one can get an electrical accidents are:
(i) Installation of workshop, office and residential buildings.
(ii) Equipment installed inside substation and power station.
(iii) Overhead line construction.
(iv) Underground cable work.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Following are the some precautions while dealing with an electrical equipment or machine:
(i) Beware of live conductor.
(ii) In case of an electric shock, which a person is still, in contact with a live conductor which you
cannot switch off immediately, insulate yourself on a dry wood or thick paper or dry mate, before
attempting to get him clear even then do not touch his body, pull his clothes if they are dry or
push him clear with a piece of dry wood.
(iii) Never temper unnecessarily any electrical gear which is live.
(iv) Always insulate yourself and switch off the main switch before replacing a blown fuse.
(v) Before switching on a current to any equipment make sure that it is correctly earthed.
(vi) In the case of an electric fire, disconnect the supply immediately and do not throw water on
live equipment.
(vii) Always maintain an earth connection in satisfactory condition as safety depends upon good
earthing.
(viii) Do not open or close a main-switch without permission from authority.
ELECTRIC SHOCKS
Electric shocks are received by touching the metallic casing of an electrical appliance or control
equipment, machine or other devices, when the phase wire comes in contact with the metal
parts of equipment machines etc, the immediate effect of these shocks may be the heart effect
or the death depending upon the strength of current and on the path, it takes in passing to earth.
If the path of leakage current is without involving, the chest or heart, survival is possible. When
the frequency is low, the electrical shock is more severe and dangerous, and the direct current
shock is more severe. If the duration of contact is for more time, the situation becomes
dangerous. Resistance decreases with the area of contact with the live part and the contact
pressure. The accidents are nearly fatal in such situation.
FACTORS ON WHICH SEVERITY OF SHOCK DEPENDS

The severity of electric shock on human body depends upon many factors, which are voltage.
current and duration and also the path of flow of current through the heart, is most dangerous.
It also depends on the period for which the contact between live parts and organ remains. It also
depends up on the supply system i.e., whether ac or dc. It also depends upon the resistance of
body, as current passing through the body depends upon the system voltage and body resistance.
The human tolerance to electric current varies from person to person to some extent The body
resistance, mainly consist of skin resistance will have values between 1,00,000 and 5,00,000
ohms, when it is dry. It will decrease with area of contact and contact pressure.
However, when the hands are wet this may drop to about 5000 ohms. Similarly the resistance of
the skin of feet in high when dry and low when wet. Hence, wet surroundings are dangerous.
It cannot be said that low voltages will not result into fatal accidents. The electric shock of even
50 volts ac can be dangerous in the wet surroundings. Its current density at touch surface is high
and current flows through the heart or brain. Several deaths take place every year due to electric
shocks at 230 volts ac residential buildings particularly in wet surroundings like bathrooms. Once,
the person comes in good contact with a live part and is in touch with wet ground, he cannot get
separated from live part and his muscles get paralyzed and he gets electrocuted.
The effects are summarized with the help of tables.

Table 1: Recognition levels, let-go-level, shock levels of contact currents of 50 Hz
Sr. No. Current level rms, 50 Hz Effects

1. 0.1 to 0.25 mA Touch perception
2. 0.3 to 1 mA Grip perception
3. 2 to 3 mA Momentary shock
4. 3 to 4 mA Shock without grip for children (let-go-shock)
5. 3 mA Dangerous situation border line
6. 4 to 10 mA Shock without grip for women (let-go-shock)
7. 10 to 15 mA Shock without grip for men (let-go shock)
Sr. No. Upper limit of contact Nature of electrical equipment

current 50 Hz, rms value
1. 0.5 mA Portable instrument appliances.
Leakage current
2. 0.7 mA Installed appliance, equipment
3. 5 mA Induced currents under EHV-AC and HVDC
transmission lines, substation and bus bars
PROCEDURE FOR RESCUING A PERSON WHO HAVE RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK
A. General
(i) In most of the accidents due to electric shock and collapse it is the lungs and diaphragm (the
thin sheet of muscles which lies below the lungs) that are most affected and there. is very good
chance of revival by providing immediately artificial respiration.
(ii) While providing artificial respiration, excessive and sudden pressure should be avoided so as
to avoid injury of internal organ.
(iii) In case of severe shock, respiration is seldom established under an hour while 3 to 4 hours or
more might be found necessary to restore normal breathing. It is therefore essential that in all
cases of electric shock where the condition of the patient or the patient is unconscious or not
breathing, artificial respiration should be continued until death is diagnosed by a physician or
until rigor mortis sets in.
B. Removal From Contact
(i) If a person is still in contact with the apparatus that has given him shock, switch off the electric
circuit at once. If it is not possible to switch off the circuit quickly, no time should be lost in
removing the body from contact with the live conductor.
(ii) The victim's body should not be touched with bare hands; instead rubber gloves should be
worn. However, if the rubber gloves are not available the victim should be pulled off from the
live conductor by his coat, shirt etc. if they are not wet or newspaper folded into 3 or more
thickness. Wooden rods or broom handle may also be used to raise the body or to detach it from
live conductor. A good plan is to sland on dry board or stool or on few layers of thick newspaper
bundles or even dry sacking and remove the victim from the live conductor.
C. Preliminary Steps
If the patients clothes are smoldering, the sparks should first be extinguished. The doctor should
be immediately sent for and, in case the breathing is stopped immediate action should be taken.
D. Immediate Action to Recover Patient
(i) When a man has received a severe electric-shock, his breathing usually stops. In accidents of
this kind, speed may save the injured man's life. Hence, no time should be wasted in sending for
a doctor but the patient should not be neglected during this period.
(ii) The patient should not be placed in such a position which may bring pressure on the burns he
may have sustained. He should also not be exposed to cold, stimulants should not be
administered unless recommended by a doctor, cold water may be given in small quantities in
cases of electric fire or asphyxia and smelling salts may also administered in moderation.
(iii) Artificial respiration without interruption until natural breathing is restored should be
continued. Cases are on record of success after about 3 to 4 hours effort and even more.
(iv) Resuscitation should be carried on at the nearest possible place of accident. The patient
should not be removed from this place until he is found breathing normally, and then also
removed only in a lying position should be necessary due to extreme weather conditions or prone
position and placed on a hard surface or on the floor of a conveyance, resuscitation being carried
on during the time that he is being moved.
(v) A brief return of spontaneous respiration is not a certain indication for terminating the
treatment. Not infrequently the patient, after a temporary recovery of respiration, stops
breathing again. The patient should be watched and if normal breathing stops, artificial
respiration should be resumed at once.
Upon Recovery
When the patient revives, he should be kept lying down and not allowed to get up or be raised
under any circumstances without the advice of a doctor. If the doctor has not arrived by the time
the patient has revived, he should be given some stimulant, such as tea, spoonful small glass of
water or drink of hot ginger, tea or coffee. The patient should then have any other injuries
attended to and be kept warm, being placed in the most comfortable position.
TREATMENT FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK & METHODS OF ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION
The following points should be taken into consideration at time of treatment for electric shock
is:
(i) Switching off the supply: When a person comes in contact with live conductor, switch off the
main immediately, if it is nearly. If the switch is at far of the distance, then pull the plug out, if
possible, or cut the wires with insulated pliers from the wiring circuit.
(ii) Removing the person from the contact of current: Push the person with a dry stick of wood
or pull him from the clothes, if they are dry. Remove him from the contact of current without
touching his body. If voltage is 440 volts, every attempt should be made to free the person from
contact with the live wire after protecting oneself with any dry insulating material. But in case of
high voltage circuits switching off the supply is obligatory.
(iii) Removing the person from fire: If a persons cloth catches fire, torn the clothes, wrap him in
the blanket or coat and roll him on the ground to extinguish the fire.
(iv) Treating the burns: If any burns or wound occurs on the body of the operator use proper oil
or ointment on them and cover them with proper dressing. Send for a doctor.
(v) Giving artificial respiration: In most cases of electric shock, the lungs and lower chest muscles
stop working. Hence, artificial respiration becomes necessary without time delay. If the person is
not breathing immediately, start artificial respiration until the medical aid arrives.
There are several methods of applying artificial respiration. All concerned should learn these
methods. Training classes by red-cross or home-guards should be held occasionally train the
personnel charts, explaining the various method of artificial respiration and should be displayed
at suitable places. The important method of artificial respiration are:
(a) Schafer's prone pressure method.
(b) Silvester's method (Arm-Lift-Chest Pressure Method)
(c) Nielson's arm-Lift Back-Pressure Method
(d) Mouth to mouth method.
Duration of these processes should be 12 to 15 minutes when the patients begins to breath on
his own, the operation should be synchronized with the natural breathing and continued till be
breathes itself:
(a) Schafer's Prone Pressure Method
(i) Lay the patient on his belly, one arm extended directly overhead, on the other hand, the other
arm bent at elbow and with the face turned outward and resting on the second hand or fore arm,
so that the nose and mouth are free for breathing.
(ii) Kneel, straddling the patients thighs, with your knees placed at such a distance from the hip
bones as will allow you to assume position 1 shown in Fig. 1 place the plams of the hands on the
small of the back with fingers resting, on the ribs, the little finger just touching the lowest rib,
with the thumb and fingers in a natural position, and tips of fingers just out of sight.
(iii) With arms held straight, swing forward slowly so that the weight of your body is gradually
brought to bear upon the patient. The shoulder should be directly over the heel of the hand at
the end of forward swing (see position 2). Do not bend your elbows. This operation should take
about two seconds.
Note: Pressure should not be excessive and should be suited to the size and body structure of
the patient pressure should be applied gradually and not suddenly.
Now immediately swing forward backward so as to completely remove the pressure (see
positions 3).
(iv) After-2 seconds, swing forward again, thus repeat deliberately twelve to a minute the double
movement of compression and relaxation, a complete respiration fifteen times in 4 to 5 seconds.
(v) As soon as this artificial respiration has been started and while it is being continued, an
assistant should be losen any tight clothing about the patient's neck, chest or waist Keep the
patient warm. Do not give any liquids whatever by mouth until the patient is fully conscious.
Figure 1: Schafer's Prone Pressure Method

(vi) To avoid strain on the heart when patient revives, he should be kept lying down and not
allowed to stand or sit up. If the doctor has not arrived by the time the patient has revived, he
should be given some stimulant, such as one tea spoonful of aromatic spirits of ammonia in a
small glass of water, or a hot drink coffee or tea etc. the patient should be kept warm.
(vii) A brief return of natural respiration is not a certain indication for stopping the resuscitation.
Not infrequently, the patient after a temporary recovery of respiration, stops breathing again.
The patient should be watched and if natural breathing stops, artificial breathing should be
resumed at once. (viii) In carrying out resuscitation it may be necessary to change the operator.
The change should be made without losing the rhythm of respiration. By this procedure no
confusion results at the time of change of operator and regular rhythm is kept up.
(b) Silvester's Method (Arm-Lift-Chest Pressure Method)
Figure 2: Silvester's Method

This method is illustrated in Fig. 2. The patient is laid on his back. His arms are grasped above the
wrists and drawn first upward and then above the head until they touch the floor. Then they are
brought back to the chest and pressure in exerted in a downward direction. The main defect of
this method is that the tongue which is boneless mass of muscle, having lost its tone due to lack
of respiration, tend to fall back and block the wind pipe in about 50 percent of cases, causing a
choke. So for a second operator has to pull out the tongue and hold it so. But, sometimes no
second man may be available. If however, large thick pad is placed behind the shoulders, so that
the head lies dangling downwards the tongue does not seem to obstruct
(c) Nielson's Arm-Lift Back-Pressure Method

This method is considered to be the best, being most effective, easy to touch and fairly easy to
perform.
(i) The method is illustrated in Fig. 3. The subject lies prone with both arms folded and hands
resting, one on the other, under his head. The arms are grasped above the elbow and lifted until
firm resistance is met. This induces active inspiration. Then they are let down and pressure
applied on the back to cause active expiration.
(ii) The movements in this method follows the sequence given below:
Position 1: Place victim prone (i.e., face down) with his arms folded with one palm on the other
and head resting on his cheek over the palms. Kneel on one or both knees at victim's head. Place
your hands on the victim's back beyond the line of armpits, with your finger spread outwards and
downwards, the thumbs just touching each other.
Position 2: Then gently rock forward keeping arms straight until they are nearly vertical thus
steadily pressing the victim's back, this completes respiration.
Figure 3: Nielson's Arm-Lift Back-Pressure Method

Position 3: Synchronizing the above movement, rock backwards, releasing pressure and slide you
hands downwards along the victim's arms and grasp his upper arm just above the elbows,
Continue to rock backwards.
Position 4: As you rock back, gently raise and pull the victim's arms towards you, until you feel
tension in victim's shoulders. This expands his chest and results in respiration. Ta complete the
cycle, lower the victims arms and move your hands up for initial position.
(d) Mouth to Mouth Method
Figure 4: Mouth to mouth method

(i) Place victim on his back. Place his head slightly downhill if possible. A folded coat or similar
object under victim's shoulders will help maintain proper position. Tilt head back, so that the chin
points straight upward.
(ii) Grasp victim's jaw as illustrated in position 1 and raise it upward until lower teeth are higher
than upper teeth or place fingers on both sides of jaws near ear-lobes and pull upward. Maintain
jaw position throughout resuscitation period to prevent tongue from blocking air passage.
(iii) Take a deep breath and place your mouth over victims mouth (position 2) making airtight
contact. Pinch the victim's nose, shut with thumb and forefinger or close nostrils by pressing your
cheek against them. If you hesitate at direct contact, place a porous cloth between you and
victim. If an infant place your mouth over its mouth and nose.
(iv) Blow into victim's mouth (gentle if an infant) until his chest rises. Remove your mouth to let
him exhale, turning your head to hear out rush of air. The first 8 to 10 breaths should be as rapid
as victim will respond, thereafter rate should be slowed to about 12 times a minute (20 times in
case of infant).
Things to Remember
While dealing with an electric shock, some points should be remember during the treatment of
the victim. These are:
(a) If air cannot be blown in, check position of victim's head and jaw and recheck mouth. for
obstructions, then try again more forcefully. If chest still does not rise, turn, victim's face down
and strike his back sharply to dislodge obstructions.
(b) Sometimes air enters into victim's stomach, evidenced by swelling of stomach. Expel air by
gently pressing down on stomach during exhalation period.
Sending the victim to hospital
Even after apparent recovery send the victim to the hospital to ensure that person in quite well
or call the doctor at home to get the victim thoroughly checked.
CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL FIRES

If proper care and precautions are not taken of the electrical installations, equipments, machines
etc., it will result into an electric fires. Most of electric fires are due to poor quality of material
used in the installation work or when the load on a particular circuit is much more than its
capacity i.e., very large currents flow through the circuit to supply heavy loads of either motors,
coolers, heaters etc. causing burning of insulation on connecting wires, resulting into fire. In some
cases protective relays are used for protection when the current exceed a predetermined value;
but the setting may not be correct or the relays falls to perform its function. The fire can also-
take place due to short circuit between phase and neutral wire or between two phase wires and
the protective device i.e., fuse or relay becoming in-operative. It can also result if a ground fault
takes place between live wire and frame or body of the machine and protective fuse being of
very high capacity. The electric fire is in all the cases due to over-heating of insulation, which after
some time loses its property and catches fire. The main cause of fire is faulty electrical installation
but very often the electrical wiring is blamed when the cause of the fire may be elsewhere. It is,
therefore, essential that every case of fire should be investigated carefully by an experienced
official to determine the exact cause. The electrical fires may start due to one or many of the
following causes:
(a) Overloading of wires: Many fires are caused by overheating of conductors due to their
abnormally heavy currents. It is bad practice for human being to connect too many electrical
appliances on one plug point by the use of adapters. Do not connect any load without checking
the carrying capacity of the wiring. Electrical fires occurs when bare-wires coming in contact with
each other.
(b) Improper maintenance: Fires may be caused if the installations are not maintained properly.
A poor joint in wiring may cause overheating and lead to fire. If the insulation deteriorates a short
circuit may occur causing a heavy spark. Use of inferior quality of materials also causes electrical
fires.
(c) Incorrect fuses: The majority of fires are caused due to incorrect capacity of fuses. It is
essential to split up the whole installation into several sub-circuits and protect each circuit by
correct size of fuse. If it is not done overloads and short circuit cause fire. When proper protection
devices are not employed, it causes electrical fires.
(d) Explosive atmosphere: Special care is required when using electrical apparatus in situations
where explosive atmosphere obtain, such as in garages, petrol storage tanks, mines etc.
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN TO AVOID FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL REASONS
Some precautions which should be followed to avoid fire due to electrical reasons.
(i) The most important factor to avoid fire due to electrical reasons is to use proper rating of fuses
and protective relays in the circuit, which should depend upon the connected load on the circuit.
(ii) Indian electricity rules should be followed. The load on any circuit should not exceed beyond
permissible limit and also the rating of wires should be in accordance with the load connected.
No circuit should, at any time be overloaded.
(iii) A very good earth should be provided to every equipment or machinery so that, if at all any
earth fault takes place very large momentary current should flow to earth causing melting of fuse
immediately or operation of earth fault relay.
(iv) Other material used for providing connection should also be very good quality and should not
damage either due to atmospheric conditions or due to overheating of connecting wires, and
should be resistant of fire.
(v) If at all wires are to be jointed in between, the joints should be mechanically strong or loose
may result into sparking at joint and cause an electric fire.
(vi) As far as possible the electrical installation should be free from moisture, effect of chemical
fumes, dust, dirt etc., it should not be carried out near water lines or on wet walls.
(vii) Fire fighting equipments, such as fire extinguishers, buckets filled with sand etc. should be
kept ready at all times, and one should be in position to make use of it, if at all it is required.
PREVENTION OF ELECTRIC FIRE

Fire due to electric current can be prevented by taking the following precautions.
(i) Use superior quality of materials in the electrical installation and equipment.
(ii) By the use of proper rating protective devices with the electrical circuits, so that when
excessive current flows due to sustained overloading, short circuit fault or earth fault, the
protective devices should operate for disconnecting the supply of faulty circuit. equipment. Thus
preventing, damage to installation equipment and danger of fire.
(iii) The earth connections should be perfectly sound and proper. Double earthing should also be
provided wherever necessary as per rule. The soundness of the earthing should be checked
periodically and proper record of its earth resistance should be kept. The value of earth resistance
should always be much less than the permissible earth resistance for the various electrical
installations.
(iv) Overloading of every equipment and electrical installation should be avoided. (e) Well
insulated and proper size of wires should be used.
(vi) The joints in the electrical system should mechanically and electrically be sound. For electrical
installation always use looping in system instead of jointing in system of wiring. There should not
be any loose connection in the installation.
(vii) All connections in the electrical installation should be tight and these should be checked
periodically, especially when aluminum wires have been used in the installation.
(vii) The electrical installation should be free from moisture effect. Wiring route should not be
near to the water pipe installation. (ix) In case there is fire never use water when circuit is live.
Water can be used for extinguishing the fire by isolating the circuit completely. To avoid the
spreading of electric fire and for rescue operation following fire fighting equipments should be
kept ready for use:
(a) Fire extinguisher carbon tetrachloride (ie., CTC) or foam type.
(b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Soda acid type etc.
(d) Buckets filled with sand and water
(e) Hose pipe

(f) Ladder
(g) Rope
(h) Stretches
(i) First aid box etc.
OPERATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
In the event of fire on electrical mains or apparatus, the effected part shall immediately be
completely isolated from its source of supply of electrical energy.
Fire extinguishers, which are not-insulated, should never be employed in fighting fires near
exposed live conductor. Only such fire extinguishers should be used on electrical mains and
apparatus which are marked as suitable for the purpose. When using fire hose, it should be
ensured that the jet of water does not come into contact with live conductors.
It is dangerous to throw a stream of water, a wet blanket or a stream from ordinary soda acid
type extinguishers no live mains or apparatus. When found necessary to use them, have all the
neighboring mains or apparatus made dead.
A CO2, extinguisher offers the advantage of extinguishing the fire, cooling the apparatus, leaving
no residue and having no adverse affect on the insulation and metal parts and it may be used on
line circuits. Hence, it is the preferred extinguishing agent for most electrical fires. However when
applied in confined spaces, such as in the engine room of a ship, the CO 2, should be purged with
air before workmen are allowed to enter.
Dry chemical extinguisher is satisfactory and may be used on live circuits. However, it leaves a
residue and does not cool the apparatus so effectively as does the CO2, extinguisher.
A carbon tetrachloride extinguish will put out the fire and cool the apparatus, but excessive use
of this agent will be detrimental to the insulation and metal parts. Carbon tetra chloride is also
very noxious and should be used only in well-ventilated places.
Water sprinklers and stream smoothing apparatus may be used after the circuit is de-energized,
such systems have been built into large machines and transformer and are very effective. The
serious draw-back to their extended usage is the time required to clean and dry the apparatus
before it can be placed back in service.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
There are three types of fire. These are:
Class A: Fire is ordinary combustion materials such as wood paper, textiles etc., where the cooling
effect of water is essential for extinction of fire.
Class B: Fire is flammable liquid like oil, solvents petroleum products, varnished, and paints etc.,
where blanketing (blanket) effect is essential.
Class C: Fire involving electric equipment where the electrical non-conductivity of the
extinguishing media is of first importance.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISH EQUIPMENTS
Basically there are six types of fire extinguisher which are commonly used.
Hose Reels
These provide best method of fire aid fire-fighting for A-class fires. They consist of 25.4 m of
length 63 mm diameter of reinforced rubber tubing connected to a pressurized water supply with
a shut off nozzle attached to the end of the hose.
It is necessary that this type of extinguisher is maintained in the correct operating position during
use. When it is reversed from this position, the gas generated will escape through the nozzle
leaving the water in the container. This type of extinguisher is unsuitable for petrol, oil, sprit and
electrical fires. It can extinguish fire with a distance of 10 meter. (Fig. 5)
Figure 5: Hose reels

Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher
This type of extinguisher is used for fighting the fire in cotton, cloth or wood etc. It consists of a
container filled with aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). A sealed glass bottle
filled with dilute sulphuric acid is placed in the sodium bicarbonate solution in such a way that it
can be broken up by a gentle push on the screw fitted over it. When sulphuric acid comes in
contact with sodium bicarbonate, it produces carbon-di-oxide gas and water mixture
𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 + 2𝑁𝑎𝐻𝐶𝑂3 → 2𝐶𝑂2 + 2𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑁𝑎2 𝑆𝑂4
Sulphuric Sodium Carbon Water
Acid Bicarbonate dioxide
In this way carbon dioxide and water produces, with this reaction and extinguishes the fire
quickly. Carbon dioxide cuts the supply of oxygen to the fire and water reduces the temperature
of burning goods.
These type of extinguisher are most suitable for class A fires but cannot be used for class B and
class C fires. (Fig. 6).
Carbon-tetra Chloride (CTC) Extinguisher
This type of extinguisher is the most effective and cleanest type extinguisher for putting out
electrical fires. It can be used on live equipment without any danger of shock, as it is also known
as insulator.
It consist of container filled with carbon-tetra-chloride. When the solution of carbon tetra
chloride (CCI) is sprayed over the electric fire with compressor, then liquid carbon particles being
heavy in weight gets deposited over the effective area and cover it all around. Thus it helps to
cut the supply of oxygen and hence fire extinguisher. This type of extinguisher is used to
extinguish fire in electric cables etc. (Fig.7).
Figure 6: CO2 filled fire extinguisher Figure 7: CTC fire extinguisher

Halogen Extinguisher
Halogen extinguishers filled with chloro-bromo ethane, bromo-difluro methane. They may be of
either gas cartridge or stored pressure type. These type of extinguishers are mainly used to
extinguish small fires involving burning liquids. It is most suitable for electrical fires. The
chemicals used are electrically non-conductive to electrical equipments. (Fig. 8).
Figure 8: Halogen fire extinguisher Figure 9: Dry powder extinguisher

Dry Powder Extinguishers
These extinguishers may be filled with dry powder in the form of gas cartridge or stored pressure
type. They are similar in appearance to their water filled counterparts and have the same method
of operation. The main distinguishing feature is the fan shaped nozzle. (Fig. 9).
Chemical Foam Extinguishers

These type of extinguishers also filled with gas cartridge or stored pressure. Aluminium sulphate
and bicarbonate of soda and some special chemicals are used in this extinguisher. The solution
of these chemicals are stored in separate compartment.
These type of extinguishers are most suitable for extinguish flammable liquid fires such as petrol,
oil, grease and fats, where the risk of re-ignition is high. But these extinguishers are not suitable
for running liquid fires and must not be used on fires where electrical equipment is involved. (Fig.
10.)
Figure 10: Foam extinguisher

Safety & Prevention of Accidents

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Safety & Prevention of Accidents

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Unit-I: Safety & Prevention of Accidents Ghatal Govt.

Safety & Prevention of Accidents

First Aid Case – FAC:

Meaning & causes of electrical accidents:

FACTORS ON WHICH SEVERITY OF SHOCK DEPENDS

The effects are summarized with the help of tables.

Sr. No. Current level rms, 50 Hz Effects

Sr. No. Upper limit of contact Nature of electrical equipment

PROCEDURE FOR RESCUING A PERSON WHO HAVE RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK

Figure 1: Schafer's Prone Pressure Method

Figure 2: Silvester's Method

(c) Nielson's Arm-Lift Back-Pressure Method

Figure 3: Nielson's Arm-Lift Back-Pressure Method

(d) Mouth to Mouth Method

Figure 4: Mouth to mouth method

CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL FIRES

PREVENTION OF ELECTRIC FIRE

(e) Hose pipe

Figure 5: Hose reels

Figure 6: CO2 filled fire extinguisher Figure 7: CTC fire extinguisher

Figure 8: Halogen fire extinguisher Figure 9: Dry powder extinguisher

Chemical Foam Extinguishers

Figure 10: Foam extinguisher

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