Basic Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety
Basic Electrical Safety
Tailgate meeting Week 5

July 31, 2013
Electrical Safety

Course not designed to teach you to work on electrical equipment. You will not be qualified to work on electrical equipment. If you spot problems with electrical equipment you should report it to your supervisor.
Electrical Safety
Objectives
Be familiar with the fundamental

concepts of electricity. Be familiar with the effects of electricity on the human body. Be able to recognize common electrical hazards.
Electrical Safety
Objectives
Be familiar with electrical protective

devices.
Electrical Safety
Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards
To flow electricity must have a
complete path. Electricity flows through conductors

water, metal, the human body
Insulators are non-conductors The human body is a conductor.

Electrical Safety
Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards Have You Ever Been Shocked?
THE BASICS
Electrical Safety

More than 3 ma
painful shock
More than 10 ma
muscle contraction no-let-go danger
More than 30 ma
lung paralysis- usually temporary
More than 50 ma
possible ventricular fib. (heart dysfunction, usually fatal)
100 ma to 4 amps
certain ventricular fibrillation, fatal Over 4 amps heart paralysis; severe burns. Usually caused by >600 volts
Electrical Safety
Hazards of Electricity Electrocution/Shock/Burns/Death
Minimum distance from overhead lines 10 ft. Inspect all electrical tools and equipment
Frayed, cut, broken wires grounding prong missing Improper use of cube taps improperly applied or missing strain relief
Electrical Safety
Electrical Protection
Circuit Breakers
Provided to protect EQUIPMENT not people Do not reset breakers with a line voltage higher than 120V and only reset if you know why it tripped
GFCIs - Provided to protect people - Trip range 4-6ma - Monthly test
Electrical Safety Electrical Protection
Distance
If you sense the presence of an electrical hazard or exposed conductors that may be energized, keep your distance and STAY AWAY
Electrical Safety
Voltage
electrical pressure (water pressure)
Amperage
electrical flow rate (gallons/min)
Impedance
restriction to electrical flow (pipe friction)
Electrical Safety
Circuit
path of flow of electricity
Circuit Element
objects which are part of a circuit and through which current flows.
Fault
current flow through an unintended path.
Electrical Safety
What is Grounding?
Protection from electric shock
normally a secondary protection measure
A ground is a conductive connection

between electrical circuit or equipment and earth or ground plane creates a low resistance to the earth.
Electrical Safety
Basic Rules of Electrical Action
Electricity isnt live until current flows

Electrical current wont flow until there is
a complete loop, out from and back to the power source.
Electrical Safety Preventing Accidental Electrical Contact Electrocution Prevention
Time
GFCI
Electrical Safety
Dos and Don'ts

Do plug power equipment into wall receptacles with power switches in the Off position. Do unplug electrical equipment by grasping the plug and pulling. Do not pull or jerk the cord to unplug the equipment. Do not drape power cords over hot pipes, radiators or sharp objects.
Electrical Safety
Dos and Don'ts
Do check the receptacle for missing or
damaged parts. Do not plug equipment into defective receptacles. Do check for frayed, cracked, or exposed wiring on equipment cords.
Electrical Safety
Dos and Don'ts
Do check for defective cords clamps at

locations where the power cord enters the equipment or the attachment plug.
Extension cords should not be used in

office areas. Generally, extension cords should be limited to use by maintenance personnel
Electrical Safety
Dos and Don'ts
Cheater plugs, extension cords with

junction box receptacle ends or other jury-rigged equipment should not be used.
Electrical Safety
Dos and Don'ts
Consumer electrical equipment or

appliances should not be used if not properly grounded. (Look for the UL Label)
Electrical Safety
Dos and Don'ts
Employees should know the location of

electrical circuit breaker panels that control equipment and lighting in their respective areas. Circuits and equipment disconnects must be identified
Electrical Safety
Dos and Don'ts
Temporary or permanent storage of any

materials must not be allowed within 3 feet of any electrical panel or electrical equipment. Any electrical equipment causing shocks or with high leakage potential must be tagged with a Danger tag or equivalent.
Electrical Safety
Myths and Misconceptions
Electricity takes the path of least

resistance.
Electricity wants to go to ground.

If an electric tools falls into a sink or tub
of water, the item will short out.
Electrical Safety
Myths and Misconceptions
AC reverse polarity is not hazardous. It takes high voltage to kill; 120 volts is
not dangerous. Double insulated power tools are doubly safe and can be used in wet and damp locations.
Electrical Safety

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