1 - Management of Electrical Safety

Management of Electrical Safety
Overview of Electrical Hazards

Mod.1A
Overview
• Hazards of general nature in industrial installations
• Electrical hazards
– Direct and Indirect electric shock
– The deadly combination of heights and electric shock
– Hazards due to arcing/flashover
– Hazards from use of electrical equipment in explosive
environment
– Hazards due to high temperature in electrical equipment
– Need for periodic inspection and maintenance for safe operation
of electrical equipment
General Hazards in Industry
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Fire hazard
• Hazardous/toxic materials
• Hot liquids/gases
• Cold liquids
• Explosive gases
• Corrosive liquids
Electrical Hazards
• Electric shock and associated effects
• Injuries by electric shock combined with fall
• Arc flash causing external burns
• Explosion caused by electrical sparks
• Other thermal effects
• Hazards from electrical battery installations
Electrical Hazards
Electric Shock
Electric Shock-Reasons
• An electric shock can happen
– Due to exposure to live parts (Direct contact)
– Due to exposure to parts that accidentally become live
(Indirect contact)
• Due to potential difference in the ground under
certain conditions
Electric Shock-Effects
• Causes current flow through body
• Causes muscular contraction
• Can cause stoppage of heart/breathing
• A shock is often accompanied by a fall
– A non-fatal shock can result in a fatal fall
– While working on electrical systems at heights, adopt
preventive measures to avoid a fall
Electrocution and Shock
Current magnitudes
Typical human resistance values
Response to electric shock
By numbers
Deadly combination of Height and
Shock
ARC Flash
Burns
• An electrical short circuit is accompanied by arcing
• Extent of arcing depends on
– Fault energy level of the system (VA)
– Time of fault clearance
• High energy faults can cause melting of components
– Copper/aluminium conductors
– Steel parts of enclosure
– Results in deposition of toxic copper salts on the skin
More….
Burns (Contd..)
• Skin burns can also be caused at the point of
contact (without overt arcing)
• Internal damage due to passage of electricity
– (Example: Lightning current through a human body)
Burns
ARC flash hazard
ARC Flash hazard
ARC Flash hazard Analysis
Temperature Hazards
• External surfaces of electrical equipment often
attain elevated temperature
– Example: Bus ducts can often attain surface
temperatures of over 60 Deg C
• Exposed conducting parts can attain even higher
temperatures
– Example: Bus bars often run at temperatures in excess
of 100 Deg C
More...
Temperature Hazards (Contd…)
• Electrical joints/mating surfaces can have
temperatures exceeding the conductor
temperature
• This is because of increased localised resistance
• High surface temperature can cause ignition if
flammable vapors are present in the environment
Fire Hazard
• An external fire can often result from an electrical
fault
– Example: A wiring short circuit and presence of
combustible substances in the vicinity
• Certain electrical equipment contain inflammable
substances and improper handling can result in
fire
– Example: Large transformers with mineral oil for
cooling
Explosion Hazard
• Special care for electrical equipment in hazardous
atmosphere
• Many electrical equipment produce arcing or sparking in
normal operation
– Example: Contactors, Carbon brushes, Push buttons/switches
• Some equipment may generate arcs during abnormal
conditions
– Example: A terminal short circuit in a motor
More….
Explosion Hazard (Contd…)
• Direct ignition due to high surface temperature
possible too
• Nature of the substances present in the
atmosphere plays an important role
Battery Hazards
• Electric shock
• Lead dust toxicity
• Acid fumes
• Explosion
Industrial Electrical Systems-
Safety Issues
Structure of an Electrical System
• Incoming circuit
• Step-down transformer
• Primary distribution
• In-plant generation (Primary)
• Step down transformer
• Secondary distribution
• In-plant generation (Localised/secondary)
• Local distribution centers (MCC/DBs)
• Uninterrupted power supplies to specific critical loads
• Loads on primary and secondary distribution system
Main Components-1
• Generation equipment-(Captive generation in
industry)
• Step-up/step-down Transformers
• Transmission lines (long distances)
• Cables (Medium distances)
• Bus ducts (Short distances)
Main Components-2
• Distribution equipment
– Isolation equipment (for safety purposes)
– Bus bars
– Switching equipment (circuit breakers/contactors)
– Instrument transformers
– Protection equipment
• Loads
– Motive, Heating, Lighting
• Uninterrupted power supplies with battery
Potential Hazards-1
• Generation equipment:
– Electric shock, flash-over, mechanical hazards
• Transformers
– Electric shock, flash-over, fire hazard
• Overhead Transmission/distribution lines
– Electric shock, flash-over, fall from heights
• Cables
– Electric shock, flash-over, fire hazard
• Battery Installations
– Electric shock, toxicity, explosion/fire
Potential Hazards-2
• Bus ducts
– Electric shock, flash-over, thermal hazard
• Distribution equipment
– Electric shock, flash-over, thermal hazard, fire hazard
• Motive equipment
– Electric shock, flash-over, thermal hazard, mechanical hazards
• Heating equipment
– Electric shock, flash-over, thermal hazard
Potential Hazards-3
• Lighting equipment
– Electric shock, flash-over, thermal hazard, fall from
heights
• Uninterrupted power supplies with battery
– Electric shock, flash-over, hazards from corrosive
liquids and explosive gases, toxicity (lead, cadmium)
Reasons for Electrical Accidents
• Failure to isolate or inadequate or insecure
isolation (60%)
• Poor maintenance and faulty equipment (30%)
• Insufficient information about the system being
worked on
• Carelessness and lack of safe procedures
Summary of Safety Measures-Technical
• Safe design/installation of plant and equipment
• Safe operating and maintenance practices
• Appropriate knowledge on the part of workers
– Training
– Certification
• Warning signs at points of hazard
• Use of equipment/sensors to warn incipient
problem
Summary of Safety Measures-Procedural
• Documented procedures and instructions
• Proper periodic inspection and prompt repairs
• Use of personal safety equipment
• Avoiding live/hot work except where mandated by
the relevant procedures
Summary of Safety Measures-
Organisational
• Creating an organisational safety structure to
handle safety issues, lapses and accidents
• Updating documentation to reflect latest
regulatory changes
• Employee training
• Competence testing and certification
• Create safety awareness by frequent safety
campaigns and rewarding accident-free operation

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Management of Electrical Safety

Overview of Electrical Hazards

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