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Electrical Safety

FRUMENCIO T. TAN Accredited Safety Consultant

Electricity - The Dangers


About 5 workers are electrocuted every week Causes 12% of young worker workplace deaths

Takes very little electricity to cause harm


Significant risk of causing fires

Electricity How it Works


Electricity is the flow of energy from one place to another Requires a source of power: usually a generating station A flow of electrons (current) travels through a conductor

Travels in a closed circuit

BASIC ELECTRICAL TERMS


What are the definitions of these terms?

Electricity
Current Voltage Resistance Amps Volts

Ohms Direct current Alternating current Conductor Insulator

Electrical Injuries
There are four main types of electrical injuries: Direct:
Electrocution or death due to electrical shock Electrical shock Burns

Indirect - Falls

RESISTANCE OF THE HUMAN BODY TO DIFFERENT AMPERAGES


8 - 15 m.a. - Pain 15 - 20 m.a. - Pain, loss of muscular control 20 - 100 m.a. - intense pain and paralysis of breathing muscles; - possible suffocation. 100 - 200 m.a. - Ventricular fibrillation which will cause death. Over 200 m.a. from 220V household voltage

Defibrillator in use

Burns
Most common shock-related injury Occurs when you touch electrical wiring or equipment that is improperly used or maintained Typically occurs on hands Very serious injury that needs immediate attention

Electrical Burns

Exit Wound Entrance Wound

Arc or Flash Burns

Thermal Contact Burns

Internal Injuries

Involuntary Muscle Contraction

Current flows through the body from the entrance point, until finally exiting where the body is closest to the ground.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING UNSAFE ACTS:


Workers attitude such as working without appropriate PPEs. Improper working method Wearing of metal objects as watches, necklaces & rings. Working in wet and/or damp locations

AVOID THE FOLLOWING UNSAFE ACTS:

AVOID THE FOLLOWING UNSAFE ACTS:

AVOID THE FOLLOWING UNSAFE ACTS:


Failure to de-energize, lockout and tagout hazards during maintenance, repair or inspections of fuse box.

Use of defective and unsafe tools.


Use of tools or equipment too close to energized parts. Not draining off stored energy in capacitors.

Double Insulated Tool

AVOID THE FOLLOWING UNSAFE ACTS:

Using 3 wire cord with a 2 wire plug. Remove and replace wrong fuse. Not verifying power is off when making repair.

UNSAFE EQUIPMENT
What equipment can cause electrical accidents:

Faults in facilities such as exposed charged part of electrical machines and equipment Damaged insulation of electrical wirings Short Circuit Overloading Improper grounding

HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT
Flammable vapors, liquids and gases Combustible dusts Corrosive atmosphere Explosive environments

HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT
Deteriorated cords, where the exterior insulation has cracked, exposing the wires inside.
Cords and/ or plugs produced from substandard materials. Use of cords which have no appropriate current (amp) rating for either the plug or the equipment.

HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT

Use of extension cords for permanent installations.


Equipment which has been incorrectly wired, representing either a shock or fire hazard.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Loose electrical connections Cord with frayed insulations Plugs that do not match their outlets, e.g., 3-prong male plug to 2-plug female outlet Non-waterproof cords, plugs and outlets used outdoors Equipment running over capacity

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO WATCH OUT FOR


Tools that smell, smoke, spark or shock Wires running across the floor Electrical cords in contact with hot appliances or soaked in water Extension cords instead of permanent wiring Octopus connections

Electrical Plugs and Extension Cords

Electrical Plugs and Extension Cords

MEASURES TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK


Use grounding system Install GFCI Isolation of electrical conductors Vault & boxes Warning signs Safe Clearance Elevation (at least 10 ft minimum) of electrical cable specifically at construction site Minimum approach distance

PREVENTIVE MEASURE ON ELECTRIC SHOCK


Insulation Use double-insulated royal cord for tools Provide good insulation for appliances Insure insulation between feet and moist ground Use appropriate PPE Use Lock-Out and Tag-Out JHA

GROUNDING
Particulars regarding details of conductors sizes & nature of grounds can be obtained from the provision of the Philippine Electrical Code governing them GROUNDING ROD SPECIFICATION Steel Rod - 5/8 dia. & 8 ft long Copper Clad Steel Rod - 1/2 dia. & 8 ft long Galvanized Pipe - 3/4 & 8 ft long Resistance should not exceed 25 ohms

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Portable Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

GFCI Panel Mounts

Preventing Electrical Hazards - PPE


Proper foot protection (not tennis shoes)
Rubber insulating gloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, and blankets Hard hat (insulated nonconductive)

SIMPLE RULES TO FOLLOW


DO NOT GUESS USE PROPER INSTRUMENTS ALWAYS USE SAFETY DEVICES LOCKING & TAGGING PROCEDURE NEVER WORK ALONE USE DANGER SIGNS

THANK YOU ALL!

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