Module 3

Electrical Hazards

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 Lets start with a few
case histories
An employee was electrocuted while using a
grinder with a frayed cord. The employee was
standing in water, wet-grinding stone
countertops

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A maintenance employee was
electrocuted while attempting to
change a light fixture
(no Lockout/Tagout)

An employee was electrocuted when he

made contact with a piece of equipment
being hoisted from an excavation. The
arm of the backhoe hoisting the
equipment contacted an overhead
power line
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 Top Electrical Citations (FY 2005)
Electrical, Wiring Design and Protection

1926.404 1313
Elec. Wiring Methods, Components and Equipment, General Use

1926.405 1157

Electrical, General Requirements

1926.403 660
Electrical, Safety-Related Work Practices, General Requirements

1926.416 350

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

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Source: Citation statistics from Federal OSHA data for OSHA fiscal year 2005
 Causes of
Electrocution Fatalities
Contact with Overhead Power lines
Contact with Live Circuits
Not following Lock/Tagout procedures
Poorly Maintained Extension Cords
Defective Power Tools

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 Electrical Injuries
There are three direct and two indirect types of
electrical injuries:
Direct:
Electrocution or death due to electrical shock
Electrical shock
Burns
Indirect:
Falls
Fire

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 Shock Severity
Severity of the shock
depends on:
Path of current through the
body
Amount of current flowing
through the body (amps)
Duration of the shocking
current through the body,
LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT
MEAN LOW HAZARD
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 Overhead Power Lines Hazard
Usually not insulated
Examples of equipment
that can contact power
lines:
Crane
Ladder
Scaffold
Backhoe
Scissors lift
Raised dump truck bed
Aluminum paint roller
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 Its Your Job to Know!
Know the hazards of electricity
Know the equipment
Use Safe Work Practices
Inspect your PPE before each use
Dont work on energized circuits
without permission

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 Safety-Related
Work Practices
To protect workers from electrical
shock:
Use barriers and guards to prevent
passage through areas of exposed
energized equipment
Pre-plan work, post hazard warnings
and use protective measures
Keep working spaces and walkways
clear of cords

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An employee working on a roof made
contact with the service entrance riser
into the home and was electrocuted

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 Caution
Special Training is required for work on
electrical equipment. Such training is for
Authorized Employees and it covers:
Safe Work Practices
Isolation of Electrical Sources
Test Equipment
Tools & PPE
Only Authorized Employees may conduct
electrical work
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 Control Devices
Control circuit devices such as
push buttons
selector switches
interlocks
may not be used as the sole
means for de-energizing circuits
or equipment.

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 Control Use GFCI
(ground-fault circuit interrupter)
Protects you from shock
Detects difference in current
between the black and white wires
If ground fault detected, GFCI
shuts off electricity in 1/40th of a
second
Use GFCIs on all 120-volt, single-
phase, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacles, or have an assured
equipment grounding conductor
program.

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Effects of Amount of AC Current
ma=1/1000th of an amp

3 ma- painful shock which cause indirect

accidents
10ma- muscle contraction...no let go danger
30ma- lung paralysis- usually temporary
50ma- possible ventricular fibrillation (heart
dysfunction, usually fatal)
100 ma- certain ventricular fibrillation, fatal
4 amps- heart paralysis, severe burns

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 How it works

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 Are these safe practices?

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 Lock & Tag
Lock & Tag all Sources
Place Lock & Tag on each disconnecting
means used to de-energize circuits

Attach lock to prevent operating the

disconnecting means

Place Tag with each lock

Note: Only the person who places the lock may remove it.

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 Lockout Devices

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 If a Lock cannot be applied
A tag used without a lock must be
supplemented by at least one additional
safety measure that provides a level of safety
equal to that of a lock.
Examples:
Removal of an isolating circuit element
such as a fuse
Blocking of a controlling switch
Opening of an extra disconnecting device.
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 Tagout
There many different kinds of tags and Lockout devices.

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 Release Stored Energy
Stored electric energy must be released
before starting work.

Discharge all Capacitors

Short-Circuit & Ground all high

capacitance elements

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 Is it Dead?
Verify System is De-
energized
Operate the equipment
controls to check that
equipment cannot be
restarted.

Use test equipment to test the circuits &

electrical parts for voltage & current
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 Alerting others of hazards
Use barricades to prevent or limit access to
work areas with un-insulated energized
conductors or circuit parts.

Use safety signs, safety symbols, or accident

prevention tags to warn others about electrical
hazards which may endanger them.

If signs and barricades do not provide sufficient

warning and protection from electrical hazards,
an attendant shall be stationed to warn and
protect employees.
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 Electrical Tools
and Cords

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 Portable Electric Tools
& Cords
Portable equipment must be handled in a
manner which will not cause damage.
Flexible electric cords connected to
equipment may not be used for raising or
lowering the equipment.
Flexible cords may not be fastened with
staples or otherwise hung in such a fashion
as could damage the outer jacket or
insulation.

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 Tools & Equipment
Use insulated tools or handling equipment
when working near exposed energized
conductors or circuit parts.
Use fuse handling equipment to remove or
install fuses when the fuse terminals are
energized.
Ropes and handlines used near exposed
energized parts must be nonconductive.

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 Power Tool Requirements
Have a three-wire cord with
ground plugged into a
grounded receptacle, or

Be double insulated, or

Be powered by a low-voltage
isolation transformer

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Preventing Electrical Hazards -
Tools
Inspect tools before
use
Use the right tool
correctly
Protect your tools
Use double insulated
tools
Double Insulated marking
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 Any problems?

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Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist
Tripped circuit breakers or
blown fuses
Warm tools, wires, cords,
connections, or junction
boxes
GFCI that shuts off a
circuit
Worn or frayed insulation
around wire or connection
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 Beware of Old Wiring
Removal of expansion tank (hot water).
Old style knob electrical wiring.
Victim contacted frayed wiring.

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 Wire Pulling

Avoid manual wire pulling and use a

tugger or a handtool whenever possible
Communication between the puller and
feeder to coordinate movements will make
the job easier and safer.
Use lighter-weight tools.

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 Reducing Body Strains
CHANGE BODY POSITIONS.
Working overhead, at floor level, or in
cramped spaces forces the body into
awkward postures.
To relieve muscle tension and improve
circulation, change body positions,
alternate tasks, and stretch throughout the
day.

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 Summary
Electrical equipment must be:
Listed and labeled
Free from hazards
Used in the proper manner
If you use electrical tools you must:
Be protected from electrical shock
Use them in a comfortable position
Be provided with necessary safety equipment

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A tree trimmer was electrocuted
when he touched an overhead
electrical line while descending a
palm tree

Always remember
Its your life!
An employee was
electrocuted while working
on an A/C unit

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