SHEQ FOUNDATION ELECTRICAL SAFETY

1. ELECTRICAL SAFETY
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2. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
• Electricity has become essential to modern life and it’s often not seen
as a potential DANGER.
• We use electrical energy everyday and are exposed to ELECTRICAL
HAZARDS.
• Main causes of accidents related to electricity are;• Main causes of accidents related to electricity are; -
• Work on Live Circuits – 36%
• Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers, ELCB (fuses) not Working – 10%
• External Interference – 25%
• Power cable damage/severance by vehicle or during earth works
• Deteriorating Material – 29%Deteriorating Material 29%

4. DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
• Electricity - Electric Current is the flow (movement) of electrical charge through a
medium: the flow of electrons through the electronic circuit. It is measured in
AMPERES.
• Voltage is the electrical force ‘pressure’ that causes current to flow in a circuit. It
is measured in VOLTS
• Resistance is anything that causes an opposition to the flow of electricity in a
i it It i d i OHMScircuit. It is measured in OHMS.
• The rate of flow of electrical current depends upon the voltage and resistance
• Conductors are substances with very little resistance to the flow of electrical
current e g metalscurrent, e.g. metals.
• Insulators are substances with such a high resistance that they can be used to
prevent the flow of electrical current, e.g. glass, rubber, plastic, and dry wood.

5. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS/INJURIES
El t i Sh kElectric Shock
• Electricity travels in closed circuits, normally through a conductor. Shock
results when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit or provides an
earthing point; current enters the body at one point and leaves at anotherearthing point; current enters the body at one point and leaves at another.
Electricity will always seek the path of least resistance. Typically, shock occurs
when awhen a
person contacts:
• Both wires of an energized circuit.
• One wire of an energized circuit to the ground/earthing pointOne wire of an energized circuit to the ground/earthing point.
• A metallic part in contact with an energized wire while the person is also in
contact with the ground/earthing point.
Severity of the shock depends on:Se e ty o t e s oc depe ds o
• Path of current through the body
• Amount of current flowing through the body
• Length of time the body is in the circuitLength of time the body is in the circuit

6. Flow Of Electric
The Flow Of Electric
Current through the
body is dangerous. A
small amount of
current running
through the body for
a few seconds cana few seconds can
give the effects shown
in the diagram.
Detrimental effects areDetrimental effects are
due to current flowing
through the body &
heightened withheightened with
increasing current
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7. EFFECTS OF SHOCK
EFFECTS OF SHOCK
• The effects of current through the body is proportional to the currents intensityThe effects of current through the body is proportional to the currents intensity
expressed in milliamperes.
• Effects can range from a barely perceptible tingle to severe burns and immediate
cardiac arrest
The effects of electric shocks on the human body depends on :
• Current and voltage
• Resistance
• Path through body
• Duration of shock
• Resistancees sta ce
Electrical resistance of the human body varies with:
• Amount of moisture on skin/atmosphere
• Contact areaContact area
• Wet condition will drastically reduce resistance
• The larger the contact area, the lower the resistance

8. OTHER HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY
OTHER HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY
Fires
Electricity is one of the most common causes of home & workplace fires• Electricity is one of the most common causes of home & workplace fires
• Defective or misused electrical equipment is a major factor
Explosions
El t i it id f i iti f l i i t i th• Electricity provides a source of ignition for an explosive mixture in the
atmosphere
• Ignition can be due to overheated conductors, defective equipment or arcing
between contact pointsbetween contact points
• Failure of insulating material
Burns
• Can be caused by the current passing through the body• Can be caused by the current passing through the body
• Burns can also result from Arcing
• Where two current carrying members make contact.
• Current can jump from an electrical outlet/appliance and pass through the body• Current can jump from an electrical outlet/appliance and pass through the body
Arc-Blast
• High voltage currents arcing through air with high temperature
Other Hazards associated with arc blast (thermal radiation pressure wave• Other Hazards associated with arc-blast (thermal radiation, pressure wave,
projectiles)

9. ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
W k Li Ci it (P ti )Work on Live Circuits (Precautions)
• Never work on electrical circuits or equipment without an approved PTW.
• Never work on circuits or equipment with the power on
A l LOTO (L k O t T O t) t th i it• Apply LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out) to the circuit
• Check with Qualified Electrician that circuit is isolated.
• Limit access to rooms, cabinets, electric boxes allowing only authorized
personnelpersonnel
• Do not attempt to do it yourself – leave it for professionals
E th L k Ci it B k (ELCB) L ki t W ki (P ti )Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) - Lacking or not Working (Precautions)
• Protection of the Circuits with over current circuit breaker, fuses.
• Protection of People (grounding circuit) or proper earthing.
Deteriorating Material (Precautions)
• Inspection and Maintenance of safety equipment.
• Control of the ELCB’s calibration and testing.
• Grounding resistance measurement program

10. MINIMIZING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS AT
WORK
MINIMIZING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS AT WORK
Grounding (houses & equipment)g ( )
• Protects electrical system, equipment and Personnel
• Creates a low resistance path to earth
Guardingg
• Entrance to rooms containing exposed live parts must be marked with warning
signs forbidding unauthorized persons to enter.
• Live parts of operating electrical equipment must be guarded against accidental
contact.
Locking and Tagging equipment
• Source of electrical energy isolated from equipment undergoing maintenance
(Electrical Isolation Procedure)
Mechanical Protection Device e.g. fuses and circuit breakers
• Designed to shut off current in the event of a ground fault, overload, or short
circuit.
Specific Personal Protective Equipment for electrical workers
• e.g. Rubber hand gloves, mat, insulated tools, etc

11. MINIMIZING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
MINIMIZING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
• Electric CordsElectric Cords
• Hands must be dry when plugging and unplugging flexible cords
Plugs and Receptacles
• Electric plugs and sockets are designed for different currents and voltages• Electric plugs and sockets are designed for different currents and voltages
• Only matching plugs and sockets will fit together
• Do not overload sockets
Always Inspect Electrical Equipment before use for:Always Inspect Electrical Equipment before use for:
• Broken Plugs
• Exposed/Broken Insulation
Frayed Wiring• Frayed Wiring
• any sign of damage/unsuitability
Cable Routing
D t th bl t t l d ( t t )• Do not expose the cables to external damage (rats, etc)
• Avoid putting electric cables under the carpet/rug
• Mark out cable routes visibly

12. PORTABLE GENERATORS – Safe Use
• Many workplaces and homes have electric generators for use in case of loss of
electrical power supply. These generators also present hazards.
P ti f P t bl G tPrecaution on use of Portable Generators
• Follow manufacturers advice including grounding and maintenance.
• DO NOT connect generator directly to building sockets.
• Use the correct connection cable and change over.
• Be sure that the main circuit breaker is OFF and locked out prior to starting
generator
DO NOT b i t i d L t h h t t t th• DO NOT bring generators indoor. Locate where exhaust gases cannot enter the
house (CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING)
• Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas produced from the
generating set When inhaled it reduces your ability to utilize oxygengenerating set. When inhaled it reduces your ability to utilize oxygen.
NOISE AND VIBRATION HAZARDS – keep generators as far away as possible
from
your home and work areas to avoid hearing loss and fatigue.your home and work areas to avoid hearing loss and fatigue.
• Turn off generator and let it cool prior to refuelling. (FIRE HAZARD)
• Store fuel away from your home and ignition sourcesStore fuel away from your home and ignition sources.

13. CONCLUSION
Avoid the following unsafe acts
F il t d i l k t & t t d i i t i i ti• Failure to de-energize, lockout & tagout during maintenance, repair or inspections.
• Use of defective and non-insulated tools.
• Direct pull on power cords
U i 3 i d i h 2 i l• Using 3-wire cord with a 2-wire plug.
• Pushing exposed wires directly into socket without plugs.
• Using water on electrical fires. Use CO2/DCP extinguishers.
• Overloading outlets with too many appliances.
• Blocking access to switches and circuit breakers.
• Leaving electrical equipment energized (e.g. pressing iron) without attention (turn off
d d f )and remove cord after use).
• Not switching off / verifying power is off when making repairs.
• Working in an elevated position near overhead lines.
• Installing household antenna near overhead power supply lines.