Work Safe: Electrical Safety

1. Work Safe: Electrical Safety SVN3E

2. Why? In November 2008, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour reported that 69 workers had been killed, 263 critically injured and 844 sustained minor injuries as a result of electrical hazards from 1998 to 2008.

3. Why? Only half of the incidents could be directly linked to working on energized equipment (e.g. repairing breakers in panels).

4. Why? It is important that workers: • Recognize potential hazards • Know recommended precautions and first aid techniques • Know their rights as employees

5. Electrical Hazards An electrical hazard is: • where a worker could make electrical contact with energized equipment or a conductor, and from which the person may sustain an injury from shock; and/or,

6. Electrical Hazards An electrical hazard is: • where a worker could make electrical contact with energized equipment or a conductor, and from which the person may sustain an injury from shock; and/or, • where there is potential for the worker to receive an arc flash burn, thermal burn, or blast injury.

7. Conductors A conductor is a substance that allows the flow of electrons (e.g. copper wire).

8. Insulators Insulating material (e.g. rubber) can help protect workers from making contact with energized equipment or a conductor.

9. Cord Safety Power cords should also be fully covered with insulating material. Never use equipment with damaged cords.

10. Outlets • Plugs and outlets should also be undamaged. • Never alter a plug to fit an outlet (e.g. remove the third prong to fit a two-prong outlet).

11. Ground The third prong is to ground the equipment to prevent electrical shocks from, e.g., touching the casing.

12. GFCIs Outlets in areas with water should have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets: A GFCI monitors the amount of current flowing between the slots and if there is any imbalance (the current is following another path to ground, e.g. through water), the circuit is “tripped,” or turned off

13. High Voltage Although higher voltage circuits (e.g. 347 V lighting systems) increase the risk of injury, a household 120 V circuit can deliver 15 A, which is many times the current needed to cause death.

14. Injury There are basically two ways to be injured by electricity. One is by electric shock and the other is by arc flash.

15. Electric Shock Electric shock is the passing of electric current through the body, which may: • prevent you from releasing your grip from a live conductor • throw you into contact with a higher voltage conductor • cause you to lose your balance and fall • cause severe internal and external burns • kill you

16. Arc flash An arc flash is a lightning-like discharge of energy. The flash causes an explosive expansion of air and metal, producing: • a dangerous pressure/sound wave • shrapnel • extreme heat and light

17. Danger: Flammable Gases The risk of fire is why we must be careful of flammable material, esp. gases, near electrical equipment.

18. First Aid Do not approach an injured person until the hazard has been removed. Symptoms of electrical injury

19. First Aid • Extinguish flames with a fire blanket • Check the ABCs (Airway Breathing Circulation) and administer CPR if necessary • Elevate burns and apply wet or dry dressings; do not otherwise treat burns, e.g. with medications

20. Employer Responsibility • It is the responsibility of the employer to maintain equipment and to train employees in safety procedures. • Never perform duties for which you have not been trained.