Electrical Safety

1. Electrical Safety www.CareerSafeOnline.com

2. Electrical Safety Electricity is an important part of our modern world and sometimes it is easy to forget just how dangerous it can be. Given the correct circumstances, electricity can cause serious injuries or even death.  www.CareerSafeOnline.com

3. Electrical Safety • Electrocution is the cause of 12% of all workplace deaths among young workers. • Electrocution is the third leading cause of work-related deaths among 16 and 17-year-olds. www.CareerSafeOnline.com

4. Electrical Injuries The most common types of electrical injuries are: • Electrical shock • Electrocution (death due to • electrical shock) • Burns • Falls www.CareerSafeOnline.com

5. Electrical Shock • Touching a live wire and an electrical ground will cause a shock. www.CareerSafeOnline.com

6. Electrical Shock Touching two live wires of different voltages will cause electrical shock. www.CareerSafeOnline.com

7. Electrical Shock • The severity of the shock depends on: • Path of the current through your body • Amount of current flowing • through your body • Length of time your body is in contact with the circuit LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT MEAN LOW HAZARD www.CareerSafeOnline.com

8. Burns Burns are the most common injury caused by electricity. The three types of burns are: • Electrical burns • Arc burns • Thermal contact burns Electrical burns can occur when you come into direct contact with electricity. www.CareerSafeOnline.com

9. Burns An arc occurs when there is a gap between conductors and current travels through the air. • Electrical burns • Arc burns • Thermal contact burns www.CareerSafeOnline.com

10. Burns • Thermal contact burns can occur when electricity ignites combustible material. • Electrical burns • Arc burns • Thermal contact burns www.CareerSafeOnline.com

11. Falls • Another common type of electrical injury is falling. • Workers who experience a shock on elevated work surfaces such as platforms, ladders or scaffolds can fall resulting in serious injury or death. www.CareerSafeOnline.com

12. Electrical Hazards To avoid injuries, you should be aware of electrical hazards. Some of the most common electrical hazards are: • Exposed electrical parts • Overloaded circuits • Defective insulation • Improper grounding • Damaged power tools • Overhead power lines • Wet conditions Let’s take a closer look at each of these hazards. www.CareerSafeOnline.com

13. Exposed Electrical Parts • Exposed electrical parts can include: • Breaker boxes without a cover • Electrical terminals in motors, appliances, and electronic equipment www.CareerSafeOnline.com

14. Overloaded Circuits • Overloading a circuit increases the potential for • fires to occur. Overload hazards exist if: • Too many devices are plugged into a circuit • The wire insulation melts • An improper overcurrent protection device is used • No overcurrent protection device is used www.CareerSafeOnline.com

15. Overloaded Circuits • Overcurrent protection devices include: • Circuit breakers • Fuses • Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) A circuit breaker automatically “trips” and shuts off the current in a circuit if it becomes overloaded. www.CareerSafeOnline.com

16. Overloaded Circuits • A fuse contains an internal part that melts and shuts off the current if there is an overload. • Circuit breakers • Fuses • Ground fault circuit interrupters www.CareerSafeOnline.com

17. Receptacle type Overloaded Circuits • A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) detects current leaking from a circuit to ground and shuts the current off. • Circuit breakers • Fuses • Ground fault circuit interrupters www.CareerSafeOnline.com

18. Summary It is very important to StartSafe and StaySafe around electricity. In order to do so: • Know the hazards • Plan your work and plan for safety • Avoid wet working conditions and other dangers • Avoid overhead power lines • Use proper wiring and connectors • Use and maintain tools properly • Wear the correct PPE for the job www.CareerSafeOnline.com