JULY 2023
What do you know about Electrical Safety?
Electricity is such an integral part of our lives at home and in the workplace that we can tend to take its power for granted. But it's a sobering fact that hundreds of workers are electrocuted each year. Electrical accidents in the workplace can, for the most part, be avoided if you use safe electrical equipment and work practices.
Are You Qualified to Work With Electricity?
OSHA has designated two categories of workers who face a risk of electric shock that is not reduced to a safe level by using electrical protective devices. These categories identify workers who are:
• Unqualified, that is, those workers who face a risk of electric shock, but are not trained to work on or near exposed live parts. Unqualified employees must be trained in and familiar with safe ty-related work practices required in Subpart S.
• Qualified, that is, those workers trained on avoiding the hazards of working on or near exposed live parts, in addition to the training required for unqualified workers.
How Does Electricity Work?
To handle electricity safely, including working with electrical equipment, you need to understand how electricity acts, the hazards it presents, and how those hazards can be controlled.
Electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor. An electron is a tiny particle of matter that orbits around the nucleus of an atom. Electrons of some atoms are easily moved out of their orbits. This ability of electrons to move or flow is the basis of electrical current.
The primary hazards of electricity and its use are:
• Shock
• Burns
• Arc-blast
• Explosions
• Fires
Shock Electric currents travel in closed circuits through some kind of conducting material. You get a shock when some part of your body becomes part of an electric circuit. An electric current enters the body at one point and exits the body at another location.
What Are the Hazards of Electricity?
Burns
Burns can result when a person touches electrical wiring or equipment that is improperly used or maintained. Typically, such burn injuries occur on the hands.
Arc-Blast
Arc-blasts occur when high-amperage currents jump from one conductor to another through air, generally during opening or closing circuits, or when static electricity is discharged. Fire may occur if the arcing takes place in an atmosphere that contains an explosive mixture
High-voltage
High-voltage shocks can cause serious injury (especially burns) or death. You will get a shock if a part of your body completes an electrical circuit by:
• Touching a live wire and an electrical ground, or
• Touching a live wire and another wire at a different voltage. The severity of the shock a person receives depends on several factors:
• How much electric current flows through the body.
• What path the electric current takes through the body.
• How much time elapses while the body is part of the electric circuit.
Explosions
Explosions occur when electricity provides a source of ignition for an explosive mixture in the atmosphere. Ignition can be due to overheated conductors or equipment, or normal arcing (sparking) at switch contacts. OSHA standards, the National Electrical Code, and related safety standards have precise requirements for electrical systems and equipment used in hazardous atmospheres.
Fires
Electricity is one of the most common causes of fire both in the home and workplace. Defective or misused electrical equipment is a major cause, with high resistance connections being one of the primary sources of ignition. High resistance connections occur where wires are improperly spliced or connected to other components such as receptacle outlets and switches. High resistance connections cause heat to build up. In some cases, enough heat can build up to start a fire.
Work at Working Safely
Working at Working Safely should be foremost in your mind when working with electrical equipment.
You face hazards from the tools themselves and the electricity that powers them. It's up to you to wear Protective Equipment whenever it's specified, use all safety procedures, and work with tools correctly.
Good work habits soon become second nature.
Treat electricity with the respect it deserves, and it will serve you efficiently and safely
It’s Important To Be Safe At Home Too!
Electrical hazards at home are just as deadly as they are in the workplace. To keep yourself and your family safe from electrical fires, shocks, and electrocutions:
• Regularly inspect electrical appliances for damage such as exposed wiring, cut or cracked insulation, or cracked or missing guards over electrical parts.
• Don't overload outlets by plugging in too many appliances.
• Don't use electrical appliances if you notice any heat build-up, sparks, or smoke.
• Have a qualified electrician evaluate your electrical service if you regularly have blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
• Be sure outdoor outlets and outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms have GFCI protection.
• Hire a qualified electrician to do home wiring projects
Help
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