2. In this presentation……
Section I
Electrical hazards
Electrical accidents – Statistics
Humans & Electricity
Electrical Safety Programme elements
Section II
Global Developments in Electrical Safety
2
3. Electrical Accidents-Statistics
•
• 25% of all fires occur due to electricity
(NFPA)
• 411 deaths from job related electrical
accidents per year
• Electrocution - the leading cause of
death
•42 % of total fires occur due to electrical
sources
• 8% deaths that occur in Indian factories
are due to electricity
3
6. Electrical Near-Misses &
Accidents- Major Causes
Working on live equipment w/o
authorization or PPE
Wiring mistakes coupled with
failure of safe-energy conditions
Leaving unsafe conditions
6
7. Electricity and People
A person usually offers a lesser resistance
for the electricity
The person forms a completed circuit when
touching the ground
Electricity always tries to travel to ground
7
8. ELECTRICAL FIRES ….
ELECTRICAL FAULTS (Contd.)
–STATIC DISCHARGES
–LIGHTNING
–USING ORDINARY ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS AREAS
8
9. Earthing
Most electrical equipment is designed
with a earthing system
Earth all equipment with metallic bod
Carry out ER tests annually as per
NFPA 70
Take action on high ER values
Identify all earth pits, maintain a Earth
Pit lay out
9
10. Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers
ELCBs reduce the likelihood of fatal
shocks
Detect small amount of leakage current
and automatically switch off the power
Can be used with extension cords and
portable tools
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
equipment, not people
Use the right sensitivity ELCBs (30,
100, 300 mA) 10
11. Static Electricity
Created when materials rub together
Can cause shocks or even minor skin
burns
Can damage sensitive electronic
equipment
Reduced or prevented by:
– Proper grounding
– Anti-Static rubber matting
– Bonding & earthing of equipment,
pipelines
11
12. Electrical Fire Protection
Use Linear Heat Sensing cables along
with smoke detectors
Consider all major electrical fires.
Install master control switches outside
all stores
Maintain PFEs for electrical rooms.
Consider local flooding systems for
critical panels/ switchgear panels.
12
13. Case Study
An electrician received a shock while trying to
replace a tube light ballast in live power
condition.
He touched a live conductor. He was not
wearing rubber gloves. Current entered his
right hand through his little finger and exited
through his left hand.
Post Accident Correction:
– Working on live circuits not permitted
13
14. Equipment Operators
Never tamper with electrical interlocks
Do not repair electrical components of
your machine
Properly shut off machinery before
operation
Obey warning signs and follow safe
procedures
Follow procedures strictly
14
15. Electrical Preventive Maintenance
Identification of critical Electrical Equipment
Emergency lighting
Fire Alarm System
Protection Supply DC System
UPS System, Battery Banks
Electrical Maintenance Procedures to be followed
15
17. Electrical Preventive
Maintenance
Carry out all tests (ER, IR, transformer oil,
DGA, LP system, transformer protective
devices- simulation, FA system for electrical
rooms, etc.)
Adopt NFPA 70 E / B for electrical
maintenance
Adopt Risk Based maintenance
Use predictive maintenance tools (hotspot
detector, Ultrasonic detectors,
Thermography)
17
21. Present Status - ES-India
•ES Awareness is slowly growing
•Use of RCCBs in the rise, finer details are yet to
be understood by many
•More ES workshops / seminars are conducted in
India
•Statutory regulations are enforced strictly
(Karnataka, Delhi - Use of RCCBs mandatory in
residential buildings)
•Many industries are re-aligning their Electrical
practices based on international standards
(NFPA, IEEE, etc.) 21
22. Evolvement of ES Standards /
organizations-United States
•NFPA - NEC (1897)
•NESC (1913), from IEEE
•NIOSH (Research example: development of
voltage detector that will signal the person if he
gets close to live power)-1970
• OSHA (1970)
•NFPA 70 E & B (1979) -approved by OSHA
•Electrical Trauma Centre, Chicago (1990)
•NESF(1994), by UL, NFPA, NEMA, CPSC
22
24. ES Auditing Techniques
• Electrical Risk Assessment using Semi-Quantitative
Risk Ranking (SQRR) technique
•Emergency Lighting Risk Assessment
• Benchmarking against applicable standards:
•NFPA 780 Lightning Protection
•NFPA 70 M Electrical Preventive Maintenance
•NFPA 70 E Personal Safety from Electrical Safety
24
25. Electrical Risk Assessment (SQRR
Technique)
Risk Ranking based on severity, probability
High Risk- Statutory Non-compliance, F&E hazards,
Shock hazards, Risks that could result in immediate
threat to life & property. Immediate correction
Medium Risk - Maintenance flaws,Operational
issues-correction at the next available opportunity.
Low Risk - Mainly improvement measures, long term
implementation
25
27. ES related Information
Indian Electricity Rule, 1956 (2000 rev.):
(MoP, CEA web site,http://powermin.nic.in)
Lightning Protection Risk Assessment:www.furse.com
National Electrical Safety Foundation: www.nesf.org
Free safety Power Point presentations: http://siri.org/
Electrical Accidents: http://www.safteng.net:
IEEE IAS ES WS –Delhi Dec. 2004
27
28. Standards & Codes
NFPA 70 E & B- E-Safety & Maintenance
NFPA 780- Lightning Protection
API RP 2003- Static Electricity
API RP 500- HAC
OSHA 29 CFR- part 1910- Arc Flash
NFPA 70- NEC
IEEE 1584- Arc Flash Protection
NFPA 77- Static Electricity
OSHA CFR 1926-Personnel Electrical Safety
28
29. Summary
Electricity will try to reach ground even if it
means going through a person
Earthing has an important role in ES
Always inspect power tools and cords and do
not use them if damaged
Do not attempt to repair electrical equipment
unless trained and qualified
Understand effects of Lightning- it could save
your life!
Major fires, explosions occurred due to ESD ,
lightning in flammable atmospheres 29
