Basic Electrical Safety

1. BASIC ELECTRICAL SAFETY

2. INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE: To provide employees with safe
work practices & procedures to prevent an
electrical accident or injury.
SCOPE: Electrical Safety work practices are
necessary for employees who work on or
near exposed energized parts or for those
who must understand safe practices on the
job.

3. INTRODUCTION CONTINUED
Electricity is integrated in our lives at work and at
home. BUT NEVER TAKE IT’S POWER LIGHTLY!
- 1989 statistics showed 324 ( 9%) of
work place deaths were electrocutions.
OSHA devotes an entire section of regulations to
this area. Focus is on training for:
- Those who work directly with electricity.
- Those who need “basic” instruction.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES
MANAGEMENT
- Understand how electricity acts & how it should be handled.
- Identify hazards associated with use of electricity.
- Identify causes of electrical accidents.
- Provide protection to prevent electrical hazards.
- Safety procedure development & maintenance.
- Select & provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
- Provide employee training.
- Recordkeping.
- Annual review & update of program.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED
EMPLOYEES
- Understand the hazards associated with use of electricity.
- Understand the procedures for electrical safety.
- Use provided Personal Protective Equipment as required.
- Notify immediate supervisor of any identified hazards when
using or inspecting electrical equipment or procedures.

6. HOW ELECTRICITY WORKS
-Two kinds of electricity:
1) Static (stationary)
2) Dynamic (moving)
- “Dynamic” is the kind commonly used:
Flow of electrons through a conductor. An electron is a
tiny particle of matter that orbits nucleus of an atom. Some
move easily out of their orbits. This ability is the basis of
current electricity.
- A “complete circuit” is needed to control electricity flow.
This is a source, conductor and consuming device (load).

7. OHM’S LAW
- Volts = Current X Resistence ( or V=IR)
- Volt is the unit of measure for “electromotive force” on the
electrons flowing through conductors.
- Current is the continuous movement of electrons past a
given point (Point A to Point B).
- Resistence is the opposition that electrons meet traveling
along a conductor. This is measured in Ohms. Different
materials provide varied resistence.

8. HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY
The primary hazards of electricity and it’s use are:
- Shock
- Burns
- Arc Blast
- Explosions
- Fires

9. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS CONTINUED
SHOCK
- Received when part of your body becomes part of the
electrical circuit.
- High voltage shock can cause serious injury or death.
- You will get a shock if you touch:
1) Both wires of an energized circuit
2) One wire of an energized circuit and ground
3) Part of machine that is “hot” because it is contacting
an energized wire and the ground.
- Can cause tingling, cardiac arrest and destruction of body
parts.

10. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS CONTINUED
BURNS
- Results when a person touches electrical equipment or
wiring that is improperly used or maintained.
- Most often involves injuries to the hands.
ARC-BLAST
- Occurs when high amperage currents jump from one
conductor to another through air.
- Happens when opening or closing of circuits and when static
electricity is discharged.
- Fire can occur if happens in atmosphere with explosive
mixture.

11. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS CONTINUED
EXPLOSIONS
-Occurs when electricity provides ignition source for an
explosive mixture in atmosphere.
-Causes range from overheated conductors or equipment
to normal arcing at switch contacts.
FIRES
- Electricity is the most common cause.
- Defective and/or misused equipment is the major cause.
- Improperly spliced or connected wiring creates “high
resistance” connections creating heat that starts fire.

12. CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
Accidents and injuries with electricity are caused by
one or a combination of the following:
- Unsafe equipment and/or installation.
- Unsafe workplaces caused by enviromental
factors.
- Unsafe work practices.

13. PREVENTING ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
Protection from electrical hazards is one way to
prevent accidents. Methods of control are:
- Insulation
- Electrical protective devices
- Guarding
- Grounding
- PPE

14. PREVENTION CONTINUED
INSULATION
- Placed on electrical conductors to protect from hazards.
- Examples are glass, rubber, plastic or mica.
- OSHA standards specific to insulation on conductors.
ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- Critical to electrical safety.
- Interrupts current flow when it exceeds conductor capacity.
- Examples are fuses, circuit breakers & GFCI’s.

15. PREVENTION CONTINUED
GUARDING
- Any “live” parts operating at 50 volts or more must be
guarded to prevent accidental contact.
- To accomplish, machinery or equipment can be located:
1) In room or vault, accessible to authorized staff only.
2) Behind screens/partitions which are permanent and
protect from easy access.
3) On an elevated platform, gallery or balcony that is
not accessible to unqualified personnel.
4) At least eight feet above floor of the work area.
- Conspicuous warning signs posted appropriately.

16. PREVENTION CONTINUED
GROUNDING
-A requirement to protect against electrical shock, fire and
damage to electrical equipment.
- Types of grounding are:
1) Circuit or System - One conductor of circuit intentionally
connected to earth.
2) Equipment- Provides path for dangerous fault current to
return to system ground at supply source should insulator
fail.
- Grounding does not guarantee against shock or injury.

17. PREVENTION CONTINUED
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ( PPE )
- Electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for body
parts needing protection and for work to be done.
- Examples of appropriate PPE:
* Gloves
* Insulated boots or shoes
* Anti-static clothing
* Headgear

18. SAFE WORK PRACTICESWITH
ELECTRICITY
- Electrical tools should always be in good repair.
- Use good judgement when working near electrical lines.
- Wear provided Personal Protective Equipment.
- Follow Lockout/Tagout procedures when necessary.
- Electrical equipment is to be maintained properly.
- Regularly inspect tools, cords, grounds & accessories.
- Authorized staff ONLY to install and repair equipment.

19. SAFE WORK PRACTICES CONTINUED
- Use 3 prong plugs, double insulated tools, safety switches.
- Machine guards are in place & proper procedures followed.
- Cables and cords are clean and free of kinks.
- Never carry equipment or tools by it’s cord.
- Use extension cords ONLY when flexibility is needed.
- DO NOT TOUCH water, damp surfaces, bare wires, etc..
- DO NOT WEAR metal objects when working with electricity.

20. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Training must meet appropriate requirements for:
- Task and Position needs.
- OSHA regulations.
Should occur at the these times:
- During orientation to equipment, tools.
- Entering job that uses electrical appliances,
repairs or installs them.
- Employer determines necessity for employee
knowledge and development.

21. SUMMARY
- Electricity is a part of our daily lives, at work and
at home.
- Follow safe work practices and “common sense”
when dealing with electricity.
- Good work habits become second nature. Treat
electricity with respect. It will serve you efficiently
and safely.