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Electrical Safety
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- 2. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Session Objectives This training session covers electrical safety for unqualified workers. “Unqualified” workers are those such as machine operators, operators of powered industrial trucks, construction workers, and others who are not qualified to perform electrical work, but who need to know important information about the hazards of electricity and how to prevent serious injury. For workers who are authorized to work on or near energized electrical equipment and wiring, additional training is required. You will be able to: •Understand the hazards of electricity •Identify and avoid common electrical hazards •Follow safe work practices around electrical equipment
- 3. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 How Does Electricity Work? How does electricity work? In order to recognize and avoid the hazards, it’s important to understand the basics of electricity. • Electricity is the flow of electrons, similar to the flow of water through a pipe. All electricity follows what’s known as “Ohm’s Law”: E, or voltage, equals I, or amperage times R, or resistance. Let’s compare electricity to the flow of water in a pipe to explain the relationship between voltage, amperage, and resistance. • Voltage can be compared to pressure. The higher the voltage, the more likely it is to cause injury, just like the difference in force between high and low water pressure. • Amperage can be compared to flow. Higher amperage means a higher volume of electricity, in much the same way as a larger diameter pipe will allow a greater flow of water than a small-diameter pipe. • Finally, resistance can be compared to restrictions in a water pipe. When electricity has resistance, this generates heat, which can result in fires or damaged equipment.
- 4. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Electrical Hazards Here are some of the more common electrical hazards that you might encounter: • Contact with power lines, either overhead or buried in the ground, or contact with equipment that is touching these lines. • Contact with electrical equipment or tools that are damaged. • Improper wiring that can cause a short circuit. • Overloading of circuits or wiring; or • Unsafe work practices, such as using an aluminum ladder near or against power lines. Take a moment to think about some of the potential electrical hazards you might encounter in your workplace.
- 5. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Electrical Injuries Electrical injuries can be very serious, and sometimes even fatal. Here are some common types of electrical injuries: • Cardiac arrest and respiratory failure resulting from electrical shock or electrocution. • Muscle, nerve, and tissue destruction from electrical current passing through the body. • Burns from arc flash and arc blast. • Thermal burns from contact with sources of electricity; and • Secondary injuries, such as falling from a ladder after receiving an electrical shock.
- 6. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 How Electrical Shock Occurs In basic terms, here is how electrical shock occurs: • Fundamentally, a shock occurs when electrical energy contacts your body. • A shock can occur when you contact two wires that are at different voltages. An example would be touching the “hot” and “neutral” wires of a standard 120-volt system. Another example is touching different phases in a 480-volt, three- phase system. If there is contact with live wires or other electrical components, this suggests that they are not insulated or enclosed properly. • Another way to get shocked is for you to become a part of the path between a live wire and the ground. Electricity always takes the path of least resistance, and your body can become part of the path because it is a good electrical conductor. If you touch a live wire with your hand, electricity can travel through your body and exit through your foot. This kind of electrical shock is, unfortunately, very common.
- 7. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Severity of Electrical Shock The severity of an electrical shock depends on a number of factors: • First, the amount of electrical current—the more current, the more dangerous it is. • Second, the duration, or length of time, the current passes through the body. The longer the duration, the more dangerous it is. • Finally, the specific path the current takes through the body; it is most dangerous if it travels through the heart. Note that you cannot know the path the current might take through your body once it enters.
- 8. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Effects of Electrical Current on the Body CURRENT 1 SECOND BODY’S RESPONSE 0.5 – 3 mAmp Faint, tingling sensation 3-5 mAmp Slight shock, minor muscle contraction, can control muscles 6-30 mAmp Painful shock, muscle contractions severe, cannot control muscles 5-150 mAmp Extremely painful shock, respiratory arrest, severe muscle contractions, death may occur 1 – 4 Amp Ventricular fibrillation, nerve damage, death is likely 10 Amp Cardiac arrest, severe burns, death is probable 15 Amp Lowest overcurrent protection of common fuse or circuit breaker
- 9. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Effects of Electrical Current on the Body The table on the next slide shows the effects of different flows of electrical currents on the body when the current flows for one second. Note that the designation “mAmp” means milli-amp, or one one- thousandth of an amp. You’ll see that a small fraction of one amp of electricity is enough to cause a painful shock, respiratory arrest, and even death. At more than one amp, cardiac arrest and death is likely. Now think about common everyday electrical equipment and appliances. For example, a 100-watt light bulb has 833 milli-amps of electricity flowing through it, which could be enough to kill you. A typical kitchen toaster has more than 9 amps of current, which is certainly enough to kill you. So remember, the electrical equipment we use every day has enough current to cause serious injury and death if we’re not careful.
- 10. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Injuries from Electrical Shock Electrical shock causes many kinds of serious injuries. • “Electrocution” simply means that the shock is powerful enough to cause death. Hand-held power tools typically carry more than enough current to cause electrocution. • Injuries from electrical shock happen because electricity follows the path of least resistance which, in the body, means your blood. Electrical current can damage nerves and body organs. Burns occur because of the resistance of the body as electricity flows through it. • Secondary injuries occur when someone receives an electrical shock and as a result has another type of accident. An example would be someone on a ladder with an electric drill, who receives a shock and falls off the ladder. Another example would be someone working on a machine who gets a small shock that causes him to pull his or her hand or arm back quickly, striking a piece of metal and causing serious trauma to the hand or arm.
- 11. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Image Credit: OSHAImage Credit: OSHA Arc Flash and Arc Blast “Arc flash” and “arc blast” are types of electrical accidents that are extremely dangerous. • An Arc Flash occurs when electricity travels through the air. This can happen when electrical devices such as circuit breakers and disconnects are opened and closed, when energized equipment is touched with a tool, or when equipment fails. An Arc Flash last only a fraction of a second, but it can create temperatures of up to 35,000 degrees, which is enough to vaporize metal. Needless to say, an Arc Flash causes severe skin burns. • An Arc Blast is a pressure wave from an Arc Flash—it is essentially an electrical explosion that causes severe injuries and death, as well as major damage to facilities and equipment.
- 12. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Electrical Burns • Electrical burns are a very common and serious injury caused by electrical shock. • Electricity in the body generates heat, because the body produces resistance. The heating of body tissues results in electrical burns. • Second-degree and third-degree burns can appear on the skin, or they may be internal, so that the person may not look to be seriously injured. • While electrical burns may look minor from the outside they might be severe on the inside, due to the damage they have caused to internal organs and tissues. • Thermal burns also can occur from contacting surfaces that are extremely hot due to electricity, or when clothing or equipment catches fire.
- 13. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Electrical Hazards— Any Questions? Do you understand the hazards of electricity and the injuries it can cause in the workplace? Now it’s time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far. • It is important for your safety that you understand the hazards of electricity and the injuries it can cause.
- 14. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Emergency Response and First Aid for Shock Now we’ll discuss what to do in the event of an electrical shock, and review the safe practices and procedures that will help make sure an electrical shock doesn’t happen in the first place. Proper emergency response and first aid can be a lifesaver in the event of an electrical shock. If a person is shocked: • Do not touch the person if he or she is still being shocked. The electrical charge could pass through to you. • Shut off the electrical equipment that is causing the shock, if the shock is continuing. • Call for trained first aid personnel immediately; or • If you are appropriately trained, administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as necessary. Since shock often causes ventricular fibrillation, you may need to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to monitor the situation and help start the heart beating properly again.
- 15. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Stay Away from Power Lines Now let’s go on to discuss ways to avoid electrical shock in the first place. One very good rule is to stay away from power lines. • For overhead power lines: • Stay at least 10 feet away. • Keep equipment at least 10 feet away; and • Add four inches to the 10-foot distance for every 10 kilovolts over 50 kilovolts. That means that if the voltage of the power line is 138 kilovolts, the minimum safe distance is 13 feet instead of 10 feet. • For buried power lines, don’t dig any significant holes or trenches in the ground until you have confirmed that there are no buried power lines or other utilities in the area. This is often known as “Call before you dig.”
- 16. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Report and Don’t Use Damaged Equipment Damaged equipment can result in serious electrical hazards. Stop using, and report to your supervisor: • Any damaged electrical covers on electrical panels, junction boxes, and other equipment where live electrical parts and wiring may be exposed. • Damaged tools that may expose live electrical parts and wiring to a person. Report the damage to your supervisor. • Electrical cords, which are easily damaged, exposing live wires. • Damaged equipment.
- 17. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Ensure Electrical Equipment Is Grounded Ensuring that all electric-powered equipment is properly grounded is another good way to prevent an electrical shock. • If there is no safe path to the ground, exposed parts can become energized. The purpose of grounding is to provide a safe path for electricity to travel to the ground. If the grounding path is broken—for instance, by not having a ground prong on a plug—electricity will take the path of least resistance, which may be through your body. • Electric power tools and equipment must be grounded or double insulated. Double-insulated tools do not have to be grounded, because they are designed not to have electrical hazards as long as their insulation has not been damaged. This kind of equipment will show a “D” in a box, or will bear the words “Double Insulated.” If these designations aren’t there, then the equipment should be grounded. • Remember that the path to ground must be continuous. If there is a break in the path, then the current may flow to you rather than to ground.
- 18. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI, provides excellent protection against electrical shock. • A GFCI can detect if there is a current flowing between two circuit wires, and will trip, or shut off the current, before a serious shock can occur. • GFCIs trip at about 5 milli-amps in a fraction of a second. • It is still possible to receive a brief shock before the GFCI trips. • If a GFCI keeps tripping, then a serious problem may exist. Don’t assume that the GFCI is defective and substitute a non-GFCI outlet. Instead, have a qualified person check for the cause of the tripping. • Finally, GFCIs need to be periodically tested. The test button should be pushed according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- 19. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Follow Lockout/Tagout Procedures Following lockout/tagout procedures is an essential way to prevent serious electrical shock. These procedures lock, block access to, or warn people away from sources of electricity and other hazardous energy used by machines and equipment while they are being repaired or serviced. • Devices that prevent access to hazardous energy, or that clearly warn people to stay away from hazardous energy, are known as lockout/tagout. • Lockout ensures that equipment is not accidentally restarted, by making sure that it is shut down, de-energized, and locked. • Tagout is used where lockout is not feasible. It involves placing warning tags on the equipment. • Always follow the requirements of the lockout/tagout program and procedures in your workplace.
- 20. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Follow Safe Work Practices Follow safe work practices for working around electricity. Most such practices are simply common sense rules to keep you from being shocked. • Only qualified persons—generally, trained electricians wearing the right protective equipment—are allowed to work on or near exposed electrical equipment or wiring. • Don’t wear clothing that can conduct electricity when working with electric- powered equipment. This includes anything with metal, such as metal- rimmed glasses or wire-mesh gloves. • The work area should be well-illuminated so that you can see if there are any electrical hazards present. • Don’t use conductive liquids such as water—or for that matter, any conductive items—anywhere near exposed electrical equipment. • Do not defeat or try to circumvent electrical interlock devices. • Finally, use nonconductive ladders for working anywhere near electrical equipment. Generally, this means wooden ladders only.
- 21. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Use Portable Electrical Equipment Safely Make sure you know how to use portable electrical equipment, such as power tools, safely. Before you use such equipment: • Inspect it for damage. Never use it if it smokes or sparks. • In particular, make sure the cord is not damaged and that the ground prong is present, unless it is a double-insulated tool. • Use the equipment safely: • Don’t lift portable electrical equipment by the cord, or pull the plug by tugging on the cord. This could damage the connection from the cord to the equipment. • Make sure your hands are dry before plugging or unplugging electrical equipment; and • Always plug the equipment into a GFCI outlet if the work area is wet or has moisture present.
- 22. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Circuit Protective Devices Circuit protective devices are designed to protect you against possible electrical shock, so understand their purpose and what to do if they trip. • Devices such as circuit breakers and fuses are intend to allow a certain amount of amperage into the circuit before tripping, blowing, or otherwise breaking the circuit. They are designed to protect wiring and equipment in the system from being damaged by too much current. • Don’t reset a circuit breaker or fuse unless you are authorized to do so. If something trips or blows, that may be a sign of a problem, such as a short or some other hazard. An authorized employee should inspect the system before it is re-set. • Finally, for any problem involving a circuit protective device, call a qualified person to investigate rather than taking chances with a potential electrical hazard.
- 23. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Stay Away from Electrical Work Areas It’s extremely important to stay away from electrical work areas – that is, areas where qualified personnel are working on energized electrical equipment. • These areas need to be isolated so that unqualified personnel are not exposed to electrical hazards. • Alerting techniques used to keep these areas isolated include safety signs and tags, barricades, and attendants guarding the area. Never try to go around or ignore these warning methods.
- 24. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Follow the Electrical Safety Program Always follow the rules and guidelines in our electrical safety program. • This written program includes responsibilities, procedures, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment for work that may involve electrical hazards. • And remember that only qualified personnel, such as licensed electricians, may work on or near exposed, energized electrical equipment.
- 25. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Safety Practices— Any Questions? Now it’s time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far on electrical safety practices. In the previous slides, we’ve covered: • First aid • Electrical equipment • Electrical circuits • Lockout/tagout • Safe work practices • Our electrical safety program It is important for your safety that you understand these topics.
- 26. © Business &Legal Reports, Inc. 0605 Key Things to Remember The key things to remember about electrical safety include the following: • Exposure to electricity is dangerous—it can cause electrocution, shock, electric and thermal burns, arc flash and arc blast burns, and secondary injuries such as falls. • Watch carefully for possible electrical hazards—for instance, never use damaged tools, cords, or electrical equipment. • Always follow safe work practices, including proper emergency response procedures. • Always follow our electrical safety program, which is designed to protect you and other workers from electrical hazards. • And finally, seek assistance from a qualified person whenever you have any doubt about electrical safety or think there might be an electrical hazard. Too many things can go wrong with electricity for you to take risks. This concludes the training session on Electrical Safety.
Editor's Notes
- #2 Slide Show Notes This training session covers electrical safety for unqualified workers. “Unqualified” workers are those such as machine operators, operators of powered industrial trucks, construction workers, and others who are not qualified to perform electrical work, but who need to know important information about the hazards of electricity and how to prevent serious injury. For workers who are authorized to work on or near energized electrical equipment and wiring, additional training is required.
- #3 Slide Show Notes The objectives of this session are to inform unqualified workers about the basic points of electrical safety. By the end of the session, you will be able to: Understand the hazards of electricity. Identify and avoid common electrical hazards; and Follow safe work practices around electrical equipment.
- #4 Slide Show Notes How does electricity work? In order to recognize and avoid the hazards, it’s important to understand the basics of electricity. Electricity is the flow of electrons, similar to the flow of water through a pipe. All electricity follows what’s known as “Ohm’s Law”: E, or voltage, equals I, or amperage times R, or resistance. Let’s compare electricity to the flow of water in a pipe to explain the relationship between voltage, amperage, and resistance. Voltage can be compared to pressure. The higher the voltage, the more likely it is to cause injury, just like the difference in force between high and low water pressure. Amperage can be compared to flow. Higher amperage means a higher volume of electricity, in much the same way as a larger diameter pipe will allow a greater flow of water than a small-diameter pipe. Finally, resistance can be compared to restrictions in a water pipe. When electricity has resistance, this generates heat, which can result in fires or damaged equipment.
- #5 Slide Show Notes Here are some of the more common electrical hazards that you might encounter: Contact with power lines, either overhead or buried in the ground, or contact with equipment that is touching these lines. Contact with electrical equipment or tools that are damaged. Improper wiring that can cause a short circuit. Overloading of circuits or wiring; or Unsafe work practices, such as using an aluminum ladder near or against power lines. Take a moment to think about some of the potential electrical hazards you might encounter in your workplace. Modify this slide to describe the specific electrical hazards at your facility.
- #6 Slide Show Notes Electrical injuries can be very serious, and sometimes even fatal. Here are some common types of electrical injuries: Cardiac arrest and respiratory failure resulting from electrical shock or electrocution. Muscle, nerve, and tissue destruction from electrical current passing through the body. Burns from arc flash and arc blast. Thermal burns from contact with sources of electricity; and Secondary injuries, such as falling from a ladder after receiving an electrical shock.
- #7 Slide Show Notes In basic terms, here is how electrical shock occurs: Fundamentally, a shock occurs when electrical energy contacts your body. A shock can occur when you contact two wires that are at different voltages. An example would be touching the “hot” and “neutral” wires of a standard 120-volt system. Another example is touching different phases in a 480-volt, three-phase system. If there is contact with live wires or other electrical components, this suggests that they are not insulated or enclosed properly. Another way to get shocked is for you to become a part of the path between a live wire and the ground. Electricity always takes the path of least resistance, and your body can become part of the path because it is a good electrical conductor. If you touch a live wire with your hand, electricity can travel through your body and exit through your foot. This kind of electrical shock is, unfortunately, very common.
- #8 Slide Show Notes The severity of an electrical shock depends on a number of factors: First, the amount of electrical current—the more current, the more dangerous it is. Second, the duration, or length of time, the current passes through the body. The longer the duration, the more dangerous it is. Finally, the specific path the current takes through the body; it is most dangerous if it travels through the heart. Note that you cannot know the path the current might take through your body once it enters.
- #9 Slide Show Notes The table on this slide shows the effects of different flows of electrical currents on the body when the current flows for one second. Note that the designation “mAmp” means milli-amp, or one one-thousandth of an amp. You’ll see that a small fraction of one amp of electricity is enough to cause a painful shock, respiratory arrest, and even death. At more than one amp, cardiac arrest and death is likely. Now think about common everyday electrical equipment and appliances. For example, a 100-watt light bulb has 833 milli-amps of electricity flowing through it, which could be enough to kill you. A typical kitchen toaster has more than 9 amps of current, which is certainly enough to kill you. So remember, the electrical equipment we use every day has enough current to cause serious injury and death if we’re not careful.
- #10 Slide Show Notes The table on this slide shows the effects of different flows of electrical currents on the body when the current flows for one second. Note that the designation “mAmp” means milli-amp, or one one-thousandth of an amp. You’ll see that a small fraction of one amp of electricity is enough to cause a painful shock, respiratory arrest, and even death. At more than one amp, cardiac arrest and death is likely. Now think about common everyday electrical equipment and appliances. For example, a 100-watt light bulb has 833 milli-amps of electricity flowing through it, which could be enough to kill you. A typical kitchen toaster has more than 9 amps of current, which is certainly enough to kill you. So remember, the electrical equipment we use every day has enough current to cause serious injury and death if we’re not careful.
- #11 Slide Show Notes Electrical shock causes many kinds of serious injuries. “Electrocution” simply means that the shock is powerful enough to cause death. Hand-held power tools typically carry more than enough current to cause electrocution. Injuries from electrical shock happen because electricity follows the path of least resistance which, in the body, means your blood. Electrical current can damage nerves and body organs. Burns occur because of the resistance of the body as electricity flows through it. Secondary injuries occur when someone receives an electrical shock and as a result has another type of accident. An example would be someone on a ladder with an electric drill, who receives a shock and falls off the ladder. Another example would be someone working on a machine who gets a small shock that causes him to pull his or her hand or arm back quickly, striking a piece of metal and causing serious trauma to the hand or arm.
- #12 Slide Show Notes “Arc flash” and “arc blast” are types of electrical accidents that are extremely dangerous. An Arc Flash occurs when electricity travels through the air. This can happen when electrical devices such as circuit breakers and disconnects are opened and closed, when energized equipment is touched with a tool, or when equipment fails. An Arc Flash last only a fraction of a second, but it can create temperatures of up to 35,000 degrees, which is enough to vaporize metal. Needless to say, an Arc Flash causes severe skin burns. An Arc Blast is a pressure wave from an Arc Flash—it is essentially an electrical explosion that causes severe injuries and death, as well as major damage to facilities and equipment.
- #13 Slide Show Notes Electrical burns are a very common and serious injury caused by electrical shock. Electricity in the body generates heat, because the body produces resistance. The heating of body tissues results in electrical burns. Second-degree and third-degree burns can appear on the skin, or they may be internal, so that the person may not look to be seriously injured. While electrical burns may look minor from the outside they might be severe on the inside, due to the damage they have caused to internal organs and tissues. Thermal burns also can occur from contacting surfaces that are extremely hot due to electricity, or when clothing or equipment catches fire.
- #14 Slide Show Notes Do you understand the hazards of electricity and the injuries it can cause in the workplace? Now it’s time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far. It is important for your safety that you understand the hazards of electricity and the injuries it can cause.
- #15 Slide Show Notes Now we’ll discuss what to do in the event of an electrical shock, and review the safe practices and procedures that will help make sure an electrical shock doesn’t happen in the first place. Proper emergency response and first aid can be a lifesaver in the event of an electrical shock. If a person is shocked: Do not touch the person if he or she is still being shocked. The electrical charge could pass through to you. Shut off the electrical equipment that is causing the shock, if the shock is continuing. Call for trained first aid personnel immediately; or If you are appropriately trained, administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as necessary. Since shock often causes ventricular fibrillation, you may need to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to monitor the situation and help start the heart beating properly again. Modify this slide if necessary to describe your facility’s first-aid procedures.
- #16 Slide Show Notes Now let’s go on to discuss ways to avoid electrical shock in the first place. One very good rule is to stay away from power lines. For overhead power lines: Stay at least 10 feet away. Keep equipment at least 10 feet away; and Add four inches to the 10-foot distance for every 10 kilovolts over 50 kilovolts. That means that if the voltage of the power line is 138 kilovolts, the minimum safe distance is 13 feet instead of 10 feet. For buried power lines, don’t dig any significant holes or trenches in the ground until you have confirmed that there are no buried power lines or other utilities in the area. This is often known as “Call before you dig.”
- #17 Slide Show Notes Damaged equipment can result in serious electrical hazards. Stop using, and report to your supervisor: Any damaged electrical covers on electrical panels, junction boxes, and other equipment where live electrical parts and wiring may be exposed. Damaged tools that may expose live electrical parts and wiring to a person. Report the damage to your supervisor. Electrical cords, which are easily damaged, exposing live wires. Damaged equipment. Modify this slide to describe your facility’s policies on damaged equipment and the procedures for reporting damage. Discuss your facility’s damaged equipment reporting procedures.
- #18 Slide Show Notes Ensuring that all electric-powered equipment is properly grounded is another good way to prevent an electrical shock. If there is no safe path to the ground, exposed parts can become energized. The purpose of grounding is to provide a safe path for electricity to travel to the ground. If the grounding path is broken—for instance, by not having a ground prong on a plug—electricity will take the path of least resistance, which may be through your body. Electric power tools and equipment must be grounded or double insulated. Double-insulated tools do not have to be grounded, because they are designed not to have electrical hazards as long as their insulation has not been damaged. This kind of equipment will show a “D” in a box, or will bear the words “Double Insulated.” If these designations aren’t there, then the equipment should be grounded. Remember that the path to ground must be continuous. If there is a break in the path, then the current may flow to you rather than to ground.
- #19 Slide Show Notes A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI, provides excellent protection against electrical shock. A GFCI can detect if there is a current flowing between two circuit wires, and will trip, or shut off the current, before a serious shock can occur. GFCIs trip at about 5 milli-amps in a fraction of a second. It is still possible to receive a brief shock before the GFCI trips. If a GFCI keeps tripping, then a serious problem may exist. Don’t assume that the GFCI is defective and substitute a non-GFCI outlet. Instead, have a qualified person check for the cause of the tripping. Finally, GFCIs need to be periodically tested. The test button should be pushed according to the manufacturer’s instructions Modify or delete this slide to best describe GFCIs at your facility.
- #20 Slide Show Notes Following lockout/tagout procedures is an essential way to prevent serious electrical shock. These procedures lock, block access to, or warn people away from sources of electricity and other hazardous energy used by machines and equipment while they are being repaired or serviced. Devices that prevent access to hazardous energy, or that clearly warn people to stay away from hazardous energy, are known as lockout/tagout. Lockout ensures that equipment is not accidentally restarted, by making sure that it is shut down, de-energized, and locked. Tagout is used where lockout is not feasible. It involves placing warning tags on the equipment. Always follow the requirements of the lockout/tagout program and procedures in your workplace. Describe the lockout/tagout procedures at your facility.
- #21 Slide Show Notes Follow safe work practices for working around electricity. Most such practices are simply common sense rules to keep you from being shocked. Only qualified persons—generally, trained electricians wearing the right protective equipment—are allowed to work on or near exposed electrical equipment or wiring. Don’t wear clothing that can conduct electricity when working with electric-powered equipment. This includes anything with metal, such as metal-rimmed glasses or wire-mesh gloves. The work area should be well-illuminated so that you can see if there are any electrical hazards present. Don’t use conductive liquids such as water—or for that matter, any conductive items—anywhere near exposed electrical equipment. Do not defeat or try to circumvent electrical interlock devices. Finally, use nonconductive ladders for working anywhere near electrical equipment. Generally, this means wooden ladders only. Modify this slide to describe specific safe work practices and procedures at your facility. Show trainees a copy of any written safe work practices adopted by your company related to electrical safety.
- #22 Slide Show Notes Make sure you know how to use portable electrical equipment, such as power tools, safely. Before you use such equipment: Inspect it for damage. Never use it if it smokes or sparks. In particular, make sure the cord is not damaged and that the ground prong is present, unless it is a double-insulated tool. Use the equipment safely: Don’t lift portable electrical equipment by the cord, or pull the plug by tugging on the cord. This could damage the connection from the cord to the equipment. Make sure your hands are dry before plugging or unplugging electrical equipment; and Always plug the equipment into a GFCI outlet if the work area is wet or has moisture present. Describe the portable electrical equipment used by unqualified workers at your facility and discuss safety procedures for using them.
- #23 Slide Show Notes Circuit protective devices are designed to protect you against possible electrical shock, so understand their purpose and what to do if they trip. Devices such as circuit breakers and fuses are intend to allow a certain amount of amperage into the circuit before tripping, blowing, or otherwise breaking the circuit. They are designed to protect wiring and equipment in the system from being damaged by too much current. Don’t reset a circuit breaker or fuse unless you are authorized to do so. If something trips or blows, that may be a sign of a problem, such as a short or some other hazard. An authorized employee should inspect the system before it is re-set. Finally, for any problem involving a circuit protective device, call a qualified person to investigate rather than taking chances with a potential electrical hazard.
- #24 Slide Show Notes It’s extremely important to stay away from electrical work areas – that is, areas where qualified personnel are working on energized electrical equipment. These areas need to be isolated so that unqualified personnel are not exposed to electrical hazards. Alerting techniques used to keep these areas isolated include safety signs and tags, barricades, and attendants guarding the area. Never try to go around or ignore these warning methods. Discuss electrical work areas at your facility and the procedures for isolating them from unauthorized access.
- #25 Slide Show Notes Always follow the rules and guidelines in our electrical safety program. This written program includes responsibilities, procedures, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment for work that may involve electrical hazards. And remember that only qualified personnel, such as licensed electricians, may work on or near exposed, energized electrical equipment. Discuss the facility’s written electrical safety program.
- #26 Slide Show Notes Now it’s time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far on electrical safety practices. In the previous slides, we’ve covered: First aid Electrical equipment Electrical circuits Lockout/tagout Safe work practices Our electrical safety program It is important for your safety that you understand these topics.
- #27 Slide Show Notes The key things to remember about electrical safety include the following: Exposure to electricity is dangerous—it can cause electrocution, shock, electric and thermal burns, arc flash and arc blast burns, and secondary injuries such as falls. Watch carefully for possible electrical hazards—for instance, never use damaged tools, cords, or electrical equipment. Always follow safe work practices, including proper emergency response procedures. Always follow our electrical safety program, which is designed to protect you and other workers from electrical hazards. And finally, seek assistance from a qualified person whenever you have any doubt about electrical safety or think there might be an electrical hazard. Too many things can go wrong with electricity for you to take risks. This concludes the training session on Electrical Safety. Modify this slide or add a slide to describe any other key points specific to your facility’s electrical safety program.