This document discusses electrical safety and provides definitions and information about electrical hazards. It defines key electrical terms like volts, voltage, amps, and amperage. It explains the levels of electrical current and their associated hazards, from faint tingling at 1 milliamp to cardiac arrest at 10 amps. Safety devices like fuses and circuit breakers are described. Guidelines are provided for working safely with electricity, including turning off power and wearing PPE. Common electrical safety don'ts are also listed.

1. Electrical Safety
1

2. Electrical Safety
• The human body generates and requires a
certain amount of electricity to function.
• The human brain can generate enough
electricity to light a 15 watt light bulb.
• There are approximately 1000 fatalities per
year in the U.S. from electrical shock.
• Injuries and death from electrical shock are
preventable.
2

3. Electrical Safety
Electrical Definitions
• Volts – standard unit of measure of electricity.
• Voltage – force of electrical current measured in
volts.
• Amps – standard unit of measure for the strength
of electrical current.
• Amperage – the strength of electrical current to
make a piece of equipment work.
3

4. Electrical Safety
Electrical Hazards
• 1 milliamp- faint tingle (mini xmas lights)
• 5 milliamps-Slight shock, disturbing but not
painful. Most people can let go. However,
strong involuntary movements can cause
injury.
4

5. Electrical Safety
• 6-25 milliamps (female)
• 9-30 milliamps (male) Painful shock,
muscle control is lost. It may not be
possible to let go.
• 50-150 milliamps-extremely painful shock,
respiratory arrest, severe muscle
contraction. Death is possible.
5

6. Electrical Safety
• 1-4.3 amps – ventricular fibrillation, muscles contract,
nerve damage occurs and death is likely. (hand drill)
• 10 amps – cardiac arrest and severe burns occur and death
is probable. (microwave oven)
• 15 amps – the lowest over current at which a typical fuse
or circuit breaker opens a circuit. (window air conditioner)
• 20 amps – severe external and internal burns and
dismemberment (with higher voltages).
• The above information is for voltage under 600 volts and
the severity of shock is affected by muscle mass, body fat,
path through the body, amount of current and length of
time.
6

7. Electrical Safety
• The primary injuries from electricity are burns, pulmonary
failure and/or cardiac arrest.
• The severity of the injury depends on the voltage, amps
current (AC or DC) and path through the body.
• Dry skin is resistant to electricity and will be the first
injury in the form of a burn.
• If the electricity passes through the skin internal burns to
muscles, organs, etc. can occur.
• High voltage and amps can leave entrance and exit wounds
like a bullet and leave a trail of burned tissue internally.
• DC is more dangerous then AC.
7

8. Electrical Safety
Electrical Safety Devices
Fuses
8

9. Electrical Safety
Electrical Safety Devices
Circuit Breakers
Trips at 15 amps Trips at 5 milliamps
9

10. Electrical Safety
• Fuses and circuit breakers are not designed to
protect you from electrical shock or electrocution.
• Fuses and circuit breakers are designed to protect
equipment and wiring from catching fire.
• The only circuit breaker designed to protect people
is the GFCI breaker, receptacle or extension cord.
• Electricity is always looking for ground.
• OSHA estimates that they issue approximately
20,000 citations per year for improper grounding
per NEC, NFPA and OSHA standards.
10

11. Electrical Safety
Electricity Do’s
Do:
• Turn off and secure electrical circuits before
working on item.
• Remove jewelry.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Do not work in wet areas.
• Use GFCI extension cords if working outside or
damp areas.
11

12. Electrical Safety
• Use insulated hand tools.
• If you are not sure of what your doing, call
an electrician.
• Open circuit breaker boxes and fuse panels
properly.
• Low voltage does not mean low hazard.
12

13. Electrical Safety
Electricity Don’ts
DON’T:
• Overload circuits.
• Cut the ground prong from a three prong
plug.
• Use damaged extension cords.
• Use damaged power tools.
13

14. Electrical Safety
• Work around water or on a wet surface.
• Run extension cords through walls, under
carpet or across aisles.
• Repair extension or power cords.
• Modify electrical equipment.
• Bypass or modify fuses, breakers, etc.
• Use extension cords in place of permanent
wiring.
14

15. Electrical Safety
Looking for Little Fingers
kindergarten on a naval base
15

16. Electrical Safety
More Power
16

17. Electrical Safety
Removing Nightlight
With a butter knife
17

18. Electrical Safety
Temporary Lighting
18

19. Electrical Safety
New Type of Fuse
19

20. Electrical Safety
Jewelry Box?
20

21. Electrical Safety
21

22. Electrical Safety
22

23. Safety Clyde says
When electricity and complacency connect….. 23