-Electrical Safety
-Electrical Safety Global
Developments
Pillai Sreejith
pillai_sreejith@[Link]
In this presentation……
Section I
Electrical hazards
Electrical accidents – Statistics
Humans & Electricity
Electrical Safety Programme elements
Section II
Global Developments in Electrical Safety
Electrical Accidents-Statistics
• • 25% of all fires occur due to electricity (NFPA)
• 411 deaths from job related electrical accidents
per year (NIOSH)
• Electrocution - the fifth leading cause of death
(1982 - 1990) NIOSH
•About 12 deaths due to electrocution NCRB,
(India)
•42 % of total fires occur due to electrical
sources (Source -OISD)
• 8% deaths that occur in Indian factories are due
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS- 10 year Period,
Chemical Industry
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
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
ELECTRICAL FIRES ….
ELECTRICAL FAULTS (Contd.)
– STATIC DISCHARGES
– LIGHTNING
– USING ORDINARY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Earthing
Most electrical equipment is designed with a
earthing system
Earth all equipment with metallic body (TVs?)
Double & Single earthing- differentiation?
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
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)
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
Electrical Fire Protection
Use Linear Heat Sensing cables in cable
cellars along with smoke detectors
Consider all major electrical fires in EMP
Install master control switches outside all
stores
Maintain PFEs for electrical rooms
Consider local flooding systems for critical
panels/ switchgear panels
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
– LOTO to be strictly enforced
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 PTW procedures strictly
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 aligned with NFPA 70
B
Planning for EPM
Personal Safety
Equipment Failure
Production Economics
Electrical Preventive
Maintenance
Implement EPM without slippage
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)
‘All electrical accidents are
preceded by rise in temperature
& sound’
ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUDIT
A systematic approach to critically
analyze the existing Electrical
Procedures and Practices from safety
point of view
Global Developments in
Electrical Safety
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.)
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
ES Products...
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
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
RCCB Tripping
How do we solve this problem in
India ?
Bypass it !!!
ES related Information
Indian Electricity Rule, 1956 (2000 rev.):
(MoP, CEA web site,[Link]
Lightning Protection Risk Assessment:[Link]
National Electrical Safety Foundation: [Link]
Free safety Power Point presentations: [Link]
Electrical Accidents: [Link]
IEEE IAS ES WS –Delhi Dec. 2004
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
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
Thank you!!
Pillai Sreejith
pillai_sreejith@[Link]
