Electrical
Safety
Electrical Safety
Electricity is an important part of our modern
world and sometimes it is easy to forget just
how dangerous it can be.
Given the correct circumstances, electricity can
cause serious injuries or even death.
Electrical Safety
• Electrocution
is the cause of 12% of all
workplace deaths among young workers.
• Electrocution
is the third leading cause of
work-related deaths among 18 and 24-
year-olds,
Electrical Injuries
The most common types of electrical injuries
are:
Electrical shock
Electrocution (death due to electrical shock)
Burns
Falls
Electrical Shock
Touching a live wire and an
electrical ground cause a shock.
Electrical Shock
Touching a live wire of different
voltages will cause electrical
shock.
Electrical Shock
The severity of the shock depends on:
• Path of the current through your body
• Amount of current flowing through your body
• Length of time your body is in contact with the
circuit
LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT
MEAN LOW HAZARD
Burns
Burns are the most common injury caused
by electricity. The three types of burns are:
• Electrical burns
• Arc burns
• Thermal contact burns
Electrical burns can occur when you come
into direct contact with electricity.
Burns
An arc occurs when there is a gap between
conductors and current travels through the
air.
Electrical burns
Arc burns
Thermal contact burns
Burns
Thermal contact burns can occur when
electricity ignites combustible material.
Electrical burns
Arc burns
Thermal contact burns
Falls
Another common type of electrical injury is
falling.
Workers who experience a shock on elevated
work surfaces such as platforms ladders or
scaffolds can fall resulting in serious injury or
death.
Electrical Hazards
To avoid injuries, you should be aware of electrical
hazards. Some of the most common electrical hazards are:
• Exposed electrical parts
• Overloaded circuits
• Defective insulation
• Improper grounding
• Damaged power tools
• Overhead power lines
• Wet conditions
Let’s take a closer took at each of these hazards.
Exposed Electrical Parts
Exposed electrical parts can include:
• Breaker boxes without a cover
• Electrical terminals in motors
appliances and electronic
equipment
Overloaded Circuits
Overloading a circuit increases the potential
for fires to occur. Overload hazards exist if:
• Too many devices are plugged into a
circuit.
• The wire insulation melts
• An improper overcurrent protection
device is used
• No overcurrent protection device is used.
Overloaded Circuits
Overloading protection devices include:
• Circuit breakers
• Fuses
• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
A circuit breaker automatically “trips” and
shuts off the current in a circuit if it becomes
overloaded.
Overloaded Circuits
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
detects current leaking from a circuit to
ground and shuts the current off.
• Circuit breakers
• Fuses
• Ground fault circuit interrupters
Defective Insulation
To protect you, electrical wires are insulated by a plastic or
rubber covering. Insulation prevents conductors from
coming in contact with each other and with people.
Make sure the insulation of tools and cords you are using is
not damaged.
Grounding
When an electrical system is properly grounded,
there is a path that allows the current to travel to the
earth (the ground).
When any electrical system is not properly
grounded, a hazard exists.
Power Tools
Power tools that are damaged or not
properly maintained can cause you to be
seriously injured.
If you touch a metallic part of a power tool
that is energized because of damaged
insulation or improper grounding you
could be shocked.
Power Tools
To protect you from shock, burns and electrocution,
tools must:
• Have a three-wire cord with ground and be
plugged into a grounded receptable.
• Be double insulated.
• Be powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer.
Overhead Power Lines
Overhead power lines are not
usually insulated, and cause more
than half of all electrocutions.
Wet Conditions
Wet conditions are hazardous because you can
become an easy path for electrical current.
There are many circumstances that create wet
conditions:
• Standing in water
• Wet Clothing
• High humidity
• Perspiration
Safe Work Practices
You can Start Safe and Stay Safe by
using the following safe work
practices:
• Inspect cords before each use
• Never overload a circuit
• Stay away from all
• To unplug, pull on the plug, not the cord
• Don’twear jewelry or use other metal
objects around electrical equipment
Safe Work Practices:
Training
Training concerning electricity is very
important. Training for employees working
with electrical equipment must include how
to:
• De-energize the equipment
• Use lockout and tag procedures
• Use insulating protective equipment
• Maintain a safe distance from energized parts
• Use appropriate PPE
Safe Work Practices: Lockout / Tagout
When performing lockout / tagout on circuits,
trained employees will do following:
• Turn off the power supply
• Put a lock on all power sources to the circuit
• Apply a tag
• Test the circuit
Summary
It is very important to Start Safe and Stay Safe around
electricity. In order to do so:
• Know the hazards and circuit
• Plan your work and plan for safety
• Avoid wet working conditions and other dangers
• Avoid overhead power lines
• Use proper wiring and connectors
• Use and maintain tools properly
• Wear the correct PPE for the job
Thank you