Electrical Safety

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Safety Talk

Electrical Safety 

Electricity is created when electrons flow through a conducting material, such as the copper or aluminum used in power lines. Working with electricity [230 Volts / 400 Volts] can be dangerous.

There are four main types of electrical injury:

1. 
   Burns: These happen when the skin comes into direct contact with an electrical source.
2. Falls: Working at height can take an electrical incident—like a small shock—from minor to deadly.
3. Electric Shock: An electric shock occurs when someone comes into contact with an electrical energy source.
4. Electrocution: An electric shock becomes electrocution when the electrical current that enters the body is powerful enough to stop the heart and cause death or severe injury.

Hazards of Electricity

Electricity, even at very low voltages, can be hazardous. Under the right conditions, a 30 volt circuit can carry enough current to cause severe injury or death

Electrical Shock. Electrical shock injuries are less severe when the current does not pass through or near nerve centers or vital organs. The majority of electrical injuries in industry, the electrical current flows from hands to feet. Since such a path involves both the heart and the lungs and are usually very serious.

Electrical shock may cause; 

• Loss of muscle control
• Paralysis of respiratory system
• Internal or external burns 
• Organ damage
• Cardiac arrest
• Effects of contact of various current levels
• 1 mA ;Threshold of perception (you can feel it )
• 6-25-mA;Painfull and lack of muscular control.
• 25-100 mA; Muscular contraction, Breathing difficulty, Heart attack.
• 100 mA and higher; Heart can stop, Burns, Breathing can be inhibited, Nervous system shock (paralysis)

Burns. Another type of injury is burns from electrical flashes. These burns are usually very deep and are slow to heal and can involve large areas of the body. Even persons at a reasonable distance from the arc can receive eye burns.

Fall: Quite a few injuries result from falls from one level to another caused by the worker receiving a shock from defective or malfunctioning equipment.

FIRE. Another hazard of electricity is the fire caused by an electrical short circuit or fault. These are very common and can be prevented.

Common causes for Electrical Hazards. Loose connections.

• Improper Earthing / Bonding.
• Faulty or damaged wiring / equipment. 
• Handling with wet body parts. 
• Handling by incompetent person.
• Poor housekeeping.
• Improper identification. 
• Lack of warning signs.
• Lack of safe working procedures etc;

Guidelines to overcome Electrical Hazards. 

• Plan every job and evaluate all the possibilities.
• Only authorized persons to carry out electrical repairs.
• Work on electrical equipment and conductors only when de-energized.(Multi-locking to be followed when multiple crafts are involved)
• Follow KNPC work permit system for electrical Isolation. - Use the right tools for the job.
• Always follow approved written down procedures, drawings, and other documents to do the job.
• Lockout / Tag out and ground (where appropriate) before working on equipment. - Access to electrical swit/ cApphareatsus shall not be blocked.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment and use insulated tools.
• Check and double check safety regulations when a ladder or parts of any vehicle or mechanical equipment structure are elevated near energized overhead power lines.

Basic Electrical Safety Tips

• Avoid working with or around electricity whenever possible. If you think it will be necessary, get an electrician in. 
• Always wear the appropriate PPE when working with electricity. This may include specialized electrical gloves and footwear. 
• Ensure all extension cords and power strips are in good condition and use cord protectors. Tape extension cords up high or cover them with cable covers on the floor to ensure no one trips on them or damages them. 
• Don’t take shortcuts when using power tools. Be mindful of following the correct process for safe use, handling, and storage every time. 
• Always use the correct size fuse. 
• Keep a lookout for any warm or hot power outlets or cords, as these may indicate poor wiring. 
• Do not touch someone involved in an electrical incident until the power source has been disabled. 
• Whenever power not required, ensure Zero Energy before work start and apply LOTO. 
• DON’T overload sockets with more than one equipment. 
• Use appropriate extension board with ELCB/RCCB. 
• Use appropriate insulated tools

AVOIDING ELECTRICAL SHOCKS 

Electrical hazards can be found in all industries. Avoiding electrical shocks both at home and at work requires awareness of the hazards and a respect for this "Silent Killer." The human body has a low resistance to electricity, making it a good conductor, like most metals. Unlike metals however, the human body does not respond well when electricity passes through it. Physical results include thermal burns, disruption of normal heart activity, severe muscle contractions, and even death. 

The most common and serious electrical injuries occur when electrical current flows between the hands and feet. This happens when a person touches an energized line. The electrical energy is looking for the shortest path to the ground, and it will pass through the body to the feet to reach it. When this occurs, a persons heart and lungs are frequently damaged by the electrical energy. 

Placing an insulator between the energy and the point of physical contact is one method of protection. Porcelain, rubber, pottery and dry wood offer substantial resistance to the flow of electricity, and are therefore good insulators. These materials can often protect a person from electrical shock. 

Precautions for avoiding electrical shocks include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Always make sure electric tools are properly grounded or double insulated. The double insulated tool must have an undamaged outer case and be clearly labeled as "double insulated" by the manufacturer. 
• Always check to be sure the grounding system is complete. Unless they are designated as double insulated, grounded power tools must be attached to a grounded service circuit. If there is any doubt about the grounding, test it! (Ground testers are inexpensive.) 
• Use heavy duty grounded extension cords. These cords have two layers of insulation, with reinforcement between the layers. They are less susceptible to damage than house-hold type cords. To check if the cord is heavy duty, check its shape. Most flat cords are not heavy duty. Heavy duty cords will have a marking on the insulation such as: "S", "SJ", "SJO", etc. 
• Avoid mixing water and electricity! Not only keep cords, tools and working/walking surfaces dry, keep your hands and feet dry as well. The electrical resistance of wet skin is at least 100 times less than dry skin. Wet skin greatly increases the likelihood of severe shock if a person comes in contact with a live circuit. If you must work around water, connect to a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) to automatically shut off the current if there is an abnormal current flow. 
• Never work on or around a live electrical circuit. Lock Out the power so that only you have control over energizing the machine or equipment. Don't take chances.

Electric Shock Treatment

Electricity is created when electrons flow through a conducting material, such as the copper or aluminum used in power lines. Working with electricity [230 Volts / 400 Volts] can be dangerous.
If you find someone collapsed and you suspect the cause to be electric shock take the following actions.

Step 1.

1. Check the scene is safe 
2. Turn the power off at mains 
3. If this is not possible stand on dry insulated material such as newspapers, books or rubber matting. 
4. Push the casualty away from the power source using non- conductive items such as the safety hook, broom or chair.

 Step 2. 

1. Check the casualty response – if they respond by answering or moving, providing they are no further danger, leave them in the position you found them 
2. Check for visible injuries and call for help & ambulance.

 Step 3.

1. Remove any obvious obstruction from their mouth. 
2. Open the airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin

 Step 4.

1. Check for sign of breathing by looking for the chest movements, listen at the mouth for breath sounds and feel for air on your cheek-Look, listen and feel for 5 Second.

 Step 5.

1. Feel the pulse for 5 second – if the pulse and breathing are present, place in the recovery position. 
2. If pulse is present but breathing is absent commence rescue breaths. 
3. If pulse and breathing are absent commence CPR, whilst waiting for ambulance, Alternate 30 Chest compressions with 2 rescue breaths, repeat this sequence if necessary. 
4. Move the victim to hospital at the earliest for medical assistance.

STATIC ELECTRICITY

Static electricity is a fact of nature. It has been and will always be a concern to everyone, everywhere. Whether at work or play we all have experienced static electricity in one form or another. Shuffle your feet across the carpet on a cool, dry day and touch something or someone — you'll get a static shock.

Watch a thunderstorm and witness nature’s power in the form of lightning -another example of static electricity. What is static electricity ? Electricity is simply the flow of free electrons. Each electron is a part of atom, which is the basic makeup of all matter. Matter is everything in the universe.

When these electrons build up in unequal amounts on two different objects, and when the buildup becomes large enough, electricity flows in the form of static discharge or a spark. The static charge on one object can transfer to another in two ways — conduction or induction. The difference is that in conduction, the objects have to be touching in order for the charges transfer. In induction, the objects do not have to be touching. A charge on one object will transfer electrons to non-charged object until there is a balance of charges on both items. This balance is known as equilibrium.

Since everything is matter, charges build up on everything (gases, dust particles, liquids, pipes, machinery and people.)

To avoid explosion in the workplace, injury to employees and destruction to equipment, static buildup must be discharged to a non-charged object. This return to equilibrium can be safely achieved in two ways —Bonding and Grounding.

Bonding is the procedure of electrically connecting two objects so they are at the same electrical potential, or equilibrium. It is accomplished by the use of a bonding wire connecting two objects. The same effect can be achieved by direct contact betweerrthe two objects as long as paint or other coating does not interrupt the contact. Bonded objects are also connected to ground, so static charges can be completely dissipated. Always keep containers closed until after bonding has taken place. When you are finished, close containers before disconnecting the bonding wire. 

Grounding is the procedure of connecting an object to an electrical ground or earth potential. It provides electrical path into the earth, or to any Large metal structure of a bonding that allow the charges to dissipate. Grounding is the surest method of controlling static charges !

TEMPORARY CONNECTIONS

Several accidents and near misses were reported which were caused by temporary electrical connections. A flash was observed in a hazardous area whena faulty cable was energized. Another time, a big flash and fire was seen from a starter of a portable pump. A roll of wire kept on top of a portable halogen fitting caught fire when this light was unknowingly kept switched on for long time.

All these incidents were caused from unsafe acts or lack of awareness. These wake up calls emphasize the importance of establishing strict procedure for connecting temporary power. Consider following points while making temporary connections.

• Only 24 V hand lamps are permitted inside a confined space. Any floodlights shall be provided only through a GFCI .
• Obtain proper advise ticket from respective department before providing temporary power to portable tools and testing equipments inside a confined space.
• All portable pumps and cables shall be tested before connecting in the area.
• Follow STANDARDS standing instructions on movement and connections for portable pumps and equipments.
• All defective equipments shall be promptly tagged and kept out of service.
• Make sure starters and connections of portable pumps comply with standards for the respective area classification.
• Make sure of ground continuity for all portable equipments. An external grounding for 3 phase equipments is preferred even when 4 core cables are used.
• Power supply to portable tools shall be connected only through a GFCI.
• No live power cables shall be laid across a road unless the traffic is completely blocked.
• Only armored / shielded power cables to be used for providing power to 3 phase portable pumps and equipments.
• All floodlights used for shut down jobs must be explosion proof and suitable for the area classification.
• No power shall be connected to unmanned port cabins and portable tool rooms.
• All temporary power connections shall be supported by relevant document for this job duly signed by concerned authorities.

EXTENSION CORD SAFETY-TAKE NO CHANCES! 

We use extension cords almost every day both at work and at home. These are very useful devices, but they can present a fire or shock hazard when either worn out or used improperly. 

Types of extension cords 

Extension cords come in either two or three-wire types. Two-wire extension cords should only be used to operate one or two small appliances. Three-wire cords are used for outdoor appliances and electric power tools. The third wire on this cord is a ground and this type of cord should never be plugged into any ungrounded electrical outlet. Only grounded extension cords are to be used with power tools unless the tool is double insulated. 

Construction sites require extension cords which are specified by the National Electric Code for hard usage or extra hard usage. Approved cords may be identified by the word "outdoor" or the letters "WA" on the jacket. 

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL BURNS 

More than 1000 employees are killed and another 30,000 injured each year from electrical shock. Hands are frequently involved in an electrical injury since they are the most common source of contact with the electrical current. However, damage to other parts of the body may be more extensive and life threatening. Severe electric shock can result in cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation, massive fluid loss into swollen tissues, and kidney failure caused by an overload of muscle protein from damaged muscle and infections. 

Electrical injuries are often more severe than they appear to be from the outside. Injury occurs not only at the contact site, but also along the path the electricity takes, and at the exit location. Frequently, there is also extensive muscle damage that will not be evident from a visual examination of the skin. These deep tissue injuries cause severe swelling that require a deep incision extending from the hand to the shoulder to relieve the pressure. If this is not done, the mounting pressure from the swelling will shut off the blood supply by compressing the arteries, rapidly destroying any remaining healthy tissue. Extensive dead skin removal is often necessary to prevent massive infection. Deep burns result in unsightly scars that will often continue to enlarge for 12-18 months after the burn occurs. These scars are not only a cosmetic problem, but may seriously interfere with joint function because motion increases the tension across the wound, which tends to produce even more scar tissue. 

More than 90% of fatalities occur when contact is made with a "hot" wire, or energized equipment housing by a person who was well-grounded Most of these injuries would probably have been prevented if a GFI -- ground fault interrupter -- had been installed on the circuit. A GFI is not an overcurrent device, but is placed across the line to continuously monitor the current flowing from the source and compare it to the current returning to the source. If the difference is 6 milliamperes or more, it opens the circuit almost instantly. This is important because it has been determined that 100 milliamperes flowing through the body for only 2 seconds can cause death by electrocution. 100 milliamperes is not much current when you consider that a portable electric drill draws 30 times that much. Incidentally, the "let go" threshold that causes freezing to the circuit is about 20 milliamperes. Make sure that the equipment you are working with has a GFI -- it could save your life. 

To work on high voltage (over 600 volts), you must have a minimum of two years of training, experience with high voltage circuits, have demonstrated that you are familiar with the work to be performed, and the hazards involved with high voltage work according to OSH. 

Other safety requirements that must be followed include using insulated gloves for current over 300 volts, eye protection, and lockout/tagout if working on energized parts of equipment or systems. Conductive measuring tapes, ropes, or similar devices obviously cannot be used around exposed conductors, and conductive fish tapes cannot be used if they will be entering enclosures with exposed conductors.

Care and inspection of extension cords 

Extension cords must be treated with care and checked regularly for damage or deterioration. The cord itself should never be pulled to disconnect it from an electrical source; remove it by the plug. They should not be placed under rugs or furniture and should never be strung through doorways, windows, walls, ceilings, or floors. Damaged cords present a potential fire or shock hazard and should be destroyed and replaced immediately. 

An extension cord should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. They should not be fastened to a building or structure, even though staples are sold for this purpose at many hardware stores. Avoid plugging two cords together to make a longer one. It's best to use one cord in a continuous length from the receptacle to the appliance or tool. Extension cords which are either connected together or are too long will reduce operating voltage and operating efficiency of tools or appliances and may cause motor damage. 

Extension cords are convenient devices which we often take for granted in our everyday activities, but which need proper care and attention. Use good housekeeping practices at home and at work, to keep extension cords from being a tripping hazards or becoming damaged. Inspect them regularly for wear and replace defective units. 

Prevent potential electrical hazards that may lead to someone's injury!

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