Element 5: Electrical Safety

5Question 1
(a) Outline the possible effects of electricity on the body. (4)
(b) State the emergency action to take if a person suffers a severe electric shock. (4)
Answer Plan
(a)
 Cardio-respiratory effects which could include fibrillation of the heart or stopping of breathing
 fatal injury due to disruption to heart rhythm;
 Muscular contraction following contact with ac current resulting in an involuntary grip on the live
conductor, thus prolonging current flow through the body;
 Tissue burns with the main sites of damage being the entry and exit points with the possibility of
damage to internal organs.
 Secondary effects caused by going into medical shock, or being thrown to ground level while
receiving a shock while working at height

(b) Depending on the circumstances, these may include:

 Isolation of the victim from the supply (either by switching off or pushing him/her clear with a
non- conductive implement),
 Summoning help,
 Administering first-aid such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation,
 Treatment of burns and other injuries,
 Remaining with the casualty until professional medical help arrives.
Question 2
(a) Describe the possible health effects of electricity on the body. (4)
(b) Outline FOUR factors that may affect the severity of harm of injury from contact with
electricity. (4)
Answer Plan
(a)
 Cardio-respiratory effects which could include fibrillation of the heart or stopping of breathing
 Fatal injury due to disruption of heart rhythm
 Muscular contraction following contact with ac current resulting in an involuntary grip on the live
conductor, thus prolonging current flow through the body;
 Tissue burns the main sites of damage as being the entry and exit points as well as possible
damage to internal organs
 Secondary effects caused by going into medical shock, or being thrown to ground level while
receiving a shock while working at height

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(b) Factors that may affect the severity of harm of injury from contact with electricity
1. The amount of current flowing through the body
2. The path of the current flowing through the body, and
3. The length of time the body is in the electrical circuit.
4. The voltage of the current
5. The addition of moisture into the environment
6. The phase of the heart cycle when the shock occurs, and
7. The general health of the person before the shock.

OR.
- The route taken through the body, the more dangerous route being across the heart
- The length of contact time that the current is flowing through the body, will normally cause more
damage
- The general health and age of the person involved may influence the ability to survive an electric shock
- Those factors that might affect the size of current passing through the body such as dryness of the skin,
natural body resistance, ground conditions and type of footwear

Question 3

Identify control measures to reduce the risk of electric shock when using a portable electric
Drill. (8)

Answer Plan
 Cover / protect / re-route cable  provide suitable outlets
 Armour cable  Cordless / battery drill

 Use RCD  Suitable drill for the environment,

e.g. air drill for flammable vapours

 Use double insulated tools  PAT / testing and maintenance

regimes

 Use reduced voltage tool  Visual inspection / user checks

 110V - Centre tapped to earth (CTE)  Visual inspection / user checks

 Minimise length of cable / extensions

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Question 4
Describe how the following two protective measures reduce the risk of electric shock AND,
in EACH case, give an example of their application.
(a) Reduced low voltage (4)
(b) Double insulation (4)
Answer Plan
(a)
‘Reduced low voltage” commonly used for portable electrical hand tools on construction sites, involves
the reduction of mains voltage by a transformer to a lower safer voltage typically 110 volts. Any shock
voltage can be restricted to 55 volts by means of a transformer that is centre tapped to earth. Additionally,
Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) a voltage less than 50 volts are used in low power tools such as hand
lamps or soldering irons.
(b)
‘Double insulation’ internal live parts of a piece of equipment have two layers of insulation which
prevent the exposure of live parts to exposed conductive parts such as the outer metal casing of the
equipment Consequently, an internal fault condition cannot make any part of the casing live. Double
insulation is used on Class II appliances such as hand held portable appliances and non-hand held portable
appliances such as desk fans and desk lamps.

Question 5
Outline a range of checks that should be made for electrical safety in a workplace. (8)
Answers Plan
 Visual inspections for damage to cables, plugs and sockets,
 Need to ensure that all fuses are of the correct rating,
 Checking that outlets are not overloaded
 Cables are not coiled or in vulnerable positions where they might suffer damage.
 The equipment itself should be checked to ensure that it is suitable and conforms with recognized
standards such as CE marking and European standards,
 That it is properly sited to avoid damage,
 That it has been subject to appropriate and regular fixed installation and portable appliance
testing,
 That it is provided with means of isolation after use.
 That records are kept of the maintenance that has been carried out
 Checks should also be made to ensure there is an effective procedure for reporting defects or
damage

Question 6

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 Identify pre-use checks for electrical safety that should be carried out on a portable drill.
(8)
Answers Plan
 The suitability of the equipment for the environment in which it is to be used
 The condition of the cable which should be free from damage, contain no taped joints and be
routed safely
 The connecting plug to ensure the casing is not cracked or the pins bent and that the correct fuse
is fitted
 The outer sheath of the cable which should be secured where it enters the plug or the drill
 The external casing of the drill which should be free from damage with no evidence to suggest
that it has been subjected to wet or contaminated conditions for which it is not suitable
 The correct operation of the switches
 The performance of the residual current device
 The test label which should indicate that the appliance test is in date

Question 7
List the items that should be included on an inspection checklist designed to ensure the
safety of portable electrical appliances. (8)
Answers Plan
 Need to check that the appliance is of a suitable type for the operations to be carried out;
 Connecting plugs are in sound condition & sockets not overloaded;
 Fuses fitted are of the correct rating;
 Appliance is operated at reduced voltage (where appropriate) &/or protected by a RCD;
 Cables are undamaged & routed safely;
 Casing of the appliance is in good condition.
 Need to check that a PAT has been carried out & is current,
 The relevant information is provided.

Question 8
Outline a range of checks that should be made to ensure electrical safety in an office
environment. (8)
Answers Plan
 Equipment manufactured to appropriate standards
 Avoid the use of trailing cables
 Avoid multi-socket extension boards
 Control private electrical equipment brought from home
 Report defective and damaged equipment
 Ensure effective heating

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  Disconnect electrical equipment overnight
 Avoid using extension cables
 Switch off overnight
 Position equipment close to suitable sockets
 Test appliances at regular intervals
 System of pre use checks

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Question 9
Describe options for reducing the risk of electric shock when using a portable electric drill
on a construction site. (8)
Answers Plan
 Ensuring suitable equipment
 Reduced voltage supply
 Use of RCDs
 Double insulated tools
 Battery operated tools
 Suitable connections
 Pre-use visual check on the plug, the lead and the drill
 Equipment tested frequently
 Avoid using in wet conditions

Question 10
Outline control measures that could be used to reduce the risk from the use of electrical
equipment in a workplace. (8)
Answers Plan
 Visual inspections for damage to cables, plugs and sockets
 The need to ensure that all fuses are of the correct rating;
 The use of double insulated electrical equipment’s
 Battery operated equipment,
 Equipment connected to a reduced voltage system or a residual current device
 Ensuring that means of isolation are provided and that equipment is switched off after use
 Checking that equipment is sited such that outlets are not overloaded, cables are not in vulnerable
positions and extension cables are fully uncoiled
 Checking the equipment to ensure its suitability and conformity with recognised standards, for
example CE or BS marking
 Introducing a specific testing procedure for portable appliances together with a procedure for
reporting defects or damage

Question 11
a) Describe the function and limitations of a fuse as an electrical protection device (6)
b) Explain ONE advantage a residual current device (RCD) has over a fuse (2)
Answers Plan
(a)
Function - A fuse is designed as a weak link to melt breaking the circuit at excessive currents

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Limitations
 Does not protect the individual from shock
 Slow to operate
 Inaccurate
 Unsuitable or wrong fuse may be used –
 Easy to override
 Needs tool to replace
b) A circuit breaker will break the circuit slightly faster than a fuse

Question 12
Describe the principles of operation of the following types of electrical protection:
a) Earthing (4)
b) Reduced voltage (4)
Answers Plan
a) Earthing: Electricity will always try reach earth and earthing means providing a path to earth
lower than the human body

b) Reduced voltage systems: By reducing the voltage present in the system the consequences of
electrical shock can be greatly reduced

Question 13
Outline the practical measures to reduce the risk of electric shock when using portable
electrical appliances (8)
Answers Plan
 Perform a risk assessment to identify the hazards, the risks arising from those hazards,
and the control measures you should use.
 The appropriate selection of equipment such as battery-operated appliances or those
operating at a reduced voltage (typically 110v)
 Cables connected to the power supply with proper connectors;
 The use of RCDs
 Training of operators in the checking procedures to be followed before use
 The introduction of a regular appliance inspection & testing procedure
 Avoidance of using in wet conditions
 Make sure the user knows which personal protective equipment to wear, how to use it,
and make sure they do.

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Question 14
Outline control measures to reduce the risk of injury from electricity when using a portable
electrical appliance on a construction site. (8)
Answers Plan
 Use of reduced low voltage through a transformer centre-tapped to earth with increased
protection provided by means of a residual current device
 The protection and safe positioning of undamaged supply cables
 Using double-insulated or cordless (battery operated) equipment
 Ensuring the correct rating of fuses; training operators to use the equipment in
accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and emphasising the need to check the
equipment before use
 Avoiding the use of the equipment in wet weather
 Introducing a system for the routine visual inspection and testing of cables and equipment

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