IGC 2 : ELEMENT 5

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
& CONTROL

PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRICITY
Electric current (I): is the flow of
electrons from one position to another;
The potential difference of electricity is
measured in Volts
Conductor: is the substance through
which electric current flows
The resistance of conductors to the flow
of current is measured in Ohms

I = V/R

 Conductors are materials that allow electric

current to flow easily (low resistance) e.g.
copper, steel, water etc.
Insulators, on the other hand, have high
resistance e.g. rubber, wood etc.

Basic Circuitry
Flow of current needs a closed circuit
e.g. electrical lamp & battery joined
together by a conductor.
Main Hazards associated with
Electricity

MAIN HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY

ELECTRIC SHOCK:
Occurs when the body becomes part
of the electrical circuit; the current
enters the body at one point and
must leave at another.
The effect of an electric shock on a
human body depends on :

Current and voltage

Resistance
Path through body
Duration of shock.

Three basic ways to be shocked:

Contact with both wires of an electrical
circuit.
Contact with one wire of an electrical circuit
and ground source.
Contact with ground source and a metal part
that is in contact with a wire of an electrical
circuit.

 Direct effect injury or death can occur

when electric current flows through a
human body.
Current > 30 mA can result in death. (No
Let Go)
Indirect effect human reaction to
current flow may result in a fall or
movement into an operating machine
(secondary hazards).

EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC SHOCK ON HUMAN

BODY

STOP THE HEART

BURN THE SKIN

LOSS OF MUSCLE
CONTROL

STOP BREATHING

NERVOUS SYSTEM
EFFECTS

Effects caused by current flowing

through the body.
With increasing AC, the victim:

notices a tingling sensation

muscles contract
sensation of heat
at 15 mA, victim cannot let go of
conductive surface (let-go threshold)
at 100 mA, ventricular fibrillation of
heart . . . death.
9

Heavy current flow can result in severe burns and heart

paralysis.
Varies with:
amount of moisture on skin
pressure applied to contact point
Contact area.
Moisture reduces resistance.
Severity of shock increases with increasing
pressure.
Larger the contact area, lower the resistance.

10

Duration of Shock
Has a significant effect on final
outcome:
Short may only be a painful experience.
At fibrillation threshold, a few seconds
may be fatal.
At high currents (>100 mA), death is
inevitable with any shock.

11

Effect of Electric Shock on Human body:

Skin
Made up of 3 layers & Outer layer is most
important
When dry, may have a higher resistance, but
drops dramatically when wet
Resistance varies with different parts of the
body and the individual

12

Heart
An outside electrical current as little as
75 milli amperes can upset the rhythmic
beating of the heart
This is called fibrillation and the
pumping action stops; death follows
A shock of higher intensity is needed to
de-fibrillate the heart

13

Muscle
Controlled by electrical impulses
delivered by nerves
Electric shock can cause a loss of
muscular control, resulting in the
inability to let go of an electrical
conductor
It also leads to stop of breathing

14

FIRST AID FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK

Call for help
Secure the seen & turn off power
supply
Make sure victim has clear airway,
breathing & not bleeding
If victim is breathing, put them in
recovery position till help arrives
If not breathing, start administering
CPR
Treat Burns

Remain with the victim and

provide reassurance till
ambulance arrives

15

OTHER ELECTRICAL
HAZARDS
ELECTRICAL BURNS
ELECTRICAL FIRES &
EXPLOSIONS
PORTABLE ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT
SECONDARY HAZARDS:
DISCUSS WITH EXAMPLES

16

Electrical Fires & Explosions:

Electricity is one of the most common causes of fire at home

and workplace.
Overloaded circuits e.g. too many appliances plugged into a
multi socket adaptor. Lack of ventilation leading to overheating
Defective or misused electrical equipment is a major cause
High resistance is a primary source of explosion.
High-resistance connections occur when wires are improperly
spliced or connected to other components (outlets and
switches).
Explosions Occur when electricity provides a source of ignition
for an explosive mixture in the atmosphere.
Explosions can be ignited by overheated conductors or
equipment.

17

Portable Electrical Equipment:

Not part of electric a fixed installation but may be connected to a

fixed installation by means of a flexible cable or a socket & plug.
It may be hand held or hand operated while connected to the
supply.
Causes approximately 25% of reported electrical accidents.
Use of defective / unsuitable equipment & the misuse of
equipment.
Faulty flexible cables, extensions, leads, plugs & sockets.
Usually due to inadequate maintenance & inspection & use in wet
conditions.
Accidents occur when contact is made with some part of the tool
which has become live, while user is standing in contact with an
earthed conducting surface.

18

THE PLUG

No fuse or fuse replaced by nail, etc.

Damage to plug casing
Incorrect wiring inside plug
Earth wire detached from connection

19

THE CABLE/LEAD

Being run over by vehicles

Dragged over rough surfaces
Trapped in machinery
Exposed to hot surfaces or corrosive
chemicals
Continuous flexing
Insulation failure

20

THE JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS

Makeshift, temporary connections
Leads pulled out of cord grips
Connections wired incorrectly so that
metalwork becomes live
Wrong connections
Poor earth connections preventing fuse
from working

21

THE APPLIANCE
Damage casing
Worn or damaged connections
Checklists may be drawn up to
ensure the safety of the above.

22

CONTROL MEASURES FOR ELECTRICAL

HAZRADS
1. SELECTION &
SUITABILITY OF
EQUIPMENT
2. INSPECTION &
MAINTENANCE
STRATEGIES
3. USE OF
PROTECTIVE
SYSTEMS

23

The precautions required to prevent accidents using portable

equipment are:
Reduced voltage operation
Use of residual current circuit breakers
Apparatus and cables should be protected against overload by fuses and/
or circuit breakers
All cables should be insulated and protected against mechanical damage
Correct types of sheathing to suit working conditions
Sufficient socket outlets to minimise the need for trailing cables
The use of cable drums wherever possible
Correct connections
Reduced voltage operation
Regular inspections and checks to remove damaged equipment
Properly trained operators

24

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Types of Inspection
User checks
Formal visual inspection
Combined inspection and test
(Portable Appliance Testing PAT)

25

User checks
Carried out before use (daily) to
check integrity of plug, cable and
equipment for signs and
damage/overheating.

26

Formal visual inspection

Carried out weekly or fortnightly
(depending on extent of conditions of
use) by an appointed person (with
electrical knowledge) As User Check
(but more thorough) and will include
checking fuse ratings and connections
to plug and appliance.

27

Combined inspection and test

(Portable Appliance Testing PAT)
Carried out by a competent person at
specified intervals consisting of earth
bonding, insulation resistance and
earth leakage tests. Functional checks
on appliance

28

Factors affecting frequency of inspection and

test:
Manufacturers recommendations
Age of equipment
Robustness of equipment
Double insulated or earthed
Type of cable (e.g. armoured)
Extent of use
Users of equipment
Environment of use (mechanical damage/wet environment etc.)
Foresee ability of abuse or misuse
History of equipment (results of previous inspections)

29

Central records of inspection/testing of portable

electrical appliances should be kept:
For inspection by authorised person (e.g.
enforcing authority)
In event of test label being removed from
appliance or plug
To ensure test frequencies maintained
Record actions if faults rectified

30

Precautions for electrical safety in office environments could

include:
Equipment is of approved standard e.g. BS/EN standard
Maintenance of fixed electrical installations
There is a means of isolation
All connections, wiring free from damage
Correct fuses
Plug correctly wired
Avoid overloading of outlets
Switch off appliances when not in use
Maintain good housekeeping around electrical equipment
If required portable appliance testing in date
System not overloaded
Cables correctly routed to avoid hazards
RCDs used
System for reporting defects

31

WORKING ON LIVE EQUIPMENT

Work should not be done on live equipment unless:
It is unreasonable in all circumstances for the
conductor to be dead, e.g. fault finding
It cannot be carried out remotely or with barriers
Suitable precautions are taken to prevent injury

32

Suitable precaution for working live are:

People who are properly trained and competent

Accompanied by another person
Provision of adequate information
Suitable insulated tools
Insulated barriers or screens
Suitable instruments and test probes
Personal protective clothing
Rubber mats
Permit-to-work
Restricted access

33

Secondary Hazards:
Abrasions, impact, noise & vibration.
Extension cables representing tripping hazards.
Electric shock may cause victim to fall from height
& could cause collision with a vehicle or moving
part of machinery.
Burns lead to suffocation, structural collapse &
infections etc.

Control Measures for Electrical Hazards:

Selection & Suitability of Equipment
Use of Protective systems
Inspection & maintenance strategies
34

1] Selection & Suitability of Equipment:

The selected equipment must be safe &
Suitable for the task demanded or else it will
become overloaded.
Equipment must only be used within the rating
performance given by the manufacturer.
Equipment should be installed to a recognized
standard & be capable of being isolated in cases
of emergency.
Designed free from any foreseeable risks &/or
defects.
35

PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
Fuse: A thin strip of conducting wire which will melt to
break the circuit at excessive currents.
Advantages:
Protection against overload before damage takes place.
Can be easily replaced & the cost is low
Limitations:
Not effective protection against electric shock.
Needs examination & Inspection

36

PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
Isolation: More than switching off the current; it creates a
barrier between the equipment & electrical supply which
only an authorized person should be able to remove.
Advantages:
Can be locked off.
Ensures safety during the work process.
Limitations:
If not locked off, might be reconnected by mistake.

37

PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
Residual Current Devices RCD; devices that will rapidly cut the electrical
supply to the equipment in few seconds, in case it senses a few milli amps
difference in current.
Advantages:
Best protection against electric shock
Very sensitive to current differences between live & neutral power lines.
Protect installations against Fire.
Can be easily tested.
Limitations:
Will not prevent shock, but will reduce the duration to the time the RCD
need to operate.
In addition to RCD, the protected equipment must be properly protected
by insulation & enclosure.
Doesn't provide overload protection.

38

Earthing
Creating a low resistance path to the earth; in
case of fault, such as a break in the circuit, the
current, will return directly to earth. This can be
done by having one of the circuit conductors
solidly connected to the earth. This reduces
voltage build up & prevents accidents.

39

Reduced Low Voltage Systems

Recommended when working conditions are
relatively severe; wet conditions, heavy &
frequent use of equipment.
Portable tools should operate on 110 volts or
less with centre tapped to earth at 55 volts.
At this level of voltage, the effect of shock
should not be severe.
..Use of Battery operated hand tools

40

Double Insulation
Uses two independent layers of insulation over
the live conductors.
Each layer alone being adequate to insulate the
equipment safely.
Must be inspected & maintained properly &
discarded if damaged.

Double Insulation Sign

41

OTHER CONTROLS
EARTHING
REDUCED LOW VOLTAGE
SYSTEMS
DOUBLE INSULTAION
INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
USER CHECKS
RECORDS OF INSPECTION &
TESTING

42

Inspection & Maintenance Strategies; look for:

The cleanliness of insulator & conductor surfaces
Means of identifying the equipment to be tested
Competence of those who will undertake the testing
Mechanical & Electrical integrity of all joints & connections
The calibration, condition & operation of protection equipment
The legal requirements for Portable Appliances Testing
Recording, monitoring & reviewing system
Training requirements.

43

User Checks; prior to each use

Recent portable appliance test label

Visible bare wires
Cables covering free from damage, cuts & abrasions
Too long, too short cable
Plug in good condition
No Overheating or burning marks
RCD working effectively (press "test" button)

44

Formal Inspection & tests

Must be carried out by competent personnel
Faulty equipment to be taken out of service
Only the plug cover to be removed to make sure of
the correct fuse in place
Check correct polarity
All cables 7 cores are effectively terminated
Equipment is suitable for the environment

45

Frequency of Inspection & testing; based on

Risk assessment related to usage
Frequency of usage
Operational environment & load
Type of equipment, the place & manner it will be used
No "correct" interval of time for inspection.

46

Records of Inspection & testing

Schedules with details of inspection & maintenance
periods must be recorded & documented.
Always be kept up-to-date with an audit procedure in
place to monitor the records.
Must be retrievable; whether a hard copy of
electronic copy
Equipment should be labeled with the date of last
combined test & Inspection.

47

Portable Appliance Testing

Advantages:
Early discovery of incorrect supply / inadequate equipment
Discovery of incorrect fuses
Early recognition of serious equipments faults e.g. poor earthing,
damaged cablesetc
Reduction in number of electric accidents
Monitoring the misuse of portable appliances
Increase awareness of electrical hazards
Limitations:
Might have excessive cost if done too often
Misuse & over use between tests
Some unauthorized equipment with no record might never be tested
e.g. personal kettles
Must be done by competent person
Improper calibration of testing equipment.

48