ELECTRICAL BONDING & GROUNDING

This easy-to-use Leader’s Guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation. Featured are:

INTRODUCTION: A brief description of the program and the subject that it addresses.

PROGRAM OUTLINE: Summarizes the program content. If the program outline is discussed before the
video is presented, the entire program will be more meaningful and successful.

PREPARING FOR AND CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION: These sections will help you set up the
training environment, help you relate the program to site-specific incidents, and provide program objectives for
focusing your presentation.

REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Questions may be copied and given to participants to document
how well they understood the information that was presented. Answers to the review questions are provided
separately.

INTRODUCTION
When electrons are moved from one point to another, the friction caused by the movement causes static
electricity. Movement of liquid through a pipe or hose can create static electricity, which may cause sparks.
These sparks can ignite the vapors of flammable liquids.

This program explains how the effects of static electricity can be reduced by using bonding and grounding. The
techniques are shown for bonding and grounding that aid in preventing explosions ignited by static electricity.

PROGRAM OUTLINE
THE NATURE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY
* Static electricity occurs when electrons are moved about on a surface causing friction, such as when a comb
is pulled though your hair.

* Static electricity can cause sparks that in extreme instances ignite the vapors of flammable liquids.

* The use of a grounding wire attached to the earth allows electricity to flow to the ground through the wire.

BONDING AND GROUNDING

* Bonding eliminates the potential between two conductive objects, preventing electron flow.

* Grounding provides a path from the bonded objects to the earth.

* Ground a 55-gallon drum by securely attaching a copper grounding wire to a grounding rod driven into the
earth or to a properly grounded water pipe.

* The grounding wire must be attached to an unpainted surface on the 55-gallon drum.

* Attach a bonding wire to the metal surfaces of the drum and secondary container.

* A safety professional or electrical engineer must test the bonding and grounding to ensure that it is sound.

* Any electron flow between properly bonded and grounded containers is directed to ground without the
creation of any sparks.

CHECKING BONDING AND GROUNDING SYSTEMS

* Keep transfer hoses and nozzles clean because rust and dirt can cause electron flow and static electricity.
* Inspect bonding and grounding wires for broken or separated conductors.

* Check the bonding and grounding system for electrical continuity.

PREPARE FOR THE SAFETY MEETING OR TRAINING SESSION
Review each section of this Leader'
s Guide as well as the videotape. Here are a few suggestions for using the
program:

Make everyone aware of the importance the company places on health and safety and how each person must be
an active member of the safety team.

Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program content by
presenting the information in the program outline.

Copy the review questions included in this Leader'

s Guide and ask each participant to complete them.
Copy the attendance record as needed and have each participant sign the form. Maintain the attendance record
and each participant'
s test paper as written documentation of the training performed.
Here are some suggestions for preparing your videotape equipment and the room or area you use:
Check the room or area for quietness, adequate ventilation and temperature, lighting and unobstructed access.

Check the seating arrangement and the audiovisual equipment to ensure that all participants will be able to see
and hear the videotape program.

Place or secure extension cords to prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard.

CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION

Begin the meeting by welcoming the participants. Introduce yourself and give each person the opportunity to
become acquainted if there are new people joining the training session.

Explain that the primary purpose of the program is to stress the importance of following proper bonding and
grounding techniques when transferring flammable liquids from one container to another.

Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program content by
presenting the information in the program outline. Lead discussions about jobs and locations at your facility that
require electrical bonding and grounding. Use the review questions to check how well the program participants
understood the information.

After watching the program, the participant will be able to explain the following:
* The nature of static electricity and how to reduce its effects;

* How to eliminate the difference in electrical potential between conductive objects through bonding and
grounding;

* How to check bonding and grounding systems.

 ELECTRICAL BONDING & GROUNDING
REVIEW QUESTIONS

Name____________________________________ Date____________________________
The following questions are provided to determine how well you understand the information presented in this program.

1. Static electricity is created by the _______________ of electrons on a _________________.

2. Sparks can be created by ________________ when liquids are transferred from one unbonded/ungrounded
container to another.

3. Bonding eliminates the ________________ between two conductive objects, thus eliminating electron flow.

4. The purpose of grounding is to _________________________________________.

a. stop any flow of electrons from bonded containers.
b. provide a path to earth for electron flow
c. provide electrical continuity with other electrical systems
d. prevent electron flow through other conductors that may be present in the pouring area

5. Proper grounding and bonding requires a ______________ contact between containers and the
grounding device.

6. Dirt and rust in transfer hoses and nozzles can cause _________________________________.
a. proper bonding and grounding to fail
b. no real problem except flow restriction
c. electron flow and static electricity
d. A and C
 ELECTRICAL BONDING & GROUNDING
ANSWERS TO THE REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. flow, surface

2. friction

3. d

4. b

5. metal-to-metal

6. d