3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE

Element 11
Electricity
This Chapter shall cover following NEBOSH learning objectives.

11.1 The Hazards and Risks of Electricity

 Electric Shock and Its Effects on The Body
 Common Causes of Electrical Fires, Including Portable Devices
Overheating During Charging
 Workplace Electrical Equipment, Including Portable: What Is
Likely to Lead To Accidents
 Work Near Overhead Power Lines
 Work on Mains Electricity Supplies

11.2 Control Measures

 Protection of Conductors
 Strength and Capability Of Equipment
 Use of Competent People
 Use of Safe Systems of Work
 Emergency Procedures Following an Electrical Incident
 Inspection and Maintenance Strategies
 Advantages and Limitations of Protective Systems

250
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE

Element 11: Electricity

movement with that of water in a pipe flowing

downhill. The flow of water through the pipe
11.1 The Hazards and Risks (measured in liters per second) is similar to the
current flowing through the conductor which is
of Electricity measured in amperes, normally abbreviated Amps.
(A). Sometimes very small currents are used - these
are measured in milliamps (mA).
Electric shock and its effects on
The voltage (V), the current (I) and the resistance (R)
the body; what affects severity: a E related by the following formula, known as
voltage, frequency, duration, Ohm’s law:

resistance, current path; V=I x R (volts)

electrical burns And Electrical power (P) is given by
Electricity is a widely used, efficient and
convenient, but potentially hazardous, method of P=V x I (watts)
transmitting and using energy.
These basic formulae enable simple calculations to be
It is in use in every factory, workshop, made so that, for example, the correct size of fuse
laboratory and office in the country. Any use of may be ascertained for a particular piece of electrical
electricity has the potential to be very hazardous with equipment.
possible fatal results. Legislation has been in place
for many years to control and regulate the use of
electrical energy and the activities associated with its
use. Such legislation provides a framework for the
standards required in the design, installation,
maintenance and use of electrical equipment and
systems and the supervision of these activities to
minimize the risk of injury.

Basic principles of electricity Conductors and insulators

In simple terms, electricity is the flow or Conductors are nearly always metals,
movement of electrons through a substance which copper being a particularly good conductor, and are
allows the transfer of electrical energy from one usually in wire form but they can be gases or liquids,
position to another. The substance through which the water being a particularly good conductor of
electricity flows is called a conductor. This flow or electricity. Superconductors is a term given to certain
movement of electrons is known as the electric metals which have a very low resistance to electricity
current. There are two forms of electric current — at low
direct and alternating. Direct current (dc) involves
the flow of electrons along a conductor from one end The Hazards and Risks of
to the other. This type of cut-rent is mainly restricted Electricity
to batteries, dynamos and similar devices.
The principal hazards associated with electricity are:
Alternating current (ac) is produced by a rotating
alternator and causes an oscillation of the electrons  Electric shock;
rather than a flow of electrons so that energy is  Electric burns;
passing from one electron to the adjacent one and so  Electrical fires and explosions;
on through the length of the conductor.  Arcing;
 Secondary hazards.
It is sometimes easier to understand the
basic principles of electricity by comparing its

251
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE
The use of portable electrical equipment can lead
to a higher likelihood of these hazards occurring.
Electrical Shock and Burns
The shock can be produced by low voltages,
high voltages or lightning. Most incidents of electric
shock occur when the person becomes the route to
earth for a live conductor.
 The effect of electricity on the human body
may be summarized in the following way:
 2 mA, onset of sensation
 8 mA, mild sensation
 20 mA, painful contraction of muscles
prevents victim releasing the live connection
 > 40 mA, immediate resuscitation necessary
to cope with muscular paralysis
 80 mA, extreme distress and breathing
difficulties
 above 100 mA, onset of ventricular
fibrillation
 above 200 mA, breathing ceases, severe
burns
Common causes of electrical
fires, including portable
devices overheating during
charging
Electrical Fires and Explosion
The most common causes of fire in
electrical installations are short circuits, overheating
of cables and equipment, the ignition of flammable
gases and vapors and the ignition of combustible
substances by static electrical discharges.
252
Element 11: Electricity
Electric arcing
A person who is standing on earth too close
to a high- voltage conductor may suffer flash burns as
a result of arc formation. Such burns may be
extensive and lower the resistance of the skin so that
electric shock may add to the ill-effects. Electric arc
faults can cause temporary blindness by burning the
retina of the eye and this may lead to additional
secondary hazards. The quantity of electrical energy
is as important as the size of the voltage since the
voltage will determine the distance over which the
arc will travel. The risk of arcing can be reduced by
the insulation of live conductors.
Secondary Hazards
Secondary hazards are those additional
hazards which present themselves as a result of an
electrical hazard. It is very important that these
hazards are considered during a risk assessment. An
electric shock could lead to a fall from height if the
shock occurred on a scaffold or it could lead to a
collision with a vehicle if the victim collapsed on to a
roadway. (e.g. suffocation, burns and structural
collapse) and electrical burns can easily lead to
infections.
Workplace electrical
equipment
Dangerous Activities
Fixed and Portable Electrical
Equipment
Electrical equipment, that is securely
fastened in place, for example a storage heater fixed
to the wall. Other equipment types can also be
classed as fixed when they are permanently
connected to the supply via a fuse system.
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE

Element 11: Electricity

tank or bin – it may be difficult to

avoid electrical shock if an electrical fault
develops in wet environment and it may lead
to severity of injury.

Work near Overhead Power

Lines
Where possible all work likely to lead to contact
with overhead power lines should be done in an area
well clear of the line itself.

Portable electrical equipment

Portable and transportable electrical
equipment is defined as not part of a fixed installation
but may be connected to a fixed installation by means
of a flexible cable hand either a socket and plug or a
spur box or similar means‗.

It may be hand-held or hand-operated while

connected to the supply, or is intended or likely to be
It may be possible to alter the work and eliminate
moved while connected to the supply. The auxiliary
or reduce the risk. As a general rule, vehicles, plant
equipment, such as extension leads, plugs and
or equipment should be brought no closer than:
sockets, used with portable tools, is also classified as
portable equipment. The term ‘portable‘ means both
portable and transportable.

Where plugs and sockets are used for

portable tools, sufficient sockets must be provided for
all the equipment and adaptors should not be used.

Many accidents are caused by faulty flexible

cables, extension leads, plugs and sockets,
particularly when these items become damp or worn.
Accidents often occur when contact is made with
some part of the tool which has become live
(probably at mains voltage), while the user is  15 m of overhead lines suspended from steel
standing on, or in contact with, an earthed conducting towers,
surface.  9 m of overhead lines supported on wooden
poles
Use of Electrical Equipment in
Where a closer approach is likely either the lines
wet Environment should be made dead or barriers erected to prevent an
The risks are during outdoors or approach. Permits to work are likely to be required if
in wet surroundings – Electrical work close to the lines is necessary.
equipment may become wet and may be at
greater risk of damage in cramped spaces
with earthed metalwork, such as inside a

253
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE

Element 11: Electricity

Contact with Underground

Power Cables
One of the main risks which may arise when
digging is that of possible injury from underground
power cables.

When underground cables are damaged,

people can be killed and injured by electric shock,
electrical arcs (causing an explosion), and flames.
This often results in severe burns to hands, face and
body, even if protective clothing is being worn.

During digging or disturbing the earth you

should take care to avoid damaging underground
services. Underground electrical cables can be
particularly hazardous because they often look like
pipes and it is impossible to tell if they are live just
by looking at them.

Work on Mains Electricity

Supplies
Working near or close to any exposed live
electric wiring, can be high risk and severity results
in severe burns to hands, death, electrical shock,
Burns on face and body, even if protective clothing is
being worn.

254
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE
11.2 Control Measures
Protection of Conductors
When working with electrical
systems or using electrical
equipment in all workplace
conditions.
Safe systems of work and
competence
The principal control measures for electrical
hazards are applicable to all electrical equipment and
systems found at the workplace and impose duties on
employers, employees and the self-employed. The
following issues need to be addressed:
 the design, construction and maintenance of
electrical systems, work activities and
protective equipment;
 the strength and capability of electrical
equipment;
 the protection of equipment against adverse
and hazardous environments;
 the insulation, protection and placing of
electrical conductors;
 the earthing of conductors and other suitable
precautions;
 the integrity of referenced conductors;
 the suitability of joints and connections used
in electrical systems
 means for protection from excess current;
 means for cutting off the supply and for
isolation;
 the precautions to be taken for work on
equipment made dead;
 working on or near live conductors;
 adequate working space, access and lighting;
 the competence requirements for persons
working on electrical equipment to prevent
danger and injury.
255
Element 11: Electricity
Standards wiring colors
Training
Training is required at all levels of the
organization ranging from simple on-the-job
instruction to apprenticeship for electrical technicians
and supervisory courses for experienced electrical
engineers. First- aid training related to the need for
cardiovascular resuscitation and treatment of electric
burns should be available to all people working on
electrical equipment and their supervisors.
A management system should be in place
to ensure that the electrical systems are installed,
operated and maintained in a safe manner. All
managers should be responsible for the provision of
adequate resources of people, material and advice to
ensure that the safety of electrical systems under their
control is satisfactory and that safe systems of work
are in place for all electrical equipment.
Strength and Capability of
Equipment
Many factors which affect the selection of
suitable electrical equipment, such as flammable,
explosive and damp atmospheres and adverse
weather conditions, have already been considered.
Other issues include high or low temperatures, dirty
or corrosive processes or problems associated with
vegetation or animals (e.g. tree roots touching and
displacing underground power cables, farm animals
urinating near power supply lines and rats gnawing
through cables).
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE
Advantages and limitations of
protective systems
Protective Systems and Devices
There are several different types of
protective systems and techniques that may be used
to protect people, plant and premises from electrical
hazards.
Fuse and Circuit Breaker
A fuse will provide protection against faults
and continuous marginal current overloads It is
basically a thin strip of conducting wire which will
melt when an excess of the rated current passes
through it, thus breaking the circuit.
Insulations
Insulation is used to protect people from
electric shock, the short circuiting of live conductors
and the dangers associated with fire and explosions.
Insulation is achieved by covering the conductor with
an insulating material. Insulation is often
accompanied by the enclosure of the live conductors
so that they are out of reach of people. A breakdown
in insulation can cause electric shock, fire, explosion
or instrument damage.
Isolation
The isolation of an electrical circuit involves
more than ‗switching off‗ the current in that the
circuit is made dead and cannot be accidentally re-
energised. It, therefore, creates an air gap between the
equipment and the electrical supply which only an
authorized person should be able to remove. When it
is intended to carry out work, such as mechanical
maintenance or a cleaning operation on plant or
256
Element 11: Electricity
machinery, isolation of electrical equipment will be
required to ensure safety during the work process.
Isolators should always be locked off when work is to
be done on electrical equipment. Before working on
an isolated circuit, checks must be made to ensure
that the circuit is dead and that the isolation switch is
―locked off‖ and clearly labeled.
Reduced low-voltage systems
When the working conditions are relatively
severe, either due to wet conditions or heavy and
frequent usage of equipment, reduced voltage
systems should be used.
All portable tools used on construction sites, in
vehicle washing stations or near swimming pools
should operate on 110V or less, preferably with a
centre tapped to earth transformer at SSV. This
means that while the full 110V are available to power
the tool, only SSV are available should the worker
suffer an electric shock. At this level of voltage, the
effect of any electric shock should not be severe.
Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) — a voltage
less than 50 volts — is used in low power tools, hand
lights or soldering irons. Another way to reduce the
voltage is to use battery (cordless)-operated hand
tools.
Residual current devices
If electrical equipment must operate at
mains voltage, the best form of protection against
electric shock is the Residual Current Device (RCD).
RCDs, also known as earth leakage circuit breakers,
monitor and compare the current flowing in the live
and neutral conductors supplying the protected
equipment. Such devices are very sensitive to
differences of current between the live and neutral
power lines and will cut the supply to the equipment
in a very short period of time when a difference of
only a few mill amperes occurs.
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE
Double insulation
To remove the need for earthing on some
portable power tools, double insulation is used.
Double insulation employs two independent layers of
insulation over the live conductors, each layer alone
being adequate to insulate the electrical equipment
safely. An electrical appliance which is double
insulated does not have an earth wire fitted. The
appliance is designed in such a way that the electrical
parts can never come into contact with the outer
casing of the device.
Use of Competent People
Competent electrical person
A person possessing sufficient electrical
knowledge and experience to avoid the risks to health
and safety associated with electrical equipment and
electricity in general.
Having understanding of the electrical
systems and its associated hazards and conditions.
Use of safe systems of work
Precautions – Safe Systems of
Works
The following precautions are suggested when
there is uncertainty about the location of underground
services in an area to be excavated:
 Check for any obvious signs of underground
services, for example valve covers or
patching of the road surface.
 Ensure that the excavation supervisor has
the necessary service plans and is competent
to use them to locate underground services.
257
Element 11: Electricity
 Ensure that all excavation workers are
trained in safe digging practices and
emergency procedures.
 Use locators to trace any services and mark
the ground accordingly. A series of trial
holes should be dug by hand to confirm the
position of the pipes or cables. This is
particularly important in the case of plastic
pipes which cannot be detected by normal
locating equipment.
 In areas where underground services may be
present, only hand digging should be used
with insulated tools. Spades and shovels
should be used rather than picks and forks,
which are more likely to pierce cables.
 Assume that all cables are ‘live‘ unless it is
known otherwise.
 Hand-held power tools should not be used
within 0.5 m of the marked position of an
electricity cable. Collars should be fitted to
the tools so that initial penetration of the
surface is restricted.
 Any suspected damage to cables must be
reported to the service providers and the
health and safety enforcement authority.
 All exposed cables should be backfilled with
fine material such as dry sand or small
gravel.
 The service plans must be updated when the
new cables have been laid.
Emergency Procedures
Following an Electrical
Incident
General emergency procedures were
covered in Chapter 4. However, even with the best of
safety procedures in place, electrical incidents will
occur so that specific and effective emergency
procedures are essential. If someone is found
unconscious as a result of electric shock or suffering
from an electric burn, then the treatment procedure
listed earlier in this chapter should be followed.
The emergency procedures should ensure
that, for a serious electrical accident, the emergency
services and key personnel in the organization are
notified and the emergency plan is activated. Such a
plan should include the following points:
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE
 The isolation of the electrical device that has
caused the emergency by switching off and
disconnecting the supply.
 If electric shock is the main emergency, the
victim must not be touched until there is no
longer a possibility of contact with the
electrical current.
 If there is a fire as a result of electrical
equipment malfunction, the fire procedures
should also be activated.
 If the emergency could affect hazardous
equipment or processes, essential actions,
such as emergency plant shutdown, isolation
or making processes safe, should be put into
action. It is important that important items
such as shut-off valves and electrical
isolators are easily identifiable.
 Work must not resume after an emergency
until a competent person has checked and
declared that all electrical equipment
affected by the emergency is safe and the
electrical supply has been switched back on.
If there are any doubts, then advice should
be sought from the emergency services.
Following the incident, an investigation should
take place. a report produced and. if appropriate,
reported to the national health and safety authority.
Inspection and Maintenance
Strategies
Inspection strategies
Regular inspection of electrical equipment is
an essential component of any preventative
maintenance program. Any strategy for the inspection
of electrical equipment, particularly portable
appliances, should involve the following
considerations:
 means of identifying the equipment to be
tested;
 the number and type of appliances to be
tested;
 the competence of those who will undertake
the testing (whether in-house or hired for the
task);
258
Element 11: Electricity
 the legal requirements for portable appliance
testing (PAT) and other electrical equipment
testing and the guidance available;
 organizational duties of those with
responsibilities for PAT and other electrical
equipment testing;
 test equipment selection and re-calibration;
 the development of a recording, monitoring
and review system; and
 the development of any training
requirements resulting from the test
program.
Maintenance strategies
Regular maintenance is required to ensure that a
serious risk of injury or fire does not result from
installed electrical equipment. Maintenance standards
should be set as high as possible so that a more
reliable and safe electrical system will result.
Inspection and maintenance periods should be
determined by referring to the recommendations of
the manufacturer, and considering the operating
conditions and the environment in which equipment
is
The particular areas of interest for inspection and
maintenance are:
 the cleanliness of insulator and conductor
surfaces;
 the mechanical and electrical integrity of all
joints and connections;
 the integrity of mechanical mechanisms,
such as switches and relays;
 The calibration, condition and operation of
all protection equipment, such as circuit
breakers, RCDs and switches.
Portable electrical appliances
testing
Portable appliances should be subject to three
levels of inspection — a user check, a formal visual
inspection and a combined inspection and test.
User checks
When any portable electrical hand tool,
appliance, extension lead or similar item of
equipment is taken into use, at least once each week
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE
or, in the case of heavy work, before each shift, the
following visual check and associated questions
should be asked:
 Is there a recent PAT label attached to the
equipment?
 Are any bare wires visible?
 Is the cable covering undamaged and free
from cuts and abrasions (apart from light
scuffing)?
 Is the cable too long or too short? (Does it
present a trip hazard?)
 Is the plug in good condition (for example
the casing is not cracked and the pins are not
bent)?
 Are there no taped or other non-standard
joints in the cabled?
 Is the outer covering (sheath) of the cable
gripped where it enters the plug or the
equipment? (The coloured insulation of the
internal wires should not be visible.)
 Is the outer case of the equipment
undamaged or loose and are all screws in
placed
 Are there any overheating or burn marks on
the plug, cable, sockets or the equipment?
 Are the trip devices (RCDs) working
effectively (by pressing the ‘test‘ button)?
Formal Visual Inspections and
Tests
There should be a formal visual inspection
routinely carried out on all portable electrical
appliances. Faulty equipment should be taken out of
service as soon as the damage is noticed. At this
inspection the plug cover (if not molded) should be
removed to check that the correct fuse is included,
but the equipment itself should not be taken apart.
This work can normally be carried out by a trained
person who has sufficient information and
knowledge.
The inspection and testing should normally include
the following checks:
 That the polarity is correct;
 that the correct fuses are being used;
 that all cables and cores are effectively
terminated;
259
Element 11: Electricity
 that the equipment is suitable for its
environment.
Testing need not be expensive in many low-risk
premises like shops and offices, if an employee is
trained to perform the tests and appropriate
equipment is purchased.
Frequency of inspection and
testing
Electrical equipment should be visually
checked to spot early signs of damage or
deterioration. The frequency of inspection and testing
should be based on a risk assessment which is related
to the usage, type and operational environment of the
equipment.
The harsher the working environment is, the
more frequent the period of inspection. Thus tools
used on a construction site should be tested much
more frequently than a visual display unit which is
never moved from a desk. Manufacturers or suppliers
may recommend a suitable testing period.
Records of inspection and testing
Schedules which give details of the
inspection and maintenance periods and the
respective program must be kept together with
records of the inspection findings and the work done
during maintenance. Records must include both
individual items of equipment and a description of
the complete system or section of the system. They
should always be kept up-to-date and with an audit
procedure in place to monitor the records and any
required actions. The records do not have to be
paper-based but could be stored electronically on a
computer. It is good practice to label the piece of
equipment with the date of the last combined test and
inspection.
The effectiveness of the equipment
maintenance program may be monitored and
reviewed if a record of tests is kept. It can also be
used as an inventory of portable appliances and help
to regulate the use of authorized appliances. The
record will enable any adverse trends to be monitored
and to check that suitable equipment has been
selected. It may also give an indication as to whether
the equipment is being used correctly.
3S LIFE SAFE AKADEMIE

Element 11: Electricity

becomes very long and the more significant

faults are forgotten or overlooked;
 the level of competence of the tester can be
too low
 the testing equipment has not been properly
calibrated and/or checked before testing
takes place.

Most of the limitations may be addressed

and the reduction in electrical accidents and injuries
enables the advantages of PAT to greatly outweigh
the limitations.

Advantages and Limitations Of

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
The advantages of PAT include:

 an earlier recognition of potentially serious

equipment faults, such as poor earthing,
frayed and damaged cables and cracked
plugs;
 discovery of incorrect or inappropriate
electrical supply and/or equipment;
 discovery of incorrect fuses being used;
 a reduction in the number of electrical
accidents; P• monitoring the misuse of
portable appliances;
 equipment selection procedures checkable;
 an increased awareness of the hazards
associated with electricity;
 a more regular maintenance regime should
result. The limitations of PAT include:
 some fixed equipment is tested too often
leading to excessive costs;
 some unauthorized portable equipment, such
as personal kettles, are never tested as there
is no record to them;
 equipment may be misused or overused
between tests due to a lack of understanding
of the meaning of the test results;
 All faults, including trivial ones, are
included on the action list, so the list

260