ACCIDENT: PREVENTION

AND CONTROL
A major concern of safety at work is preventing accidents at work. An
accident at work can be defined in different ways depending of the context in
which it is used. Often also the word incident is used, sometimes as a
broader term encompassing ‘an accident' as a specific type of incident, but
sometimes the words accidents and incidents refer to two different types of
events.

Prevention of accidents at work focuses on the causes of accidents.

Accident causation models provide a theoretical basis for explaining how
accidents at work occur. Statistical data give some details about the
accidents that occur in the workplace: the occurrence, the victims and the
causes.
Accident is defined as any unexpected event, typically
sudden in nature and associated with injury, loss, or harm.
Accidents are a common feature of the human experience
and result in injury or permanent disability to large numbers
of people worldwide every year. Many accidents also involve
damage to or loss of property. Accidents can occur
anywhere, including in the home, during transportation, in the
hospital, on the sports field, or in the workplace.
Occupational hazards have always existed, but they became
especially pronounced with the rise of modern factories,
mines, and foundries. However, those included in high risk
industries are mostly associated with accidents.
Historically, there was little in the way of safety equipment to
prevent accidents, and long-term exposure to dangerous
chemicals could cause severe disablement and death.
 Subtopic 1
Prevention of Electrical Accidents
 Subtopic 1

INTENDED LEARNING
OUTCOMES
At end of this discussion the student shall be able to:

➢ Identify the main types of electrical related accidents.

➢ Recognize the causes of electrical related accidents
➢ List Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements (NFPA 70E)
There are three main types of electrical accidents:

• Electric Shock or Electrocution

• Burn
• Electrical fires and explosion

Accidents that cause serious injuries can occur at home or in the workplace.
There’s a popular saying that
prevention is better than cure.
However, in order to prevent
accident one must be able to
identify the cause. Here we are
going to check all possible
causes of electrical accidents
and how to eliminate them.
Badly installed wiring and cabling or an
overused cable that has split and the wires
are now visible. Poor electrical wiring can
cause accident because a connection
runs all the way from the main supply
(outlet or battery) going to loads such
as lighting or appliances.
Other electrical wiring problems
range from improper installation
of wires to damaged or worn panels.

https://oklahomacityhomeinspection.net/2015/08/12/okla
homa-city-home-inspection-seeing-poor-electrical-work/
The Philippines established an electrical design
standard when it comes to proper sizing of wires,
protection and other electrical devices. These standards
were written in the Philippine Electrical Code. All
materials have their limitations and so are electrical
conductors. Due to the fact that current is a movement
of electrons the wire that carries this movement has its
own capacity. To better understand take a look on table
3.1 about wire sizes and their rated capacity (ampacity)
 Source: YouTube video : Title “5000 Amp Fuse + Tools Melt With High
Current” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJOX0c60wQE

Source: https://www.wireandcabletips.com/what-is-ampacity/
Overloading an electrical circuit with too many
appliances can also cause a high voltage
which can lead to a risk of electrical accidents.
This is most common in workplace
environments where computers, telephones
and printers are all using the same electrical
circuit. This is commonly called as Octopus
connection which refers to plugging many
gadgets and appliances to a single extension
wire, not minding if the cord can withstand the
load needed to pass on the power.
Source: https://www.123rf.com/photo_49372159_octopus-
wiring.html
PPE is an equipment that will protect the user against
health or safety risks at work. Workers such as lineman
and electrician are in high risk whenever they repair
electrical works. Each PPE have a standard rating and this
can never be interchange nor improvised.
Electrical Gloves - The importance of this protective
equipment can't be understated. Most of electrical workers
deals with live parts and the only thing standing between
them and a high-voltage jolt are your these gloves.

OSHA outlines electrical protective equipment in 29 CFR 1910.137.

Electrical safety gloves are categorized by the level of voltage protection
they provide and whether or not they are resistant to ozone.
OSHA requires that "protective equipment be maintained in a
safe, reliable condition." Gloves should be inspected for
tears, holes, ozone cuts and other defects before each use.
Also, gloves should be inspected for any swelling, which is
generally caused by chemical contamination (specifically
petroleum products). Even the slightest swelling can be an
issue. If the electrical gloves show any signs of the defects
discussed above upon inspection, they should be taken out
of service for cleaning and retesting
Class 00 — Maximum use voltage of 500 volts AC/proof tested to 2,500 volts AC and
10,000 volts DC

Class 0 — Maximum use voltage of 1,000 volts AC/proof tested to 5,000 volts AC and
20,000 volts DC.
Class 1 — Maximum use voltage of 7,500 volts AC/proof tested to 10,000
volts AC and 40,000 volts DC

Class 2 — Maximum use voltage of 17,000 volts AC/proof tested to 20,000

volts AC and 50,000 volts DC

Class 3 — Maximum use voltage of 26,500 volts AC/proof tested to 30,000

volts AC and 60,000 volts DC

Class 4 — Maximum use voltage of 36,000 volts AC/proof tested to 40,000

volts AC and 70,000 volts DC
source: YouTube Video title “Rubber Glove Inspection”
uploaded by: Northwest Lineman College
Electrical protective equipment must undergo periodic electrical tests to ensure its protective
qualities are still present. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) provides
detailed information about the requires testing (see http://www.astm.org)
Now that you are familiar with the major cause of
electrical related accident you can now proceed with
planning and control to prevent this unfortunate events.
1. Never touch anything electrical with wet hands or while standing in water. Wear
rubber shoes in wet areas. If you get a tingle or shock when touching a sink,
tub, or other wet area, turn off the power at the main panel (if it’s safe) and
immediately call an electrician.

2. Don’t use frayed or broken cords or plug in anything with a missing prong.

3. Cover unused outlets. Keep metal objects such as silverware away from
outlets.

4. Don’t overload sockets. Use a power board with a safety switch and only use
one per wall outlet.

5. When unplugging, don’t yank! Pull by the plug, not the cord.
6. Don’t run cords under rugs or furniture. Also keep them away from pets that like
to chew.

7. Always clean the lint filter for your dryer. If an item says “do not put in dryer“,
trust the warning!

8. Test safety switches each year.

9. Don’t fly kites near power lines. The kite or string can conduct electricity
sending it right through you to the ground.

10. Never touch a downed power line or climb a utility pole.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an
international nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating
death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire,
electrical and related hazards.
NFPA 70E

The purpose of NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the

Workplace®, is to provide a working area for employees that is safe
from unacceptable risk associated with the use of electricity in the
workplace.
There exists a number of ways to protect workers from the threat of electrical
hazards. Some of the methods are for the protection of qualified employees doing
work on electrical circuit and other methods are geared towards nonqualified
employees who work nearby energized equipment.
Here are a few of the protective methods:

• De-energize the circuit

• Work Practices
• Insulation
• Guarding
• Barricades
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
• Grounding (secondary protection)
Additionally, the use of alerting techniques are effective ways
to warn employees (especially non-qualified) of the dangers
present. Alerting techniques might include safety signs,
safety symbols, or accident prevention tags. Often times, the
use of such signs alone is not adequate as an employee
(especially a non-qualified employee) may accidentally come
in direct contact with an energized circuit. In these instances
a barricade shall be used in conjunction with safety signs.
If it has been determined that de-energizing a circuit is not feasible and the
employee must work “hot”, the employer shall develop and enforce safety-
related work practices to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting
from either direct or indirect electrical contacts.

These safety related work practices could include:

• Energized Electrical Work Permit
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Insulated Tools
• Written Safety Program
In an effort to limit electrical injuries in the workplace, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has
passed law that only allows a “Qualified” person to work on or
around energized circuits or equipment.

Qualified person: One who has received training in and has

demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and
operation of electric equipment and installations and the
hazards involved.
source: YouTube Video title “Miescor Builders Lineman Training Batch 3 2019” uploaded by: Mark
Mapa
Arc Suppression Blanket
Protective shields, protective
barriers, or insulating materials shall
be used to protect each employee
from shock, burns, or other
electrically related injuries while that
employee is working near exposed
energized parts which might be
accidentally contacted or where
dangerous electric heating or arcing
source: YouTube Video title “Arc Suppression Blanket Test” uploaded by:
might occur. EstexMFG
Insulated Tools / Proper Electrical Tools
When employees are working near exposed energized parts, they must use
tools that are insulated to at least the level of the voltage levels they are
exposed to. These tools must be inspected prior to each use for damage and if
damage is identified they must be removed from service.

√ ×
SHOCK Hazard Analysis
How to comply with NFPA 70E?

1. Determine the Operating Voltage.

2. Determine the Three Shock Protection Boundaries by using Table 130.4(c)(a) of

NFPA 70E-2012
A. Limited Approach Boundary
• 10 ft for 480 V for movable energized object
• 3 ft 6 in. for fixed energized object
B. Restricted Approach Boundary
• 12 in. for 480 V
C. Prohibited Approach Boundary
• 1 in. for 480 V
SHOCK Hazard

How to comply with NFPA 70E?

3. Determine the Personnel Protective Equipment:

NOTE: Short-Circuit Current and Clearing Time Limitations Apply for use of
tables!

a. Determine risk category from Table 130.7 (c)(15)(a) on

NFPA 70E-2012

b. Determine specific PPE & clothing from Table 130.7(c)(16) of

NFPA 70E-2012
• Electrical Safety. safety culture website available at: /https://safetyculture.com/topics/electrical-
hazards/ Accessed May 23, 2020

• 10 Ways to Prevent Electrical Accidents. Emcsecurity website available at :

https://www.emcsecurity.com/10-ways-to-prevent-electrical-accidents/ Accessed May 25, 2020

• The Workplace Safety Awareness Council, “Train-the-Trainers Guide to Electrical Safety For General
Industry”

• Bruce Bowman, P.E (2012), NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Presentation