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Electricity Hazards
Electricity Hazards
Electricity Hazards
©
1
Objectives
After completing this unit, you will:
– Be familiar with the basic concepts of
electricity.
– Understand the potential effects of
electricity on the human body.
– Be able to recognize common electrical
hazards associated with masonry work.
– Be familiar with electrical protective
devices.
– Be knowledgeable of safe work
practices.
SUBPART
K 2
References
29CFR 1926.400; Subpart K
National Electric Code (NEC)
SUBPART
K 3
K 4
Electrical Accidents
Leading Causes of Electrical Accidents:
– Drilling and cutting through cables
– Using defective tools, cables and equipment
– Failure to maintain clearance distance of 10 feet
– Failure to de-energize circuits and follow Lockout/Tagout
procedures
– Failure to guard live parts from accidental worker contact
– Unqualified employees working with electricity
– Improper installation/use of temporary electrical systems
and equipment
– By-passing electrical protective devices
– Not using GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) devices
– Missing ground prongs on extension cords
SUBPART
K 5
Hazards of Electricity
Shock – Most common and can cause electrocution or
muscle contraction leading to secondary injury which
includes falls
Fires – Enough heat or sparks can ignite combustible
materials
Explosions – Electrical spark can ignite vapors in the
air
Arc Flash - can cause burns ranging from 14,000
degrees f. to 35,000 degrees f
Arc Blast – In a short circuit event copper can expand
67,000 times. The expansion causes a pressure wave.
Air also expands adding to the pressure wave
SUBPART
K 6
Fundamentals of Electricity
Like Water In A Garden Hose
K 7
Fundamentals of Electricity
Electrical current is the flow of
electrons through a conductor.
A conductor is a material that allows
electrons to flow through it.
An insulator resists the flow of
electrons.
Resistance opposes electron flow.
SUBPART
K 8
Current Flows in a
Loop or Circuit
Circuits are AC
(alternating current) or
DC (direct current).
Current is usually AC.
AC current has five
parts:
(1) Electrical source
(2) HOT wire to the tool.
(3) The tool itself
(4) NEUTRAL wire returns
electricity from the tool
(5) GROUND
SUBPART
K 9
K 10
Shocks Occur in
Three Ways
Contact with both
conductors
Contact with one
conductor and
ground
With a tool: contact
with “hot” metal
part and ground (1),
(2) & (3)
SUBPART
K 11
K 12
K 13
K 14
K 15
K 16
K 17
Electrical Isolation
Wecan be safe by keeping electricity
away from us. We can:
– Insulate the conductors.
• Example: The insulation on extension
cords.
– Elevate the conductors.
• Example: Overhead powerlines.
– Guard the conductors by enclosing
them.
• Example: Receptacle covers, boxes, &
conduit.
SUBPART
K 18
Water is VERY
conductive!
Overloading!
SUBPART
Pinched cord!
Electrical tape
is not a fix!
Damaged casing!
SUBPART
K 20
K 21
K 22
K 23
K 24
K 25
K 26
K 27
Equipment Grounding
We can be safe by providing a
separate, low resistance pathway for
electricity when it does not follow
normal flow (ground prong).
K 28
K 29
K 30
K 31
K 32
Circuit Interruption
We can be safer by automatically
shutting off the flow of electricity in the
event of leakage, overload, or short
circuit.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
are circuit protection (or “overcurrent”)
devices that protect you, the worker.
Circuit breakers & fuses protect
equipment, not you, because they take
too much current & too much time to trip.
SUBPART
K 33
K 34
GFCI Protection
Alltemporary circuits are required to
have GFCI protection or:
– Equipment & cords must be included
in an Assured Equipment Grounding
Conductor Program
An extension cord is a temporary circuit.
Types of GFCIs: receptacle, circuit
breaker and portable
Must be wired correctly and tested.
SUBPART
K 35
K 36
K 37
K 38
GFCI Testers
SUBPART
K 39
K 40
K 41
Temporary Wiring
There must be separate circuits for
electric tools and lighting, each
labeled as such.
Light circuits do not require a GFCI.
– Unless used in a wet location.
Test branch circuits before use.
Maintain vertical clearances.
Insulate wires from their supports.
SUBPART
K 42
K 43
K 44
K 45
K 46
K 47
Clever Or Foolish?
K 48
Temporary Lighting
All bulbs must be
guarded
No broken bulbs
or empty sockets
Not suspended
by wiring
Low voltage for
wet locations
K 49
Portable Generators
The frame of the
portable generator need
not be grounded if:
– the generator supplies
only cord and plug
connected equipment.
– The non-current carrying
metal parts of equipment
and the equipment
grounding conductor
terminals of the
receptacles are bonded
to the generator frame.
– GFCI is required if >5kV
or if generator provides
220V as well as 110V.
SUBPART
K 50
K 51
K 52
K 53
K 54
Electrical Safety
Common OSHA Citations:
– .404(b)(1)(i): Branch circuits: GFCI
protection/Assured Equipment Grounding
Conductor Program
– .404(f)(6): Grounding path
– .403(b)(2): Equipment installation and use
– .404(b)(1)(ii): GFCI
– .403(i)(2)(i): Guarding live parts
K 55