Safety Management

Basic Electrical Safety

Did you know that?
• THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED EACH YEAR DUE
TO ELECTROCUTIONS.
• MANY FATALITIES ARE UNREPORTED AS ELECTROCUTIONS SINCE
LOW ALTERNATING CURRENT LEVELS GOING THROUGH THE CHEST
AREA CAN TRIGGER VENTICULAR FIBRILLATION, STIMULATING A
HEART ATTACK.
• IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT 31% OF THE KNOWN ELECTROCUTION
FATALITIES OCCUR IN THE HOME
• 24% IN GENERAL INDUSTRY & 55% ARE DUE TO CONTACT WITH WITH SO-
CALLED LOW VOLTAGE CIRCUITS, 600 VOLTS & UNDER
• ELECTRICITY IS THE NO.1 SOURCE OF FIRE!
Did you know that?
Worst case of electrical-related accident!
What does electrocution happen?
In basic flow of electricity:

Resistance, R (ohms)

Voltage, V
(volts) Current, I (ampere)

Load
 What does electrocution happen?
Resistance, R (ohms)

During the event of electrocution

man who accidentally touches a
Voltage, V
live circuit, becomes part and

Load
(volts)
completes the circuit, causing
harmful current to pass through
his body which is a very good
conductor of electricity.

Current takes path of least resistance

What is the effect of electrocution on the human body?
How does the current enter the body?

 Typical points of
entry are the hands
and feet as they come
in contact with
electrical current.
 Moisture beneath a
ring or watch will
decrease the skin's
resistance and allow
current flow.
Why does the current enter the body?
 The body, composed mostly of
water, is a conductor of
electricity, so current travels
easily.
 Current travels the path of least
resistance to complete its circuit.
 This path could be through upper
limbs or between upper and
lower limbs.
 If this includes the heart and
respiratory systems, it can result
in serious injury.
What is the resistance of the human body to a household electricity of 220V?

220 volts
------------- = 220 m.a. current flow
1,000 ohms
If a human body with 1,000 ohms resistance is exposed to household
electricity at 220 volts a current of 220 milli-amperes will flow through the
body.
What is the resistance of the human body to a household electricity of 220V?

8 - 15 m.a. - Pain
15 - 20 m.a. - Pain, loss of muscular control
20 - 100 m.a. - intense pain and paralysis of breathing
muscles;
- possible suffocation.
100 - 200 m.a. - Ventricular fibrillation which will cause
death.
Above 200 m.a. - health movement stops; recovery
possible if treated within 3 minutes;
burns also occur.
Severity of Shock

• SEVERITY OF SHOCK IS NOT DETERMINED BY

VOLTAGE ALONE BUT DEPENDS ON…

• QUANTITY OF CURRENT
• PATH / PASSAGE OF THE CURRENT
• LENGTH OF TIME
• TYPE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY
• HUMAN / PHYSICAL CONDITION
What are the common causes of electrocution/electric shock?
• Faults in facilities such as exposed charged part of electrical
machines and equipment
• Damaged insulation of electrical wirings
• Short Circuit
• Accidental contact with a live line
• Overloading
• Worker’s attitude such as working without appropriate PPEs.
• Improper working method
• Wearing of metal objects as watches, necklaces & rings.
• Wet and/or damp locations
What are the common electrical hazards to look out for?
 Loose electrical connections
 Cord with frayed insulations
 Plugs that do not match their outlets,
e.g., 3-prong male plug to 2-plug female outlet
 Non-waterproof cords, plugs and outlets used outdoors
 Equipment running over capacity
 Tools that smell, smoke, spark or shock
 Wires running across the floor
 Electrical cords in contact with hot appliances or soaked in water
 Extension cords instead of permanent wiring
 Octopus connections
What are the measures to prevent electric shock?
 Use grounding system
 Isolation of electrical conductors
- Vault & boxes
- Warning signs
 Safe Clearance
- Elevation (at least 10 ft minimum) of electrical cable specifically at
construction site
- Minimum approach distance
 Insulation
- Use double-insulated royal cord for tools
- Provide good insulation for appliances
- Insure insulation between feet and moist ground
 Use appropriate PPE
 Use Lock-Out/Tag-Out
Proper Grounding
• The frames or cases of all tools or structures in which electric devices or circuits
are present should be grounded.

• The ground wire should be of low resistance & large enough to resist
mechanical breakage & to carry off the heaviest current flow that might result
from any insulation breakdown.

• Particulars regarding details of conductors sizes & nature of grounds can be

obtained from the provision of the Philippine Electrical Code governing them
How to respond to an electrical accident
Step #1: Turn off the Power
 Find the Emergency
Machine Off (EMO)
button and turn off the
power.
 Know in advance
where these buttons
are located.
How to respond to an electrical accident
Step #2: Safely Free the Victim
 If you cannot find the EMO switch,
attempt to safely free the victim.
 Never attempt to pull the victim away
by hand; you could also lock onto the
source.
 Use the proper equipment such as a
body hook or a non-conductive object
to pry or knock the victim free.
How to respond to an electrical accident
Step #3: Call for Help
 Pick up the phone and call for help.
 Be sure you know (ahead of time) the
emergency number at your site.
How to respond to an electrical accident

Step #4: Do Not Leave the Victim

 Stay with the victim

until help arrives.
 Inform people in the
area in order to avoid
further injuries.
End of Presentation