Electrical Safety

Group: 6
Presented by: Alex Grecia
Alexjandro Grecia
 *Electricity*
• Electricity is essential and considered as among the basic
needs of everybody. Electricity had made our houses into
homes, changed the mode of transportation from kalesas
into taxis and Metro Railway Transport Systems (MRTS), and
improved shops to malls and factories. It is hard to imagine
if we had no electricity until now. However, it is also among
the common causes of occupational accidents resulting to
injuries, death and property damage
 *Electricity*
-Electricity can be defined as the
flow of electrons along a
conductor. Electrons are
negatively charged particles
distributed in orbits around the
nuclei of atoms, which are the
smallest units of an element that
can exist either alone or in
combination.
-Electric current requires a
suitable circuit to provide the
energy needed for lighting,
heating, etc. An electrical circuit
usually contains a power source
and an electrical load. Suitable
conducting material connects the
power source to the load in order
to complete the electrical circuit.
 *Elements of electricity*
• Voltage- In order for electrons to move between
two points, a potential difference must exist. The
potential difference between two points in a
circuit is measured in terms of volts.
• Resistance- The flow of electrons is also governed
by the resistance offered by the conducting
materials. It is measured in Ohms law
• Current- The current flow in a circuit is measure in
terms of amperes. One ampere, by definition, is
the flow of 6.28 x 10^18 electrons per second past
a given point in a circuit.
*common causes of electrical injuries/accidents:*

• (1) touching of live parts- High voltages are present in the

conductive components or cables of the product. Touching live
parts and cables results in death or lethal injuries due to electric
shock.
• (2) short circuit- A short circuit is an electrical circuit that allows
a current to travel along an unintended path with no or very
low electrical impedance
• (3) overloading- When there is a circuit overload, the circuit
breaker will trip and open up, which shuts off the power supply
to that circuit, cutting off electricity.
• (4) Overloaded electrical circuit- is the most common reason
for a circuit breaker tripping. It occurs when a circuit is
attempting to draw a greater electrical load than it is intended
to carry.
 *Factors affecting electric shock*
• 1. Amount of current that flows through the human body. The amount
of current that flows to the body depends on Voltage of the circuit
and Insulating quality
• 2. The path the current takes through the body affects the degree of
injury. A small current that passes from one hand to the other hand
through the heart is capable of causing severe injury or death.
However, there have been cases where larger currents caused an arm
or leg to burn off without going through the vital organs of the body
• 3. Duration of current flow. The longer the current flows through the
body, the more devastating the result can be. That is the reason why
immediate action should be taken to free co-workers when they are
shocked or burned by electricity.
• 4. Body condition. Personal sensitivity to electric shock varies with
age, sex, heart condition, etc.
An electrical current passing through the body can
cause severe
injury or death by:

• Contracting the chest muscles, resulting in breathing

difficulty and death due to asphyxiation.
• Affecting the central nervous system, resulting in
malfunction of vital body function such as respiration
• Electricity may also affect the heart muscle, resulting in
severe heart muscle contraction and cessation of heart
action.
• Heat generated when current overcomes tissue resistance
may cause destruction of the body issues.
 *Electric shock prevention*
• (1) Use of grounding system- Grounding or earthing is any
means of absorbing any leakage current and making it flow
directly to earth by using an electrical conductor. It is a process
of connecting metal parts/casing of the electrical equipment to
earth through grounding wires.
• (2) Use Double Insulating Materials- Insulating materials have
extremely high resistance values, virtually to prevent flow of
electric current through it. The principle of insulation is used
when work must to be carried out near un-insulated live parts
• (3) Proper Maintenance of Portable Power Tools- The
necessity to use flexible cables to supply electricity to the tools
introduces hazards. Such cables are often misused and abused
resulting in damaged insulation and broken or exposed
conductors.
*There are four main types of injuries
caused by electric currents*
1. Direct contact with the electrical energy.
2. When the electricity arcs (jumps) through a gas (such
as air) to a person who is grounded (that would provide
an alternative route to the ground for the electricity).
3. Thermal burns including flash burns from heat
generated by an electric arc, and flame burns from
materials that catch fire from heating or ignition by
electric currents.
4. Muscle contractions, or a startle reaction, can cause
a person to fall from a ladder, scaffold or aerial bucket
 *Causes of electrical fire*
• The more frequently causes of electrical fires may be listed
under three general classes namely, arcs, sparks and
overheating. An arc is produced when an electric circuit
carrying a current is interrupted, either intentionally by a
knife switch or accidentally where a contact at a terminal
becomes loose. The intensity of the arc depends, to a great
extent, on the current and voltage of the circuit. An electric
arc may not only ignite combustible materials in its vicinity
such as the insulating covering of the conductor, but it may
also fuse the metal with the conductor.
*Safe Practices and Procedures*
• Always assume that a circuit is energized.
• Use the appropriate instrument for testing circuits.
• Use protective devices (ELCB, fuse, rubber mats, etc.)
• Use personal protective equipment (rubber gloves, boots, safety devices).
• Use warning signs and isolate dangerous areas.
• Observe proper maintenance schedules of electrical equipment, loads and
wires.
• Always tape cords to walls or floors when necessary. Nails and staples can
damage cords causing fire and shock hazards.
• Always use the correct size fuse. Replacing a fuse with one of a larger size can
cause excessive currents in the wiring and possibly start a fire.
• Conduct regular electrical inspections for the electrical circuit.
• Be aware that unusually warm or hot outlets may be a sign that unsafe wiring
conditions exists. Unplug any cords to these outlets and do not use until a
qualified electrician has checked the wiring.
*Sample checklist for basic electrical
safety*
• Check power cords and plugs daily. Discard if worn or damaged. Have
any cord that feels more than comfortably warm checked by an
electrician
• Do not plug several power cords into one outlet.
• Pull the plug, not the cord.
• Do not disconnect power supply by pulling or jerking the cord from the
outlet.
• Pulling the cord causes wear and may cause a shock.
• Use extension cords only to temporarily supply power to an area that
does not have a power outlet.
• Keep power cords away from heat, water and oil. They can damage the
insulation and cause a shock.
• Do not allow vehicles to pass over unprotected power cords. Cords
should be put in conduit or protected by placing planks alongside them.
 Remember these simple safety rules
to follow:
• (a) do not guess
• (b) use proper instruments
• (c) always use safety device
• (d) lock out and tag out (LOTO)
• (e) never work alone
• (f) use danger signs
• (g) keep temporary electrical wiring safe
• (h) strictly observe rules of Philippine Electrical Code (PEC)
• (i) work with qualified men only
• (j) ensure proper maintenance
• (k) never bridge a fuse
• (l) conduct periodic electrical inspection
That's all and Thank you
for listening!!