Controlling Workplace Hazards

Unit GC2 International

Element 5: Electrical Safety

© RRC International
 Learning Outcomes

• Outline the principles, hazards and risks

associated with the use of electricity in the
workplace
• Outline the control measures that should
be taken when working with electrical
systems, or using electrical equipment in all
workplace conditions

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Unit GC2: Element 5.1
PRINCIPLES, HAZARDS AND RISKS OF
ELECTRICITY

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Basic Principles
An electrical circuit comprises 3 elements:
Pressure = potential difference
– Measured in volts (V)
Flow rate = current
– Measured in amps (I)
Resistance = obstruction in circuit
– Measured in ohms (R)
Linked together by Ohm’s Law:
V=I×R
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Potential Difference
“Electrical pressure”

The driving force or pressure

which “pushes” an electrical
current around a circuit

Voltage: unit = volts (V)

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Current
• Current can be thought of as “flow”

• Electrons flow through the materials, making up

a circuit

• Current: unit = amps (A)

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Resistance
• “Resistance to flow”
• The resistance of a circuit to the passage of the
electrons
• Resistance: unit = ohm (Ω)

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Ohm’s Law

V=I×R

I = V/R V
R = V/I I R
NB Current is given the symbol “I”
So, if you know the values for 2 of the elements, you can
calculate the third

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 AC/DC
Alternating current (AC):
• Mains supply is AC
• Current flows backwards and forwards
• UK = 230 volts, 50Hz
• USA = 120 volts, 60Hz

Direct current (DC):

• Battery supply is DC
• Current flows in one direction only
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 The Hazards, Risks and Danger of
Electricity
• Electric shock
• Electrical burns
• Fire and explosion
• Arcing
• Secondary effects

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Electrical Shock
Current (mA) flowing Effect
through the body
0.5 - 2 • Threshold of sensation
• Tingling sensations
2 - 10 • Muscle tremor
• Pain
• Muscle contractions
10 - 60 • Unable to release grip
• Unable to breathe
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Cardiac arrest
60 + • Extreme muscular
contractions
• Burns

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Severity of Shock Influenced By:
Voltage – the higher the voltage, the greater the current

Duration – the length of time that a person is exposed

Current path – the route that the electricity takes through the
body

Frequency – of the AC current

Resistance – skin condition, clothing, etc.

Contact surface area – the more skin that is in contact, the

more severe the injury

Environmental factors – metal surfaces, humidity, etc.

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Electrical Burns
Direct contact
• Current flowing through the body
• Entry and exit point, and internal

Indirect contact
• As result of arcing, fire, or explosion following an
electrical accident

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Electrical Fires
Causes
• Electrical equipment may be faulty and
so overheat
• The system may be overloaded
• Equipment may be misused
• A flammable atmosphere may be
present
• Electrical equipment may produce
heat or sparks as part of its normal
operation
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International • Poor internal connections
 Arcing
Ability of electricity to “jump” across an air gap
Usually involves high voltage
Main hazards:
• Electric shock
• Burns (direct, indirect)
• Damage to eyes from UV radiation emitted

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Secondary Effects
Physical injury caused by an electrical incident, such
as:
• Cuts
• Bruises
• Broken bones

Workers can be unaware of faults due to poorly

maintained equipment, the continued use of which
may lead to electric shock, fire, etc.

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Dangerous Activities

• Use of poorly maintained electrical

equipment
• Work near overhead power lines
• Contact with underground power cables
• Work on mains electricity supplies
• Use of electrical equipment in wet
environments

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Control Measures:
Construction Sites
For portable equipment, consider the following:
• Using battery-powered or low-voltage equipment
• Use RCDs
• Locate cables carefully
• Use double-insulated equipment
• Carry out pre-use checks
• Train operators in correct use
• Avoid using in wet conditions
• Routine visual inspection and testing

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Workplace Electrical Equipment

Some electrical equipment is “hard-wired” –

part of the fixed system
Some equipment is portable – it has a plug
attached and can be moved
A large proportion of electrical accidents
involve portable appliances

Why?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Group Discussion Point

A small concrete-breaker is used on

construction site
What type of conditions and practices could
lead to this piece of equipment becoming
electrically unsafe?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Portable Electrical Equipment
Conditions and practices likely to lead to accidents:
• Using unsuitable equipment
• Using in wet, damp or humid conditions
• Misuse
• Physical abuse, such as driving over cables
• Repairs carried out improperly
• Continued use of faulty, defective equipment
• Chemical/abrasion damage to the power cord
• Physical damage due to hostile environments
• Lack of inspection testing or maintenance
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 End-of-Section Quiz
1. Explain what is meant by the terms:
• Voltage?
• Current?
• Resistance?
2. What are the hazards associated with electricity?
3. How can electrical equipment cause fires?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Unit GC2: Element 5.2
CONTROL MEASURES

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Protection of Conductors

Insulated to prevent contact with live

conductor:
− Cable coverings unbroken
− Equipment casing intact
Inspect to ensure protection is in place
Ensure electrical panels are locked

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Group Syndicate Activity

What factors do you think should be

considered when selecting suitable electrical
equipment for use on a construction site?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Strength and Capability
Electrical equipment must be carefully selected to
ensure that it is suitable for:
• The electrical system that it will become a part of
• The task that it will perform
• The environment in which it will be used
• No electrical equipment should be put into use
where its electrical strength and capability may
be exceeded

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Protective Systems
• Fuses
• Earthing
• Isolation of supply
• Double insulation
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
• Reduced and low voltages
• Competent person

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Fuses
Designed to protect the equipment, not people!

Form a weak link in a circuit

Designed to overheat and melt if the current exceeds

the fuse rating

Rating should be above operating current required

by equipment but less than the current rating of the
cable in the circuit

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Miniature Circuit Breakers
Protects equipment not people
• Electro-mechanical device which does the same
thing as a fuse
• Rating should be above operating current required
by the equipment but less than the current rating
of the cable in the circuit
• Tamperproof

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Earthing
• Outer metal casing connected to earth by wire
• Provides fault current with a low-resistance path
to earth
• Electric shock should be minor
• Will usually blow the fuse

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Isolation of Supply
• Deprives the circuit of power
• Ensures that it cannot be re-energised by applying
some form of lock
• Should be clearly labelled
• Circuit should be tested
• Often referred to as lock-off/ tag-out

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Double Insulation
Live parts cannot be touched

2 layers of insulation

Either layer sufficient to provide protection

Eliminates need for earth protection

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Residual Current Devices
Designed to protect people
Interrupt supply in event of a small leak of current to
earth
Very sensitive: 30 mA
Very fast: 30 ms
Compare current in live and neutral
Should be regularly tested

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Reduced and Low Voltages
• For hand tools, the 110 volt centre-tapped (CTE)
system is recommended

• System relies on the mid-point of the reduced

voltage transformer being earthed

• Maximum shock voltage is 55 volts, but full 110-

volt supply powers the equipment

• Systems reduced to 25 volts are often used for

lighting on construction sites

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Competent Persons – Refresher!

What do we mean by the term “competence”?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Competent Persons

Knowledge
− Of electricity and electrical work
Ability
− Understanding of the system, hazards and
precautions
− Understanding of when it is safe/unsafe
Training
Experience
− Experience of electrical work

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Safe Systems of Work
Work “dead” whenever possible
Work on or near live electrical equipment
− only under exceptional circumstances
− and if controlled tightly

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Working On a Dead System
Before working on a machine, check the following:

• Isolation and lock-off

• Warning signs
• Prove test equipment
• Prove dead
• Prove test equipment again

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Working On a Live System
May be controlled by national laws
Safe system of work to include:
• Permit-to-work
• Competent person
• Insulating PPE
− Boots, gauntlets
• Insulated tools
• Designated work areas

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Buried Cables
May be struck during excavations
Can result in:
• Arcing, shock, burns, fire
Precautions
• Check plans
• Detection equipment
• Expose by hand digging
• Identify and label

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Overhead Power Lines
Usually uninsulated
Protect by:
− Isolation
− Safe systems of work /
permit-to-work
− Barriers, signs,
goal-posts
− Banksmen
− Non-conducting
equipment
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Group Syndicate Activity

What action should be taken on finding a

person suspected to have suffered an electric
shock?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Emergency Action
Don’t touch the casualty
Call for help
Isolate from the power supply
Call for ambulance
Check for breathing
− Recovery position if breathing
− Start CPR if not breathing
Treat burns
Treat for physical shock
Ensure medical help is obtained
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Inspection and Maintenance
Applies to:
– Fixed wiring systems
– Portable electrical appliances
User checks

Formal visual inspection

Combined inspection and testing

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 User Checks
• Damage to cable sheath
• Damage to plug
• Flex fully insulated – no kinks /
splits
• Inadequate joints
• Unsecured sheath
• Wet or contaminated
• Damage to casing of equipment
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International • Burns / scorch marks
 Formal Visual Inspection
User checks plus:
− Remove plug cover and check fuse

− Check cord grip

− Check terminals are secure

and no signs of internal damage
− Done by competent person

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Combined Inspection and Test
Often known as PAT testing
Visual inspection may fail to detect:
− Loss of earth integrity
− Deterioration of insulation

Inspection and test is justified:

− When suspect equipment is defective
− After repair/modification
− At appropriate intervals

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 How Often Should You Test?
Frequency is determined by:
• Legal standards and codes of practice
• Type of equipment
• Manufacturers’ recommendations
• Initial integrity/soundness of the equipment
• Age of the equipment
• Working environment
• Frequency and duration of use
• Foreseeable abuse of the equipment
• Effects of any modifications or repairs
• Analysis of previous maintenance records
©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Group Question

What are the advantages and limitations of

portable appliance testing?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Advantages and Limitations of
Portable Appliance Testing
Advantages
• Demonstrates legal compliance
• Detects faults not visible to the eye
• Allows early removal/repair of unsafe equipment
• Identifies trends or patterns of faults

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 Advantages and Limitations of
Portable Appliance Testing
Limitations
• Provides proof of safety at one moment in time
only
• Does not ensure safe use, or prevent misuse
• Items may be missed and then remain untested
• Can’t be applied to all equipment
(e.g. computers)

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International
 End-of-Section Quiz
1. What are the advantages and limitations of
fuses?
2. What do we mean by the term “isolation”?
3. Live working is only permitted under certain
circumstances – what are these? What controls
are needed?
4. What things should be checked during routine,
visual, user inspections?

©RRC
© RRCInternational
International