Types of Hazards, Distribution Systems From Safety Point of View

Types of hazards,
Distribution systems
from safety point of
view.
Electrical Hazards and Safety
What is Hazard?
A hazard is any unusual event
that has a potential to threaten
people’s lives, their property
and livelihoods.
How is an electrical shock received?
 When two wires have different potential
differences (voltages), current will flow if they
are connected together
 If you come into contact with an energized

(live) and you are also in contact with the
grounded wire, current will pass through your
body and YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK.
How is an electrical shock received?
 If you are in contact with an energized wire
or any energized electrical component, and
also with any grounded object, YOU WILL
RECEIVE A SHOCK
 If you contact both wires of a 230-volt
cable, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK
and possibly be electrocuted
Impedance of Human Body:
At 230 V which is the voltage at which most electric
shock accident occur, impedance ranges between 1000
ohms and 2500 ohms for hand-to-foot path.
The path that the current takes through the body has
significant effect on the impedance. For example, the
impedance for a hand-to-chest path will be in the order
of 50% of the impedance for a hand-to-foot path.
Impedance will be lowered by increasing the area of
contact, and by wetting the skin surface. Impedance falls
as the voltage increases because , at higher voltages,
the skin barrier breaks down.
If the impedance is low, the current will be equivalently
high for the same applied voltage.
Classification of Electric shock:
Electric shock are usually divided into two
categories.
 Direct contact Shock
 Indirect contact shock
More than 3 ma
painful shock
More than 10 ma
muscle contraction “no-let-go” danger
More than 30 ma
lung paralysis- usually temporary
More than 50 ma
possible ventricular fibrillation . (heart disfunction, usually
fatal)
100 ma to 4 amps
certain ventricular fibrillation, fatal
Over 4 amps
heart paralysis; severe burns.
Severity of the shock depends on:

– Path of current through the body
– Amount of current flowing through the body
– Length of time the body is in the circuit
The main hazards associated with the use of
electricity:
 Electric shock
 Electric burns, both from current passing
through the body and from the effect of
arcing
 The effect of fire that has an electrical origin
 The effect of an explosion that has an
electrical source of ignition.
 The effect of an electromagnetic radiation.
There are four main types of electrical
injuries:
Direct:
1.Electrocution (death due to electrical shock)
2.Electrical shock
3.Burns
Indirect
4.Falls
Electrical accidents are caused by a
combination of three factors:
 Unsafe equipment and/or installation,
 Workplaces made unsafe by the
environment, and
 Unsafe work practices.
Verify System is De-energized

– Operate the equipment
controls to check that
equipment cannot be
restarted
(Safety Measures)
Do not block the working space around electrical equipment (600 volts, nominal,
or less). This space provides and maintains sufficient access and working space
to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment
(Safety Measures)
Do not remove or open receptacle covers, switch plates, or covers of

electrical equipment unless qualified and authorized
(Safety Measures)
Assume all exposed
wiring is energized
until proven
otherwise. STOP,
protect the area.
Potentially
energized exposed
wire with status
unknown
(Safety Measures)
If you must run a Not OK OK
cord temporarily
across the floor,
protect your co-
workers or other
people by
covering the cord
appropriately
(Safety Measures)
Remove from service damaged or frayed cords
 Visually inspect electrical
equipment before each use for
damage and/or external defects
such as loose, missing or
deformed parts, pinched or
crushed outer jackets or
insulation. This type of external
damage may indicate internal
damage to the equipment.
 Electrical cords that are worn or
damaged must be replaced
without delay.
 Before cleaning electrical
equipment, turn it off and unplug
it.
(Safety Measures)
 Junction boxes, and
fittings must have
approved covers in place
 Unused openings in
cabinets, boxes and
fittings must be closed.
Photo shows violations of
these two requirements
(Safety Measures)
Observe all
barricades, postings,
and warning signs
regarding dangerous
voltages
(Safety Measures)
 Most lines are bare and Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines
higher voltage than the
“normal” insulated
wiring
 Contact is not required
to initiate an arc or
cause shock and burn
injuries
 Maintain safe approach
distances(10 feet)
when working near
energized overhead
lines
(Safety Measures)
 The path to ground
from circuits,
equipment, and
enclosures must be
permanent and
continuous
 Violation shown here
is an extension cord
with a missing
grounding prong
(Safety Measures)
 Treat it as it
is designed
to be treated
 Pull the plug,
not the cord
Handle portable electrical equipment carefully, in accordance with

manufacturers instructions, and in a manner that will not cause damage
(Safety Measures)
Stored electric energy must be released
before starting work.
– Short-circuit and ground all high
capacitance elements
– Discharge all capacitors
(Safety Measures)
– Portable ladders must have
non-conductive side rails if
they are used where a,workers
or the ladder could contact
exposed energized parts.
– Keep all ladder parts

at least 10 feet away from
overhead power lines.
(Safety Measures)
Remove all conductive articles of
jewelry and clothing, such a watch
bands, bracelets, rings, key chains,
necklaces, metalized aprons, cloth with
conductive thread, or metal headgear.
(Safety Measures)
 Use, store and maintain your electrical PPE
(personal protective equipment) in a safe,
reliable condition.
 Wear nonconductive head protection
wherever there is a danger of head injury from
electric shock or burns due to contact with
exposed energized parts.
 Wear protective equipment for the eyes or
face wherever there is danger of injury to the
eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or
from flying objects resulting from electrical
explosion.
Clues that Electrical Hazards
May Exist
Tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
Hot to the touch on tools, wires, cords, connections, or
junction boxes
Dim and flickering lights
Sizzles and buzzes-unusual sounds from electrical
system
Odor of hot insulation
Mild tingle from contact with case or equipment
GFCI that shuts off a circuit
Worn or frayed insulation around wire or connection
Burn marks or discoloration on receptacle plates or plug
prongs
Effects of a current passing through a human body depend on a
number of inter-related factors that are listed below:
•
Current Path
•
Frequency
•
Current magnitude
•
Duration of time
•
Body impedance
•
Body sensitivit
Entrance Wound: High resistance of skin
transforms electrical energy into heat,
which produces burns around the entrance
point (dark spot in center of wound). This
man was lucky, the current narrowly
missed his spinal cord.
Exit Wound: Current flows through the body
from the entrance point, until finally exiting
where the body is closest to the ground.
This foot suffered massive internal injuries,
which weren't readily visible, and had to be
amputated a few days later.
Arc or Flash Burns
This man was near a power box when an
electrical explosion occurred. Though he
did not touch the box, electricity arced
through the air and entered his body. The
current was drawn to his armpits because
perspiration is very conductive.
Thermal Contact Burns
Current exited this man at his knees,
catching his clothing on fire and burning
his legs.
Internal Injuries
This worker was shocked by a tool he was
holding. The entrance wound and thermal burns
from the overheated tool are apparent
Same hand a few days later, when massive

subcutaneous tissue damage had caused
severe swelling (swelling usually peaks 24-72
hours after electrical shock). To relieve pressure
which would have damaged nerves and blood
vessels, the skin on the arm was cut open.

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Types of Hazards, Distribution Systems From Safety Point of View

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Types of hazards,

 If you come into contact with an energized

Severity of the shock depends on:

Verify System is De-energized

Do not remove or open receptacle covers, switch plates, or covers of

Handle portable electrical equipment carefully, in accordance with

– Keep all ladder parts

Same hand a few days later, when massive

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