How Does Electricity Work?

• Like Charges Attract; Unlike Charges Repel
  
• Electricity: Negatively Charged Particles (Electrons) Moving Over A Conductor
• Conductor: A Material With A Relatively Low Resistance To The Flow Of Electrons
• Insulator: Material That Has A High Resistance To The Flow Of Electrons

How Is The Seriousness Of An Electrical Shock Determined?

• The Voltage (Pressure) On Circuit
• Skin Resistance And Internal Resistance
• Amount Of Current Flowing Through The Body, A Function Of Volts And Amps
• Path The Current Takes
• Body’s Reaction To The Shock
• Length Of Time Electricity Is Applied

What Causes Shocks?

• Touching Both Wires Of An Electrical Circuit
• Touching One Energized Wire And A Ground Conductor
• Touching The Case Of A Faulted Or “Short” Circuited Appliance Or Machine

Effects Of Electrical Shock

• Volts Divided By Resistance in Ohms = Current In Amps
• 120 Volts Divided By 100,000 Ohms = 0.0012 Amps Or 1.2 Milliamps
• 1.2 Milliamps Is Perception Threshold
• 10-20 Milliamps Is Painful; Let-Go Threshold; Can Kill In Time
• 100 Milliamps Can Kill In A Second; Can’t Let Go
• 200 Milliamps Kills; Causes Heart Fibrillation; Burns Human Flesh

Measuring Electricity

• Volts: A Measurement Of Electrical Pressure
• Watts: A Unit Of Electrical Power
• Amperes: A Measurement Of The Volume Of Electrical Current
• Ohms: Measure Of The Resistance To The Flow Of Electrons

Electrical Safety Devices

• Insulation
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
• Double-Insulated Devices
• Grounding (Circuit And Equipment)
• Guarding
• Fuses And Circuit Breakers
• Personal Protective Equipment

Safe Work Practices

• Know Where The Hazards Are
• Properly Maintain Equipment
• No Exposed Parts Or Energized Surfaces
• Use Barriers And Devices Where Appropriate
• No Conductors To Walk On Or Trip On
• No Jewelry, Or Other Metal Objects Around Electricity
• Never Use Plugs Or Receptacles That Can Alter Polarity
• Properly Plug All Connecting Plug-Ins
• Install And Use Protective Devices
• Stay Away From All Unguarded Conductors
• Never Overload A Circuit Or A Conductor

Working Safe With Cords

• Inspect Cords Before Each Use
• Be Sure Plug And Receptacle Have Proper Mating Configuration
• To Unplug, Never Pull On The Cord, Pull On The Plug
• Don’t Use Nails, Staples, Screws, Etc., To Attach Or Fasten A Cord Or Plug
• Two Conductor Cords Are Illegal
• Damaged Cords Should Never Be Used
• Ensure Enough Slack To Prevent Strain On Plug Or Receptacle
• A Plug-Receptacle Should Have At Least 8 Ounces Of Contact Tension
• Cords Should Be Kept Clean And Free Of Kinks And Insulation Breaks
• Cords Crossing Vehicular Or Personnel Passageways Should Be Protected, Sign Posted, And Used Temporarily Or In An Emergency
• Cords Should Be Of Continuous Length And Without Splices

If Electrocution Occurs

• DO NOT Touch The Victim Or The Conductor
• Shut Off The Current At The Control Box
• If Shutoff Not Immediately Available, Use Non-Conducting Material To Free Victim
• Call For Help
• If Necessary And You Know How, Begin CPR
• In Dealing With Electricity, Never Exceed Your Expertise

Control Of Circuits

• Only Switches And Breakers Designed To Do So May Be Used To Control Current
• Only Approved Equipment May Be Used In Wet Or Damp areas. Always Use GFCI
• Never Energize Equipment When Shields Or Guards have Been Removed
• Always Honor LockOut/TagOut Situations

Best Advice

Treat Electricity With The Respect It Demands, And It Will Serve You Efficiently And Effectively