Electrical Safety - Safety Training for the Non-Qualified
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Larry Warner
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Learning
Language of Electricity
- Electricity: Negatively
Charged Particles Moving Over A Conductor
- Current: Movement
Of Electrons Along A Conductor
- Ground Or Grounding:
The Draining Or Passage Of Electricity Into The Earth
- Alternating Current:
Current That Alternates Direction Through a Conductor
- Direct Current:
Current That Flows In The Same Direction Through A Conductor
- Static Electricity:
Electrical Charge Resulting From Friction Between Two Objects Or From
Objects Striking
- Shock: Condition
When The Body Becomes A Part Of A Circuit
- Polarity: The
Flow Of Electrons In The Proper Direction(From the Source To The Device
Or Negative To The Positive Through A Device)
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
- Bodys
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; Cant 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
- Dont 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
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