Electrical Safety
Electrical Safety
•Electricity can be described as the flow of electrons through a conductor. ( This flow is called electrical current)
•What are some conductors
•Metal
•Water
•You (greatly increases if the skin is moistened with sweat)
•To create a current a path must be provided in a circular route.
•If the path is interrupted the current will follow the path of least resistance.
•It will flow through any conductor that is touching it.
•If it cannot complete its circuit, it will flow to ground.
•The humane body is a conductor and if the current is high enough the person will be electrocuted.
Electrical shock
•Primary cause of death is when the heart’s rhythm is overcome by electrical shock.
•When the hearts low level electrical impulses are overcome, the heart begins to twitch (fibrillation)
•Unless the normal rhythm is restored, the person will die.
• defibrillation equipment (paddles) must be used by a licensed practitioner.
•Other injuries may result also.
•Electrical shock can cause loss of muscular control.
•Severity of shock is affected by
•Amount of current flowing through the body
•The path of the current
•Length of time the body is in the circuit.
G.F.C.I
•Ground fault circuit interrupter- senses small imbalances in the circuit due to current leakage to ground
•Used as a safety mechanismPrimary cause of death is when the heart’s rhythm is overcome by electrical shock.
•When the hearts low level electrical impulses are overcome, the heart begins to twitch (fibrillation)
•Unless the normal rhythm is restored, the person will die.
• defibrillation equipment (paddles) must be used by a licensed practitioner.
•Other injuries may result also.
•Electrical shock can cause loss of muscular control.
•Severity of shock is affected by
•Amount of current flowing through the body
•The path of the current
•Length of time the body is in the circuit.
Basic Electrical safety
•Use three wire extension cords and protect them from damage.
•Make sure that Panels,switches,outlets,and plugs are grounded.
•Never use bare electrical wire.
•Never use metal ladders near any source of electricity.
•Never wear a metal hard hat.
•Always inspect electrical power tools before you use them.
•Never operate a piece of electrical equipment that has a danger tag or lockout device attached to it.
•Use three wire cords for portable power tools and make sure they are properly connected. The three wire system is one of the most common safety grounding systems used to protect you from accidental electrical shock. The third wire is connected to a ground . If the insulation in the tool fails, the current will pass through the third wire to ground and not through you.
Electrical cord safety
•Every electrical cord should have an underwriters laboratory (UL) label attached to it
- A cord set not marked for outdoor use is to be used indoors. Check the ul
label
- Do not remove, bend, or modify any metal prongs or pins of an
electrical cord.
•Extension cords used with portable tools must be the three wire type. Avoid overheating an electrical cord.
•Do not run under any covering materials and is uncoiled.
•Do not run the cord through doorways or anything that may pinch the cord.
•Never leave unattended and put away when not in use.
If someone is shocked
•Immediately disconnect the circuit.
•If you cannot disconnect the circuit, do not try to separate the victim from the circuit. If you touch a person who is being electrocuted , the current will flow through you.
• once the circuit is disconnected , give first aide and call 911. If you cannot disconnect the circuit call 911.
•Today’s kiln-dried lumber retains a high moister content and can conduct electricity.