ElectricalHazards, Safety,Ladders,FallProtection,andCode
Description
Electricians work in many dangerousenvironments. Electric shock,burns, and falls areamongthemost common injuries sufferedby electricalworkers. Working safely and understandinghazards in theworkplace are key factorsin minimizing potential accidents.Developing andmaintainingsafework habits, and ensuringwork is done tothe WorkSafestandardsareessentialfor people startingwork inthe electricaltrade.Many tradeshavesafetyhazards
that arepartof the job;however,theelectrical tradecanbeamongthe most dangerous. Onemistake could cause serious injuryor death, so workers mustalwaysbeconscientious andunderstandthe potential for accidents. As anelectrician, you areresponsiblefor your safetyandthesafety ofothers. Ifthework practices are not up tostandardand a mistake is made,otherpeople could be injured or killed because ofit.
TheCanadianElectricalCode(CEC) sets the standards for electricalwork inCanada.The mainpurposeofthe CEC istoestablish safety standards fortheinstallationand maintenanceofelectrical equipment.
LessonOutcomes
The student willbeableto:
•Understandthe new terminology introducedinthis Activity Plan
•Identifysome of the mainelectrocution andshockhazardsinelectricalwork
•Understandgeneralhazards andtheimportanceof PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
•Understandtheimportance of safe work habitsinthe electricaltrade
•Demonstrateunderstandingof fallprotection andladder safety
•Haveanunderstanding of the purposeofthe CEC
Assumptions
The student willhave:
•Littleknowledge of electricalsafetyhazards butwillbe interested tolearn about them
•Littleknowledge of laddersafety, fallprotection,and PPE
•Noknowledgeof electricalcode requirements
Thisworkis licensedunder aCreativeCommonsAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike4.0InternationalLicenseunlessotherwiseindicated.
Terminology
Arcflash:anundesiredelectricdischargethat travelsthroughtheairbetweenconductorsorfromaconductortoa ground. Theresultingexplosioncancausefiresandseriousharmtoequipmentandpeople.
CanadianElectricalCode(CEC): thenationalstandardforsafeelectricalinstallationandmaintenancepracticesofelectricalsystemsinallbuildings,structures,andresidences.
Considerationhasbeen given tothe prevention offireandshockhazards.
CanadianElectricalCodeSimplified,BCBook1,HouseWiringGuide:asimplifiedbookdesignedforresidentialhomeownerstounderstandhousewiring.Itprovidesregulationstopasslocalinspection.
Electricshock:acurrentofelectricitygoingthroughthebody.
Electricaloverload:happenswhenmoreamperageisputacrossanelectricalwireorloadthanitisratedfororcanhandle—acommonelectricalfirehazard.
Electrocution:tocausedeathbypassingelectricitythroughsomeone’s body.
Fallarrest:a systemthatstopsyourfallbeforeyou hitthesurfacebelow:afullbodyharnessesconnectedbylanyards orlifelinestosecureanchors,safetynets.
Fallrestraint/protection:systemsthatpreventfalling:safetybelts,harnesses,guardrails.
Highvoltage:avoltage over750 volts.
Lowvoltage:31voltsto750volts.
PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE):specializedclothingorequipmentwornbyworkersforprotectionagainsthealthandsafetyhazards.PPEisdesignedtoprotectmanypartsofthebody;i.e.,eyes,head,face,hands,feet,andears.
Shortcircuit:alow-resistanceconnectionestablished byaccidentorintention betweentwopointsinanelectriccircuit.Thecurrent tends toflowthroughtheareaoflowresistance,bypassingtherestofthecircuit.
EstimatedTime
4–8 hours
RecommendedNumberofStudents
20, basedonBCTechnologyEducators’Best PracticeGuide
Facilities
Classroom or computer lab, or shop withaccess tocomputerwith Internetandprojectorwithsound
Shopclass or similarfor laddersafetyandfall protection
Tools
Pens, pencils, linedpaperstep andextension ladders, safety harness,hoisting system
Materials
Computers orlaptopsfor students,computer and projector withsound for teacher, copiesorphotocopiesofWorkingSafelyAroundElectricityfrom WorksafeBC.
Optional
Thiswould be a good opportunity tohave a guestspeakertalkaboutsafety. More specifically,anelectrical worker with knowledge of electrical safety and/oraWorksafeBC presenter to talkabout injuries in theworkplace or fall protection and/orladder safety.
Resources
An Introduction to PersonalFall Protection Equipment (WorkSafeBC)
A Bright Arc: A Video Guide to PowerlineSafety
Construction—ToolboxMeetingGuides—PersonalProtectiveEquipment(WorkSafeBC)
Ontario ElectricalSafetyAuthority Video Gallery(threevideos)
•Your LifeIson theLine
•ElectricalSafety Hazards at Home
•10Shocking Facts
Fall Protection Can SaveYourLife: WorkSafeBC
LadderSafety(WorkSafeBC)
Safe Ladder Use (WorkSafeBC Construction SafetySeries)
WorkingSafelyAroundElectricity(WorkSafeBC)
_topic/assets/pdf/electricity.pdf
Activity Background
Theactivities will cover three areas: electricalhazardsandsafety, ladderuseandfall protection/arrest, andtheCanadianElectricalCode.
Understandingelectricalhazards and safety is paramounttoelectricalwork.Safe practicesmust always befollowedto ensure thatthechance of accidentsis minimized.PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE) must always be usedto keep workers safe.
Another topic andactivity willbeladder safetyandfallprotection.Electricians must learnhow touseladderssafely and understandthe importanceoffallsafetyandfall arrest in theworkplace.Students willhaveachance topractisesafe useofladders and fallprotection.
TheCanadian Electrical Code is a very largebodyofwork,andstudentsmayfindthiscomponentmore difficult tounderstand.Studentsshouldunderstandthat if theycontinueintheelectricaltrade andplan tobecome anapprentice,greater understanding of the electrical
codeis avery importantpartof the process. The intent isnot to memorizethe codebuttohaveknowledgeofthesectionsandknowwhereto look tofind specific details.
Therewill be many opportunities for class discussion onall of the topics coveredduring theactivities. Specific sectionsofthese topics may be exploredingreaterdetail if theteacherfeelstheyhave theknowledgeand/orresources to do so.
Activity 1: Electrical Hazards and Safety
This activity couldstartbystudentsingroupspreviewing videos about electricalhazardsandsafety issues. Students shouldpickout themost important points inthevideos. The studentscouldthen show theirvideoto the class andlead a discussion or summarize the video.
Alternatively, the teacher could showthe electricalhazardsandsafetyvideos and discuss as aclass. If thisoptionis chosen,it’simportant that theteacherpreviews the videos and takesnotesforclass discussion.
1.Have students pair upand generate 20questions from“WorkingSafely Around Electricity.”Theteacher willneed toprint offenoughbooklets forthegroups. Studentsshould covertopicsfrom eachsection of the documentand note theanswers ona separatepieceofpaper. Give students ample timeto complete.
2.Once complete,have studentstradequestions with another pair and answerthequestions.Give students enoughtimeto answer thequestions. The teacher may determinetheallottedtimefor answeringquestions.
3.Once complete,havethe groups trade papers backandmark theanswers from theiranswerkeys. Another option for this activity would befortheteacher to generate questionsfrom thedocumentandhavethestudentsfindtheanswers.
WorkSafeBChas somegreat toolbox meetingguidesdesignedfor employers. The“Construction—Toolbox MeetingGuides—Personal ProtectiveEquipment—TueDec17,2013”sectiondeals withgeneral PPElikeclothing, hearing,eye, face, andrespirators.
The“Construction—Toolbox MeetingGuides—Electrical—TueDec17,2013”sectiondeals withmore specific issuesaround electrical work.
•Havestudentspairupandpresent some important information from their specific topicarea. Thetopics are inPDF format and the studentscould print offcopiesor present fromtheclassprojector.Thesearedocumentsthat employersusefor safetymeetings, so it’s agreat wayfor studentstoseehow employeesarecontinuallytrainedto worksafely.
Activity 2: Ladder Safety andFallProtection
1.Show students videos on ladder safety andfall protection. SeetheWorkSafeBC links intheResourcessection:
•LadderSafety
•FallProtectionCanSaveYour Life
2.Discuss issuessurroundingthe videos such asthedifference betweenfall protection andfallarrest, choosing thecorrect ladder (performanceor access),elevated platforms,andCSA classifications forladders.
LadderSafetyActivity
1.Print copiesor project the“SafeLadder Use” PDF from WorkSafeBC(see theResourcessection).Asaclass, gothroughthe ladder safety documentand payparticular attentiontostepladder andextension ladderuse.
2.Theteachershouldthen have studentsin pairs safelyset up and climb step andextensionladders.
FallProtection/FallArrestActivity
1.Printcopiesorproject theWorkSafeBCPDF,“AnIntroductiontoPersonalFall ProtectionEquipment” (see theResources section). Asaclass, go throughthefallprotectiondocument.
2.Have studentsindividually put onand correctly size the harness. Ifpossible have thestudents hoisteachotheroff the ground viaapulleysystem sotheycan experiencethediscomfort of afallprotectionharness.
Activity 3:Canadian Electrical Code
Theteacher should explain totheclass the purposeof theCanadian ElectricalCode. Studentswilldoa CECexercise as partof Activity Plan6:Circuit Concepts. The CEC is publishedbytheCanadianStandards Associationand covers theinstallationand maintenanceof electrical
equipment in Canada. The codeuses aprescriptive model, outlining in detailthe wiringmethodsthat areacceptable.Inthe current edition,thecoderecognizesthat othermethods canbeusedto ensure safeinstallations,but thesemethodsmust be acceptabletotheauthority enforcing thecodeinaparticular jurisdiction.Students should bemade aware thatthe CEC is an ongoingtoolthat all apprentices will haveto learnhow touse during their training.TheResources sectioncontains alink to avideo givingfurther explanation of the code.
EvaluationGuidelines
Thestudent:
•Participatesin discussions
•Contributes togroup work
•Demonstrates an understanding of terminology
•Demonstrates anunderstanding of electricalsafetyandhazards
•Demonstrates anunderstandingoffallprotectionand arrest
•Has someunderstanding of the CanadianElectricalCode
•Presentsinformation to the class
•Generates and answersquestions
ExtensionActivity
Havestudentsfind a videoshowingshortcircuitsandarcflashes,andpresentittothe class tohelpthem seewhat happensinthese situations.