Electrical Hazards And Precautions

Electrical Hazards And Precautions

Undoubtedly one of the risks present in most jobs is that of electrical contacts, these risks are related to the use of devices that work to electric current: power tools, work equipment, etc.

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These risks can be classified into five large groups:

• Fires and/or explosions:

• Electric shock,

• Burn

• Electrocution and

• Secondary hazards - fall

Fires and/or explosions:

Fires due to electrical energy are produced mainly by overloads, sparks or short circuits. Sometimes we see multiple plugs connected to circuit, lead to overheating causing fire and explosion.

Electric Shocks:

The effect of current
Current in milliampere (mA)	Effect
0.2 – 2	Threshold of sensation
2 - 10	Painful sensation
10 - 60	Muscle contraction
60 - 100	Ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest, burn-in deep tissue,
Above 100	Likely to death

A person is electrified when the electric current circulates through his body, that is, when the person’s part of the body contact with electrical circuit the person receives an electric shock and suffer muscle contraction, burn, ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.

Burn:

When current passes through the skin and internal tissue, the internal tissue burns can be very severe and may cause fatality.

Electrocution:

That same person is electrocuted when the passage of current causes his death

Secondary hazards - fall

The consequences due to the current through the body can cause secondary physical injuries due to the falls.

Ventricular fibrillation is the anarchic movement of the heart, which stops sending blood to different organs and while not follow its normal operating rate. It is the most serious effect and the one that produces the most fatal accidents. Once the heart rhythm does not recover spontaneously and, in the absence of rapid and effective assistance, irreversible injuries occur or death.

The choking occurs when the passage of the current affects the nerve centre regulating respiratory function, causing respiratory arrest.

Other alterations, such as muscle contractions, increased blood pressure, breathing difficulties, temporary stopping of the heart, etc. they can occur without ventricular fibrillation. Such effects are not deadly; they are usually reversible. Severe burns can be fatal.

Some of these effects are more common than others, since indirect electrical contacts can simply occur on a day-to-day basis, and it is certain that on more than one occasion some of us have suffered them due to:

• Use of unsuitable equipment,

• Use of equipment in wet conditions,

• Repaired by an unauthorized person,

• Use of defective equipment or tools,

• Use of damaged cable,

•  Lack of inspection before use,

• Improper installation of electrical equipment

• Lack of maintenance.

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How to prevent electrical hazards?

some control measures:

Fuse: fuse is used to control current overload.

Earthing: earthing used to safely ground the faulty current.

Miniature Circuit Breaker: it also used to protect the equipment from current overloading similar way to fuse.

Residual Current Device: it is very sensitive to small imbalance current (30 mA) and quickly (40 milliseconds) breaks the circuit and protect the human life in event of electric shock.

Competent Person: electrical work should be done by only a competent person who has knowledge, experience and skill of electricity.

Use of a Safe System of work: a safe system of work must be developed when working energized electrical system such as to permit to work system, risk assessment or job safety analysis, method statement and follow Lockout Tagout procedure.

Inspection by user: electrical tools and equipment must be inspected by the user before use. Check damage insulation, dead man switch, colour coding, valid inspection sticker and overall conditions.

Avoid working near water.

Fire extinguisher such as CO2

Actions in the event of an electrical accident

The electrical current can lead to injuries, especially as it passes through the interior of the body. The results of an electrical accident in our body can trigger a cardio-respiratory arrest, tetanic contractions,

The guideline for action will be: 

• Cut the current,

• Start the primary assessment and, in the case of cardio-respiratory arrest, start basic life support.

• Look for other possible injuries, such as bleeding, shock, or fractures. The most serious injury will always be treated first.

• Put a clean and sterile dressing over burns

• Take the victim to the hospital