Electrical Safety

Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
BASIC OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING
SAFETY CONTROL DIVISION
Objectives:
• Explain the fundamental concepts of electricity.

• Enumerate common electrical hazards.
• Explain the effects of electricity on the human
body.
• Identify common electrical protective devices.
What is electricity?
A form of energy resulting from the existence

of charged particles. Electricity is the flow of
moving electrons. When the electrons flow it
is called an electrical current.
Failure to ensure a safe design, proper

work procedures, proper servicing and
maintenance of electrical equipment often
result in bodily harm or death, property
damage or both.
Electrifying Statistics
National Safety Council
From 1992-2012, there were nearly 6,000

deaths from on-the-job electrical accidents.
That’s 4.7% of all occupational deaths.
That’s almost one death per day!
Electricity is the 4th leading cause of injury-
related occupational death
Contact with overhead power lines was the

leading cause of electrocutions, causing 42%
of the deaths.
The second leading cause of electrocutions
was failure to properly de-energize
equipment.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA) data also

indicates that there were 24,100 non-fatal
electrical injuries from 2003 through 2012, the
most recent 10-year period for which data is
available.
That’s about 8 workplace electrical injuries per
day for the 10-year period.
The leading electrical injury event for non-fatal

injuries between 2003 and 2010 was “contact with
electric current of machine, tool, appliance, or light
fixture,” which accounted for 37% of the injuries
during his period.
The second leading non-fatal electrical injury event

was “contact with wiring, transformers, or other
electrical components,” with 35% of injuries.
Electrical Accidents
There are three direct and two indirect types of
electrical accidents:
• Direct:
Electrocution or death due to electrical shock
Electrical shock
Burns
• Indirect:
Falls
Fire
Causes of Electrical Accidents
 Contact with live conductors

 Short circuiting
 Arcs and sparks
 Overloading
 Inadequate grounding
 Non-usage of standard replacement
 Wet environment
It’s Your Job to Know!
 The hazards of electricity
 The equipment
 Use Safe Work Practices
 Inspect your PPE before each use
 Don’t work on energized circuits
without permission
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
FIRES -
Electricity is one of the most common
causes of fires both in the home and in the
workplace. Electric short circuiting, arcing,
sparks, overloading, use of defective or
misused electrical equipment are major
causes of electrical fires.
Non-usage of standard protective devices
any problems?
Overloaded Circuit
Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist
• Tripped circuit breakers or

blown fuses
• Warm tools, wires, cords,
connections, or junction
boxes
• Circuit breaker that shuts off
a circuit
• Worn or frayed insulation
around wire or connection
Causes of
Electrocution Fatalities
• Contact with Overhead Power lines
• Not following Lockout/Tagout procedures
• Contact with Live Circuits
• Poorly Maintained Extension Cords
• Defective Power Tools
Overhead Power Lines Hazard
• Usually not insulated

• Examples of equipment
that can contact power
lines:
– Crane
– Ladder
– Scaffold
– Backhoe
– Scissors lift
– Raised dump truck bed
Contact with live conductors
Unsafe electrical extension cord
Electricity and Water
• The likelihood of being shock is

greatly multiplied in damp locations
• People are excellent conductors
• Never use electrical equipment in
damp or wet areas
• Do Not spray water around any
electrical source
Electricity and Water
Important
Terminologies
Current (ampere)
is the amount of electricity flow in a conductor.
Voltage (volts)
is the force which causes electrons to flow in a
conductor.
Resistance (ohms)
is the opposition of a material to the flow of
electricity.
The following relationship exists between
amps, volts, ohms
Voltage
Current = -----------------
Resistance
Types of Voltages
High Voltage
660 volts or more
Low Voltage
less than 660 volts
More Frequent Accidents
Happen at Low Voltage Area
 Most employees work and move around

in this area
 Not all workers have the proper trainings
and experience
 It is treated as less dangerous
Types of Electric Current
Direct Current (DC)

An electric current flowing in one direction
only.
Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that reverses its direction
of flow (polarity) periodically according to
a frequency measured in hertz, or cycles
per second.
Types of Material as to
Electrical Resistance
Conductor - any material that offers little

resistance to the flow of an electric current
Insulator - any material that is a very poor

conductor of electricity and prevent current
from taking unwanted paths
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
CONDUCTOR
SWITCH
POWER
SOURCE LOAD 220 volts
EARTH
ELECTRIC SHOCK OCCURRENCE MECHANISM
• Breakdown of insulation
• Human body comes in contact with bare
conductor
• Current flows through the human body
Touch points that lead to electric shock:
CONDUCTOR
Line to SWITCH
Earth
POWER
SOURCE LOAD Line-to- line
Line to
Earth
EARTH
How does current enter the body?
Typical points of entry are the hands and feet as

they come in contact with electric current.
Sometimes, through the head and shoulders.
Shock Severity
• Severity of the shock depends on:

– Path of current through the body
– Amount of current flowing through
the body (amps)
– Duration of the shocking current
through the body
• LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT

MEAN LOW HAZARD
Current Reaction
1 Milliampere Perception level, a faint tingle
5 Milliamperes Slight shock felt, not painful, but disturbing
Average individual can let go
Strong involuntary reactions to shocks in this range can lead
to injuries
6-25 Milliamperes (women) Painful shock
Muscular control is lost
9-30 Milliamperes (men) The freezing current range. If extensor muscles are excited
by shock, the person may be thrown away from the power
source. Individuals cannot let go. Strong involuntary reactions
can lead to other injuries.
50-150 Milliamperes Extreme pain
Respiratory arrest
Severe muscular contractions*
Individual cannot let go
Death is possible
1,000-4,300 Milliamperes Ventricular fibrillation (the rhythmic pumping action of the
heart ceases)
Muscular contraction and nerve damage
Death is most likely TUV Rheinland
Rule 1210 Electrical Safety
Occupational Safety and Health Standard
Rule 1211
The Philippine Electrical Code is hereby adopted and the
standards contained therein shall be considered safety
standards to the extent that they safeguard any person
employed in any workplace and control the practice of
electrical engineering,
PROTECTIVE MEANS
• Proper Installation of Electrical Circuit

• Insulation
• Grounding
• Fuse/Circuit Breaker
• Use of GFCI
• Lock-Out / Tag-Out (LOTO)
• Regular Inspection and Maintenance
• Use of PPE
Electrical Protection
Insulation
Electrical insulation is the absence of electrical

conduction. All electrical cords should have sufficient
insulation to prevent direct contact with wires.
Damaged cords should be

repaired or taken out of
service
Circuit Breakers
These are calibrated conductors which will melt and/or

break (open) the electrical circuit when too much
current flows through them. This stops the flow of
electricity before any problem can develop.
– Provided to protect EQUIPMENT not people

– Reset only if you know why it tripped
GFCI
The ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is
a fast-acting circuit breaker which senses
small imbalances in the circuit caused by
current leakage to ground and, in a fraction
of a second, shuts off the electricity.
Grounding …
– is a conductive connection between
electrical circuit or equipment and earth or
ground plane
– creates a low resistance to the earth.
– is a protection from electric shock
Guarding of Live Parts
Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50
volts or more guarded against accidental contact
by approved cabinets or other forms of approved
enclosures, or by any of the following means:
(A) By location in a room, vault, accessible only to qualified
persons
(B) By permanent, substantial partitions or screens
(C) By location on a suitable balcony or platform as to exclude
unqualified persons
(D) By elevation of 8 feet or more above the floor or other
working surface
OSHA Requirements
Proper use of extension cords

– Stay away from wet areas, sharp objects heat
& oil
– Check cords periodically for nicks and cuts
– Always use the correct wire gauge and cord
length for its intended use:
Lockout/Tagout System
(LOTO)
The standard for the control of hazardous energy
sources which covers maintenance of machines in which
the unexpected start up of machines or release of stored
energy could cause injury to employees.
Lockout device:
A device that utilizes a positive means such as a lock to hold
an energy isolating device in the safe position and prevents the
energizing of a equipment
Tagout devices:
A warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment
Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Carry-Out Preventative Maintenance

All electrical equipment and installations should be
maintained to prevent danger.
It is recommended that fixed installations are
inspected and tested periodically by a competent
person.
The frequency of inspections and any necessary
testing will depend on the type of equipment,how
often it is used, and the environment in which it is
used.
Use of Portable Electric Tools
• Portable equipment shall be handled in a

manner which will not cause damage
• Flexible electric cords connected to equipment
may not be used for raising or lowering the
equipment
• Flexible cords may not be fastened with staples
or otherwise hung in such a fashion as could
damage the outer jacket or insulation
COMMON ELECTRIC PORTABLE
POWER TOOLS
Don’t carry portable tools by the cord
Don’t yank cord to disconnect it
Switches
Hand-held power tools must be equipped with one of
the following:
Constant pressure switch

shuts off power upon release
Examples: circular saw, chain saw, grinder, hand-held
power drill
On-Off Switch
Examples: routers, planers, laminate trimmers, shears, jig
saws, nibblers, scroll saws
Double-Insulated
Portable Electric Tools
Double insulation is more convenient.

The user is protected in two ways: by
normal insulation on the wires inside,
and by a housing that cannot conduct
electricity to the operator in the event
of a malfunction.
Safeguards for personnel protection
Employees working in areas

where there are potential
electrical hazards shall be
provided with, and shall use,
electrical protective equipment
that is appropriate for the
specific parts of the body to be
protected and for the work to
be performed.
Electrical Hazard Protections
Hand protection
– Rubber insulating gloves.
– Classified by the level of
voltage and protection they
provide.
– May be worn with outer
leather cover to provide the
mechanical protection
needed against cuts,
abrasions, and punctures.
ELECTRICAL Class
RUBBER GLOVES
CLASSIFICATION 00
Voltage-Rated Gloves
• First line of defense
• Choose the right size
• Leather protectors must be worn over the rubber gloves
• Gloves must be tested
– Before first issue and every 6 months
– If tested, but not issued for service, glove may not be put into
service unless tested within previous 12 months.
• Checked before use
– Roll-up test
– Inflator test
The following alerting techniques shall be used to

warn and protect employees from hazards which
could cause injury due to electric shock, burns, or
failure of electric equipment parts:
– Safety signs and tags
– Barricades
– Attendants
Safety signs, safety

symbols, or accident
prevention tags shall be
used where necessary to
warn employees about
electrical hazards which
may endanger them.
Barricades shall be used in conjunction

with safety signs where it is necessary to
prevent or limit employee access to work
areas exposing employees to uninsulated
energized conductors or circuit parts
If signs and barricades do not provide sufficient

warning and protection from electrical hazards,
an attendant shall be stationed to warn and
protect employees.
In Case of Electrical Accident
• Immediately turn off electrical power source
• Apply CPR if necessary
• Always use fire extinguisher in case of fire
• Find help as quickly as possible
Employer Obligation:
Electrical equipment shall be

free from recognized
hazards that are likely to
cause death or serious
physical harm to employees.
SUMMARY
Electrocution Prevention
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BASIC OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING
SAFETY CONTROL DIVISION

Electrical Safety

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Department of Labor and Employment

• Explain the fundamental concepts of electricity.

A form of energy resulting from the existence

Failure to ensure a safe design, proper

From 1992-2012, there were nearly 6,000

Contact with overhead power lines was the

Bureau of Labor Statistics (USA) data also

The leading electrical injury event for non-fatal

The second leading non-fatal electrical injury event

 Contact with live conductors

• Tripped circuit breakers or

• Usually not insulated

• The likelihood of being shock is

 Most employees work and move around

Direct Current (DC)

Alternating Current (AC)

Conductor - any material that offers little

Insulator - any material that is a very poor

Typical points of entry are the hands and feet as

• Severity of the shock depends on:

• LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT

• Proper Installation of Electrical Circuit

Electrical insulation is the absence of electrical

Damaged cords should be

These are calibrated conductors which will melt and/or

– Provided to protect EQUIPMENT not people

Proper use of extension cords

Carry-Out Preventative Maintenance

• Portable equipment shall be handled in a

Don’t carry portable tools by the cord

Don’t yank cord to disconnect it

Constant pressure switch

Double insulation is more convenient.

Employees working in areas

The following alerting techniques shall be used to

Safety signs, safety

Barricades shall be used in conjunction

If signs and barricades do not provide sufficient

Electrical equipment shall be

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