Electrical safety

by
Eng. Ahmed Saleh
You will learn about…
– Hazards of Electricity
– Isolating Circuits
– Testing Circuits
– Work on Energized Equipment / Work Area Safety
– Portable Electrical Tools
– Electrical PPE
– Electrical Systems
– Electrical shock
– Step voltage & touch voltage
– Lightening phenomena
– Case study
Electrical Safety
 Special Training is required for work on electrical
equipment for authorized person and to cover the following:
– Safe Work Practices
– Isolation of Electrical Sources
– Test Equipment
– Tools & PPE
Only Authorized Employees may conduct electrical work
 Electrical Hazards Include
BE SAFE:
– Burns
– Electrocution
– Shock
– Arc flash/arc blast
– Fire
– Explosions
These can result in severe injury or death
Lock out / tag out
Lock & Tag…
 Lock & Tag all Sources
– Place Lock & Tag on each disconnecting means used to
de-energize circuits
– Attach Lock so as to prevent operating the disconnecting
means
– Place Tag with Each Lock

If a Lock cannot be applied…

 A tag used without a lock must be supplemented by at least
one additional safety measure that provides a level of safety
equal to that of a lock.
Examples:
– Removal of an isolating circuit element such as a fuse
– Blocking of a controlling switch
– Opening of an extra disconnecting device.
Electrical circuit for induction motor
Release Stored Energy…
 Stored electric energy must be released before starting
work.
– Discharge all Capacitors
– Short-Circuit & Ground all high capacitance elements
Is it “Dead”?…
- Verify System is De-energized
Operate the equipment controls to check that equipment
cannot be restarted.
- System is De-energized
Use test equipment to test the circuits & electrical parts for
voltage & current

Check your tester…

Check test equipment (Volt-Ohm Meter) on a known live
source of same rating to ensure it works before and after
checking the circuit on which you will be working
Working on energized
equipment / Working Area
Safety
Standard Operating Procedures
Electrical Pre-work Procedures
 Treat all electrical circuits as “Live”
a Obtain permission from supervisor
b Lockout / tag out at electrical power sources
c Verify de-energized conditions exist - operate controls
d Voltmeter verification at live electrical source - must be
rated for voltage
e Check exposed circuits phase to ground
f No voltage in exposed circuits - it’s ok to work
g If voltage is detected - Stop - determine source &
eliminate voltage
h Conduct work
i Close up exposed circuits, boxes, control panels and
equipment
j Remove lock and tag
k Obtain supervisor permission to energize circuits
23-May-21 9
Standard Operating Procedures
Working on Exposed Energized Circuits
 Obtain permission from manager
 Lock out and tag out all circuits possible
 Treat all circuits as energized
 Remove all conductive clothing and jewelry
 Use all required PPE - including shields & barriers
 Inspect all overhead lines before starting
 Provide adequate lighting
 Don’t reach were you cant see
 Approach distance see chart next slide.

23-May-21 10
 APPROACH DISTANCE FOR QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES
ALTERNATING CURRENT
Voltage range (phase to phase) Minimum approach
distance

 300V and less……………………………. Avoid Contact

 Over 300V, not over 750V……………. 1 ft. 0 in. ( 30.5 cm)
 Over 750V, not over 2kV……………… 1 ft. 6 in. ( 46 cm)
 Over 2kV, not over 15kV……………. 2 ft. 0 in. ( 61 cm)
 Over 15kV, not over 37kV……………. 3 ft. 0 in. ( 91 cm)
 Over 37kV, not over 87.5 kV…………. 3 ft. 6 in. (107 cm)
 Over 87.5kV, not over 121kV………… 4 ft. 0 in. (122 cm)
 Over 121kv, not over 140kV…………… 4 ft. 6 in. (137 cm)

 Employees entering a confined space with exposed energized

parts, must use protective barriers, shields, or insulated materials
rated at or above the present voltage.
 Secure all doors to prevent contact with employee and causing
employee contact with energized parts
23-May-21 11
Re-energizing Electrical Circuits After Work is
Completed
 Qualified person shall
– conduct test and visual inspection
– verify all tools / equipment have been removed
 Warn all employees that the system is going to be re-
energized
 Remove all locks and tags (by the individual that installed
them)
 Conduct a visual determine that all employees are clear and
energize the system

23-May-21 13
Powered Equipment Safety Rules

 PEE = Cord or plug-type electrical devices including

extension cords
– damage free - no stapling, nailing or door jams
– visually inspected - if damage is present repair
immediately
– do not over load circuits
– ground type plugs - to - ground type receptacles
– never alter plugs
– if moisture is present - equipment must be double
insulated or rated for the job
– it’s not a good idea to be standing in water while
operating PPE

23-May-21 14
Portable Electric Tools -
Things to look for:

Damaged/Broken case

Ground prong
missing on
three-prong
plugs.
Some tools are
double insulated
Damaged Cord – and won’t have
outer sheath a ground prong.
EFCOG Electrical Improvement
broken Project
That’s OK.
Electrical tools and cords
Portable Electric Tools & Cords
 Portable equipment / tools must 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.

Visually Inspect…
 Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible
cord sets (extension cords) shall be visually inspected
before use on any shift for external defects:
– Loose parts
– Deformed or missing pins
– Damage to outer jacket or insulation
– Evidence of possible internal damage
Remove from Service…
 If there is a defect or evidence of damage to any
electrical tools or equipment…
Immediately notify your supervisor
Remove the item from service
Tell your co-workers
 Water Hazard
- Ensure hand, cords and receptacles are dry when plugging
and unplugging power cords
 Ladders Hazard
– Portable ladders must have non-conductive side rails if
they are used where a workers or the ladder could contact
exposed energized parts.
– Keep all ladder parts at least 10 feet away
from overhead power lines
Test Instruments..
– Test instruments, equipment & test leads, cables,
power cords, probes, and connectors must be
visually inspected for external defects and damage
before the equipment is used.
Remove any defective items from service

 Test instruments and equipment & accessories must be:

– Rated for the circuits and equipment to which they will

be connected
– Designed for the environment in which they will be
used
Electrical PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
 Shall be used when contact with exposed electrical sources
are likely
 Shall be designed for the job and environment
 Shall be inspected or tested before use
 Non-conductive head PPE required where overhead or
energized parts exist.
 Eye / face PPE required when electrical arcs, flashes or
flying objects exist.
 Shall maintain insulating capabilities at all times.
Personal Protective Equipment
 Electrically rated safety shoes / boots / gloves / head gear
 Tools properly insulated
 Electrically rated matting for all distribution panels / utility
rooms
 Fuse handling equipment insulated for the circuit voltage
 Ropes and other hand lines
 Portable ladders shall have non-conductive side rails
 Working on elevated platform - REQUIRES - safety watch on
the ground
 Personnel working in elevated platforms must wear safety
harness and lanyard

Lockout tag out

 Locks attached to prevent operating the disconnecting
source
 Tag contain a statement prohibiting unauthorized operation
 Warning signs and barricades and or a safety attendant
Electrical System
 Electrical Circuits Safety Procedures
 Electrical power and light circuits are devices designed to connect
or reverse circuits under a power load condition
– cable connectors, (not load-breakers) fuses, terminal plugs or
cable splice connectors may not be used, unless an
emergency, to connect, disconnect or reverse in place of
proper electrical circuits
– once a protective circuit is disconnected or opened, it may not
be connected or closed until it is determined safe to energize
– over current protectors or circuits or connected circuits are
never modified
– only qualified employees may perform electrical circuit or
equipment tests
– all test equipment must be inspected before use - if damaged
remove from service
– test equipment must meet or exceed the voltage being tested
& environment
– electrical equipment is may not be used around flammable
material unless the proper measures have been taken to
prevent the hazardous condition from developing
23-May-21 25
System Markings..
 Electrical equipment may not be used unless the
manufacturer's name, trademark, or other descriptive
marking is placed on the equipment (clear name plate).
 Other markings shall be provided giving voltage,
current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary.
Circuit ID…
 Identification of disconnecting means and circuits
– Each disconnecting means for motors and
appliances shall be legibly marked to indicate its
purpose
– Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its
disconnecting means or overcurrent device, must be
legibly marked to indicate its purpose
Example of name plate of motor – power transformer –
circuit breaker
Electrical shock
What is an electric shock?
An electric shock is a physical reaction to electrical currents
passing through the body. They range from almost imperceptible
reactions to highly dangerous shocks that can affect the heart
muscle and cause tissue damage. In severe cases, this may be
fatal.

The things which can cause an electric shock,

 Power lines
 Lightning
 Electric machinery
 Electric weapons, such as Tasters
 Household appliances
 Electrical outlets

The Symptoms of an electric shock?

 Breathing problems
 Burns
 Loss of consciousness
 Muscle spasms
 Seizures
 Irregular heartbeat
Electrical Earthing
Definition: The process of transferring the immediate discharge of
the electrical energy directly to the earth by the help of the low
resistance wire is known as the electrical earthing.

Types of Electrical Earthing

 Neutral Earthing
 Equipment Earthing.

Importance of Earthing
The earthing is essential because of the following reasons

 The earthing protects the personnel from the short-circuit

current.
 The earthing provides the easiest path to the flow of short-
circuit current even after the failure of the insulation.
 The earthing protects the apparatus and personnel from the
high voltage surges and lightning discharge.
Effect of current on human body
Effect of current on human body
Step voltage and touch voltage
Step voltage and touch voltage
lightning stroke

What is Lightning?
Lightning is a natural phenomenon of electrostatic discharge caused by
two electrically charged neighbor clouds in the atmosphere (known as
Direct Stroke) or between electrostatically charged clouds and earth
(known as Electrostatic Induction Stroke) followed by a thunderstorm on
ground with audible sound.

A lightning stroke discharge goes up to 10^6 Volts and 50k to 250kA

which occurs in 10-6 second. That’s why its like an Impulse signal
instead of AC and DC.
Earthing – lightening protection
First Aid for electric shock victim
Its Your Job….
 Know the hazards of electricity
 Know the equipment
 Use Safe Work Practices
 Inspect your PPE before each use
 Don’t work on energized circuits
without permission
Case study
Thanks & any question