Unit IC Hand Notes

Element 8 – Electrical Safety

1. Jul 07-E8-Q3-10, Jul 12-E8-Q5-10 & Jan 10-E8-Q5-10

Question 3 Direct contact with a live, mains voltage electricity supply system within a workplace can
result in serious injury or death. Outline a range of control measures that may prevent or limit the
effect of such contact. (10)

This question required candidates firstly to consider ways to

1. "prevent contact" with a live mains voltage supply and
2. measures such as working “dead” and
3. Using locking off devices were obviously relevant in this context.
4. Measures to prevent or deter contact would have included the insulation of live parts
5. The provision of barriers to prevent contact from any usual means of access and
6. Enclosures to prevent contact from any direction.
7. Measures to prevent unintentional contact would include making the live parts safe by position
and
8. Ensuring that only skilled persons or others under continuous and direct supervision are
employed in those areas where contact might be made.
9. Additionally reference could have been made to the use of a permit to work system and
10. Physical measures such as the provision of mats and appropriate tools.
11. Ultimately, residual current devices would reduce the risk from electric shock should contact be
made and fuses or circuit breakers in the phase conductor might also have a part to play.

2. Jan08-E8-Q9-20,
Question 9 With respect to an electricity supply operating at 240v:
(a) Outlinethe factors that determine the severity of the effects of an electric shock. (6)
(b) For each of the following protective devices describe their principles of operation:
(i) Residual current devices; (3)
(ii) fuses; (3)
(iii) 110v centre tapped to earth reduced voltage systems. (3)
(c) Outline other design features of electrical systems intended to improve safety. (5)

In answering part (a) of this question, credit was given for reference to factors including
1. The voltage, the nature of the current (whether alternating or direct),
2. The body resistance of the individual with reference to age, gender, the amount of moisture
(perspiration) on the body and
3. The type of footwear worn,
4. The route taken by the current through the body,
5. The speed of action of any protective measures and
6. The environmental conditions, such as the floor material and the presence of water.
7. Knowledge of Ohm’s Law was useful in relating the size of current to voltage and resistance.

In answering part (b), candidates were expected to describe that

i)
1. A Residual current device is designed as a shock limiting device and not for system protection.
2. It operates on an earth leakage fault.
3. Any differential in the current passing through the line (neutral) and phase (live) conductors is
detected, operating a switch to cut off the electrical supply to the apparatus and preventing severe
electric shock.
4. The device should operate within 30 to 50 milliseconds of the fault being detected.
ii)
1. A fuse is a device placed in the live side of a circuit,
2. Designed to cut off automatically the power supply to the circuit within a given time
3. when the current flow in the circuit exceeds a given value and produces sufficient heat to melt the
fuse.
4. Which is designed to do so at a predetermined temperature.
5. It prevents the overload of an electrical system and overheating of electrical wiring.
6. However, its speed of operation is generally too slow to protect people from electric shock.
iii)
1. One of the better ways of reducing the risk from electricity is to reduce the voltage, achieved by
the use of a step down transformer.

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Element 8 – Electrical Safety

2. A common reduction is to 110 volts and a transformer used to attain the reduction is described as
centre tapped to earth in that the secondary winding of the transformer is earthed to its centre
thus ensuring that the maximum voltage from live to earth involved in an electric shock will be 55
volts.

For part (c), candidates could have outlined other design features intended to improve safety such as
1. The selection of suitable cables and placing them out of reach wherever possible;
2. The provision of effective means of isolation to ensure the secure disconnection and separation of
electrical equipment from every source of energy;
3. The use of earthed systems and Class 1 equipment or double insulated Class 2 equipment;
4. The use of circuit breakers and
5. The introduction of earth free zones.

3. Jul08 -E8-Q10-20, Jul10-E8-Q11-20

Question 10 A worker has received an electric shock from a 240 volt portable drill whilst installing a
set of wooden shelves.

(a) Outline the physical effects the worker may have suffered from the accident. (5)
(b) State the emergency action that should have been taken immediately after the accident. (5)
(c) Identify the precautions that might have been taken to prevent the accident. (10)

For part (a), candidates should have outlined

1. Effects such as fibrillation of the heart muscles
2. With possible cardiac arrest,
3. Respiratory failure,
4. Muscular contraction or spasm,
5. Involuntary grip that can prolong current flow,
6. Burns to tissue and ultimately death.
7. There is also the possibility of secondary injuries such as those resulting from a fall.

Part (b) was concerned with the emergency action to be taken immediately after the accident and it
was expected that candidates would refer to matters such as
1. Isolating the source of power or using a non-conductive instrument to push the victim
2. Clear; wrapping the victim in insulating material and
3. Checking for breathing and pulse;
4. Administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if needed;
5. Placing the victim in the recovery position and contacting the emergency services.

Part (c) sought information on the precautions that might have been taken in order to have prevented
the accident. More successful candidates were those who provided a structured answer by looking at
1. Equipment selection, In selecting equipment, consideration should be given to
 The use of reduced voltage,
 Battery-powered and/or
 Double-insulated tools and
 Conformity with standards.
2. Technical precautions include
 The use of residual current devices,
 Ensuring earth integrity (where appropriate),
 Using correctly rated cables and fuses, and
 Ensuring that equipment or system components (plugs, sockets, cables etc) are free from
damage,
3. While organisational issues relate to
 Maintenance arrangements,
 Inspection and testing of portable appliances and electrical systems,
 Housekeeping standards, and
 The provision of information, instruction and training – particularly in relation to systems of
work and pre-use checks.

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Element 8 – Electrical Safety

4. Jan10-E8-Q5-10, Jul12-E8-Q5-10&Jul 07-E8-Q3-10

Question 5 Direct contact with live parts of an electrical supply within a workplace can result in
serious injury or death.

Outline a range of control measures that may prevent or limit the effect of such contact. (10)

1. Possibility of isolation with the supply locked off to enable ‘dead’ working.
2. If this were not possible, then contact with live parts might be prevented by the complete
insulation of live parts such as cables, bus bars and connections.
3. Contact might also be prevented or at least deterred by placing barriers across the usual
direction of access or enclosures to prevent contact from any direction.
4. There are also occasions when contact is unintentional where consideration should be given
to positioning live parts of the supply out of reach taking into account activities which might
include the use of ladders or long metal tubes.
5. In the event of contact, its effect might be limited by the use of residual current devices
(RCDs)
6. Others include the use of fuses or circuit breakers to protect against over current
7. Procedural measures such as permits to work
8. Physical measures such as mats and the use of appropriate tools.

5. Jul10-E8-Q11-20
Question 11 With respect to an electricity supply operating at 240v:
(a) Outline the factors that determine the severity of the effects of an electric shock. (6)
(b) for EACH of the following protective devices outline their principles of operation:
(i) residual current devices; (3)
(ii) fuses; (3)
(iii) 110v centre tapped to earth reduced voltage systems. (3)
(c) Outline other design features of electrical systems intended to improve safety. (5)

In answering part (a) of this question, credit was given for reference to factors including
1. The voltage, the nature of the current (whether alternating or direct),
2. The body resistance of the individual with reference to age, gender,
3. The amount of moisture on the body and
4. The type of footwear worn,
5. The route taken by the current through the body,
6. The speed of action of any protective measures and
7. The environmental conditions, such as the floor material and the presence of water.
8. Knowledge of Ohm’s Law was useful in relating the size of current to voltage and resistance.

i) In answering part (b), candidates were expected to outline that

1. a residual current device is designed as a shock limiting device and not for system protection.
2. It operates on an earth leakage fault.
3. Any differential in the current passing through the line (neutral) and phase (live) conductors is
detected, operating a switch to cut off the electrical supply to the apparatus and preventing severe
electric shock.
4. The device should operate within 40 milliseconds of the fault being detected.

ii) 1. A fuse is a device placed in the live side of a circuit, designed to automatically cut off the power
supply to the circuit within a given time when the current flow in the circuit exceeds a given
value and produces sufficient heat to melt the fuse.
2. Which is designed to do so at a predetermined temperature.
3. It prevents the overload of an electrical system and overheating of electrical wiring.
4. However, its speed of operation is generally too slow to protect people from electric shock.

iii) 1. One of the better ways of reducing the risk from electricity is to reduce the voltage, achieved by
the use of a step down transformer.
1. A common reduction is to 110 volts and a transformer used to attain the reduction is
described as centre tapped to earth in that the secondary winding of the transformer is

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Element 8 – Electrical Safety

earthed to its centre thus ensuring that the maximum voltage from live to earth involved in an
electric shock will be 55 volts.

For part (c), candidates could have outlined other design features intended to improve safety such
as
1. The selection of suitable cables and placing them out of reach wherever possible;
2. The provision of effective means of isolation to ensure the secure disconnection and
separation of electrical equipment from every source of energy;
3. The use of earthed systems and Class 1 equipment or double insulated Class 2 equipment;
4. The use of circuit breakers and
5. The introduction of earth free zones.

This was a popular question. Answers to the first two parts were generally to a good standard though
some candidates had difficulty in outlining the workings of a step down transformer. Answers to part
(c), however, were disappointing with many candidates apparently not noticing or ignoring the
reference to design features and offering only training and safe systems of work.

6. Jan09-E8-Q9-20
Question 9 Small electroplating companies often have poor standards of health and safety, made
worse by the presence of conductive and corrosive fluids, and humid corrosive atmospheres.

(a) Describe the types of fault that may be found in fixed electrical systems under such conditions.
(10)
(b) Outline the information relating to fixed electrical systems that will be required prior to a survey by
a competent person. (10)

a) The first part of this question sought to examine candidates’ knowledge of typical faults within an
electrical system and how a corrosive atmosphere may exacerbate the problems. Issues that should
have been described included
1. Poor earthing,
2. Damaged sockets and
3. Switchgear, covers missing from junction boxes,
4. Incompetent workmanship and
5. Inadequate excess current protection.
6. Additional problems caused by the atmosphere include exposed live conductors due to damaged
or perished insulation;
7. Short circuits caused by the ingress of fluids;
8. Corrosion of system parts such as access grilles and transformer casings; and the unsuitability of
the equipment for use in such wet and corrosive conditions.

For part (b), the type of information required by a competent electrician prior to carrying out a survey
would include:
1. The type of equipment and its rating (eg operating voltage and current);
2. Its IP classification (including the measure of protection against the ingress of water);
3. Any circuit diagrams and/or manuals for the equipment and details of any modifications made;
4. Means of isolation and its location;
5. Earthing arrangements;
6. The type and size of cables;
7. Details on the operation of protective devices and copies of previous inspection reports.

7. Jul09-E8-Q1-10 Jan12-E8-Q4-10

Question 1 Outline the precautions that should be taken when construction work is to take place
under or near overhead power lines that will remain live during the work. (10)

In answering this question, candidates would have done well to have structured their responses round
the key elements described in HSE Guidance Note GS6. The initial precaution to be considered
would have been
1. The possibility of rerouting the cables but if this was not possible then

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Element 8 – Electrical Safety

2. The local electricity supply company would need to be approached for advice on the precautions
to be taken.
3. This would include advice on the maximum working heights and horizontal distances permitted
near the overhead lines.
4. The next step would be to establish the maximum height and vertical reach of plant to be used on
site including those of sub contractors and
5. Those which could penetrate the safe distances would have to have physical limiting equipment
fitted.
6. Safe routes where plant could travel and operate would have to be marked;
7. Barriers and solid goal posts erected which would need to be monitored on a regular basis to
ensure they remained intact and in place, and
8. Appropriate warning signs displayed.
9. Non-conductive equipment, for example wooden ladders, would have to be used on site.
10. Workers and sub contractors should be briefed on the hazards associated with the work and the
safe systems of work to be followed and
11. Drivers of visiting vehicles would also have to be instructed on the routes to be followed.
12. Procedures for dealing with an emergency would be necessary and information on these
procedures would again have to be passed on to workers.
13. Finally a high level of supervision would have to be provided to ensure that there was strict
adherence with the precautionary measures that had been put in place.

Answers were generally to a reasonable standard though some candidates treated it as electricity,
rather than a construction, question and wrote of the precautionary measures to be taken to deal with
the possible presence of buried cables. If marks were lost it was because candidates produced a list
rather than the outline that was required.

8. Jan11-E8-Q2-10
Question 2 Outline what should be considered when preparing a scheme for the systematic
examination, testing and maintenance of portable electrical appliances.(10)

In answering this question, candidates should have first considered the importance of
1. Producing an initial inventory of the equipment to be examined and tested including its source
such as in-house, contractors or workers and
2. Ensuring that each item was provided with a unique means of identification. That completed,
3. It would then be necessary to determine the appropriate type and frequency of inspection for each
item based on factors affecting the level of risk,
 Such as the type of appliance,
 Any protective systems provided such as earthing, double insulation, or reduced voltage,
 The age and usage of the appliance,
 The environment in which it was used such as in a corrosive atmosphere where more
frequent testing may be required, and
 The experience and competence of the user.
 Additionally, historical data and manufacturer’s recommendations would need to be taken
into consideration.
4. Finally, criteria for each type of examination and test would have to be laid down which would
include issues such as the competence of the tester,
5. The calibration and maintenance of test equipment,
6. The format of records to be kept on the results of the tests and examinations and
7. Systems to identify and take out of use equipment that was found to e faulty.

Better answers included reference to published guidance from the appropriate regulator or
professional institute.

Many candidates listed the parts of the equipment that should be checked and tested rather than what
should be considered in the preparation of a scheme for examination and testing. A few identified
faults such as loose wires and defective plugs while there were others who did not appear to possess
the technical knowledge to deal with this type of question.

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Element 8 – Electrical Safety

9. Jan11-E8-Q9-20
Question 9 A small company manufactures products using electro-chemical processes. The
company has poor general standards of health and safety, made worse by the presence of conductive
and corrosive fluids and humid, corrosive atmospheres.

(a) Describe the types of fault that may be found under such conditions in a fixed electrical system.
(10)
(b) Outline the technical information a competent electrician would require before conducting an
inspection of a fixed electrical system. (10)

The first part of this question sought to assess candidates’ knowledge of typical faults within a fixed
electrical system and how a corrosive atmosphere may exacerbate the problems. Issues that should
have been mentioned included
1. Poor earthing and a lack of earth continuity,
2. Damaged sockets and switchgear,
3. Covers missing from junction boxes,
4. Inadequate excess current protection such as the fitting of fuses with incorrect ratings,
5. Means of isolation in poor condition and badly sited and
6. Incompetent workmanship in the original installation.
7. Additional problems caused by the atmosphere include
 Exposed live conductors due to damaged or perished insulation,
 Short circuits caused by the ingress of fluids,
 Corrosion of system parts such as access grilles and transformer casings, and
 The unsuitability of the equipment for use in such wet and corrosive conditions.

For part (b), the type of information required by a competent electrician prior to carrying out a survey
would include:
1. An inventory of the equipment with details of its type and manufacturer;
2. The operating parameters of the system such as its voltage, current, number of phases and its
impedance and/or resistance;
3. Its IP classification including the measure of protection against the ingress of water;
4. Any circuit diagrams and/or manuals for the equipment with details of any modifications made;
5. Means of isolation and its location;
6. Earthing arrangements;
7. The type and size of cables;
8. Details on the operation of protective devices and copies of previous inspection reports.

Answers to this question were to an acceptable standard with most candidates able to identify a range
of faults that might be found.

For part (a), some tried to explain the chemical reactions involved which was not required, and
suggested the presence of a flammable atmosphere which was irrelevant. In their answers to the
second part of the question, some candidates outlined the precautions to be taken rather than the
information that the competent electrician would require.

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