Objectives

• To be familiar with the fundamental concepts of electricity.

• To be able to recognize common electrical
hazards.
• To understand the effects of electricity on the human body.
• To know common electrical protective devices.

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 Electricity is our most versatile form of energy. The
flow of electrons in a conductor light-up our
surroundings, move our equipment, and run our
appliances. Electricity has made industries more
productive and has made our lives easier.

Trouble with Electricity

Failure to ensure a safe design, proper work

procedures, proper servicing and maintenance of
equipment often result in bodily harm or death,
property damage or both.

Causes of Electrical Accidents

Ø Contact with live conductors

Ø Short circuiting
Ø Arcs and sparks
Ø Overloading
Ø Inadequate grounding
Ø Non-usage of standard replacement
Ø Wet environment

Effects of Electrical Hazards

• Electrocution
• Electric Shock
• Burns
• Falls
• Fire

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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.
Power (watts) is the amount of energy or work that can be done by
amperes and volts.
Circuit is the path of flow of electricity.
Circuit Elements are objects which are part of a circuit and through which
current flows.
Fault is a current flow through an unintended path.

The following relationship exists between Amps, Volts,

Resistance and Watts.

Voltage
Current = -----------------
Resistance

Power = Voltage x Current

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Types of Voltages

High Voltage 660 volts or more

Low Voltage less than 660 volts

More Frequent Accidents Happen at Low Voltage Area

v Most employees work and move around in this area

v Not all workers have the proper trainings and experience
v 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.

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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

COMPARISON OF RESISTANCE OF SOME MATERIALS WITH THE

HUMAN BODY

Most metals ………………………...…> 0 to 50 ohms

Wet wood …………………….……...1,000 ohms
Dry wood …………………………….100,000 ohms
Rubber …………………….100,000,000,000,000 ohms

Human body (wet skin) ………….…1000 ohms

Human body (dry skin) …….100,000 to 800,000 ohms

Note: Data is based on limited experimental tests, and is not intended to indicate absolute values

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
A. Single Phase Three-wire System

CONDUCTOR
SWITCH

POWER
SOURCE LOAD 220 volts

EARTH

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 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

Current and the Human Body

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.

Factors Affecting Electric Shock

• Amount of electric current flow to the body

• Duration of electric current flow
• Current pathway - body organs to which current passes
• The size, age, and body condition of the person

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Effects of Electric Current in a Human Body
At 0.4 ma or more
no sensation
At 1.8 ma
a slight tingling sensation
More than 3 ma
painful shock
At 5 to 16 ma
safe “let-go” current but can cause secondary accident
More than 16 ma
muscle contraction “no-let-go” danger (involuntary grip)
At 30 ma to 50 ma
lung paralysis – usually temporary
More than 50 ma
possible ventricular fibrillation
At 100 ma or more
certain ventricular fibrillation, could be fatal

Human Skin & Resistance

Dry skin of a human body
Current = Volts/Ohms = 120/100,000 = 1mA (0.001A)
-Barely perceptible level of current

Wet skin of the a human body

Current = Volts/Ohms = 120/1,000 = 120mA (0.12A)

-Sufficient current to cause ventricular fibrillation

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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

Electrical Related Injuries

There are two categories:

• Primary Injuries – physical damage directly to the body from the
electrical current.
• Secondary Injuries – physical damage to the body resulting from
accidents caused by the shock.

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
• Complete Fire Fighting Equipment

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Electrical Protection

Circuit Breakers
– Provided to protect EQUIPMENT not people
– Reset only if you know why it tripped

These are calibrated conductors which will melt and

break (open) the electrical circuit when too much current
flows through them. This stops the flow of electricity
before any problem can develop.

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

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:

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Lock-out/Tag-out 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.

n Lockout device:
nA 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
nIncluded are blank flanges

n Tagout devices:

nA warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment

nCan be securely fastened to an energy isolating device in accordance
with an established procedure to indicate that the energy isolating device
and the equipment being controlled can not be operated until the tag is
removed

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.

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 COMMON ELECTRIC PORTABLE
POWER TOOLS

Don’t carry portable tools by the cord

Don’t use electric cords to hoist or lower tools

Don’t yank cord to disconnect it

Construction worker electrocuted, dies

A construction worker was electrocuted to death

while installing galvanized iron sheets at the roof of a
house under construction in… Investigation
disclosed that the victim was busy using his electric
drill to install GI sheets when he accidentally
touched one of the GI sheets that had a “ground”
because of an open wire in his drill. He suddenly
quivered violently before dying. His co-workers saw
the incident but they could not immediately
approached and save him……..

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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.

Electrocution Prevention
city

ay
Pat

Gro
Aw
ctri

un
Ele

ep

d
Ke

Time
GFCI

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 If you sense the presence of an electrical
hazard or exposed conductors that may
be energized, keep your distance and
STAY AWAY

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

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