Site Safety Supervisor

Competency Course

Part VI(G) –
Occupational Safety Electrical Safety

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 OBJECTIVES

To enable the participants to:

◉ identify common hazards associated to electrical work,
◉ Identify relevant statutory requirements related to
electrical work
◉ identify control measures for identified hazards; and
◉ perform his/her duties as stipulated under Regulations
25, Factories & Machinery (Building Operations & Work
of Engineering Construction) (Safety), Regulations
1986.

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

 Electricity cannot be seen, heard

and smelt
 Electricity is common – everyday
part of life

 People tend to forget the it

danger

 It doesn’t take much electricity to

kill.
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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

l!: Temporary installation – meant for use during

construction period.
l!: Permanent installation – meant for use by end
user after completion of construction works.
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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

TEMPORARY INSTALLATION

 Different from permanent

installation.
 Site conditions scarcely
conducive for planning a safe
distribution system.
 Load requirements vary
considerably.
 Wiring problems arise because runs
require re-routing or extension.
 overall situation is hazardous.
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY

PERMANENT INSTALLATION

 Requires efficient and safe

testing and commissioning.

 If neglected, may lead to unsafe

conditions and to the building
owner being involved in
additional and unnecessary
maintenance costs.

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT

Includes:
 Circuit
 Conductor
 Main switch, local and distributing board
 Circuit breakers
 Fuse
 Socket and plug
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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT
 Circuit
 Where electric current flows
 Provides the source of energy

 Is complemented by use of a conductor to

allow control of current

 Conductor -comprises of:

 Internally: Metal which allows the flow of
electricity

 Externally: Rubber – for insulation

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT

 Main switch,
 Functions as a source of electric current and
distributes it to other parts according to requirements

 Distributing board
 It receives electric current externally before
distribution.

 Circuit breakers
 It has an automatic switch which retracts from the ‘on’
to ‘off’ position when there is an overload of electricity

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT

 Fuse
 A piece of thin metal that will melt at a
level below overload level to break the
circuit and stops the flow of electricity

 Socket and plug

 Entry to the circuit and allows tapping
to let electricity flow to the equipment
requiring it.

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY

CAUSES OF ACCIDENT

 Damaged insulation.
 Inadequate system of work.
 Inadequate over current protection
(fuses, circuit breakers).

 Inadequate earthing.
 Carelessness and complacency.
 Overhead apparatus.
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY

CAUSES OF ACCIDENT

 Earth leakage currents.

 Loose contacts and connectors.
 Inadequate ratings of circuit
components.

 Unprotected connectors.

 Poor maintenance and testing.

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

HAZARD AND RISK-ELECTRICAL SHOCK

Electric shock, where the injury

results from the flow of
electricity through the body’s
nerves, muscle and organs and
causes abnormal function to
occur (the heart stop, etc.)

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

HAZARD AND RISK- ELECTRICAL BURNS

Electrical burns resulting

from the heating effect of
the current which burns
body tissue.

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY

HAZARD AND RISK- ELECTRICAL FIRES & EXPLOSION

Electrical fires &

explosion caused by
overheating or arcing
apparatus in contact with
a fuel.

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

OSHA 94- General Duties of Employers

Sect. 15 (2)
 Provide and maintain safe plant and
safe system of work and without risk to
health.

 Make arrangements for safe use,

operation, handling, storage and
transportation of substances and plant.

 Provide information, instruction, training

and supervision.
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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

OSHA 94- General Duties of Employees

Sect. 24
 Reasonable care for safety and
health of himself and others;
 Cooperate with employer and others;
 Wear and use PPE; and
 Comply with instructions on OSH.

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 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

F & M (BOWEC) 1986, Part II, General Provisions

 Check and examine for unsafe

conditions.
 Post warning signs.
 Advice workers of the hazards, risks
and control measures to be taken.

 Unless protected, workers should not

be instructed to perform the task.
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 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

F & M (BOWEC) 1986, Part II, General Provisions

 Workers working over suspected

underground services to be provided
with suitable PPE.

 Wiring to be supported on proper

insulators and looped over nail or
brackets.

 Do not leave wires on ground or

floors, unless made of weatherproof
type and protected.
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 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

F & M (BOWEC) 1986, Part II, General Provisions

 Bare wire or unprotected conductors

to be 4m away from any workplace,
access or egress.

 Equipment to be properly earthed.

 Temporary installations to be
provided with circuit breaker (ELCB).

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 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

F & M (BOWEC) 1986, Part II, General Provisions

 Clearance for elevated power lines –

5.2m from ground surface.
 Installations for building & engineering
construction to comply with authorities
requirements.
 Installation to be approved by Chief
Inspector before commissioned.
 Installation to be maintained in good
and safe working order at all times.
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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation

Organising & Planning

Good organisations and forward planning are essential for the
safe use of electricity.
 Small scale installation - competent electrician.

 Moderate or large size construction sites Installations - wider

and deeper knowledge of the engineering principles involved.

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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation
Organising & Planning

Competent electrician as required

by relevant laws and regulations
must carry out all electrical
installation.

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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation

Distribution Box
 Weatherproof type.
 Positioned and arranged to
minimise movement and long
lay of circuits.
 Protected from interferences or
unauthorised operation.

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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation

Distribution Box
 Large enough to accommodate all
the necessary apparatus required.
 Each circuit should be clearly
labelled and circuit diagram should
be located at each board.
 Should be earthed

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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation
Connection
 Plugs, socket-outlets and
couplers for AC and DC supplies
must be of suitable made and
weather proof and of approved
types.
 Damaged and faulty connectors
should be replaced and removed
immediately.

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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation
Cable/Wire Layout
 Overhead cables should be of a
robust and approved type.
 Sited as to present the minimum of
obstruction on the site and to avoid
danger and breakdown.
 Never looped the cables on nails and
steel brackets.

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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation

Cable/Wire Layout  Underground cables to be buried at

a safe depth and their routes clearly
marked both on the sites and site
plans.
 Distribution cables should be
arranged as to prevent the need for
long trailing cables.
 If laid on ground and floors they
should be protected from moving
vehicles and plant.
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GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation

Water & Electricity

DO NOT GO
TOGETHER
 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation
Safe System of Work (LOTO)
Cl When working with electrical circuits and
apparatus, the supply should be switched
and locked off, apparatus should be
checked to ensure it is ‘dead’.

Cl Permit-to-work and lock-out tag-out system

should be established and implemented in
high risk situations.

Cl Records on permit issued, cancellation,

etc. must be maintained.
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 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Temporary Installation
Operation & Maintenance
� All electrical installations must be
properly earthed and provided with
approved type earth leakage circuit
breaker (ELCB).

� The installations must be properly

maintained to ensure safe utilisation.

� Inspection, test and maintenance

must be carried out by competent
electrician on a routine basis.
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GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

PERMENANT INSTALLATION

a All permanent installation must

comply with the approved
design and statutory
requirements.

a Testing and commissioning

should be approved by the
authorities.

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