Unit IGC 2 – Element 4: Electrical hazards and control

Question # 1: Identify control measures to reduce the risk of electric shock when using a portable electric
drill. (8)

Answer Plan
- Cover / protect / re-route cable
- Armour cable
- Use RCD
- Use double insulated tools
- Use reduced voltage tool
- 110V
- Centre tapped to earth (CTE)
- Minimise length of cable / extensions / provide suitable outlets
- Cordless / battery drill
- Suitable drill for the environment, e.g. air drill for flammable vapours
- PAT / testing and maintenance regimes
- Visual inspection / user checks
- Correct fuse rating
- Earthing

Question # 2:
(a) Outline the possible effects of electricity on the body. (4)
(b) State the emergency action to take if a person suffers a severe electric shock. (4)

Answer Plan
(a)
- cardio-respiratory effects, in particular the risk of fatal injury due to disruption to heart rhythm;
- muscular contraction following contact with AC current resulting in an involuntary grip on the live
conductor, thus prolonging current flow through the body;
- tissue burns with the main sites of damage being the entry and exit points with the possibility of damage
to internal organs.
(b)
- Depending on the circumstances, these may include:
- isolation of the victim from the supply (either by switching off or pushing him/her clear with a non-
conductive implement),
- summoning help,
- administering first-aid such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation,
- treatment of burns and other injuries, and
- remaining with the casualty until professional medical help arrives.

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 4: Electrical hazards and control
Question # 3:
(a) Describe the possible health effects of electricity on the body. (4)
(b) Outline FOUR factors that may affect the severity of harm of injury from contact with electricity. (4)

Answer Plan
(a)
− Cardio-respiratory effects which could include fibrillation of the heart or stopping of breathing
− Fatal injury due to disruption of heart rhythm
− Tissue burns the main sites of damage as being the entry and exit points as well as possible damage to
internal organs
− Secondary effects caused by going into medical shock, or being thrown to ground level while receiving
a shock while working at height
(b)
− The route taken through the body, the more dangerous route being across the heart
− The length of contact time that the current is flowing through the body, will normally cause more
damage
− The general health and age of the person involved may influence the ability to survive an electric
shock
− Those factors that might affect the size of current passing through the body such as dryness of the
skin, natural body resistance, ground conditions and type of footwear

Question # 4:
Describe how the following two protective measures reduce the risk of electric shock AND, in EACH case, give
an example of their application.
(a) Reduced low voltage. (4)
(b) Double insulation. (4)

Answer Plan
(a) ‘Reduced low voltage” commonly used for portable electrical hand tools on construction sites, involves
the reduction of mains voltage by a transformer to a lower safer voltage typically 110 volts. Any shock
voltage can be restricted to 55 volts by means of a transformer that is centre tapped to earth.
Additionally, Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) a voltage less than 50 volts are used in low power tools such
as hand lamps or soldering irons.
(a) ‘Double insulation’ internal live parts of a piece of equipment have two layers of insulation which prevent
the exposure of live parts to exposed conductive parts such as the outer metal casing of the equipment
Consequently, an internal fault condition cannot make any part of the casing live. Double insulation is
used on Class II appliances such as hand held portable appliances and non-hand held portable appliances
such as desk fans and desk lamps.

Question # 5: Outline a range of checks that should be made for electrical safety in a workplace.(8)
Answers Plan
- Visual inspections for damage to cables, plugs and sockets,
- Need to ensure that all fuses are of the correct rating,
- Checking that outlets are not overloaded and
- Cables are not coiled or in vulnerable positions where they might suffer damage.
- The equipment itself should be checked to ensure that it is suitable and conforms with recognized
standards such as CE marking and European standards,
- That it is properly sited to avoid damage,
- That it has been subject to appropriate and regular fixed installation and portable appliance testing,
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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 4: Electrical hazards and control
- That it is provided with means of isolation after use and
- That records are kept of the maintenance that has been carried out
- Checks should also be made to ensure there is an effective procedure for reporting defects or damage

Question # 6:
List the items that should be included on an inspection checklist designed to ensure the safety of portable
electrical appliances. (8)

Answers Plan
- need to check that the appliance is of a suitable type for the operations to be carried out;
- connecting plugs are in sound condition & sockets not overloaded;
- fuses fitted are of the correct rating;
- appliance is operated at reduced voltage (where appropriate) &/or protected by a RCD;
- cables are undamaged & routed safely;
- casing of the appliance is in good condition.
- need to check that a PAT has been carried out & is current,
- the relevant information is provided.

Question # 7:
Outline a range of checks that should be made to ensure electrical safety in an office environment. (8)

Answers Plan
- Equipment manufactured to appropriate standards
- Avoid the use of trailing cables
- Avoid multi-socket extension boards
- Control private electrical equipment brought from home
- Report defective and damaged equipment
- Ensure effective heating
- Disconnect electrical equipment overnight
- Avoid using extension cables
- Switch off overnight
- Position equipment close to suitable sockets
- Test appliances at regular intervals
- System of pre use checks

Question # 8: Describe options for reducing the risk of electric shock when using a portable electric drill on
a construction site. (8)

Answers Plan
- Ensuring suitable equipment
- Reduced voltage supply
- Use of RCDs
- Double insulated tools
- Battery operated tools
- Suitable connections
- Pre-use visual check on the plug, the lead and the drill
- Equipment tested frequently
- Avoid using in wet conditions

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 4: Electrical hazards and control
Question # 9:
a) Describe the function and limitations of a fuse as an electrical protection device (6)
b) Explain ONE advantage a residual current device (RCD) has over a fuse (2)

Answers Plan
a)
- A fuse is designed as a weak link to melt breaking the circuit at excessive currents
- Limitations
- Does not protect the individual from shock
- Slow to operate
- Inaccurate
- Unsuitable or wrong fuse may be used
- Easy to override
- Needs tool to replace
b)
A circuit breaker will break the circuit slightly faster than a fuse

Question # 10:
Describe the principles of operation of the following types of electrical protection:
a) Earthing (4)
b) Reduced voltage (4)

Answers Plan
a) Earthing:- Electricity will always try reach earth and earthing means providing a path to earth lower than
the human body
b) Reduced voltage systems:- By reducing the voltage present system the consequences of electrical shock
can be greatly reduced

Question # 11:
(a) Describe the possible health effects of electricity on the body. (4)
(b) Describe how earthing can reduce the risk of receiving an electric shock (4)

Answers Plan
(a)
Interference with nerve/muscle action tissue burns the entry & exit points & to the possibility of damage to
internal organs.
Cardio-respiratory effects, the risk of fatal injury due to disruption of heart rhythm.
b)
Earthing:- Electricity will always try reach earth and earthing means providing a path to earth lower than the
human body

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 4: Electrical hazards and control
Question # 12:
(a) Outline
i) The effects on the body of electric shock (4)
ii) The emergency action to take if a person suffers a severe electrical shock. (4)
(b) Outline the practical measures to reduce the risk of electric shock when using portable electrical
appliances (12)

Answers Plan
(a) (i)
- interference with nerve/muscle action
- tissue burns the entry & exit points & to the possibility of damage to internal organs.
- Cardio-respiratory effects,
- the risk of fatal injury due to disruption of heart rhythm. Secondary effects such as falling from height
(ii)
- Obtain/summon help
- Isolate victim from supply. (switch off or push clear with non-conductive implement)
- Administer first aid if trained
- Place in recovery position
- Remain with victim until medical help arrives
b)
- the appropriate selection of equipment such as battery-operated appliances or those operating at a
reduced voltage (typically 110v);
- cables connected to the power supply with proper connectors;
- the use of RCDs;
- training of operators in the checking procedures to be followed before use;
- the introduction of a regular appliance inspection & testing procedure;
- avoidance of using in wet conditions

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