ELECTRICAL SAFETY

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 Training Objectives
• After completing this unit, you will:
– Be familiar with the basic concepts of electricity.
– Understand the potential effects of electricity on the
human body.
– Be able to recognize common electrical hazards
associated with masonry work.
– Be familiar with electrical protective devices.
– Be knowledgeable of safe work practices.

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 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING SAFELY
WITH ELECTRICAL ENERGY

qOnly Qualified Electrical Workers can perform work “ON” or “NEAR”

electrical equipment
qNon-electricalworkers may use electrical equipment, but must be trained
to know the hazards of the equipment and how to use the equipment safely.
qIfyou don’t know how to operate a piece of equipment safely and don’t
know the hazards involved in it, stop work and get the required training.

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 Take Electricity Seriously

q Electricity is the second leading cause of death in

construction.

q Electrocutions make up 12% of construction

fatalities annually.

q Over 30,000 non-fatal shocks occur each year.

q Over 600 deaths occur annually due to

electrocution.
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 Electrical Accidents
q Leading Causes of Electrical Accidents:
– Drilling and cutting through cables
– Using defective tools, cables and equipment
– Failure to maintain clearance distance of 10 feet
– Failure to de-energize circuits and follow Lockout/Tagout procedures
– Failure to guard live parts from accidental worker contact
– Unqualified employees working with electricity
– Improper installation/use of temporary electrical systems and equipment
– By-passing electrical protective devices
– Not using GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) devices
– Missing ground prongs on extension cords
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 Hazards of Electricity
q Shock – Most common and can cause electrocution or muscle
contraction leading to secondary injury which includes falls
q Fires – Enough heat or sparks can ignite combustible materials
q Explosions – Electrical spark can ignite vapors in the air
q Arc Flash - can cause burns ranging from 14,000 degrees Fahrenheit. to
35,000 degrees Fahrenheit
q Arc Blast – In a short circuit event copper can expand 67,000 times. The
expansion causes a pressure wave. Air also expands adding to the
pressure wave

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 Fundamentals of Electricity
Like Water In A Garden Hose

Resistance = Diameter of Hose ater

Flow of W
Example – Larger hose (less resistance),
more water flows

Current = Flow Rate

Voltage = Water Pressure Example – 15 gallons per minute
Example – 45 PSI

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 Fundamentals of Electricity
• Electrical current is the flow of
electrons through a conductor.
• A conductor is a material that allows
electrons to flow through it.
• An insulator resists the flow of
electrons.
• Resistance opposes electron flow.
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 Fundamentals of Electricity
q Electrical current is the flow of electrons through a conductor.
q A conductor is a material that allows electrons to flow through it.
q An insulator resists the flow of electrons.
q Resistance opposes electron flow.

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 Current Flows in a Loop or Circuit

• Circuits are AC (alternating

current) or DC (direct current).
• Current is usually AC.
• AC current has five parts:
1. Electrical source
2. HOT wire to the tool
3. The tool itself
4. NEUTRAL wire returns
electricity from the tool
5. GROUND
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 How Shocks Occur?

• Current travels in closed circuits

through conductors (water, metal, the
human body).
• Shock occurs when the body becomes
a part of the circuit.
• Current enters at one point & leaves at
another.

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 Shocks Occur in Three Ways

• Contact with both conductors

• Contact with one conductor and ground
• With a tool: contact with “hot” metal part
and ground (1), (2) & (3)

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 Severity of the Shock

• Severity of the Shock depends on:

– Amount of current
• Determined by voltage and resistance to flow
– Path through the body
– Duration of flow through the body
– Other factors such as general health and
individual differences.

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 He sweats - and he dies...

Luling, La. - A man was electrocuted when his sweat

dripped into the electric drill he was using to build a swing
set in his backyard, the coroner said.
Richard Miller was pronounced dead Sunday at St.
Charles Hospital, said David Vial, St. Charles Parish
coroner. Miller, 54, had been using an electric drill in 90
degree heat, Vial said Monday.
“Apparently the man was sweating profusely,” Vial said.
“He probably was pushing against the drill with his chest
and his perspiration went into the drill itself and made a
contact.”
The Associated Press
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 Effects of Current Flow
• More than 3 milliamps (ma): painful shock
• More than 10 ma: muscle contraction
• More than 20 ma: considered severe shock
• More than 30 ma: lung paralysis - usually temporary
• More than 50 ma: possible ventricular fibrillation (usually fatal)
• 100 ma to 4 amps: certain ventricular fibrillation (fatal)
• Over 4 amps: heart paralysis; severe burns

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Using a 120 volt circuit and resistance for wet
& dry skin:

E=IR: Voltage=Current x Resistance

(Volts) (Amps) (Ohms)

So: I=E/R

Dry Skin = 120/100,000=.0012 amps

= 1.2ma flowing through body to ground

Wet skin =120/1000=.120 amps

=120ma flowing through body to ground

Remember: 1 Amp = 1000 milliamps

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Effects of Current Flow

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 Controlling Electrical Hazards

• Follow the Electrical CODE

• Electrical installation
• Subpart includes four proactive methods:
– Electrical Isolation
– Equipment Grounding
– Circuit Interruption
– Safe Work Practices

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 Electrical Isolation

• We can be safe by keeping electricity away from us. We can:

– Insulate the conductors.

• Example: The insulation on extension cords.
– Elevate the conductors.
• Example: Overhead power lines.
– Guard the conductors by enclosing them.
• Example: Receptacle covers, boxes, & conduit.

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 Insulating the Conductors

q The first way to safeguard workers from electrically

energized wires is through insulation.
q Rubber and plastic is put on wires to prevent shock,
fires, short circuits and for strain relief.
q It is always necessary to check the insulation on
equipment and cords before plugging them in.
q Remember, even the smallest defect will allow
leakage!

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Defective Extension Cords

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Defective Cord Incident

• Worker attempted to climb scaffold

with electric drill.
• Drill’s cord was damaged with bare
wires showing.
• The bare wire contacted the
scaffolding.
• The worker died!

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 Elevating the Conductors

• The second way to safeguard workers from

electrically energized wires is by elevating them.
• Wires are often elevated by the power company.
• It is always necessary to check the location of
overhead lines before you begin work each day.
• Remember, never allow yourself, your tools, or the
materials you are working with to be within 10 feet
of energized lines!

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 Working Near Overhead Lines

• Clearance of worker and any equipment,

tools, materials, or scaffold near
uninsulated lines is 10 feet!

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Overhead Line Incident

• A worker was attempting to

move mobile scaffold.
• Scaffold made contact with 7200
volt line.
• The worker died.

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 Guarding the Conductors

• The third way to safeguard workers from electrically

energized wires is by guarding them.
• Covers, boxes, and enclosures are often put around
conductors to prevent worker contact.
• It is always necessary to check that electrical boxes and
panels are covered and free from missing “knock-outs”.
• Remember, electric equipment operating at 50 volts or
more must be guarded!

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Guarding the Conductors

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Guarding the Conductors

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 Equipment Grounding

• We can be safe by providing a separate, low

resistance pathway for electricity when it does
not follow normal flow (ground prong).

• Grounding gives the stray current somewhere to

go and keeps you from becoming part of the
circuit.

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 Can You Rely on Grounding?

• Grounding will not work if the electricity can flow through you more easily
than the ground. This can happen when:

– Your tool doesn’t have a ground pin.

– You’re working in wet locations.
– You’re touching a metal object.

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 What Must be Grounded?

• All circuits and extension cords.

• All noncurrent carrying metal parts.
• Portable & semi-portable tools and
equipment unless double insulated.

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 Do Not Eliminate the Ground!

You become the next-best path for current!

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Do Not Reverse Polarity

The prongs are different sized so you

can’t turn the plug around. If you do, the
electrical fields within the motor are
always energized. If there is moisture
present, the case is likely to be “hot”.
Even with double-insulated tools, you
still could get a shock.

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 Circuit Interruption

• We can be safer by automatically shutting off the flow of

electricity in the event of leakage, overload, or short circuit.
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are circuit
protection (or “over current”) devices that protect you, the
worker.
• Circuit breakers & fuses protect equipment, not you,
because they take too much current & too much time to
trip.

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 Circuit Protective Devices
• Circuit Breakers and Fuses
– Only protect the building, equipment, and tools from heat
build-up!
– Never depend on circuit breakers or fuses to prevent shocks!
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
– Is the only device which will protect the worker from shock and
electrocution!

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 GFCI Protection

• All temporary circuits are required to have GFCI protection or:

– Equipment & cords must be included in an Assured
Equipment Grounding Conductor Program
• An extension cord is a temporary circuit.
• Types of GFCIs: receptacle, circuit breaker and portable
• Must be wired correctly and tested.

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 How a GFCI Works?

The GFCI detects ‘leakage’ of 4 -

6 milliamps & opens the circuit in
1/40th of a second.

It will work without the ground

plug but not fast enough if you
are the ground .

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Types of GFCI Protection

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 Types of GFCI Protection

A GFCI breaker must be installed to protect workers using 220V

masonry saws.
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GFCI Testers

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 Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor
Program
Requires the following:
1. Written program and specific procedures
2. Program implemented by a Competent Person (one who is
capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the
surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary,
hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has
authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate
them.
3. Equipment grounding conductors must be tested (tools, extension
cords, and circuits):
q At least every three months for cords & tools
q At least every six months for receptacles
q Results recorded - equipment coded (colored tape) TRAINERS AND
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Checking for Ground Continuity

What else we should we notice here?

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 Temporary Wiring
• There must be separate circuits for electric tools and
lighting, each labeled as such.
• Light circuits do not require a GFCI.

• Unless used in a wet location.

• Test branch circuits before use.
• Maintain vertical clearances.
• Insulate wires from their supports.

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Permanent Equipment in Temporary Use

What is wrong with using this as a ‘splitter’?

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 Extension Cords and Cables
q Must be in good shape without splices.
q Cannot be secured with staples, nails or bare wire.
q Must be protected from damage.
q Must have a ground pin.
q Should be inspected regularly and pulled from service if
defective.
q Cannot be repaired with electrical or duct tape. Must
repair with heat-shrink sleeve or bonding/vulcanizing tape
to retain original insulation properties.

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 Acceptable Cord Types
• All cords must meet the National Electric Code’s (NEC) requirement for Hard
/Extra Hard type.
• Look for markings stamped on cords.
• Acceptable Cord Types

– Extra Hard Use Markings: S, ST, SO, STO

– Hard Usage Markings: SJ, SJO, SJT, SJTO

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TRAINERS AND
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Extension Cords-What’s the Difference?

No flat cords allowed on construction sites!

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Clever Or Foolish?

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Is it Safe?

What do you think?

Could you make this a
better installation?

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 Temporary Lighting

• All bulbs must be guarded

• No broken bulbs or empty sockets
• Not suspended by wiring
• Low voltage for wet locations

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 Portable Generators

• The frame of the portable generator need not

be grounded if:
– the generator supplies only cord and plug
connected equipment.
– The non-current carrying metal parts of
equipment and the equipment grounding
conductor terminals of the receptacles are
bonded to the generator frame.
– GFCI is required if >5kV or if generator
provides 220V as well as 110V.

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Use of Specific Safety-Related Equipment and Work
Practices

Portable Electric Equipment and Flexible Cord Set

requirements:

q The user must visually inspect the equipment for

defects and damage before they are used on
any shift.
q If the tool or cord set is damaged, take it out of
service or have it repaired.

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 Portable Electric Tools -
Things to look for:

Damaged/Broken case

Ground prong missing

on three-prong plugs.
Some tools are
double insulated and
won’t have a ground
prong. That’s OK.
Damaged Cord – outer
sheath broken
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 1 2
3

Cords – Items to consider before use. 4

1. Use per Listing and Labeling
2. Inner wires exposed – Don’t use.
3. Plug not fully seated – Don’t use.
4. Cords run through doors / pinch points – Don’t use.
5. Outer sheath damaged – Don’t use.
6. Cord tightly coiled may cause a problem – Don’t use.
7. Tightly coiled cord that had a meltdown because it couldn’t cool
properly when overloaded. 5
8. Cords must be GFCI protected or under an Assured Equipment
Ground Conductor program.
8
6
7

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 Safe Work Practices

• Before work begins, the employer must determine

where exposed and concealed electrical circuits are
located.
• Once found, warning signs/labels must be posted.
• Workers need to know the location, hazards, and
protective measures.

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 Safe Work Practices
• Competent Person determines if performance of work
could bring contact with energy.

– Distance of the worker to the energy source should be

considered first.
– Tools, materials, and processes should also be
considered to see if they could potentially shorten the
safe separation distance.
• Examples: Metal Ladders, Re-bar, Forklift, Scaffold
Frames, etc.

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 Safe Work Practices
• Must not permit work near electric circuits unless the
worker is protected by:
– De-energizing the circuit and grounding it.
– Guarding it effectively by insulation.
– Other means (maintaining safe separation)
• De-energized circuits and equipment must be
locked/tagged out.

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 Safe Work Practices

• No metal ladders for or near electrical work.

• No wet hands when plugging or unplugging
cords/equipment.
• No raising or lowering tools by the cord.
• Unless equipment is designed for it, cannot be
used in damp and wet locations.

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 Summary – Hazards & Protections
Hazards
• Inadequate wiring
• Exposed electrical parts
• Wires with bad insulation
• Ungrounded electrical systems and tools
• Overloaded circuits
• Damaged power tools and equipment
• Using the wrong PPE and tools
• Overhead power lines
• All hazards are made worse in wet conditions
• Damaged extension cords
• Unqualified workers doing electrical work
Protective Measures
 Proper grounding
 Use GFCI’s
 Use fuses and circuit breakers
 Guard live parts
 Lockout/Tagout
 Proper use of flexible cords
 Close electrical panels by Competent Person
 Employee training
 Ensure Competent Person on site
 Use proper approved electrical equipment
 Qualified person install electrical devices

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THANK YOU…

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