JUBAIL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - BSHS 1502

CHAPTER 3
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
The electrical source has two terminals, designated positive (+) and negative (-)

Electrons in a circuit move from the negative (-) to the positive (+)
terminal
Ohm Law: E (V) = I x R

Voltage (V) = Current (I) x Resistance (R)

Electrical Terms

CIRCUIT ELECTRICITY
complete path of the current The energy used to run household
appliances and industrial machinery
 CURRENT RESISTANCE
electrical movement, measured in (amps) restriction to electrical flow,
measured in (ohms)
 ATERNATING CURRENT (AC)
electric current reversing its direction of flow at
regular intervals. For example, it would alternate
60 times every second in 60-cycle system. This
type of current is commonly found in homes.
DIRECT CURRENT (DC)
electric current flowing in one direction.
This type of current is commonly found in
batteries.
 CONDUCTERS INSULATORS
Substances, like metals, with little Substances with high resistance to
resistance to electricity that allow electricity electricity like glass, porcelain, plastic,
to flow and dry wood
 WIRES
GROUNDING
Conductors carrying the electric current or
A conductive connection to the earth which
power to the load.
acts as a protective measure
 FUSE
CIRCUIT BREAKER
Safety device that cuts off electricity when
Safety device used to break the flow of
the current flowing through the fuse
electricity by opening the circuit
exceeds its rated capacity
automatically in the event of overloading
Fundamentals of Electrical Hazards

 To flow electricity must have a complete path.

 Electricity flows through conductors like (water, metal, the human
body)
 Insulators are non-conductors
 The human body is a conductor.
Effect of Current
It's not the voltage but the current that kills. People have been killed by 100 volts
AC in the home and with as little as 42 volts DC.
Currents between 100 and 200 mill amperes (0.1 ampere and 0.2 ampere) are fatal.

Current (amps) Human Reaction

 
0.001 Perception level. Just a faint tingle
Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing. Average
0.005
individual can let go.
0.006-0.025 Painful shock, muscular control is lost.
(Women)
0.009-0.030
This is called the freezing current
(Men)
0.050-0.150 Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular
contractions.
1 - 4.3 Ventricular fibrillation.
10
Cardiac arrest, severe burns and probable death.
 
 Hazards of Electricity

Electrical Shock
Electric shock occurs when the human Electrocution
body becomes part of the path through The direct result of shock can be electrocution
which current flows.

Electrical Burns Death

Burns can result when a person touches Death can result when a person touches electrical
electrical wiring or equipment that is .current more than 100 mill amperes
energized.
 Electrical Shocks
• Causes of shocks 

1- Contact both wires of an electric circuit. 2- Contact one wire of an energized circuit and the
ground.

• The effect of shocks on the body depend on:

 The amount of current flowing through the body.

 The current’s path through the body.
 The length of time the body remains in the circuit.
• What work practices help protect you against electrical hazards?

 Reenergizing electric equipment before inspection or repair,

 Keeping electric tools properly maintained,
 Exercising caution when working near energized lines.
 Using appropriate protective equipment.
• Protection against shock
Grounding
Electrical circuits may be connected to ground (earth) for several reasons. In mains
powered equipment, exposed metal parts are connected to ground to prevent contact with
a dangerous voltage if electrical insulation fails
Ground Fault
Electrical Protective Equipment
Lockout / Tagout
Avoid the following unsafe acts:

Using 3-wire cord with a

2-wire plug
Removing the third
Use of defective and prong (ground pin)
unsafe tools

Overloading outlets with too

many appliances
Some common causes of unsafe equipment

Loose connections Faulty insulation Defective parts

Improper grounding Use of "homemade" Unguarded live parts

(removal of 3rd prong)
extension cords