Basic Electrical Safety

By Greg Bock
PLU Electrician
Why Bother?
 In 1997, over 12,000 people went to hospital
emergency rooms to be treated for electrical
shocks and burns.
 Hundreds of workers die every year from electrical
shock.
 The amount of current to power a 5-watt lightbulb is
enough to kill three people.
 One of your co-workers was injured last year by
electricity.
Voltage, Current, Resistance
 Voltage is the pressure or force that carries
the current.

 Current (amperage) is the amount of

electricity that flows.

 Resistance slows down the flow of electricity.

Current Vs. Resistance
 Metals are good conductors of current having
very low resistance
 Rubber, ceramics, and wood are poor
conductors of current with very high resistance.
 Materials with high resistance are often called
insulators.
 The human body can be a very good conductor
or a very poor conductor.
Factors Affecting the
Conductivity of the Human Body
 Condition of the skin: Is it wet, dry, greasy?

 Health of Individual

 Duration of Contact with Electricity

 Part of the Body contacted

See Do’s & Don’ts Handout
More Do’s & Don’ts
 Keep electrical equipment away from water
sources
 Use a C-rated fire extinguisher on electrical
fires and shut off power source
 Remove frayed or damaged equipment and
cords from service
 Remove plugs by pulling the plug; not the
cord.
See Extension Cord Handout
Grounding Electrical Equipment
 Grounding functions to conduct current
leaks to the earth or ground.
 A grounded cord is a 3-wire plug and
requires a 3-way receptacle.
 Double-insulated equipment does not
require grounding.
Electrical Shock Injury
Amps Milliamps Injury
1 1000 Severe burns

0.1 100 Irregular heart beat

(requires medical defibrillation)
0.01 10 Cannot release grip

0.001 1 Threshold of sensation

See Electrical Shock Handout
Summary
 Even low voltage electricity can cause
injury.
 Your body can be a good conductor of
electricity, especially when wet.
 Follow the Ground Rules of electricity.
 Do not use defective equipment.
Electrical Safety

Quiz