Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 1 - Electricity

The flow of electricity is like the flow of water in a pipe.

Resistance
Pressure

Flow

Current Electrical flow is measured in Amperes.

Voltage Electrical equipment powered by 440 volts or less is “low voltage”.

Resistance Resistance is measured in Ohms.

The rate of electrical current depends upon the voltage and resistance.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 1 - Electricity

The flow of electricity is like the flow of water in a pipe.

Resistance
Pressure

Flow

Current Electrical flow is measured in Amperes.

Voltage Electrical equipment powered by 440 volts or less is “low voltage”.

Resistance Resistance is measured in Ohms.

The rate of electrical current depends upon the voltage and resistance.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 2 - Effects of electrical current flow

10 milliAmps - muscular contractions

making it difficult to release grip on the
electrical conductor.

20 milliAmps - severe muscular

contractions making it difficult to breathe.

50 milliAmps - severe breathing difficulties

or breathing stopped.

70 to 200 milliAmps - erratic heart motion

resulting in loss of blood circulation.

400 milliAmps - burns at the entry and exit

points of the electrical current flow path.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 2 - Effects of electrical current flow

10 milliAmps - muscular contractions

making it difficult to release grip on the
electrical conductor.

20 milliAmps - severe muscular

contractions making it difficult to breathe.

50 milliAmps - severe breathing difficulties

or breathing stopped.

70 to 200 milliAmps - erratic heart motion

resulting in loss of blood circulation.

400 milliAmps - burns at the entry and exit

points of the electrical current flow path.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 3 - Checking portable electrical equipment

Always check for:

• cracks in the insulation casing;

• loose or missing casing screws;

• splits or damage to the power cord

insulation;

• exposed wires;

• loose connection between the power

cord and the tool;

• bent or missing plug pins; and

• cracks in the plug.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 3 - Checking portable electrical equipment

Always check for:

• cracks in the insulation casing;

• loose or missing casing screws;

• splits or damage to the power cord

insulation;

• exposed wires;

• loose connection between the power

cord and the tool;

• bent or missing plug pins; and

• cracks in the plug.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 4 - Double insulated power tools

Non-conductive, shatter proof

outer casing
Double Insulated
symbol

Double insulation does not provide total protection from electric shock because:

• immersion of the tool in water can allow an earth leakage; and

• it does not protect against any defects in the cord, plug or power outlet.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 4 - Double insulated power tools

Non-conductive, shatter proof

outer casing
Double Insulated
symbol

Double insulation does not provide total protection from electric shock because:

• immersion of the tool in water can allow an earth leakage; and

• it does not protect against any defects in the cord, plug or power outlet.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 5 - Electrical inspection tags

Each portable electrical tool should be fitted with a current inspection tag.

COMPLETE WHERE APPLICABLE

Owner Test Date

Equipment type Licence Number

Plant Number Signature

PLEASE INFORM YOUR ELECTRICAL SERVICES IF THIS APPLIANCE IS DEFECTIVE IN ANY WAY

RED: January to March

GREEN: April to June
BLUE: July to September
YELLOW: October to December

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 5 - Electrical inspection tags

Each portable electrical tool should be fitted with a current inspection tag.

COMPLETE WHERE APPLICABLE

Owner Test Date

Equipment type Licence Number

Plant Number Signature

PLEASE INFORM YOUR ELECTRICAL SERVICES IF THIS APPLIANCE IS DEFECTIVE IN ANY WAY

RED: January to March

GREEN: April to June
BLUE: July to September
YELLOW: October to December

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 6 - Residual current devices

Residual Current Device will disconnect the

electricity supply at a level of 30 milliAmps.

It will disconnect within 10 - 15 milliseconds.

Power
RCD Outlet

If you are unsure if you have earth leakage protection,

use a portable Residual Current Device.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 6 - Residual current devices

Residual Current Device will disconnect the

electricity supply at a level of 30 milliAmps.

It will disconnect within 10 - 15 milliseconds.

Power
RCD Outlet

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 Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 7 - Using Portable Electrical Equipment

You should never:

• kink the power cord;

• allow power cords to contact water, oil or steam;

• leave power tools switched on when not being used;

• handle electrical equipment with wet hands, in high

humidity, or outdoors after a rain storm; or

• disconnect a power tool without first switching off at the

power outlet.

Position power cords so they will not become a trip hazard for other people.

Fully unwind extension cords from storage reels before energising them.

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Safety Talk ST037 - Portable Electrical Equipment

Sheet 7 - Using Portable Electrical Equipment

You should never:

• kink the power cord;

• allow power cords to contact water, oil or steam;

• leave power tools switched on when not being used;

• handle electrical equipment with wet hands, in high

humidity, or outdoors after a rain storm; or

• disconnect a power tool without first switching off at the

power outlet.

Position power cords so they will not become a trip hazard for other people.

Fully unwind extension cords from storage reels before energising them.

 TRAINING NATIONAL