ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Francis E. Tan
Chairman – Membership Committee
 Objectives
• To understand the hazards cause of
electricity.
• To know the danger of electric shock
• To learn practical measures to prevent
electrical shock.
 INTRODUCTION

Each year many People are injured in and

around their homes.

Unsafe conditions such as overloaded

circuits and damaged insulation as well as
misuse of extension cords and electrical
products can create fire hazards or result
in electrocutions.
 WHAT IS
ELECTRICITY
 ELECTRICITY
•CAN’T BE SEEN •We are aware of it
everyday

•CAN’T BE TASTED •We can taste food cooked

with its energy

•CAN’T BE SMELLED •We can smell the gas

(ozone) that forms when
lightning passes through
the air.
BUT YOU CAN
FEEL IT!
 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

“FLOW OF ELECTRONS ALONG A

CONDUCTOR”
 OHMS LAW

THE FORCE OR PRESSURE (VOLTS) TO PUSH

CURRENT THROUGH A CONDUCTOR IS EQUAL
TO THE RATE OF CURRENT FLOW ( AMPERES)
MULTIFLIED BY THE RESISTANCE (OHMS) OF
THE CONDUCTOR TO THE FLOW OF CURRENT.
 E=IR
VOLTAGE = (CURRENT)(RESISTANCE)
 How does current enter the body?

 Typical points of
entry are the hands
and feet as they
come in contact
with electrical
current.
 Moisture beneath a
ring or watch will
decrease the skin's
resistance and
allow current flow.
How does current travel through the body?

 The body, composed mostly of

water, is a conductor of
electricity, so current travels
easily.
 Current travels the path of least
resistance to complete its circuit.
 This path could be through upper
limbs or between upper and
lower limbs.
 If this includes the heart and
respiratory systems, it can result
in serious injury.
 How does alternating current affect
the body?
 At .4 mA: No sensation.
 At 1.1 mA: A slight tingling
sensation.
 At 1.8 mA: Shock.
 At 16 mA: Painful shock.
Loss of muscle control can
cause the person to lock on
to the source.
 Above 23 mA: Severe
injuries and possible death.
 What injuries are caused from
electrical accidents?
There are two categories:

 Primary injuries--physical
damage directly to the body from
the electrical current (burns).

 Secondary injuries--physical
damage to the body resulting from
accidents caused by the shock
(head injuries from a fall).
 Primary Injuries
Electrical Burns
 May occur as current
passes through the body
and generates heat.
 Often appear at the points
of entry and exit.
 If internal, may damage or
burn tissue and vital
organs.
 Primary Injuries
 Electrical current can
Respiratory Failure disturb the normal
function of nerves and
muscles including the
heart and lungs.
 If chest muscles remain
contracted, breathing can
stop.
 CPR is required
immediately to restore
breathing.
 What are secondary injuries?

Injuries to the body resulting from accidents

caused by electrical current:

 Falls from high places can cause

concussions, broken bones, or
lacerations.
 An electrical current can ignite a
fire or trigger an explosion,
causing serious burns and
injuries.
 What is an electrical hazard?

 An electrical source of danger.

 A potential risk for an electrical
accident.
Types of electrical hazards

There are two types:

•Physical hazards.
•Behavioral hazards.
 Physical hazards
 Wet floors.
 Bare or frayed wires.
 Overloaded circuits.
 An electrical cord under a rug
or tarp.
 Energized appliances
equipment with exposed
circuits.
Behavioral hazards
 Indifference.
 Lack of knowledge.
 Working while
stressed.
 Taking shortcuts
or risks.
 SAFETY HAZARDS
Review this presentation and take a few
minutes to look for and correct electrical
safety hazards in your home.

Your time will be well invested, since you

may prevent an electrical safety hazard or
save a loved one’s life.
 CORDS
 Make sure cords are in
good condition - not frayed
or cracked.
 Arrange cords so they are
placed out of traffic areas.
 Never nail or staple cords
to the wall, baseboard or to
another object.
 Do not place cords under
carpets or rugs or rest any
furniture on them.
Damaged cords can cause fire
or electrical shock.
IDENTIFY THE ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
ON THE PICTURE BELOW
NEVER FORCE A
PLUG INTO AN PLUGS
OUTLET IF IT
DOESN'T FIT. Plugs
should fit securely into
outlets.
Never remove the ground
pin (the third prong) to
make a three-prong fit a
two-conductor outlet;
this could lead to an The third prong grounds
electrical shock. the appliance and prevents
electrical shock.
EXTENSION CORDS
 Do not overload cords.
 Use extension cords
on a temporary basis; they
are not intended as
permanent household
wiring.
 Purchase extension cords
with safety closures to
protect young children from
shock hazards and mouth
burn injuries.
 Do not lay your extension
cord on the floor that it will
cause of trip hazards.
 Check for outlets that
have loose-fitting plugs, OUTLETS
which can overheat and
lead to fire.
 Replace any missing or
broken wall plates.
 Make sure there are
safety covers on all
unused outlets that are
accessible to children.
 Avoid overloading outlets
with too many appliances.
 GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTERS
 Use GFCIs in any area
where water and
electricity may come into
contact.
 Test GFCIs regularly
according to the
manufacturer's
instructions to make sure
they are working properly.
 WATER SOURCES
 Don't leave plugged in
appliances where they
might fall in contact with
water.
 If a plugged-in appliance
falls into water, NEVER
reach in to pull it out - even
if it's turned off. First, turn
off the power source at the
panel board and then
unplug the appliance.
 If you have an appliance
that has gotten wet, don't
use it until it has been
checked by a qualified
repair person.
 LIGHT BULBS

Make sure all bulbs in light

fixtures are the correct
wattage for the size of the
fixture.
Make sure bulbs are
Bulbs with too high
wattage may lead to fire
screwed in securely; loose
through overheating.
bulbs may overheat.
 CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND FUSES
Make sure circuit breakers
and fuses are the correct size
current rating for their
circuit. If you do not know
the correct size, have an
electrician identify and label
the size to be used.
Always replace a fuse with
the same size fuse.
 APPLIANCES

If an appliance
repeatly blows a
fuse, trips a circuit
breaker or if it has
given you a shock,
unplug it and have
Even an appliance that is not turned
it repaired or on, can be potentially hazardous
when left plugged in.
replaced.
ENTERTAINMENT AND COMPUTER
EQUIPMENT
 Make sure equipment is in
good condition and
working properly; look for
cracks or damage in
wiring, plugs and
connectors.
 Use a surge protector
bearing the seal of a
nationally recognized
certification agency.
 OUTDOOR SAFETY

 Do not use electric-powered

mowers and other tools in
the rain, on wet grass, or in
wet conditions.
 Inspect power tools and
electric lawn mowers before
each use for frayed power
cords, broken plugs and
cracked or broken housings.
 OUTDOOR SAFETY

 Always use an
extension cord marked
for outdoor use and
rated for the power
needs of your tools.
 Remember to unplug
all portable power tools
when not in use.
 SPACE HEATERS
 Keep space heaters at least 3 ft.
away from any combustible
materials such as bedding,
clothing, draperies, furniture and
rugs.
 Don't use space heaters in rooms
where children are unsupervised.
 Remember to turn off and unplug
heaters when they are not in use.
 HALOGEN FLOOR LAMPS
 Never place a halogen floor
lamp where it could come in
contact with draperies, clothing
or other combustible materials.
 Turn the lamp off whenever
you leave the room for an
extended period of time.
Halogen floor lamps
 Never use torchiere lamps in
operate at much higher children's bedrooms or
temperatures than a
standard incandescent playrooms.
light bulb.
 STORMY WEATHER
During an electrical storm:
 Do not use appliances (i.e.,
hairdryers, toasters and radios) or
telephones (except in an
emergency).
 Do not take a bath or shower.
 Keep batteries on hand for
flashlights and radios in case of a Lightening can enter homes and
buildings through a direct strike,
power outage. through wires or pipes that extend
outside the structure, or through
 Use surge protectors on electronic the ground. Once in your home,
devices and appliances. lightning can travel through the
electrical, phone, plumbing, and
radio/television reception systems.
STOP and THINK about the hazards:

 Before you try to fix an

electrical problem.
 Before you operate any
piece of electrical
appliances or equipment.
 BEST ADVICE
Treat Electricity With
The Respect It Demands,
And It Will Serve You
Efficiently And Effectively
Thank You