Lesson 2: Electrical Hazards

Glossary

Electricity must be treated with respect; do not become part of the path to ground.
There are, however, three safety features built into all electrical systems:           
         
  1. insulated wiring
  1. ground wires
  1. circuit breakers/fuses
 
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In order to further ensure safety around electricity, it's important to be able to identify electrical hazards, at home, work and school.
Electrical hazards can be defined as:

  • a dangerous condition where a worker could make electrical contact with energized equipment or a conductor, and from which the person may sustain an injury from shock; and/or
  • there is potential for the worker to receive an arc flash burn, thermal burn, or blast injury.


Indoor Electrical Safety

Common indoor hazards include:

  • Using ungrounded or non-insulated power tools.

  • Overloading an outlet or circuit.

  • Repairing or cleaning appliances or tools that are still plugged in.

  • Using frayed or worn electric cords.

  • Using electrical equipment with wet hands or close to a sink or bathtub.

         Water is a good conductor, and can cause an electric shock or short circuit.
Watch this video on electrical hazards in the home, courtesy of www.esasafe.com

 Overhead wires, transformers, and other electrical equipment should be handled only by trained people.

Birds can sit safely on wires because they are not grounded.

If a person, standing on the ground and/or using a piece of equipment that touches or almost touches an electric wire, the person would become part of the path to ground. Severe burns, other injuries or death can happen.

Common outdoor hazards include:

  • Trees close to power lines. If tree branches touch electric wires, the sap in the tree will conduct electricity. If someone touches the tree, this person could become the path to ground and be injured or killed.

  • Climbing power poles or transmission lines.


    Extreme caution should be used when raising, lowering, or moving pipe, rods, ladders, machinery, or any metal object close to power lines. Electricity can jump.




Outdoor Electrical Safety


Watch this video about the potential electrical hazards on your work site.

  • Farm machinery hitting overhead lines (especially augers), and people touching overhead power lines. In Alberta, people and equipment should be kept at least 7m away from high voltage power lines.

  • Digging. All underground power lines and equipment should be located and clearly marked before digging begins.  You can find more information on "Call/Click Before You Dig ".

  • Using ungrounded or frayed power cords or extension cords outdoors. If the ground is damp or the cord touches water, the person using the cord can be seriously injured or killed.

  • Using electrical equipment outdoors when it is raining or snowing. Even a few drops of water can cause a short circuit in cords or tools. People using the equipment or even standing close could be in danger.

  • Using extension cords outdoors, i.e., car block heaters that are rated for interior work.

  • Power lines fallen on the ground. It should be assumed that all power lines lying on the ground are energized. Do NOT go near them. Call the electrical utility company. Guard the site and warn others of the dangers.


           This lesson introduces you to some indoor and outdoor hazards; controlling those hazards is important to being safe. 
                  To learn more about controlling different electrical hazards, click here .