Electrical Safety: Safety and Health For Electrical Trades. Student Manual
Electrical Safety: Safety and Health For Electrical Trades. Student Manual
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Electrical Safety: Safety and Health for Electrical Trades. Student Manual
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DISCLAIMER
Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition, citations to Web sites external to
NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their pro-
grams or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites.
All Web addresses referenced in this document were accessible as of the publication date.
ORDERING INFORMATION
This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted. To receive
NIOSH documents or more information about occupational safety and health topics, contact
NIOSH at
1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)
TTY: 1–888–232–6348
E-mail: [email protected]
This student manual is part of a safety and health curriculum for secondary
and post-secondary electrical trades courses. The manual is designed to
engage the learner in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazards associ-
ated with electrical work. It was developed through extensive research with
vocational instructors, and we are grateful for their valuable contributions.
iii
Acknowledgments
This document was prepared by Thaddeus W. Fowler, Ed.D. and Karen
K. Miles, Ph.D., Education and Information Division (EID) of the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Editorial
services were provided by John W. Diether and Rodger L. Tatken.
Pauline Elliott, Gino Fazio, and Vanessa Becks provided layout and
design services.
The authors wish to thank John Palassis and Diana Flaherty (NIOSH),
Robert Nester (formerly of NIOSH), and participating teachers and stu-
dents for their contributions to the development of this document.
iv
Contents
Page
Section 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Electricity Is Dangerous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
How is an electrical shock received? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Summary of Section 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Section 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Dangers of Electrical Shock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Summary of Section 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Section 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Burns Caused by Electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Arc Blasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Electrical Fires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Summary of Section 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
First Aid Fact Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Section 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Overview of the Safety Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
What must be done to be safe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Summary of Section 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Section 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Safety Model Stage 1—Recognizing Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
How do you recognize hazards? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Summary of Section 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Section 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Safety Model Stage 2—Evaluating Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
How do you evaluate your risk? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Summary of Section 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Section 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Safety Model Stage 3—Controlling Hazards:
Safe Work Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
How do you control hazards? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
How do you create a safe work environment? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Lock out and tag out circuits and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Lock-out/tag-out checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Control inadequate wiring hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Control hazards of fixed wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Control hazards of flexible wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Use flexible wiring properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
v
Page
Use the right extension cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Control hazards of exposed live electrical parts: isolate
energized components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Control hazards of exposure to live electrical wires:
use proper insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Control hazards of shocking currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Ground circuits and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Use GFCIs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Bond components to assure grounding path . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Control overload current hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
When You Must Work on or Near Live Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Live-work Permit System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Summary of Section 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Section 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety Model Stage 3—Controlling Hazards:
Safe Work Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
How do you work safely? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Plan your work and plan for safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Ladder safety fact sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Avoid wet working conditions and other dangers . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Avoid overhead powerlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Use proper wiring and connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Use and maintain tools properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Wear correct PPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
PPE fact sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Summary of Section 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Photo and Graphics Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
vi
Electrical Safety
Section 1 Note to the learner—This manual
describes the hazards of electrical work
and basic approaches to working safely.
Electricity Is Dangerous You will learn skills to help you recognize,
evaluate, and control electrical hazards.
Whenever you work with power tools or on electrical circuits, there This information will prepare you for addi-
is a risk of electrical hazards, especially electrical shock. Anyone tional safety training such as hands-on
can be exposed to these hazards at home or at work. Workers are exercises and more detailed reviews of
exposed to more hazards because job sites can be cluttered with regulations for electrical work.
tools and materials, fast-paced, and open to the weather. Risk is also Your employer, co-workers, and communi-
ty will depend on your expertise. Start
higher at work because many jobs involve electric power tools.
your career off right by learning safe prac-
tices and developing good safety habits.
Electrical trades workers must pay special attention to electrical haz- Safety is a very important part of any job.
ards because they work on electrical circuits. Coming in contact with Do it right from the start.
an electrical voltage can cause current to flow through the body,
resulting in electrical shock and burns. Serious injury or even death ❚ E
lectrical shock may cause injury
may occur. As a source of energy, electricity is used without much or death!
thought about the hazards it can cause. Because electricity is a famil-
iar part of our lives, it often is not treated with enough caution. As a
result, an average of one worker is electrocuted on the job every day
of every year!
Section 1 Page 1
E L E C T R I C I T Y I S DA N G E RO U S
This manual will present many topics. There are four main types of
electrical injuries: electrocution (death due to electrical shock),
electrical shock, burns, and falls. The dangers of electricity, electri-
cal shock, and the resulting injuries will be discussed. The various
electrical hazards will be described. You will learn about the safety
model, an important tool for recognizing, evaluating, and control-
ling hazards. Important definitions and notes are shown in the mar-
gins. Practices that will help keep you safe and free of injury are
emphasized. To give you an idea of the hazards caused by electricity,
case studies about real-life deaths will be described.
❚ ground—a physical electrical In most household wiring, the black wires and the red wires are at
connection to the earth 120 volts. The white wires are at 0 volts because they are connected
to ground. The connection to ground is often through a conducting
❚ energized (live, “hot”)—similar ground rod driven into the earth. The connection can also be made
terms meaning that a voltage is
present that can cause a current, so through a buried metal water pipe. If you come in contact with an
there is a possibility of getting
shocked
Page 2 Section 1
❚ conductor—material in which an
energized black wire—and you are also in contact with the neu- electrical current moves easily
tral white wire—current will pass through your body. You will
receive an electrical shock. ❚ neutral—at ground potential (0 volts)
because of a connection to ground
If you are in contact with a live wire or any live component of an ❚ You will receive a shock if
you touch a live wire and are
energized electrical device—and also in contact with any
grounded at the same time.
grounded object—you will receive a shock. Plumbing is often
grounded. Metal electrical boxes and conduit are grounded. ❚ When a circuit, electrical
component, or equipment is
energized, a potential shock
Your risk of receiving a shock is greater if you stand in a puddle of hazard is present.
water. But you don’t even have to be standing in water to be at risk.
Wet clothing, high humidity, and perspiration also increase your
chances of being electrocuted. Of course, there is always a chance of
electrocution, even in dry conditions.
Section 1 Page 3
E L E C T R I C I T Y I S DA N G E RO U S
You can even receive a shock when you are not in contact with an
electrical ground. Contact with both live wires of a 240-volt cable
will deliver a shock. (This type of shock can occur because one live
wire may be at +120 volts while the other is at -120 volts during an
alternating current cycle—a difference of 240 volts.). You can also
receive a shock from electrical components that are not grounded
properly. Even contact with another person who is receiving an elec-
trical shock may cause you to be shocked.
30-year-old male electrical technician was helping a company service representative test the
A voltage-regulating unit on a new rolling mill. While the electrical technician went to get the equip-
ment service manual, the service representative opened the panel cover of the voltage regulator’s
control cabinet in preparation to trace the low-voltage wiring in question (the wiring was not color-coded).
The service representative climbed onto a nearby cabinet in order to view the wires. The technician
returned and began working inside the control cabinet, near exposed, energized electrical conductors.
The technician tugged at the low-voltage wires while the service representative tried to identify them from
above. Suddenly, the representative heard the victim making a gurgling sound and looked down to see
the victim shaking as though he were being shocked. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was admin-
istered to the victim about 10 minutes later. He was pronounced dead almost 2 hours later as a result of
his contact with an energized electrical conductor.
To prevent an incident like this, employers should take the following steps:
• Establish proper rules and procedures on how to access electrical control cabinets without getting
hurt.
• Make sure all employees know the importance of de-energizing (shutting off) electrical systems before
performing repairs.
• Equip voltage-regulating equipment with color-coded wiring.
• Train workers in CPR.
maintenance man rode 12 feet above the floor on a motorized lift to work on a 277-volt light fix-
A ture. He did not turn off the power supply to the lights. He removed the line fuse from the black
wire, which he thought was the “hot” wire. But, because of a mistake in installation, it turned out
that the white wire was the “hot” wire, not the black one. The black wire was neutral. He began to strip
the white wire using a wire stripper in his right hand. Electricity passed from the “hot” white wire to the
stripper, then into his hand and through his body, and then to ground through his left index finger. A co-
worker heard a noise and saw the victim lying face-up on the lift. She immediately summoned another
worker, who lowered the platform. CPR was performed, but the maintenance man could not be saved.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
You can prevent injuries and deaths by remembering the following points:
• If you work on an electrical circuit, test to make sure that the circuit is de-energized (shut off)!
• Never attempt to handle any wires or conductors until you are absolutely positive that their electrical
supply has been shut off.
• Be sure to lock out and tag out circuits so they cannot be re-energized.
• Always assume a conductor is dangerous.
Page 4 Section 1
Always test a circuit to make
sure it is de-energized before
working on it.
Summary of Section 1
You will receive an electrical shock if a part of your body com-
pletes an electrical circuit by • • •
Section 1 Page 5
DA N G E R S O F E L E C T R I C A L S H O C K
Section 2
Dangers of Electrical Shock
The severity of injury from electrical shock depends on the amount
of electrical current and the length of time the current passes
❚ ampere (amp)—the unit used to through the body. For example, 1/10 of an ampere (amp) of elec-
measure current
tricity going through the body for just 2 seconds is enough to cause
death. The amount of internal current a person can withstand and
❚ milliampere (milliamp or mA)— still be able to control the muscles of the arm and hand can be less
1/1,000 of an ampere than 10 milliamperes (milliamps or mA). Currents above 10 mA
can paralyze or “freeze” muscles. When this “freezing” happens, a
❚ shocking current—electrical cur- person is no longer able to release a tool, wire, or other object. In
rent that passes through a part of fact, the electrified object may be held even more tightly, resulting
the body in longer exposure to the shocking current. For this reason, hand-
❚ You will be hurt more if you can’t held tools that give a shock can be very dangerous. If you can’t let
let go of a tool giving a shock. go of the tool, current continues through your body for a longer
time, which can lead to respiratory paralysis (the muscles that con-
trol breathing cannot move). You stop breathing for a period of
❚ The longer the shock, the greater time. People have stopped breathing when shocked with currents
the injury. from voltages as low as 49 volts. Usually, it takes about 30 mA of
current to cause respiratory paralysis.
Page 6 Section 2
Effects of Electrical Current in the Human Body3,4
Current Reaction
Below 1 milliampere Generally not perceptible.
1 milliampere Faint tingle.
5 milliamperes Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing. Average individual can let go.
Strong involuntary reactions can lead to other injuries.
6–25 milliamperes Painful shock, loss of muscular control. The freezing current or "let-go" range.
(women) Individual cannot let go, but can be thrown away from the circuit if extensor
9–30 milliamperes (men) muscles are stimulated.*
50–150 milliamperes Extreme pain, respiratory arrest (breathing stops), severe muscular contrac-
tions. Death is possible.
1,000–4,300 Rhythmic pumping action of the heart ceases. Muscular contraction and nerve
milliamperes damage occur; death likely.
10,000 milliamperes Cardiac arrest and severe burns occur. Death is probable.
15,000 milliamperes Lowest overcurrent at which a typical fuse or circuit breaker opens a circuit!
*If the extensor muscles are excited by the shock, the person may be thrown away from the power source.
The lowest overcurrent at which a typical fuse or circuit breaker will open is 15,000 milliamps (15 amps).
Sometimes high voltages lead to additional injuries. High voltages ❚ High voltages cause additional
can cause violent muscular contractions. You may lose your balance injuries!
and fall, which can cause injury or even death if you fall into
machinery that can crush you. High voltages can also cause severe
burns (as seen on pages 9 and 10).
A severe shock can cause much more damage to the body than is ❚ Some injuries from electrical
visible. A person may suffer internal bleeding and destruction of tis- shock cannot be seen.
sues, nerves, and muscles. Sometimes the hidden injuries caused by
electrical shock result in a delayed death. Shock is often only the
beginning of a chain of events. Even if the electrical current is too
small to cause injury, your reaction to the shock may cause you to
fall, resulting in bruises, broken bones, or even death.
The length of time of the shock greatly affects the amount of injury.
If the shock is short in duration, it may only be painful. A longer
Section 2 Page 7
DA N G E R S O F E L E C T R I C A L S H O C K
The path of the electrical current through the body affects the severi-
ty of the shock. Currents through the heart or nervous system are
most dangerous. If you contact a live wire with your head, your ner-
vous system may be damaged. Contacting a live electrical part with
one hand—while you are grounded at the other side of your body—
will cause electrical current to pass across your chest, possibly injur-
❚ Currents across the chest are
very dangerous.
ing your heart and lungs.
Page 8 Section 2
male service technician arrived at a customer’s house to perform pre-winter maintenance on an
A oil furnace. The customer then left the house and returned 90 minutes later. She noticed the ser-
vice truck was still in the driveway. After 2 more hours, the customer entered the crawl space with
a flashlight to look for the technician but could not see him. She then called the owner of the company,
who came to the house. He searched the crawl space and found the technician on his stomach, leaning
on his elbows in front of the furnace. The assistant county coroner was called and pronounced the tech-
nician dead at the scene. The victim had electrical burns on his scalp and right elbow.
After the incident, an electrician inspected the site. A toggle switch that supposedly controlled electrical
power to the furnace was in the “off” position. The electrician described the wiring as “haphazard and
confusing.”
Two weeks later, the county electrical inspector performed another inspection. He discovered that incor-
rect wiring of the toggle switch allowed power to flow to the furnace even when the switch was in the
“off” position. The owner of the company stated that the victim was a very thorough worker. Perhaps the
victim performed more maintenance on the furnace than previous technicians, exposing himself to the
electrical hazard.
This death could have been prevented!
• The victim should have tested the circuit to make sure it was de-energized.
• Employers should provide workers with appropriate equipment and training. Using safety equipment
should be a requirement of the job. In this case, a simple circuit tester may have saved the victim’s life.
• Residential wiring should satisfy the National Electrical Code (NEC). Although the NEC is not retroac-
tive, all homeowners should make sure their systems are safe.
Section 2 Page 9
DA N G E R S O F E L E C T R I C A L S H O C K
Page 10 Section 2
Summary of Section 2
The danger from electrical shock depends on • • •
Section 2 Page 11
B U R N S C AU S E D B Y E L E C T R I C I T Y
Section 3
Burns Caused by Electricity
The most common shock-related, nonfatal injury is a burn. Burns
❚ Electrical shocks cause burns. caused by electricity may be of three types: electrical burns, arc
burns, and thermal contact burns. Electrical burns can result when
a person touches electrical wiring or equipment that is used or main-
tained improperly. Typically, such
burns occur on the hands.
Electrical burns are one of the
most serious injuries you can
receive. They need to be given
immediate attention. Additionally,
❚ arc-blast—explosive release of mol- clothing may catch fire and a
ten material from equipment caused thermal burn may result from the
by high-amperage arcs
heat of the fire.
Contact electrical burns. The
knee on the left was energized,
Arc Blasts and the knee on the right was
Arc-blasts occur when powerful, grounded.
❚ arcing—the luminous electrical dis- high-amperage currents arc
charge (bright, electrical sparking) through the air. Arcing is the luminous electrical discharge that
through the air that occurs when
high voltages exist across a gap
occurs when high voltages exist across a gap between conductors
between conductors and current travels through the air. This situation is often caused by
equipment failure due to abuse or fatigue. Temperatures as high as
35,000°F have been reached in arc-blasts. A common example of
arcing is the flash you sometimes see when you turn a light switch
on or off. This is not dangerous because of the low voltage.
(1) Arcing gives off thermal radiation (heat) and intense light, which
can cause burns. Several factors affect the degree of injury, includ-
ing skin color, area of skin exposed, and type of clothing worn.
Proper clothing, work distances, and overcurrent protection can
reduce the risk of such a burn.
Page 12 Section 3
concussion. Sometimes the pressure wave throws the victim away
from the arc-blast. While this may reduce further exposure to the
thermal energy, serious physical injury may result. The pressure
wave can propel large objects over great distances. In some cases,
the pressure wave has enough force to snap off the heads of steel
bolts and knock over walls.
(3) A high-voltage arc can also cause many of the copper and alumi-
num components in electrical equipment to melt. These droplets of
molten metal can be blasted great distances by the pressure wave.
Although these droplets harden rapidly, they can still be hot enough
to cause serious burns or cause ordinary clothing to catch fire, even
if you are 10 feet or more away.
ive technicians were performing preventive maintenance on the electrical system of a railroad main-
F tenance facility. One of the technicians was assigned to clean the lower compartment of an electri-
cal cabinet using cleaning fluid in an aerosol can. But, he began to clean the upper compartment
as well. The upper compartment was filled with live circuitry. When the cleaning spray contacted the live
circuitry, a conductive path for the current was created. The current passed through
the stream of fluid, into the technician’s arm, and across his chest. The current
caused a loud explosion. Co-workers found the victim with his clothes on fire. One
worker put out the fire with an extinguisher, and another pulled the victim away
from the compartment with a plastic vacuum cleaner hose. The paramedics
responded in 5 minutes. Although the victim survived the shock, he died 24
hours later of burns.
This death could have been prevented if the following precautions had been
taken:
• Before doing any electrical work, de-energize all circuits and equipment,
perform lock-out/tag-out, and test circuits and equipment to make sure
they are de-energized.
• T
he company should have trained the workers to perform their jobs safely.
• P
roper personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be used.
• N
ever use aerosol spray cans around high-voltage equipment.
Section 3 Page 13
B U R N S C AU S E D B Y E L E C T R I C I T Y
Electrical Fires
Electricity is one of the most common
causes of fires and thermal burns in
homes and workplaces. Defective
or misused electrical equipment is a
major cause of electrical fires. If
there is a small electrical fire, be
sure to use only a Class C or mul-
tipurpose (ABC) fire extinguisher,
or you might make the problem
worse. All fire extinguishers are
marked with letter(s) that tell you the
kinds of fires they can put out. Some
extinguishers contain
symbols, too.
The letters and symbols are explained below (including suggestions on how to remember them).
Page 14 Section 3
Summary of Section 3
Burns are the most common injury caused by electricity.
The three types of burns are • • •
electrical burns,
arc burns, and
thermal contact burns.
Section 3 Page 15
First Aid Fact Sheet
What Should I Do if a Co-worker is
Shocked or Burned by Electricity?
Do not leave the victim unless there is absolutely no other option. You should stay
with the victim while emergency medical services (EMS) are contacted. The caller
should come back to you afterwards to verify that the call was made. If the victim is
not breathing, does not have a heartbeat, or is badly injured, quick response by a
team of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics gives the best chance
for survival.
Learn first aid
Page 16
Once you know that electrical current is no longer flowing through the victim, call out
to the victim to see if he or she is conscious (awake). If the victim is conscious,
tell the victim not to move. It is possible for a shock victim to be seriously injured but
not realize it. Quickly examine the victim for signs of
major bleeding. If there is a lot of bleeding, place a cloth
(such as a handkerchief or bandanna) over the wound
and apply pressure. If the wound is in an arm or leg and
keeps bleeding a lot, gently elevate the injured area
while keeping pressure on the wound. Keep the victim
warm and talk to him or her until help arrives.
If the victim is unconscious, check for signs of breathing. While you do this, move
the victim as little as possible. If the victim is not breathing, someone trained in
CPR should begin artificial breathing, then check to see if the victim has a pulse.
Quick action is essential! To be effective, CPR must be performed within 4 minutes
of the shock.
If you are not trained in CPR or first aid, now is the time to get trained—before you
find yourself in this situation! Ask your instructor or supervisor how you can become
certified in CPR. You also need to know the
location of (1) electricity shut-offs
(“kill switches”), (2) first-aid
supplies, and (3) a telephone so
you can find them quickly in an
emergency.
Section 4:
Overview of the Safety Model
What must be done to be safe?
❚ Use the safety model to recog-
Use the three-stage safety model: recognize, evaluate, and control
nize, evaluate, and control haz- hazards. To be safe, you must think about your job and plan for
ards. hazards. To avoid injury or
death, you must understand
and recognize hazards. You
need to evaluate the situation
you are in and assess your
risks. You need to control haz-
ards by creating a safe work
environment, by using safe
work practices, and by report-
ing hazards to a supervisor or
teacher.
Page 18 Section 4
OSHA regulations, the NEC, NFPA 70E Standard for
Electrical Safety in the Workplace, and the National
Electrical Safety Code (NESC) provide a wide range of
safety information. Although these sources may be diffi-
cult to read and understand at first, with practice they
can become very useful tools to help you recognize
unsafe conditions and practices. Knowledge of OSHA
standards is an important part of training for electrical
apprentices. See the Appendix for a list of relevant stan-
dards.
Section 4 Page 19
OV E R V I E W O F T H E S A F E T Y M O D E L
One way to implement this safety model is to conduct a job hazard analysis (JHA). This involves development
of a chart: 1) Column 1, breaking down the job into its separate task or steps; 2) Column 2, evaluating the
hazard(s) of each task, and 3) Column 3, developing a control for each hazard. See the example below.
Removing the cover Electric shock from exposed De-energize by opening circuit
live wires breaker or removing fuse
Removing old GFCI Possible other live wires in Test wires with appropriate voltmeter
opening to ensure all wires are de-energized
Installing new GFCI Possible connecting wires Check wiring diagrams to ensure
incorrectly proper connections
Replace cover and re-energize Possible defective GFCI Test GFCI
Use the safety model to recognize, evaluate, and control workplace hazards like those in
this picture.
Page 20 Section 4
Summary of Section 4
The three stages of the safety model are • • •
Section 4 Page 21
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 1 — R E C O G N I Z I N G H A Z A R D S
Section 5
Safety Model Stage 1—
Recognizing Hazards
How do you recognize hazards?
The first step toward protecting yourself is recognizing the many
hazards you face on the job. To do this, you must know which situa-
tions can place you in danger. Knowing where to look helps you to
recognize hazards.
❑ E
lectrical systems and tools that are not grounded or double-
insulated are dangerous.
Page 22 Section 5
Worker was electrocuted while removing
energized fish tape.
n electrician was removing a metal fish tape from a hole at the base of a metal light pole. (A
A fish tape is used to pull wire through a conduit run.) The fish tape became energized, electro-
cuting him. As a result of its inspection, OSHA issued a citation for three serious violations of
the agency’s construction standards.
If the following OSHA requirements had been followed, this death could have been
prevented.
• De-energize all circuits before beginning work.
• Always lock out and tag out de-energized equipment.
• Companies must train workers to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions
associated with their work.
Fish tape.
Section 5 Page 23
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 1 — R E C O G N I Z I N G H A Z A R D S
When you use an extension cord, the size of the wire you are plac-
ing into the circuit may be too small for the equipment. The circuit
breaker could be the right size for the circuit but not right for the
smaller-gauge extension cord. A tool plugged into the extension cord
may use more current than the cord can handle without tripping the
circuit breaker. The wire will overheat and could cause a fire.
Exposed electrical
parts hazards
Electrical hazards exist when
wires or other electrical parts
are exposed. Wires and parts
can be exposed if a cover is
removed from a wiring or
breaker box. The overhead
wires coming into a home
may be exposed. Electrical
Page 24 Section 5
terminals in motors, appliances, and electronic equipment may be
exposed. Older equipment may have exposed electrical parts. If you
contact exposed live electrical parts, you will be shocked. You need
to recognize that an exposed electrical component is a hazard.
Approach boundaries
The risk from exposed live parts depends on your distance from the
parts. Three “boundaries” are key to protecting yourself from elec-
tric shock and one to protect you from arc flashes or blasts. These
boundaries are set by the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA 70E).
Power source ➔
Section 5 Page 25
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 1 — R E C O G N I Z I N G H A Z A R D S
APPROACH BOUNDARIES
To protect against burns, there’s one more boundary: The flash pro-
tection boundary is where you need PPE to prevent incurable
burns, if there’s an arc flash.
Power source ➔
Page 26 Section 5
Overhead powerline hazards
Most people do not realize that overhead powerlines are usually not
insulated. More than half of all electrocutions are caused by direct
worker contact with energized powerlines. Powerline workers must
be especially aware of the dangers of overhead lines. In the past,
80% of all lineman deaths were caused by contacting a live wire
with a bare hand. Due to such incidents, all linemen now wear spe-
cial rubber gloves that protect them up to 36,000 volts. Today, most
electrocutions involving overhead powerlines are caused by failure
to maintain proper work distances.
Section 5 Page 27
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 1 — R E C O G N I Z I N G H A Z A R D S
Page 28 Section 5
Extension cords may have damaged insulation. Sometimes the insu-
lation inside an electrical tool or appliance is damaged. When insula-
tion is damaged, exposed metal
parts may become energized if
a live wire inside touches them.
Electric hand tools that are old,
damaged, or misused may have
damaged insulation inside. If ❚ A damaged live power tool that is
you touch damaged power tools not grounded or double-insulated
or other equipment, you will is very dangerous! If you touch a
damaged live power tool, you will
receive a shock. You are more be shocked!
likely to receive a shock if the
tool is not grounded or double-
insulated. (Double-insulated
tools have two insulation barri-
ers and no exposed metal parts.)
You need to recognize that
defective insulation is a
hazard.
Extension cords may not provide a continuous path to ground if there ❚ ground potential—the voltage a
grounded part should have;
is a broken ground wire or plug. If you contact a defective electrical 0 volts relative to ground
Section 5 Page 29
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 1 — R E C O G N I Z I N G H A Z A R D S
❚ If you touch a defective live device that is not grounded (or grounded improperly), you will be
component that is not grounded, shocked. You need to recognize that an improperly grounded elec-
you will be shocked. trical system is a hazard.
Electrical systems are often grounded to metal water pipes that serve
as a continuous path to ground. If plumbing is used as a path to ground
for fault current, all pipes must be made of conductive material (a type
of metal). Many electrocutions and fires occur because (during renova-
tion or repair) parts of metal plumbing are replaced with plastic pipe,
which does not conduct electricity. In these cases, the path to ground
is interrupted by nonconductive material.
Overload hazards
❚ overload—too much current
Overloads in an electrical system are
in a circuit
hazardous because they can produce
heat or arcing. Wires and other compo-
nents in an electrical system or circuit
❚ An overload can lead to a fire or have a maximum amount of current
electrical shock.
they can carry safely. If too many devic-
es are plugged into a circuit, the electri-
cal current will heat the wires to a very
high temperature. If any one tool uses Overloads are a major cause
too much current, the wires will heat up. of fires.
Page 30 Section 5
The temperature of the wires can be high enough to cause a fire. If
their insulation melts, arcing may occur. Arcing can cause a fire in
the area where the overload exists, even inside a wall.
❚ circuit breaker—an overcurrent
In order to prevent too much current in a circuit, a circuit breaker or protection device that automatically
fuse is placed in the circuit. If there is too much current in the cir- shuts off the current in a circuit if an
overload occurs
cuit, the breaker “trips” and opens like a switch. If an overloaded
❚ trip—the automatic opening
circuit is equipped with a fuse, an internal part of the fuse melts,
(turning off) of a circuit by a GFCI or
opening the circuit. Both breakers and fuses do the same thing: open circuit breaker
the circuit to shut off the electrical current.
❚ fuse—an overcurrent protection
If the breakers or fuses are too big for the wires they are supposed to device that has an internal part that
protect, an overload in the circuit will not be detected and the cur- melts and shuts off the current in a
circuit if there is an overload
rent will not be shut off. Overloading leads to overheating of circuit
❚ Circuit breakers and fuses that
components (including wires) and may cause a fire. You need to are too big for the circuit are
recognize that a circuit with improper overcurrent protection dangerous (e.g., using a 30 amp
devices—or one with no overcurrent protection devices at all— fuse in a 20 amp circuit).
is a hazard. ❚ Circuits without circuit breakers
or fuses are dangerous.
Overcurrent protection devices are built into the wiring of some
electric motors, tools, and electronic devices. For example, if a tool
draws too much current or if it overheats, the current will be shut off
from within the device itself. Damaged tools can overheat and cause
a fire. You need to recognize that a damaged tool is a hazard. ❚ Damaged power tools can cause
overloads.
Section 5 Page 31
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 1 — R E C O G N I Z I N G H A Z A R D S
or tools can expose you to live electrical parts. A damaged tool may
not be grounded properly, so the housing of the tool may be ener-
gized, causing you to receive a shock. Improperly grounded metal
switch plates and ceiling lights are especially hazardous in wet con-
ditions. If you touch a live electrical component with an uninsulated
hand tool, you are more likely to receive a shock when standing in
water.
Page 32 Section 5
❑ Intensive use of hand tools that involve force or twisting can
cause tendinitis of the hands, wrists, or elbows. Use of hand
tools can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome, which results
when nerves in the wrist are damaged by swelling tendons or
contracting muscles.
22-year-old carpenter’s apprentice was killed when he was struck in the head by a nail
A fired from a powder-actuated nail gun (a device that uses a gun powder cartridge to
drive nails into concrete or steel). The nail gun operator fired the gun while attempting
to anchor a plywood concrete form, causing the nail to pass through the hollow form. The
nail traveled 27 feet before striking the victim. The nail gun operator had never received train-
ing on how to use the tool, and none of the employees in the area was wearing PPE.
In another situation, two workers were building a wall while remodeling a house. One of the
workers was killed when he was struck by a nail fired from a powder-actuated nail gun. The
tool operator who fired the nail was trying to attach a piece of plywood to a wooden stud.
But the nail shot though the plywood and stud, striking the victim.
Below are some OSHA regulations that should have been followed.
• Employees using powder- or pressure-actuated tools must be trained to use them safely. ❚ PPE—personal protective
• Employees who operate powder- or pressure-actuated tools must be trained to avoid fir- equipment (eye protec-
ing into easily penetrated materials (like plywood). tion, hard hat, special
clothing, etc.)
• In areas where workers could be exposed to flying nails, appropriate PPE must be used.
Section 5 Page 33
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 1 — R E C O G N I Z I N G H A Z A R D S
❑ Low back pain can result from lifting objects the wrong way or
carrying heavy loads of wire or other material. Back pain can
also occur as a result of injury from poor working surfaces such
as wet or slippery floors. Back pain is common, but it can be
disabling and can affect young individuals.
❑ Chips and particles flying from tools can injure your eyes. Wear
eye protection.
❑ Sharp tools and power equipment can cause cuts and other
injuries. If you receive a shock, you may react and be hurt
by a tool.
Page 34 Section 5
Summary of Section 5
You need to be able to recognize that electrical shocks,
fires, or falls result from these hazards:
Inadequate wiring
Exposed electrical parts
Overhead powerlines
Defective insulation
Improper grounding
Overloaded circuits
Wet conditions
Damaged tools and equipment
Improper PPE
Section 5 Page 35
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 2 — E VA L UAT I N G H A Z A R D S
Section 6
Safety Model Stage 2—
Evaluating Hazards
How do you evaluate your risk?
❚ risk—the chance that injury or After you recognize a hazard, your next step is to evaluate your risk
death will occur from the hazard. Obviously, exposed wires should be recognized as
a hazard. If the exposed wires are 15 feet off the ground, your risk is
low. However, if you are going to be working on a roof near those
same wires, your risk is high. The risk of shock is greater if you will
be carrying metal conduit that could touch the exposed wires. You
❚ Make the right decisions.
must constantly evaluate your risk.
❑ tripped circuit breakers and blown fuses show that too much
❚ short—a low-resistance path current is flowing in a circuit or that a fault exists. This condition
between a live wire and the could be due to several factors, such as malfunctioning
ground, or between wires at equipment or a short between conductors. You need to determine
different voltages (called a fault the cause in order to control the hazard.
if the current is unintended)
❑ An electrical tool, appliance, wire, or connection that feels warm
may indicate too much current in the circuit or equipment or that
a fault exists. You need to evaluate the situation and determine
your risk.
❑ An extension cord that feels warm may indicate too much current
for the wire size of the cord or that a fault exists. You must
decide what action needs to be taken.
Page 36 Section 6
❑ A cable, fuse box, or junction box that feels warm may indicate
too much current in the circuits. Any of these conditions, or
“clues,” tells you something
❑ A burning odor may indicate overheated insulation. important: there is a risk of fire
and electrical shock. The equip-
❑ Worn, frayed, or damaged insulation around any wire or other ment or tools involved must be
conductor is an electrical hazard because the conductors could be taken out of service. You will fre-
exposed. Contact with an exposed wire could cause a shock. quently be caught in situations
Damaged insulation could cause a short, leading to arcing or a
where you need to decide if these
fire. Inspect all insulation for scrapes and breaks. You need to
clues are present. A maintenance
evaluate the seriousness of any damage you find and decide how
to deal with the hazard. electrician, supervisor, or instruc-
tor needs to be called if there are
❑ A GFCI that trips indicates there is current leakage from the signs of overload and you are not
circuit. First, you must decide the probable cause of the leakage sure of the degree of risk. Ask for
by recognizing any contributing hazards. Then, you must decide help whenever you are not sure
what action needs to be taken. what to do. By asking for help, you
will protect yourself and others.
Summary of Section 6
Look for “clues” that hazards are present.
Evaluate the seriousness of hazards.
Decide if you need to take action.
Don’t ignore signs of trouble.
n 18-year-old male worker, with 15 months of experience at a fast food restaurant, was plugging a toast-
A er into a floor outlet when he received a shock. Since the restaurant was closed for the night, the floor
had been mopped about 10 minutes before the incident. The restaurant manager and another employee
heard the victim scream and investigated. The victim was found with one hand on the plug and the other hand
grasping the metal receptacle box. His face was pressed against the top of the outlet. An employee tried to take
the victim’s pulse but was shocked. The manager could not locate the correct breaker for the circuit. He then
called the emergency squad, returned to the breaker box, and found the correct breaker. By the time the circuit
was opened (turned off), the victim had been exposed to the current for 3 to 8 minutes. The employee checked
the victim’s pulse again and found that it was very rapid.
The manager and the employee left the victim to unlock the front door and place another call for help. Another
employee arrived at the restaurant and found that the victim no longer had a pulse. The employee began
administering CPR, which was continued by the rescue squad for 90 minutes. The victim was dead on arrival
at a local hospital.
Later, two electricians evaluated the circuit and found no serious problems. An investigation showed that the
victim’s hand slipped forward when he was plugging in the toaster. His index finger made contact with an
energized prong in the plug. His other hand was on the metal receptacle box, which was grounded. Current
entered his body through his index finger, flowed across his chest, and exited through the other hand, which
was in contact with the grounded receptacle.
To prevent death or injury, you must recognize hazards and take the right action.
• If the circuit had been equipped with a GFCI, the current would have been shut off before injury occurred.
• The recent mopping increased the risk of electrocution. Never work in wet or damp areas!
• Know the location of circuit breakers for your work area.
Section 6 Page 37
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
Section 7
Safety Model Stage 3—
Controlling Hazards:
Safe Work Environment
How do you control hazards?
In order to control hazards, you must first create a safe work envi-
ronment, then work in a safe manner. Generally, it is best to remove
the hazards altogether and create an environment that is truly safe.
When OSHA regulations and the NFPA 70E are followed, safe work
environments are created.
Page 38 Section 7
t about 1:45 a.m., two journeyman electricians began replacing bulbs and making repairs on light
A fixtures in a spray paint booth at an automobile assembly plant. The job required the two
electricians to climb on top of the booth and work from above. The top of the booth was filled
with pipes and ducts that restricted visibility and movement. Flashlights were required.
The electricians started at opposite ends of the booth. One electrician saw a flash of light, but continued
to work for about 5 minutes, then climbed down for some wire. While cutting the wire, he smelled a burn-
ing odor and called to the other electrician. When no one answered, he climbed back on top of the booth.
He found his co-worker in contact with a single-strand wire from one of the lights. Needle-nose wire
strippers were stuck in the left side of the victim’s chest. Apparently, he had been stripping insulation from
an improperly grounded 530-volt, single-strand wire when he contacted it with the stripper. In this case,
the electricians knew they were working on energized circuits. The breakers in the booth’s control panel
were not labeled and the lock used for lock-out/tag-out was broken. The surviving electrician stated that
locating the means to de-energize a circuit often takes more time than the actual job.
The electrician would be alive today if the following rules had been observed.
• Always shut off circuits—then test to confirm that they are de-energized—before starting a job.
• Switchgear that shuts off a circuit must be clearly labeled and easy to access.
• Lock-out/tag-out materials must always be provided, and lock-out/tag-out procedures must always
be followed.
• Always label circuit breakers.
Section 7 Page 39
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
Lock-Out/Tag-Out Checklist
Lock-out/tag-out is an essential safety procedure
that protects workers from injury while working on
or near electrical circuits and equipment. Lock-out
involves applying a physical lock to the power
source(s) of circuits and equipment after they have
been shut off and de-energized. The source is then
tagged out with an easy-to-read tag that alerts other
workers in the area that a lock has been applied.
When performing lock-out/tag-out on circuits
I
n addition to protecting workers from electri- and equipment, you can use the checklist below.
cal hazards, lock-out/tag-out prevents contact ✔ Identify all sources of electrical energy for the
with operating equipment parts: blades, equipment or circuits in question.
gears, shafts, presses, etc. ✔ Disable backup energy sources such as gener-
A worker was replacing a V-belt on a dust collector
ators and batteries.
blower. Before beginning work, he shut down the ✔ Identify all shut-offs for each energy source.
unit at the local switch. However, an operator in the ✔ Notify all personnel that equipment and
control room restarted the unit using a remote circuitry must be shut off, locked out, and
switch. The worker’s hand was caught between the
pulley and belts of the blower, resulting in cuts and tagged out. (Simply turning a switch off is
a fractured finger. NOT enough.)
hen performing lock-out/tag-out on machinery,
W ✔ Shut off energy sources and lock switchgear
you must always lock out and tag out ALL energy in the OFF position. Each worker should
sources leading to the machinery. apply his or her individual lock. Do not give
your key to anyone.
Also, lock-out/tag-out prevents the unexpected ✔ Test equipment and circuitry to make sure
release of hazardous gases, fluids, or solid matter they are de-energized. This must be done by a
in areas where workers are present. qualified person.*
✔ Deplete stored energy (for example, in capaci-
An employee was cutting into a metal pipe using a tors) by bleeding, blocking, grounding, etc.
blowtorch. Diesel fuel was mistakenly discharged
into the line and was ignited by his torch. The work- ✔ Apply a tag to alert other workers that an
er burned to death at the scene. energy source or piece of equipment has been
ll valves along the line should have been locked
A locked out.
out, blanked out, and tagged out to prevent the ✔ Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for
release of fuel. Blanking is the process of inserting before equipment and circuits are unlocked
a metal disk into the space between two pipe flang-
es. The disk, or blank, is then bolted in place to pre-
and turned back on. Note that only a qualified
vent passage of liquids or gases through the pipe. person may determine when it is safe to
re-energize circuits.
Page 40 Section 7
Control inadequate wiring hazards
❚ Use the right gauge and type of
Electrical hazards result from using the wrong size or type of wire. wire.
You must control such hazards to create a safe work environment.
You must choose the right size wire for the amount of current ❚ AWG—American Wire Gauge—
expected in a circuit. The wire must be able to handle the current a measure of wire size
safely. The wire’s insulation must be appropriate for the voltage and
tough enough for the environment. Connections need to be reliable
and protected.
Wires come in different gauges. The maximum current each gauge can conduct safely is
shown.
Section 7 Page 41
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
❑ building materials
❑ presence of corrosives
❑ temperature extremes
Page 42 Section 7
❚ flexible wiring—cables with
Flexible wiring can be used for extension cords or power supply insulated and stranded wire that
cords. Power supply cords can be removable or permanently bends easily
attached to the appliance.
29-year-old male welder was assigned to work on an outdoor concrete platform attached to the
A main factory building. He wheeled a portable arc welder onto the platform. Since there was not
an electrical outlet nearby, he used an extension cord to plug in the welder. The male end of the
cord had four prongs, and the female end was spring-loaded. The worker plugged the male end of the
cord into the outlet. He then plugged the portable welder’s power cord into the female end of the exten-
sion cord. At that instant, the metal case around the power cord plug became energized, electrocuting
the worker.
An investigation showed that the female end of the extension cord was broken. The spring, cover plate,
and part of the casing were missing from the face of the female connector. Also, the grounding prong on
the welder’s power cord plug was so severely bent that it slipped outside of the connection. Therefore,
the arc welder was not grounded. Normally, it would have been impossible to insert the plug incorrectly.
But, since the cord’s female end was damaged, the “bad” connection was able to occur.
Do not let this happen to you. Use these safe practices:
• Thoroughly inspect all electrical equipment before beginning work.
• Do not use extension cords as a substitute for fixed wiring. In this case, a weatherproof receptacle
should have been installed on the platform.
• Use connectors that are designed to stand up to the abuse of the job. Connectors designed for
light-duty use should not be used in an industrial environment.
Section 7 Page 43
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
Add to find the total current needed to operate all the appliances
supplied by the cord. Choose a wire gauge that can handle the total
current.
❚ Do not use extension cords that The length of the extension cord also needs to be considered when
are too long for the size of wire. selecting the wire gauge. Voltage drops over the length of a cord. If
a cord is too long, the voltage drop can be enough to damage equip-
ment. Many electric motors only operate safely in a narrow range of
voltages and will not work properly at voltages different than the
voltage listed on the nameplate. Even though light bulbs operate
(somewhat dimmer) at lowered voltages, do not assume electric
motors will work correctly at less-than-required voltages. Also,
when electric motors start or operate under load, they require more
current. The larger the gauge of the wire, the longer a cord can be
without causing a voltage drop that could damage tools and
equipment.
Page 44 Section 7
The grounding path for extension cords must be kept intact to keep ❚ Make sure the path to ground is
you safe. A typical extension cord grounding system has four continuous.
components:
Section 7 Page 45
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
20-year-old male laborer was carrying a 20-foot piece of iron from a welding shop to an outside
A storage rack. As he was turning a corner near a bank of electrical transformers, the top end of the
piece of iron struck an uninsulated supply wire at the top of a transformer. Although the transform-
ers were surrounded by a 6-foot fence, they were about 3 feet taller than the fence enclosure. Each
transformer carried 4,160 volts.
When the iron hit the supply wire, the laborer was electrocuted. A forklift operator heard the iron drop to
the ground at about 8:46 a.m. and found the victim 5 minutes later. He was pronounced dead on arrival
at a local hospital.
• According to OSHA, the enclosure around the transformers was too low. The fence should have been
at least 8 feet tall.
• The company in this case did not offer any formal safety training to its workers. All employers should
develop safety and health training programs so their employees know how to recognize and avoid
life-threatening hazards.
❑ Even when live parts are elevated to the required height (8 feet),
care should be taken when using objects (like metal rods or
pipes) that can contact these parts.
Page 46 Section 7
conductors from coming in contact with each other or any other
conductor. If conductors are allowed to make contact, a short circuit
is created. In a short circuit, current passes through the shorting
material without passing through a load in the circuit, and the wire
becomes overheated. Insulation keeps wires and other conductors
from touching, which prevents electrical short circuits. Insulation
prevents live wires from touching people and animals, thus protect-
ing them from electrical shock.
29-year-old male maintenance worker was found at 3:45 a.m. lying on his back and convulsing.
A Beside him were an overturned cart and an electric welding machine, both lying in a pool of water
on the concrete floor. Arcing was visible between the welding machine and the floor. The worker
was transported to the closest hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An examination of the welding machine showed that there were exposed conductors in the machine’s
cables. There were numerous cuts and scrapes in the cables’ insulation. On other parts of the machine,
insulation was damaged or missing. Also, the machine did not have a ground connection.
Investigators concluded that the maintenance worker was electrocuted when he tried to turn off the weld-
ing machine, which was sitting on the cart. The metal frame of the machine had become energized due
to the damaged insulation. When he touched the energized frame, he completed the conducting path to
ground. The current traveled through his body to ground. Since he was probably standing in water, the
risk of a ground fault was even greater.
You must take steps to decrease such hazards in your workplace:
• Ground circuits and equipment.
• Keep all equipment in good operating condition with a preventive maintenance program.
• Never use electrical equipment or work on circuits in wet areas. If you find water or dampness, notify
your supervisor immediately.
Special insulation is used on wires and cables that are used in harsh
environments. Wires and cables that are buried in soil must have an
outer covering of insulation that is flame-retardant and resistant to
moisture, fungus, and corrosion.
Section 7 Page 47
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
❑ AWG size,
Page 48 Section 7
Grounding is connecting an electrical system to the earth with a wire.
Excess or stray current travels through this wire to a grounding
device (commonly called a “ground”) deep in the earth. Grounding
prevents unwanted voltage on electrical components. Metal plumbing
is often used as a ground. When plumbing is used as a grounding
conductor, it must also be connected to a grounding device such as a
conductive rod. (Rods used for grounding must be driven at least
8 feet into the earth.) Sometimes an electrical system will receive a
higher voltage than it is designed to handle. These high voltages may
come from a lightning strike, line surge, or contact with a higher-
voltage line. Sometimes a defect occurs in a device that allows
exposed metal parts to become energized. Grounding will help Grounding rod in
protect the person working on a system, the system itself, and others the earth.
using tools or operating equipment connected to the system. The
extra current produced by the excess voltage travels relatively safely
to the earth.
Section 7 Page 49
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
Use GFCIs
The use of GFCIs has lowered the number of electrocutions dramati-
cally. A GFCI is a fast-acting switch that detects any difference in
current between two circuit conductors. If either conductor comes in
contact—either directly or through part of your body—with a
ground (a situation known as a ground fault), the GFCI opens the
circuit in a fraction of a second. If a current as small as 4 to 6 mA
does not pass through both wires properly, but instead leaks to the
ground, the GFCI is tripped. The current is shut off.
GFCIs are usually in the form of a duplex receptacle. They are also
available in portable and plug-in designs and as circuit breakers
that protect an entire branch circuit. GFCIs can operate on both two-
and three-wire ground systems. For a GFCI to work properly, the
neutral conductor (white wire) must (1) be continuous, (2) have low
resistance, and (3) have sufficient current-carrying capacity.
Page 50 Section 7
female assistant manager of a swim club was instructed to add a certain chemical to the pool. She
A went down into the pump room, barefoot. The room was below ground level, and the floor was
covered with water. She filled a plastic drum with 35-40 gallons of water, then plugged a mixing
motor into a 120-volt wall outlet and turned on the motor. The motor would be used to mix the water and
the chemical, then the solution would be added to the pool. While adding the chemical to the water in
the drum, she contacted the mixing motor with her left hand. Apparently, the motor had developed a
ground fault. Because of the ground fault, the motor was energized, and she was electrocuted. A co-
worker found the victim slumped over the drum with her face submerged in water. The co-worker tried
to move the victim but was shocked. The assistant manager was dead on arrival at a local hospital.
An investigation showed that the mixing motor was in poor condition. The grounding pin had been
removed from the male end of the power cord, resulting in a faulty ground. The circuit was equipped with
a GFCI, but it was not installed properly. A properly wired and functioning GFCI could have sensed the
ground fault in the motor and de-energized the circuit.
Take a look at what could have been done to prevent this death.
• The employer should have kept the motor in better condition. Power cords should be inspected
regularly, and any missing ground prongs should be replaced.
• All pool-area electrical circuits should be installed by qualified electricians.
• The victim should have worn insulating boots or shoes since she was handling electrical equipment.
• The employer should have followed the law. The NEC requires that all pool-associated motors have a
permanent grounding system. In this case, this regulation was not followed. Also, electrical equipment
is not permitted in areas without proper drainage.
• OSHA requires employers to provide a work environment free of safety and health
hazards.
The NEC and NFPA 70E require that GFCIs be used in these high-
risk situations:
Specifically, GFCIs must be installed in bathrooms, garages, outdoor ❚ Use GFCIs to help protect people
areas, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, kitchens, and near wet in damp areas.
bars.
Section 7 Page 51
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
❚ bonding jumper—the
box, might not make a good electrical connection because of paint
conductor used to connect or possible corrosion. To make a good electrical connection, a bond-
parts to be bonded ing jumper needs to be installed.
A metal cold water pipe that is part of a path to ground may need
bonding jumpers around plastic antivibration devices, plastic water
meters, or sections of plastic pipe. A bonding jumper is made of
conductive material and is tightly connected to metal pipes with
screws or clamps to bypass the plastic and assure a continuous
grounding path. Bonding jumpers are necessary because plastic does
not conduct electricity and would interrupt the path to ground.
Page 52 Section 7
Overcurrent protection devices are designed to protect equipment
and structures from fire. They do not protect you from electrical
shock! Overcurrent protection devices stop the flow of current in a
circuit when the amperage is too high for the circuit. A circuit break-
er or fuse will not stop the relatively small amount of current that
can cause injury or death. Death can result from 20 mA (.020 amps)
through the chest (see Section 2). A typical residential circuit break-
er or fuse will not shut off the circuit until a current of more than
20 amps is reached!
Section 7 Page 53
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
There should be standard written procedures and training for these com-
mon tasks. For instance, when opening and closing disconnects, use the
left-hand rule when possible (stand to the right side of equipment with a
disconnect on the right, and operate the disconnect with your left hand).
For other situations where you might need to work on or near live cir-
cuits, your employer should institute a written live-work permit system,
which must be authorized by a qualified supervisor.
❑ who will do the work and how unqualified persons will be kept
away, and
Page 54 Section 7
❑ Energized-work approval signatures (authorizing or approving
management, safety officer, owner, etc.).
lineman (the victim) was killed after contacting a 17,400-volt charged switch.The victim was part
A of a three-man crew replacing cables under a switch cabinet. At the time of the accident, the crew
was feeding a new cable under the concrete foundation pad below the cabinet. As one worker
pushed the cable under the foundation, the victim looped the cable inside the foundation under the
cabinet. The victim was using a hot stick to loop the cable but was not wearing his hardhat when his head
came either in close proximity to or contacted the charged switch. Crewmembers saw a flash and came
around the switch cabinet to where the victim was located. He was found slumped partially in the cabinet.
A crewmember used a hot stick to move the victim away from the cabinet and then began CPR.
Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead
from injuries associated with high-voltage electrocution.Based on the findings of the investigation, to
prevent similar occurrences, employers should:
• Ensure workers use personal protective equipment and enforce its use;
• Ensure workers are capable of recognizing and avoiding hazardous situations;
• Emphasize de-energizing, isolating, or cover energized work areas whenever personnel need to work
within high voltage danger zones.
NIOSH FACE Program: Alaska Case Report 00AK011 | CDC/NIOSHFACE 00-AK-011
Section 7 Page 55
S AF ET Y M O D EL S TAG E 3—C O N T ROLLING HAZARDS: SAFE WORK ENVIRON M EN T
Summary of Section 7
Control contact with electrical voltages and control electrical currents to create a
safe work environment.
Lock out and tag out circuits and machines.
Prevent overloaded wiring by using the right size and type of wire.
Prevent exposure to live electrical parts by isolating them.
Prevent exposure to live wires and parts by using insulation.
Prevent shocking currents from electrical systems and tools by grounding
them.
Prevent shocking currents by using GFCIs.
Prevent too much current in circuits by using overcurrent protection devices.
Prevent against electric shock or arc blast when working live by using proper
PPE and protective tools.
Page 56 Section 7
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 3 — C O N T R O L L I N G H A Z A R D S : S A F E W O R K P R AC T I C E S
Section 8
Safety Model Stage 3—
Controlling Hazards:
Safe Work Practices
How do you work safely?
A safe work environment is not enough to control all electrical haz-
ards. You must also work safely. Safe work practices help you con-
trol your risk of injury or death from workplace hazards. If you are
working on electrical circuits or with electrical tools and equipment,
you need to use safe work practices.
Page 58 Section 8
Plan your work and plan for safety
Take time to plan your work, by yourself and with others. Safety
planning is an important part of any task. It takes effort to recognize,
evaluate, and control hazards. If you are thinking about your work ❚ Plan to be safe.
tasks or about what others think of you, it is hard to take the time to
plan for safety. But, YOU MUST PLAN.
40-year-old male meter technician had just completed a 7-week basic lineman training course. He
A worked as a meter technician during normal working hours and as a lineman during unplanned
outages. One evening, he was called to repair a residential power outage. By the time he arrived
at the site of the outage, he had already worked 2 hours of overtime and worked 14 straight hours the
day before. At the site, a tree limb had fallen across an overhead powerline. The neutral wire in the line
was severed, and the two energized 120-volt wires were disconnected. The worker removed the tree limb
and climbed up a power pole to reconnect the three wires. He was wearing insulated gloves, a hard hat,
and safety glasses.
He prepared the wires to be connected. While handling the wires, one of the energized wires caught the
cuff of his left glove and pulled the cuff down. The conductor contacted the victim’s forearm near the
wrist. He was electrocuted and fell backwards. He was wearing a climbing belt, which left him hanging
upside down from the pole. Paramedics arrived 5 minutes after the contact. The power company lowered
his dead body 30 minutes later.
Several factors may have contributed to this incident. Below are some ways to eliminate these risk
factors.
• Ask for assistance when you are assigned tasks that cannot be safely completed alone. The task
assigned to the victim could not have been done safely by only one person.
• Do not work overtime performing hazardous tasks that are not part of your normal assignments.
• Employees should only be given tasks that they are qualified to perform. All employees below the
journeyman level should be supervised.
Planning with others is especially helpful. It allows you to coordi- ❚ Don’t work alone.
nate your work and take advantage of what others know about iden-
tifying and controlling hazards. The following is a list of some
things to think about as you plan.
Section 8 Page 59
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Before ANY work is done on a circuit, shut off the circuit, lock
out and tag out the circuit at the distribution panel, then test the
circuit to make sure it is de-energized.
Page 60 Section 8
worker was attempting to correct an electrical problem involving two non-operational lamps. He
A examined the circuit in the area where he thought the problem was located. He had not shut off
the power at the circuit breaker panel and did not test the wires to see if they were live. He was
electrocuted when he grabbed the two live wires with his left hand. He collapsed to the floor and was
found dead.
• Employers should not allow work to be done on electrical circuits unless an effective lock-out/tag-out
program is in place.
• No work should be done on energized electrical circuits. Circuits must be shut off, locked out, and
tagged out. Even then, you must test the circuit before beginning work to confirm that it is de-energized
(“dead”).
277 VOLT LAMPS
FUSE BOX
Section 8 Page 61
Ladder Safety Fact Sheet
To prevent injury when climbing, follow these procedures:
1. Position the ladder at a safe angle to prevent slipping. The hori-
zontal distance from the base of the ladder to the structure should
be one-quarter the length of the ladder to its resting position.
2. Make sure the base of the ladder has firm support and the ground
or floor is level. Be very careful when placing a ladder on wet,
icy, or otherwise slippery surfaces. Special blocking may be
needed to prevent slipping in these cases.
4. Check the condition of the ladder before using it. Joints must be
tight to prevent wobbling or leaning.
Page 62 Section 8
5. When using a stepladder, make sure it is level and fully open.
Always lock the hinges. Do not stand on the top step.
Section 8 Page 63
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 3 — C O N T R O L L I N G H A Z A R D S : S A F E W O R K P R AC T I C E S
crew of 7 workers was painting a 33-foot sign at a shopping mall. The crew used tubular
A welded frame scaffolding that was 31 feet tall and made up of several tiers. The sign was
partially painted when the crew was instructed to move the scaffolding so that concrete could be
poured for an access road. The crew moved the scaffolding 30 feet without disassembling it. An overhead
powerline was located about 10 feet away from the scaffolding. After the concrete hardened, the workers
lifted the scaffolding to move it back to the sign. The top tier came loose, fell, and contacted the powerline.
All seven workers were knocked away from the scaffolding. Two died; five were hospitalized.
You must take certain precautions when working with scaffolding.
• Scaffolding should not be moved until all potential safety hazards are identified and controlled. In this case,
the scaffolding should have been taken apart before it was moved.
• Locking pins must be used to secure tiers to one another.
• Always make sure you have enough time to complete your assignment safely. If you are rushed, you may
be more likely to take deadly short-cuts (such as failing to dismantle scaffolding before moving it).
• Employers must have a written safety program that includes safe work procedures and hazard recognition.
❑ Do not do any tasks that you are not trained to do or that you
do not feel comfortable doing!
company was contracted to install wiring and fixtures in a new office complex. The third floor was
A being prepared in a hurry for a new tenant, and daily changes to the electrical system blueprints
were arriving by fax. The light fixtures in the office were mounted in a metal grid that was fastened
to the ceiling and properly grounded.
A 23-year-old male apprentice electrician was working on a light fixture when he contacted an energized
conductor. He came down from the fiberglass ladder and collapsed. Apparently, he had contacted the
“hot” conductor while also in contact with the metal grid. Current passed through his body and into the
grounded grid. Current always takes a path to ground. In this case, the worker was part of that path.
He was dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Later, an investigation showed that the victim had cross-
wired the conductors in the fixture by mistake. This incorrect wiring allowed electricity to flow from a live
circuit on the completed section of the building to the circuit on which the victim was working.
Below are some safety procedures that should have been followed in this case. Because they were
ignored, the job ended in death.
• Before work begins, all circuits in the immediate work area must be shut off, locked out, and tagged
out—then tested to confirm that they are de-energized.
• Wiring done by apprentice electricians should be checked by a journeyman.
• A supervisor should always review changes to an original blueprint in order to identify any new hazards
that the changes might create.
Page 64 Section 8
Avoid wet working conditions
and other dangers
Remember that any hazard becomes much more dangerous in damp
or wet conditions. To be on the safe side, assume there is dampness
in any work location, even if you do not see water. Even sweat can
create a damp condition!
Section 8 Page 65
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 3 — C O N T R O L L I N G H A Z A R D S : S A F E W O R K P R AC T I C E S
worker from an electrical service company was changing bulbs in pole-mounted light fixtures in a shop-
A ping center parking lot. The procedure for installing the bulbs was as follows: The worker would park the
truck near the first light pole. The truck was equipped with a roof-mounted ladder. The worker would
extend the ladder high enough to change the bulb, then drive to the next pole without lowering the ladder.
After the worker replaced the first bulb, he got back in the truck and drove toward the next light pole. As the
truck moved along, a steel cable attached to the top of the ladder contacted an overhead powerline. The
worker realized something was wrong, stopped the truck, and stepped onto the pavement while still holding
onto the door of the truck. By doing this, he completed the path to ground for the current in the truck.
Because the ladder was still in contact with the powerline, the entire truck was now energized. He was
engulfed in flames as the truck caught fire. Fire, police, and paramedic units arrived within 5 minutes. Utility
workers arrived in about 10 minutes and de-energized (shut off) the powerline. The victim burned to death at
the scene.
Below are some ways to prevent contact with overhead powerlines.
• A safe distance must be maintained between ladders (and other equipment) and overhead lines. OSHA
requires that a clearance of at least 10 feet be maintained between aerial ladders and overhead powerlines
of up to 50,000 volts.
• Moving a truck with the ladder extended is a dangerous practice. One way to control this hazard is to install
an engine lock that prevents a truck’s engine from starting unless the ladder is fully retracted.
• If there are overhead powerlines in the immediate area, lighting systems that can be serviced from ground
level are recommended for safety.
• If the worker had been trained properly, he may have known to stay inside the truck.
• Job hazard analysis should always be performed to identify and control hazards. In this case, a survey
would have identified the powerlines as a possible hazard, and appropriate hazard control measures (such
as lowering the ladder between installations) could have been taken.
Page 66 Section 8
service) rather than cords marked “SJ” (junior hard service).
Make sure the grounding prong is intact. In damp locations,
make sure wires and connectors are waterproof and approved for
such locations. Do not create a tripping hazard.
You should also test electrical cords regularly for ground continuity
using a continuity tester as follows:
1. Connect one lead of the tester to the ground prong at one end
of the cord.
2. Connect the second lead to the ground wire hole at the other
end of the cord.
3. If the tester lights up or beeps (depending on design), the
cord’s ground wire is okay. If not, the cord is damaged and
should not be used.
❑ Do not pull on cords—Always disconnect a cord by the plug.
Section 8 Page 67
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 3 — C O N T R O L L I N G H A Z A R D S : S A F E W O R K P R AC T I C E S
Page 68 Section 8
n employee was climbing a metal ladder to hand an electric drill to the journeyman installer on
A a scaffold about 5 feet above him. When the victim reached the third rung of the ladder, he
received an electrical shock that killed him. An investigation showed
that the grounding prong was missing from the extension cord attached to
the drill. Also, the cord’s green grounding wire was, at times, contacting the
energized black wire. Because of this contact with the "hot" wire, the entire
length of the grounding wire and the drill’s frame became energized. The drill
was not double-insulated.
To avoid deadly incidents like this one, take these precautions:
• Make certain that approved GFCIs or equipment grounding systems are
used at construction sites.
• Use equipment that provides a permanent and continuous path to ground.
Any fault current will be safely diverted along this path.
• Inspect electrical tools and equipment daily and remove damaged or
defective equipment from use right away.
❑ Use the right tool correctly—Use tools correctly and for their
intended purposes. Follow the safety instructions and operating
procedures recommended by the manufacturer. When working on ❚ Use the right tools and equipment.
a circuit, use approved tools with insulated handles. However,
❚ Do not work on energized circuits.
DO NOT USE THESE TOOLS TO WORK ON
ENERGIZED CIRCUITS. ALWAYS SHUT OFF
AND DE-ENERGIZE CIRCUITS before
beginning work on them.
❑ Protect your tools—Keep tools and cords away from heat, oil,
and sharp objects. These hazards can damage insulation. If a tool
or cord heats up, stop using it! Report the condition to a
supervisor or instructor immediately. If equipment has been
repaired, make sure that it has been tested and certified as safe
before using it. Never carry a tool by the cord. Disconnect cords
by pulling the plug—not the cord!
Section 8 Page 69
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 3 — C O N T R O L L I N G H A Z A R D S : S A F E W O R K P R AC T I C E S
22-year-old male carpenter was building the wooden framework of a laundry building. He was using
A portable power tools. Electricity was supplied to the tools by a temporary service pole 50 feet away.
The service pole had not been inspected and was not in compliance. It was also not grounded. The
carpenter plugged a “homemade” cord into the service pole and then plugged a UL-approved cord into the
homemade cord. His power saw was plugged into the UL-approved cord.
The site was wet. Humidity was high and the carpenter was sweating. Reportedly, he was mildly shocked
throughout the morning and replaced the extension cord he was using in an effort to stop the shocks. At one
point, as he was climbing down a makeshift ladder constructed from a floor truss, he shifted the power saw
from his right hand to his left hand and was shocked. He fell from the ladder into a puddle of water, still hold-
ing the saw. The current had caused his hand to contract, and he was “locked” to the saw. A co-worker
disconnected the power cord to the saw. CPR was given, but the shock was fatal.
Attention to these general safety principles could have prevented this death.
• Any and all electrical equipment involved in a malfunction should be taken out of service immediately. The
carpenter should have taken the saw out of service, not just the extension cord. (As it turns out, the saw
was the source of the shocks, not the cord.)
• Although the homemade extension cord does not seem to have contributed to this incident, it should not
have been used.
• The floor truss should not have been used as a ladder. For climbing, use only approved ladders or other
equipment designed specifically for climbing.
• Do not work in wet areas. The water should have been removed from the floor as soon as it was found.
Humidity and perspiration can also be hazards. Try to stay as dry as possible, be alert, and take action to
protect yourself when needed.
• OSHA requires that all receptacles at construction sites that are not part of the permanent wiring have
GFCIs.
• Be aware that shocks can cause you to lose your balance and fall, often resulting in more severe injury.
wire. Power tools with metal housings or only one layer of effective
insulation must have a third ground wire and three-prong plug.
Page 70 Section 8
❑ Wear safety glasses—Wear safety glasses with side shields or
goggles to avoid eye injury. They should have a Z87 stamped on
them to show they are certified by the American National
Standards Institute Z87 Standard for eye and face protection.
Section 8 Page 71
PPE Fact Sheet—The Right Equipment—Head to Toe
PPE is the last line of defense against workplace hazards. OSHA defines PPE as "equipment for
the eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, protective shields and
barriers." Many OSHA regulations state that PPE must meet criteria set by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI).
Page 72 Section 8
Do not "store" anything (gloves, wallet, etc.) in the helmet) and keep it out of direct sunlight. If you
top of your hard hat while you are wearing it. The want to express your personality, hard hats come in
space between the inside harness and the top of the many colors and can be imprinted with custom
hard hat must remain open to protect you. Do not designs by the manufacturer. Some hats are avail-
put stickers on your hat (the glue can weaken the able in a cowboy hat design or with sports logos.
Keep your hard hat out of direct sunlight when you are not wearing it!
Section 8 Page 73
S A F E T Y M O D E L S TAG E 3 — C O N T R O L L I N G H A Z A R D S : S A F E W O R K P R AC T I C E S
M = Male footwear
(F = Female footwear)
I = Impact rating
(75 foot pounds in
this example—can
also be 30 or 50)
Mt = Metatarsal (top of the foot)
protection rating (75 foot pounds in
EH = protection from Electrical Hazards this example—can also be 30 or 50)
Page 74 Section 8
Summary of Section 8
Control hazards through safe work practices.
Plan your work and plan for safety.
Avoid wet working conditions and other dangers.
Avoid overhead powerlines.
Use proper wiring and connectors.
Use and maintain tools properly.
Wear correct PPE.
Section 8 Page 75
Glossary of Terms
ampacity
maximum amount of current a wire can carry safely without over-
heating
amperage
strength of an electrical current, measured in amperes
ampere (amp)
unit used to measure current
arc-blast
explosive release of molten material from equipment caused by
high-amperage arcs
arcing
luminous electrical discharge (bright, electrical sparking) through
the air that occurs when high voltages exist across a gap between
conductors
AWG
American Wire Gauge—measure of wire size
bonding
joining electrical parts to assure a conductive path
bonding jumper
conductor used to connect parts to be bonded
circuit
complete path for the flow of current
circuit breaker
overcurrent protection device that automatically shuts off the current
in a circuit if an overload occurs
conductor
material in which an electrical current moves easily
CPR
cardiopulmonary resuscitation—emergency procedure that involves
giving artificial breathing and heart massage to someone who is not
breathing or does not have a pulse (requires special training)
current
movement of electrical charge
de-energize
shutting off the energy sources to circuits and equipment and
depleting any stored energy
double-insulated
equipment with two insulation barriers and no exposed metal parts
energized (live, “hot”)
similar terms meaning that a voltage is present that can cause a
current, so there is a possibility of getting shocked
fault current
any current that is not in its intended path
Page 76
Glossary of Terms (continued)
fixed wiring
permanent wiring installed in homes and other buildings
flexible wiring
cables with insulated and stranded wire that bends easily
fuse
overcurrent protection device that has an internal part that melts and
shuts off the current in a circuit if there is an overload
GFCI
ground fault circuit interrupter—a device that detects current
leakage from a circuit to ground and shuts the current off
ground
physical electrical connection to the earth
ground fault
loss of current from a circuit to a ground connection
ground potential
voltage a grounded part should have; 0 volts relative to ground
guarding
covering or barrier that separates you from live electrical parts
insulation
material that does not conduct electricity easily
leakage current
current that does not return through the intended path, but instead
"leaks" to ground
lock-out
applying a physical lock to the energy sources of circuits and equip-
ment after they have been shut off and de-energized
milliampere (milliamp or mA)
1/1,000 of an ampere
NEC
National Electrical Code—comprehensive listing of practices to pro-
tect workers and equipment from electrical hazards such as fire and
electrocution
neutral
at ground potential (0 volts) because of a connection to ground
NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
This standard addresses those electrical safety requirements for
employee workplaces that are necessary for the practical safeguard-
ing of employees. It covers the installation of electrical conductors,
electrical equipment, signaling and communications conductors and
equipment, and raceways, excluding generating plants, substations,
and control centers.
ohm
unit of measurement for electrical resistance
Page 77
Glossary of Terms (continued)
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration—Federal agency in
the U.S. Department of Labor that establishes and enforces work-
place safety and health regulations
overcurrent protection device
device that shuts off the current in a circuit when it reaches a certain
level
overload
too much current in a circuit
power
amount of energy used each second, measured in watts
PPE
personal protective equipment (eye protection, hard hat, special
clothing, etc.)
qualified person
someone who has received mandated training on the hazards and on
the construction and operation of equipment involved in a task
resistance
material’s ability to decrease or stop electrical current
risk
chance that injury or death will occur
shocking current
electrical current that passes through a part of the body
short
low-resistance path between a live wire and the ground, or between
wires at different voltages (called a fault if the current is unintended)
tag-out
applying a tag that alerts workers that circuits and equipment have
been locked out
trip
automatic opening (turning off) of a circuit by a GFCI or circuit breaker
voltage
measure of electrical force
wire gauge
wire size or diameter (technically, the cross-sectional area)
Page 78
References Subpart J—General Environment Controls
1910.147 – The control of hazardous energy (lock-out/tag-out)
1. NIOSH [2003]. NIOSH alert: preventing deaths, injuries,
1910.147 – Appendix A—Typical minimal lock-out
and illnesses of young workers. Cincinnati, OH: U.S.
procedures
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Subpart R—Special Industries
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1910.268 – Telecommunications
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 1910.269 – Electric power generation, transmission, and dis-
No. 2003–128. tribution
OSHA standards related to electrical safety for Construction are
2. Mccann M [2007]. Unpublished data.
listed below:
3. Lee RL [1973]. Electrical safety in industrial plants. Am Soc
Safety Eng J 18(9):36–42. Subpart K—Electrical
4. Kouwenhoven WB [1968]. Human Safety and Electrical general
Shock. Electrical Safety Practices, Monograph 112, 1926.400 – Introduction
Instrument Society of America, P. 93.
installation safety requirements
design safety standards for electrical systems safety requirements for special equipment
1910.302 – Electric utilization systems 1926.441 – Batteries and battery charging
1910.303 – General requirements
1910.304 – Wiring design and protection definitions
1910.305 – Wiring methods, components, and equipment for 1926.449 – Definitions applicable to this subpart
general use
1910.306 – Specific purpose equipment and installations Subpart V—Power Transmission and
1910.307 – Hazardous (classified) locations Distribution
1910.308 – Special systems
1926.950 – General requirements
safety-related work practices 1926.951 – Tools and protective equipment
1910.331 – Scope 1926.952 – Mechanical equipment
1910.332 – Training 1926.953 – Material handling
1910.333 – Selection and use of work practices 1926.954 – Grounding for protection of employees
1910.334 – Use of equipment 1926.955 – Overhead lines
1910.335 – Safeguards for personnel protection 1926.956 – Underground lines
1910.399 – Definitions applicable to this subpart 1926.957 – Construction in energized substations
1910 Subpart S App A – Reference Documents 1926.958 – External load helicopters
1910 Subpart S App B – Explanatory Data 1926.959 – Lineman's body belts, safety straps, and lanyards
1910 Subpart S App C – Tables, Notes, and Charts 1926.960 – Definitions applicable to this subpart
Page 79
INDEX
A D G
aluminum wire hazard 24 de-energizing circuits 55 GFCI
amp 6 (see ground fault circuit interrupter)
ampacity 24 ground 2
ampere 6
E ground connection 47
electrical hazards,
arc-blast 12 ground fault 28
aluminum wire 24
arc-fault circuit breaker 46 ground fault circuit interrupter
damaged hand tool 31, 34
arcing 12, 29 28, 34, 48, 61
damaged tool 29
AWG 39 ground potential 27
defective insulation 26
grounding 27, 28, 46
exposed electrical parts 24
grounding path 47
B improper grounding 27
guarding 43
bonding 49 inadequate wiring 24
bonding jumper 50 overhead powerline 25
burns, arc 12, 15 overload 28
burns, electrical 6, 10, 12, 15 wet conditions 29
H
hard hat 68
burns, thermal contact 12, 15 electrical shock,
hazards (also see electrical hazards),
amount 6, 11
chemical 30
current density 9
control (see controlling hazards)
C duration 6, 7, 11
falling objects 32
cable, 240v 4 path 8, 9, 10, 11
falls 32
cardiopulmonary resuscitation 17 receiving 2
inadequate wiring 24
carpal tunnel syndrome 31 electrical shock—what to do for 16
lifting 32
circuit 2 electrocution, deaths 1, 7, 10
overhead work 30
circuit breaker 29, 34, 50 energized 2
particles 32
circuit breaker, and leakage current 28 evaluating hazards 19, 21, 34
hazardous environments 51
clearance distance 26 evaluating risk 34
clues of electrical hazards 34 extension cord 24, 34, 42, 46, 63
clues, I
blown fuses 34
tripped circuit breakers 34
F impedance 8
falls 56 insulation 26, 44
tripped GFCI 35 insulation damage 45
fault 27
warm extension cord 34 isolation 43
fault, low current 47
warm junction box 35
fire extinguisher, types 14
warm tools and wire 34
fires, electrical 14, 24, 28, 29
worn insulation 35 J
fires—what to do 14
Code of Federal Regulations 75 jewelry 56
fixed wiring 40
concussion 12 jumper, bonding 49
flexible wiring 41
conductor 3
foot protection 70
controlling hazards 19, 21, 36, 54
freezing 6
CPR (see cardiopulmonary
fuse 29, 34, 51
K
resuscitation) kill switches 17
CFR (see Code of Federal Regulations)
current,
calculating 42
L
ladder safety 58
current 2
leakage current 28
effects on body 7
live 2
path through body 8, 9, 10
lock-out/tag-out 37, 38
current leakage 47
lock-out/tag-out checklist 38
cuts 31
low back pain 31
Page 80
M P T
mA 6 personal protective equipment tendinitis 30
milliamp 6 31, 66, 68, 80 tools 64
milliampere 6 perspiration 30 tools, double-insulated 65
plugs, three-prong 62
power 42
N power rating 42
National Electrical Code 15 PPE V
National Electrical Safety Code 19 (see personal protective equipment) ventricular fibrillation 6
NEC (see National Electrical Code) voltage,
NEMA 63 high 7, 12
NESC (see National Electrical R low 6
Safety Code recognizing hazards 18, 21, 22
voltage 2
nonconductive material 28 resistance 8
resistance, effect on current 8
respiratory paralysis 6
risk 34 W
O risk evaluation 34
wet conditions 29, 61
Occupational Safety and Health wire gauge 24
Administration 15 wire size 24
ohm 8
OSHA (see Occupational Safety and
S
safe work environment 19, 36
Health Administration)
safe work practices 19, 54
overhead power lines 25, 61
safety model, overview 18
overload 28
shock (see electrical shock)
shocking current 6
short 34
Page 81
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