Chapter 3.

Electrical Safety
 Objectives:
• Fundamental of electricity
• Describe how electricity works
• Describe how shocks occur
• Describe how electrical current affects the body
• Describe the most common ways individuals are injured
using electricity
• Provide solutions to avoid being injured while using
electricity (control measures)
• Lightning
• Battery charging and hazards

Reference: ROGER L. BRAUER, Safety and health for Engineers

 Fundamental of Electricity
• An understanding of the hazard and the safeguards of electricity begins with an
understanding of basic electric phenomena.

1.Ohm’s law: (current is a function of electrical potential V, between two points

and the resistance between them)

I=V/R
I is current(amperes), V is Voltage (volts), R is resistance (ohm’s)

Resistance to electron flow

– Dependents on the material
• Conductors – low resistance (e.g. copper)
• Insulators – high resistance (e.g. wood)
Note: If there is more than one path between two points that differ in electrical
energy level, the electrons will flow primarily through the path of least
resistance.
 Cont’d
Resistance , R = ρL = 1/σ L ,
Where R is resistance, L is length, ρ is resistivity in ohms per unit length, σ is
conductivity in unit length per ohm

2. Current density:
The amount of current flowing through a conductor per unit of cross sectional
area.
J=I/A where J is current density (Amperes per m2 )
 If the area is large, the current density is low.
Current and current density are important for safety.

3. (Heating) Joule’s Law:

The energy lost due to resistance changers to heat energy, a process called
Joule heating (E.g. resistance heater )
P= IV = I2R P is power, I is current,
R is resistance, V is Volts
• the temperature of a conductor will raise as the
current flow increase (i.e. current density
increase),

T oC depends on the amount of heat produced during joule heating

and how well the heat transfer to the surrounding environment
trough convection, conduction and radiation.

4. Arcing:

Arcing occurs when current flows through air between two

conductors that are not in direct contact.
 Arcing produce light :- electron move across the gap between the
conductor.
 we observe it as a from of lightening.
 we see it when a switch or other electrical contact is opened and
closed.
 How Electricity Works
Example: A Garden Hose

To Low Pressure

Water Moves from

High Pressure

The same thing occurs in an Electrical Wire

Flow of Current

Current Moves from To Low Voltage

High Voltage
 Electrical hazards
• Electricity and electrical equipments creates or
contributes a number of hazards . The most common
ones are :

 Electrical Shock
 Heat and fire
 Explosion

Electricity may produce other hazards indirectly

some electrically powered devices produce harmful levels of X-rays,
microwaves, or laser light
Certain equipments may created danger from magnetic fields.
Mechanical hazard because of electricity energized equipments.
Failure of electrical power can produce other hazards
– Failure of computer equipment and electronic sensor
 1. Electrical Shocks
 Electricity travels in closed circuits, normally through a
conductor
 Shock results when the body becomes part of the electrical
circuit
 Current enters the body at one point and leaves at another

Note: Ground circuits provide a path for stray

current to pass directly to the ground, and
greatly reduce the amount of current passing
through the body of a person in contact with
a tool or machine that has an electrical short.

• Properly installed, the grounding conductor

provides protection from electric shock.
 Alternating Current (AC) Alternating current or AC is what
comes out of wall outlets. In
Ethiopia the direction of flow of
+ AC changes at a rate of 60
cycles/sec (hertz). Direct current
0 or DC flows in one direction.
Volts
Properties: Shocks involving AC
- tend to push the recipient away
Time (sec.) while shocks involving DC tend
to grab hold of the recipient
making it difficult for them to get
away from the shock source.

Direct Current (DC) •Lower levels of AC than DC will

produce painful shocks in humans
while lower levels of DC than AC
+ can lead to fibrillation of the heart
muscle.
0 •Women are more sensitive to the
Volts effects of both AC and DC than are
- Time (sec.)
men
 How Electrical Current Affects the Body
Current Human Reaction
(Amps)
0.001 Perception level. Just a faint tingle.
0.005 Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing.
Average individual can let go.
0.006-0.025 Painful shock, muscular control is lost.
(Women)
0.009-0.030 This is called the freezing current or "let-go"
(Men) range.
0.050-0.150 Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular
contractions.
1 - 4.3 Ventricular fibrillation.
10 Cardiac arrest, severe burns and probable death.
Note: some smaller microwave ovens use 10.0 Amps (10,000 milliamps) and common
florescent lights use 1 Amp (1,000 milliamps)
 Water and Conduction

Conductors- Substances with relatively little resistance to the

flow of electrical current (e.g., metals).

Water- influences the conductive properties of some materials

 Dry wood is a poor conductor
 Wood saturated with water becomes a ready
conductor

Use extreme caution when working with electricity where

there is water in the environment or on the skin.
 Human Skin & Resistance
Dry Conditions Human Skin is Resistant
Current = Volts/Ohms = 120/100,000 = 1mA (0.001A)
-Barely perceptible level of current

Wet Conditions Skin’s Resistance drops dramatically

Current = Volts/Ohms = 120/1,000 = 120mA (0.12A)

-Sufficient current to cause ventricular fibrillation

A low voltage electrocution becomes much

more hazardous in a wet condition
High voltage electrical energy greatly reduces the body's resistance
by quickly breaking down human skin. Once the skin is punctured,
the lowered resistance results in massive current flow.
 Muscular contraction caused by stimulation does not allow a victim
to free himself from a circuit

 The degree of injury increases with the length of time the body is in
the circuit.

 Thus even relatively low voltages can be extremely dangerous.

LOW VOLTAGE

DOES NOT IMPLY

LOW HAZARD!

An exposure of 100mA for 3 seconds can cause the same amount of

damage as an exposure of 900mA for .03 seconds
 2. Burns: (Heating and fire)
The most common shock-related injury is a burn. Burns suffered in
electrical incidents may be one or more of the following three types:

1. Electrical Burns, are the result of heat generated by the flow of

electric current through the body, cause tissue damage. Electrical
burns are one of the most serious injuries you can receive and need to
receive immediate medical attention.

2. High temperatures near the body produced by an electric arc or

explosion cause Arc or Flash Burns (also need prompt medical
attention)

3. Thermal Contact Burns occur when skin comes in contact with

overheated electric equipment, or when clothing is ignited in an
electrical incident.
 Source :OSHA
www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/burn_examples.
html#electrical_burns

1.Electrical Burns 2.Arc or Flash Burns 3.Thermal Contact Burns

Current flows through the

body from the entrance This man was near a power box
when an electrical explosion Current exited this
point, until finally exiting
occurred. Though he did not man at his knees,
where the body is closest to
touch the box, electricity arced catching his clothing
the ground. This foot
through the air and entered his on fire and burning
suffered massive internal
body. The current was drawn to his upper leg.
injuries, which weren't readily
visible, and had to be his armpits because
amputated a few days later perspiration is very conductive
 Internal Injuries
 Our bodies use small electrical currents to transmit signals through the
nervous system and contract muscles,
 Extra electrical current flowing through the body can cause serious damage.
 Medical problems can include internal bleeding, tissue destruction, and nerve
or muscle damage
 Internal injuries may not be immediately apparent to the victim or observers;
however, left untreated, they can result in death

Involuntary Muscle Contraction

 Muscles violently contract when stimulated by excessive amounts of
electricity
 These involuntary contractions can damage muscles, tendons, and
ligaments, and may even cause broken bones.
 If the victim is holding an electrocuting object, hand muscles may
contract, making it impossible to drop the object

Note: injury or death may result from a fall due to muscle contractions
 Source :OSHA
www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/burn_examples.html#el
ectrical_burns

• 1.internal injuries and muscle contraction

•This worker fell and grabbed a

•This worker was shocked by
power line to catch himself. The
a tool he was holding. The
resulting electric shock mummified
entrance wound and thermal
his first two fingers, which had to be
burns from the overheated tool
removed. The acute angle of the
are apparent
wrist was caused by burning of the
tendons, which contracted, drawing
the hand with them.
 3. Electrical hazard: Explosion
• Arcing in the presence of an atmosphere containing
combustible dust or static electricity can ignite major disaster .
• Since arcing occurs when current flows through air between
two conductors that are not in direct contact. (which is used as
an ignition source ).

• Most of industrial fires and explosions are facilitated by an

ignition source of electrical lines (Arcing)

• E.g. Textile industries having a massive amount of combustible

dust environment so that if an electrical circuit forming a shot
or arcing, it may probably produce an explosion.
 Control of Electrical hazards

There are a variety of controls that can reduce or eliminate hazards.

These are categorized in to
1. Physical Controls
2. Over current Devices:
3. Switching Devices
4. Grounding and Bonding
5. Ground fault Circuit Interrupter and
6. procedure.
 Control of Electrical hazards
1. Physical controls:-
Refer to materials used, design of
components, and placement of
equipments.
Shielding , enclosing, and positioning of
electrical devices can reduces contact with
human , other equipments, of hazardous
materials and environments.
Wire size and length
Location (where electrical equipments should
be placed, where people and other equipment
cannot come in to contact to it.
E.g. Pole keep power distribution line out of
people’s reach and above most vehicles and
equipments
 Cont’d
• Conduit and Protective Coverings: -One of the reasons for placing electrical lines
in metal conduits is to prevent physical damage to them. Another reason is to
reduce the chance that people will contact Nonconductive materials cover most
electrical wires
• Sealed Equipment: sealed to separate heat and sparks from the hazardous
environment and to reduce the chance of physical damage.
• Proper Connections: - There are many ways to connect electrical conductors:
plugs, receptacles, screw terminals, wire nuts, and other special fasteners.
• Isolation and Double Insulation:-Another form of physical control is separating
energized portions of electrical equipment from those components that people
can contact (isolation).
– Several means can accomplish this. Conductors can be separated from contact by
covering them with nonconductive materials (insulation).
– Another method is to provide two layers of enclosure for energized components. At
least one of the layers must be nonconductive, and the nonconductive layer must
separate a user from possible contact with any energized component (double
insulation)
 Control of Electrical hazards

2. Over current Devices:

Over current devices:- limit the current that can flow through a circuit
or electrical device.
 If current exceeds a given limit, the device shuts off power. Fuses
and circuit breakers are two common over current devices.

1. Fuses:
When placed in a circuit and current in the circuit exceeds some
limiting value, the material in a fuse (usually lead or a lead alloy)
heats above its melting point and separates, thereby stopping the
flow of current
2. Circuit breakers:
Circuit breakers are a form of switch that opens when current passing
through them exceeds some designed limit

There are two kinds of breakers, each with a different principle of

operation.

One type opens when the temperature of the breaker reaches a

predetermined level. The temperature of the environment around the
breaker can affect its response.

The second type is magnetic, which opens when a predetermined

current level is reached. Environmental temperature has less affect on
this type of breaker. There are many different breaker designs. Codes
specify what types to use in certain applications.
 Control of Electrical hazards

3. Switching Devices
• In addition to over current devices, other switching devices can reduce or
eliminate electrical hazards. They include lockouts, interlocks, and thermal or
over speed switches.

• Lockouts: Some switching devices use lockout devices and procedures. A

lockout procedure involves placing a lock on a switch or other device to
prevent the switch or equipment from being turned on or energized. (simple
Key)

• Interlocks: An interlock is a switch intended to prevent access to an energized

or dangerous location. Interlocks are often attached to access doors, panels,
and gates. When a door opens or a panel is removed, power to equipment is
shut off by the interlock switch.
 Switching Devices …..cont
• Operator seats often have interlocks: When the operator leaves the
seat, power is cut off. In some applications, interlocks that fail to work
may not be detected, which will leave equipment energized and in a
dangerous condition.

Thermal and over speed Cutouts:

• The temperature of an electric motor will rise during use. If the

temperature exceeds a certain value, a dangerous condition may exist.
A temperature-sensitive switch with a preset temperature limit can
interrupt power. Some electrical motors, equipment with resistance
heaters (such as hair dryers), and other electrical equipment have
thermal cutout switches.

• Over speed switches sense when a motor or other device operates too
fast ,If a motor reaches excessive speed, the switch interrupts power to
the equipment.
 Control of Electrical hazards

4. Grounding and Bonding

• Grounding and bonding control the electrical potential between two bodies.
• If there is a difference in potential between two bodies, a conductor between
them will allow charge or current to flow.
• Bonding: - In bonding, two bodies have a conductor between them. Bonding
equalizes charge between the two bodies; it does not remove charge from
them. Bonding often controls static charge buildup.
• Bonding is not a protection for electric shock, because a person can still
become a conductor between a charged body and a ground.

Bonding Grounding
Strap Strap

Earth
Ground
 Grounding and Bonding…..cont,

Grounding: -
• In grounding, one or more charged bodies have a conductor between them
which is also connected to an electrical ground.

• Grounding removes charge from the bodies. Grounding is usually accomplished

by driving a conductive rod (usually copper) into the ground and attaching
ground connections to it.

• Grounding may protect people from electric shock. Although energized parts
could shock someone who contacts them, the current most likely will flow
through the ground wire, not through the person, if the parts connect to the
ground wire.
 Control of Electrical hazards
5. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
• Another means to protect people from electric shock is a ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI).

• A GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker that quickly senses very low current
levels. Some GFCIs sense as little as 2mA and shut off current in as little as
0.02 s.

• A GFCI compares current normally flowing through the power distribution wire
and the grounded neutral wire of a circuit.

• The current flowing through one must pass through the other for the circuit to
work. If current is not equal, some electrical energy is flowing to ground
through other than the normal route, perhaps through a person. When the
current is not equal, the GFCI detects this current differential and shuts off the
current
 Function of GFCI
GFCI
Switches Receptacle
Hot Line In
Current
Sensor
Neutral Line In

A GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter shuts off the

flow of current upon sensing a fault condition such as
an electrical shock. Switches quickly open in the GFCI
device in order to prevent the shock victim from
receiving a lethal amount of electricity
 Control of Electrical hazards
6. Procedures
• Work procedures for installation, use of, and maintenance of electrical systems
and equipment can reduce risk. Procedures differ for high-voltage power
distribution, low voltage, and safety low voltage. Workers must learn these
procedures. Electrical equipment for consumers must have instructions that
explain electrical hazards and how to prevent electrical injury.
• First Aid anyone working with electrical circuits and equipment should know
rescue methods and first aid for electrical accidents. Too often, attempts at rescue
in electrical accidents result in a rescuer becoming part of the circuit and an
additional victim.
• Because respiratory arrest and fibrillation are common effects, knowledge of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for those who work with electrical
circuits and equipment. Without immediate treatment for these injuries, chances
of survival are minimal.
LIGHTNING
• Lightning is the sudden release of static buildup in clouds,
particularly during thunderstorms, which can produce very
large currents.
• Lightning has occurred at nearly every location on our globe.
However, there is a wide range in frequency of occurrence.

Lightening Arrestors:
• A system of lightning rods or air terminals connected to a
special ground rod is the normal method for providing external
protection.
• Air terminals are placed strategically along roof lines, on
protruding building elements (chimneys, dormers, etc.), or in
the form of a protective grid. The air terminals intercept
lightning discharges in their vicinity and conduct the current to
the ground.
BATTERY CHARGING
• Automobiles, trucks, industrial vehicles, and other equipment
uses lead-acid batteries.
These batteries can explode during charging operations, causing
battery acid and particles from the case to injure the eyes or
skin. Two types of explosions are possible:
1.Related to flammability of hydrogen gas
2. Electrical connections.
• During charging, lead-acid batteries produce hydrogen gas from the
electrolytic fluid. If the hydrogen gas reaches a flammable concentration
(4%–75% by volume of air) in the air near the battery, a spark or flame can
ignite it and can produce an explosion. The arc may come from attaching or
removing charging cables. An external heat or flame can come from a variety
of sources.
• The second type of explosion can occur when making connections. An
explosion can occur if two batteries being connected are of different voltage
or when joining terminals of differing polarities.
Control measure of BATTERY CHARGING hazard:

• To prevent the first type of explosion, dilute the air around the
battery with uncontaminated air to keep hydrogen gas from
reaching an explosive concentration.
• In a closed battery charging room, an exhaust system is
needed. Charging rooms must have charging racks, and special
coatings on walls and floors are desirable to prevent acid
damage. Charging rooms should have an emergency eye wash
fountain and emergency shower. Workers must wear protective
eyewear and other protective clothing.

• To prevent the second type of explosion, make sure batteries

being connected together have the same voltage. Connect
negative terminals to a ground last (for cars that have a
negative ground) and disconnected them first. Also, one should
wear protective eyewear during this operation.
end