Electrical Safety Hazards And Precautions – Electricity Has Become A Necessity Of Modern Life, Both At Home And In The Workplace. Some People Work Directly On Electrical Equipment, Such As Electrical Engineers, Electricians, Or People Doing Wiring, Who May Come In Direct Contact With Electricity. There Are Many Dangers To Those Working Around Electricity, So Work Should Be Done Keeping Electrical Safety In Mind.
Around 1,000 Accidents Involving Electric Shock Or Burns In The Workplace Are Reported To The Health And Safety Executive ( HSE Executive ) Each Year. Around 30 Of These Are Fatal. Most Of These Deaths Are Caused By Coming Into Contact With Overhead Or Underground Power Lines. Electrical Safety Hazards And Precautions .
Electrical Safety Hazards
Even Mild Electrical Shocks Can Cause Serious And Permanent Injury. Shocks From Faulty Equipment Can Cause Injuries By Falling From Ladders, Scaffolds Or Other Platforms. There Is Also A Risk Of Fire From A Shocked Circuit Due To Electricity , Which Can Cause Death, Injury Or Property Damage To Others. Most Of These Accidents Can Be Avoided With Careful Planning And Simple Precautions (Electrical Safety Precautions).
First Of All, Let Me Tell You About The Dangers Associated With It. The Main Dangers Associated With Electricity Are:-
1. Electric Shock
Electric Current Flows In A Closed Circuit Through A Conductor Material . A Person Can Experience Electric Shock When Any Part Of Your Body Comes Into Contact With An Electric Circuit. Current Enters The Body At One Point And Leaves The Body At Another Point. High-Voltage Shocks Can Cause Serious Injury (Especially Burns) Or Even Death.
The Effects Of An Electric Shock On A Body Can Range From A Tingling Sensation In The Part That Touches The Circuit To Immediate Cardiac Arrest. A Severe Shock Can Cause Far More Damage To The Body Than Is Readily Apparent.
Relatively Minor Burns May Be Visible. However, A Person Who Is Severely Shocked May Suffer From Internal Bleeding And Severe Destruction Of Tissue, Muscles, And Nerves. Additionally, A Person Who Is Electrocuted May Suffer Broken Bones Or Other Injuries From Falling After Receiving The Shock.
2. Electric Burns
When A Person Touches Electrical Wires Or Equipment That Is Improperly Used Or Maintained And There Is A Cut In The Equipment Or Wire That Is Allowing Current To Flow, It Can Cause Electric Shock As Well As Burns. Usually, Such Burn Injuries Occur On The Hands.
3. Fire & Explosions
Electrical Fires Are One Of The Most Common Causes Of Fires In Both The Home And The Workplace. Faulty Or Misused Electrical Equipment Is A Major Cause, With High-Resistance Connections Being One Of The Primary Sources Of Ignition. High-Resistance Connections Occur Where Wires Are Improperly Connected Or Overloaded.
The Flow Of Current In An Electric Conductor Produces Heat . This Heat Raises The Temperature Of The Conductor. As A Result, The Resistance In The Conductor Increases, Further Increasing The Temperature. Thus, Circuits That Conduct A High Rate Of Current And Generate A Resistance Greater Than Their Capacity May Cause A Fire By Generating Enough Heat To Ignite It.
Explosions Occur When Electricity Provides A Source Of Ignition For An Explosive Mixture In The Area. Ignition May Be Caused By Overheating Of Conductors Or Equipment Or By Normal Sparking At Contacts From A Switch.
4. Arc Flash
An Arc Flash Occurs When High-Amperage Currents Jump Through The Air From One Conductor To Another, Usually During Opening Or Closing Of A Circuit, Or When Static Electricity Is Discharged. If This Occurs In An Atmosphere Containing An Explosive Mixture, A Fire May Occur.
Electrical Safety Precautions
- After Knowing About Electrical Safety Hazards, Now I Will Tell You About Electrical Safety Precautions I.E. How To Control These Hazards.
- To Stay Safe From Electrical Hazards, Avoid Contact With Currents Greater Than 50V And Maintain A Safe Distance From Them. Turn Off The Panel And Make Sure There Are No Exposed Wires In Your Workspace.
- De-Energize The Equipment Or Use Lockout And Tagout To Isolate Electrical Energy And Prevent Accidents And Use Them Properly To Protect Workers From Hazards, And Verify With A Volt Meter For Any Residual Current Before Touching That Equipment.
- Repair Or Replace Damaged Appliances Immediately.
- The Risk Of Electric Shock Is Higher In Areas That Are Wet Or Damp. Use A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) As These Will Shut Down The Electrical Circuit Before Anyone Gets An Electric Shock. And Be Sure To Check It Every Month.
- Use Barriers, Such As Cabinet Doors, Shields, Or Insulating Materials, To Seal Off Electrical Hazards. Use Clear Warning Signs To Alert Employees To Hazards.
- Look For Electrical Wires That May Require A Ladder Or Elevated Platform To Reach. Use A Ladder With A Nonconductive Railing And Stay 10 Feet Away From Exposed Electrical Lines.
- Always Use A Circuit Breaker Or Fuse With The Appropriate Current Rating. Circuit Breakers And Fuses Are Safety Devices That Automatically Disconnect The Live Wire When A Short Circuit Or Over Current Condition Occurs.
- Make Sure There Are Enough Sockets Available And That The Socket Outlets Are Not Overloaded As This Could Cause A Fire.
- Always Use Insulated Tools When Working On Electrical Energy And Use Tools That Are Specifically Designed For Electrical Work And Make Sure They Are In Good Condition.
- Keep Flammable Materials Away From Live Electricity So That Fire Can Be Prevented In Case Of Any Short Circuit.
- While Digging The Ground, Keep In Mind That Underground Cables May Be Present, For This Use Route Drawing And Cable Detector And In Case Of Live Cable Found, Use Plastic Shovel By Hand While Using Appropriate PPE .
- Do Not Forget To Earth/Ground Any Electrical Appliance Or Equipment Before Operating It .
- Always Use Suitable Insulated Rubber Gloves And Goggles, Non-Conductive Shoes While Working On Any Live Electrical Equipment.
Conclusion
Friends! It Is Very Important For Us To Stay Away From Electricity In Our Homes And Workplaces Because It Is Such A Deadly Thing That Can Take Someone’s Life In A Moment. Therefore, You Must Follow The Electrical Safety Precautions Mentioned Above And Also Ask Your Companions To Follow It. If You Want, You Can Share This Article With Everyone. Do Tell Us In The Comment Box How You Liked This Article On Electrical Safety Hazards And Precautions.
