Objectives

To be familiar with the fundamental concepts of electricity.

To be able to recognize common electrical
hazards.
To understand the effects of electricity on the human body.
To know common electrical protective devices.

Electricity is our most versatile form of energy. The

flow of electrons in a conductor light-up our
surroundings, move our equipment, and run our
appliances. Electricity has made industries more
productive and has made our lives easier.

Trouble with Electricity

Failure to ensure a safe design, proper work
procedures, proper servicing and maintenance of
equipment often result in bodily harm or death,
property damage or both.

Causes of Electrical Accidents

Contact with live conductors

Short circuiting
Arcs and sparks
Overloading
Inadequate grounding
Non-usage of standard replacement
Wet environment

Effects of Electrical Hazards

Electrocution

Electric Shock
Burns
Falls
Fire

Important Terminologies
Current (ampere) is the amount of electricity flow in a conductor.
Voltage (volts) is the force which causes electrons to flow in a conductor.
Resistance (ohms) is the opposition of a material to the flow of electricity.
Power (watts) is the amount of energy or work that can be done by
amperes and volts.
Circuit is the path of flow of electricity.
Circuit Elements are objects which are part of a circuit and through which
current flows.
Fault is a current flow through an unintended path.

The following relationship exists between Amps, Volts,

Resistance and Watts.

Voltage
Current = ----------------Resistance

Power = Voltage x Current

Types of Voltages
High Voltage 660 volts or more
Low Voltage less than 660 volts

More Frequent Accidents Happen at Low Voltage Area

v Most employees work and move around in this area
v Not all workers have the proper trainings and experience
v It is treated as less dangerous

Types of Electric Current

Direct Current (DC)

An electric current flowing in one direction only.
Alternating Current (AC)
Electric current that reverses its direction of flow (polarity)
periodically according to a frequency measured in hertz, or
cycles per second.

Types of Material as to Electrical Resistance

Conductor - any material that offers little resistance to the flow of an
electric current
Insulator - any material that is a very poor conductor of electricity and
prevent current from taking unwanted paths
COMPARISON OF RESISTANCE OF SOME MATERIALS WITH THE
HUMAN BODY
Most metals ...> 0 to 50 ohms
Wet wood ....1,000 ohms
Dry wood .100,000 ohms
Rubber .100,000,000,000,000 ohms
Human body (wet skin) .1000 ohms
Human body (dry skin) .100,000 to 800,000 ohms
Note: Data is based on limited experimental tests, and is not intended to indicate absolute values

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
A. Single Phase Three-wire System
CONDUCTOR
SWITCH
POWER
SOURCE

LOAD

220 volts

EARTH

ELECTRIC SHOCK OCCURRENCE MECHANISM

Breakdown of insulation

Human body comes in contact with bare conductor

Current flows through the human body

Touch points that lead to electric shock:

CONDUCTOR
Line to
Earth

SWITCH

POWER
SOURCE

LOAD
Line to
Earth

Line-to- line

EARTH

Current and the Human Body

How does current enter the body?
Typical points of entry are the hands and feet as they come in
contact with electric current.
Sometimes, through the head and shoulders.

Factors Affecting Electric Shock

Amount of electric current flow to the body

Duration of electric current flow

Current pathway - body organs to which current passes
The size, age, and body condition of the person

Effects of Electric Current in a Human Body

At 0.4 ma or more
no sensation

At 1.8 ma
a slight tingling sensation

More than 3 ma
painful shock

At 5 to 16 ma
safe let-go current but can cause secondary accident

More than 16 ma
muscle contraction no-let-go danger (involuntary grip)

At 30 ma to 50 ma
lung paralysis usually temporary

More than 50 ma
possible ventricular fibrillation

At 100 ma or more
certain ventricular fibrillation, could be fatal

Human Skin & Resistance

Dry skin of a human body
Current = Volts/Ohms = 120/100,000 = 1mA (0.001A)
-Barely perceptible level of current

Wet skin of the a human body

Current = Volts/Ohms = 120/1,000 = 120mA (0.12A)
-Sufficient current to cause ventricular fibrillation

Electricity and Water

The likelihood of being shock is greatly multiplied in damp

locations

People are excellent conductors

Never use electrical equipment in damp or wet areas
Do Not spray water around any electrical source

Electrical Related Injuries

There are two categories:
Primary Injuries physical damage directly to the body from the
electrical current.
Secondary Injuries physical damage to the body resulting from
accidents caused by the shock.

Rule 1210 Electrical Safety

Occupational Safety and Health Standard
Rule 1211
The Philippine Electrical Code is hereby adopted and the standards
contained therein shall be considered safety standards to the extent that they
safeguard any person employed in any workplace and control the practice
of electrical engineering,
PROTECTIVE MEANS

Proper Installation of Electrical Circuit

Insulation
Grounding
Fuse/Circuit Breaker
Use of GFCI
Lock-Out / Tag-Out (LOTO)
Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Use of PPE
Complete Fire Fighting Equipment

Electrical Protection
Circuit Breakers
Provided to protect EQUIPMENT not people
Reset only if you know why it tripped
These are calibrated conductors which will melt and
break (open) the electrical circuit when too much current
flows through them. This stops the flow of electricity
before any problem can develop.

GFCI
The ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a fast-acting circuit
breaker which senses small imbalances in the circuit caused by
current leakage to ground and, in a fraction of a second, shuts off the
electricity.

Grounding
is a conductive connection between electrical circuit or
equipment and earth or ground plane
creates a low resistance to the earth.
is a protection from electric shock

Proper use of extension cords

Stay away from wet areas, sharp objects heat & oil
Check cords periodically for nicks and cuts
Always use the correct wire gauge and cord length for its
intended use:

Lock-out/Tag-out System (LOTO)

The standard for the control of hazardous energy sources
which covers maintenance of machines in which the
unexpected start up of machines or release of stored
energy could cause injury to employees.
n Lockout

device:

nA

device that utilizes a positive means such as a lock to hold an

energy isolating device in the safe position and prevents the energizing
of a equipment
nIncluded

are blank flanges

n Tagout devices:
nA

warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment

nCan

be securely fastened to an energy isolating device in accordance

with an established procedure to indicate that the energy isolating device
and the equipment being controlled can not be operated until the tag is
removed

Carry-Out Preventative Maintenance

All electrical equipment and installations should be maintained to
prevent danger.
It is recommended that fixed installations are inspected and tested
periodically by a competent person.
The frequency of inspections and any necessary testing will depend on
the type of equipment,how often it is used, and the environment in
which it is used.

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COMMON ELECTRIC PORTABLE

POWER TOOLS

Dont carry portable tools by the cord

Dont use electric cords to hoist or lower tools
Dont yank cord to disconnect it

Construction worker electrocuted, dies

A construction worker was electrocuted to death
while installing galvanized iron sheets at the roof of a
house under construction in Investigation
disclosed that the victim was busy using his electric
drill to install GI sheets when he accidentally
touched one of the GI sheets that had a ground
because of an open wire in his drill. He suddenly
quivered violently before dying. His co-workers saw
the incident but they could not immediately
approached and save him..

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Switches
Hand-held power tools must be equipped with one of the following:
Constant pressure switch
shuts off power upon release
Examples: circular saw, chain saw, grinder, hand-held power drill
On-Off Switch
Examples: routers, planers, laminate trimmers, shears, jig saws,
nibblers, scroll saws

Double-Insulated Portable Electric Tools

Double insulation is more convenient. The user is protected in two
ways: by normal insulation on the wires inside, and by a housing that
cannot conduct electricity to the operator in the event of a
malfunction.

Time

Ke
ep
Aw
ay

Prevention

d
un
Gro

h
Pat

Ele
ctri
city

Electrocution

GFCI

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If you sense the presence of an electrical

hazard or exposed conductors that may
be energized, keep your distance and
STAY AWAY

In Case of Electrical Accident

Immediately turn off electrical power
source
Apply CPR if necessary
Always use fire extinguisher in case of fire
Find help as quickly as possible

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