hazards
Electricity in the Workplace.
The workplace generally have power nominally supplied at 240 volt (single phase) and 400 volt (3 phase) although some larger workplaces will receive electricity at a higher supply voltage.
Contact with Electricity.
It is the level of voltage your body is exposed to and the resistance you have to the electrical current flowing through your body that determines the impact of exposure to electricity.
The following factors determine the severity of the effect electric shock has on your body
If a worker has come into contact with electricity the worker may not be able to remove themselves from the electrical source. The human body is a good conductor of electricity.
If you touch a person while they are in contact with the electrical source, the electricity will flow through your body causing electrical shock. Firstly attempt to turn off the source of the electricity (disconnect). If the electrical source can not readily and safely be turned off, use a non-conducting object, such as a fiberglass object or a wooden pole, to remove the person from the electrical source.
As an Employer it is YOUR responsibility to ensure:
Extension cables and other flexible leads which are particularly prone to damage to plugs and sockets and to their connections are visually checked, maintained and where necessary replaced before using portable equipment.
The ends of flexible cables should always have the outer sheath of the cable firmly clamped to stop the wires (particularly the earth) pulling out of the terminals
The workplace generally have power nominally supplied at 240 volt (single phase) and 400 volt (3 phase) although some larger workplaces will receive electricity at a higher supply voltage.
- contact with live parts causing shock and burns
- faults which could cause fires;
- fire or explosion where electricity could be the source of ignition in a flammable or explosive atmosphere.
Contact with Electricity.
It is the level of voltage your body is exposed to and the resistance you have to the electrical current flowing through your body that determines the impact of exposure to electricity.
The following factors determine the severity of the effect electric shock has on your body
- The length of time the current flows through your body.
- The level of voltage.
- The amount of body resistance you have to the current flow.
- The path the current takes through your body.
If a worker has come into contact with electricity the worker may not be able to remove themselves from the electrical source. The human body is a good conductor of electricity.
If you touch a person while they are in contact with the electrical source, the electricity will flow through your body causing electrical shock. Firstly attempt to turn off the source of the electricity (disconnect). If the electrical source can not readily and safely be turned off, use a non-conducting object, such as a fiberglass object or a wooden pole, to remove the person from the electrical source.
As an Employer it is YOUR responsibility to ensure:
Extension cables and other flexible leads which are particularly prone to damage to plugs and sockets and to their connections are visually checked, maintained and where necessary replaced before using portable equipment.
The ends of flexible cables should always have the outer sheath of the cable firmly clamped to stop the wires (particularly the earth) pulling out of the terminals
- Use the correct cable connectors or couplers to join lengths of cables together and do not allow taped joints.
- Electrical installations are installed and maintained by a competent person and checked regularly