Electrical Safety in Workplace – Hazards and Risk

Electrical safety is one of the most important elements of health and safety. Although everyone knows that high voltage is dangerous, low voltage current can also cause serious accidents if not handled properly.

 

Electrical Safety tips in Workplace – electrical Hazards and Risk

Electrical Safety in Workplace

Electrical Safety procedure helps to control over hazards and minimize the risk by adopting set standards and safe work practices. Many accidents can be avoided if electrical equipment is designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with approved codes of practice.

 

What is Electrical Safety?

Electrical safety is the ongoing practice and process of identifying electrical hazards, assessing the risk, and implementing controls to prevent electrocution, burns, or other injuries. Electrical Safety formulates guidelines to prevent, mitigate electrical hazards and minimize the severity of the consequences.

Importance of electrical safety procedure in workplace

To install electrical equipment or work on any electrical equipment safely in the workplace, electrical safety procedure must be developed and followed to achieve the following goals;

👉   Inform employees about legal requirements for electrical safety.

👉 Establish a safe procedure to protect all company employees and contractors engaged in electrical work.

👉  To minimize accidents involving electricity.

👉 Develop a safety inspection system for various portable power tools and other electrical equipment.

👉 To avoid confusion in the responsibility of performing activities involving electricity.

👉  Always maintain electrical equipment in good condition.

 

Electricity Hazards and Risk

The primary hazards and risks associated with electricity are:

1. Direct contact with current can cause electric shock and internal burns. It can also interfere with the nervous system and may contract muscles, causing a heart attack, stopping breathing, or muscle spasms.

2. Without current in the body, i.e. the arc can cause severe burns and radiation burns. The UV and IR rays emitted by the arc can damage the eyes.

3. Electric ignition / static electricity can cause fire and explosion.

4. Strong electromagnetic fields which can cause electrocution of the whole body, cataract formation in the eye, etc.

Secondary hazards and risks associated with electricity are:

1. Muscle contraction can cause a person to fall from a height and can result in serious injury.

2. Interference with the nervous system can cause heart and lungs failure.

 

General electrical safety rules and safety tips

• Do not work near overhead power lines.

• Do not enter an electrical substation or other marked prohibited electrical areas.

• Before use, inspect portable electrical equipment, extension cords, electrical outlets, plugs, power bars and other electrical accessories for any damage and immediately repair or replace if damaged or worn.

• To avoid excessive currents in the wiring which can cause a fire, always use a fuse of the correct size.

• If you notice an unusual warm/ hot cord, unplug it immediately and check the wiring by a qualified electrician.

• Always secure extension cords to walls or floors with duct tape if necessary, instead of using nails and staples to avoid damage.

• Always use extension cords or equipment suitable for your use.

• Always use a non-conductive stand or ladder when working with overhead power lines or electrical equipment.

• Label all critical electrical safety systems, including circuit breakers and fuse boxes.

• Damaged cords or plugs should not be used and repaired immediately.

• To avoid the risk of fire, halogen lamps should be installed away from combustible materials.

• Always use earth leakage circuit breakers or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to avoid the risk of electric shock when working near a wet or damp area.

• Always make sure that exposed receptacle boxes are made of non-conductive materials.

• Labeling must be ensured for the location of the panel and circuit breakers to help in the event of an emergency. Make them accessible.

• In the event of an electric shock or contact with an electrical incident, do not touch a person or any electrical device before disconnecting the power source.

  

Summary

It is important to note that an electric shock can only occur if the circuit is completed. The severity of electrical injuries depends on the amount of current flowing through the body, the shortest current path, the duration of contact, and the frequency of the current.

Overheating, ground leaks, overloads, and electrical arcs due to loose connection are the main causes of electrical fires. 

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