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Learning Outcomes
Controlling Workplace Hazards
Unit GC2 International
Element 5: Electrical Safety
Unit GC2: Element 5.1
PRINCIPLES, HAZARDS AND RISKS OF Flow rate = current
ELECTRICITY
Potential Difference
“Electrical pressure”
The driving force or pressure
which “pushes” an electrical
current around a circuit
Voltage: unit = volts (V)
• Outline the principles, hazards and risks
associated with the use of electricity in the
workplace
• Outline the control measures that should
be taken when working with electrical
systems, or using electrical equipment in all
workplace conditions
Basic Principles
An electrical circuit comprises 3 elements:
Pressure = potential difference
– Measured in volts (V)
– Measured in amps (I)
Resistance = obstruction in circuit
– Measured in ohms (R)
Linked together by Ohm’s Law:
V = I × R
Current
• Current can be thought of as “flow”
• Electrons flow through the materials, making up
a circuit
• Current: unit = amps (A)
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Resistance Ohm’s Law

• “Resistance to flow” V = I × R
• The resistance of a circuit to the passage of the
electrons I = V/R V
• Resistance: unit = ohm (Ω)
R = V/I
I R
NB Current is given the symbol “I”
So, if you know the values for 2 of the elements, you can
calculate the third

AC/DC Effects of Electricity

Primary effects
Alternating current (AC): Burns
• Mains supply is AC • Direct contact
• Indirect contact
• Current flows backwards and forwards Shock
• Direct shock
• UK = 230 volts, 50Hz
• Indirect shock
• USA = 120 volts, 60Hz Arc
Fire
Direct current (DC): Explosion
• Battery supply is DC Secondary effects
• Current flows in one direction only Physical injury caused by an electrical incident, such
as being thrown off from an electric shock

Electric Burns Electrical Burns

Direct contact
Direct contact • Current flowing through the body
• Current flowing through the • Entry and exit point, and internal
body
• Entry and exit point and Indirect contact
internal • As result of arcing, fire, or explosion following an
electrical accident
Indirect contact
• As result of arcing, fire or
explosion following an
electrical accident

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Arcing
ARC BLAST – How severe it is ?
– Occurs in milliseconds
Ability of electricity to “jump” across an air gap as an – Temp: 30,000 degrees
arc
– Air expands very violently
It usually involves high voltage – 15 tons of pressure
Main hazards: – Pressure Wave
• Electric shock – Heat
• Burns (direct, indirect) – Molten metal
– Destruction of structures and life
• Damage to eyes from UV radiation emitted

ARC-BLAST
• The three primary hazards associated with an arc-blast
are thermal radiation, pressure wave & projectiles.

Electrical Fires Secondary Effects

Causes Physical injury caused by an electrical incident, such

• Electrical equipment may be faulty as:
and so overheat • Cuts
• The system may be overloaded • Bruises

• Equipment may be misused • Broken bones

• A flammable atmosphere may be

present
• Electrical equipment may produce Workers can be unaware of faults due to poorly
heat or sparks as part of its normal maintained equipment, the continued use of which
operation
may lead to electric shock, fire, etc.
• Poor internal connections

Effects of electrical Shock Factors influencing the Severity of Shock

in human body
on human body Voltage – the higher the voltage, the greater the current
Current (mA) Effect Duration – the length of time that a person is exposed
0.5 - 2 • Threshold of sensation
Current path – the route that the electricity takes through
• Tingling sensations
the body
2 - 10 • Muscle tremor
• Pain
Frequency – of the AC current
• Muscle contractions
10 - 60 • Unable to release grip Resistance – skin condition, clothing, etc.
• Unable to breathe
Contact surface area – the more skin that is in contact, the
• Ventricular fibrillation
more severe the injury
• Cardiac arrest
60 +
• Extreme muscular contractions Environmental factors – metal surfaces, humidity, etc.
• Burns

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Dangerous Activities Workplace Electrical Equipment

• Use of poorly maintained electrical Some electrical equipment is “hard-wired” –

equipment part of the fixed system
• Work near overhead power lines Some equipment is portable – it has a plug
attached and can be moved
• Contact with underground power cables
• Work on mains electricity supplies A large proportion of electrical accidents
• Use of electrical equipment in wet involve portable appliances
environments
Why?

Group Discussion Point

Portable Electrical Equipment
Definition
A small concrete-breaker is used on A tool not part of a fixed installation but may be connected to a fixed

construction site installation by means of a flexible cable and either a socket and plug or spur
box or similar means.(UK Health and Safety Executive , HSE)
What type of conditions and practices could The Auxiliary equipment such as extension leads, plugs and socket used with
portable tools is also classified as portable equipment
lead to this piece of equipment becoming
Hazards
electrically unsafe? Lack of effective maintenance
Defective Improper Equipment

Misuse of Equipment

Portable Electrical Equipment End-of-Section Quiz

Conditions and practices likely to lead to accidents: 1. Explain what is meant by the terms:
• Using unsuitable equipment • Voltage?
• Using in wet, damp or humid conditions • Current?
• Misuse • Resistance?
• Physical abuse, such as driving over cables 2. What are the hazards associated with electricity?
• Repairs carried out improperly 3. How can electrical equipment cause fires?
• Continued use of faulty, defective equipment
• Chemical/abrasion damage to the power cord
• Physical damage due to hostile environments
• Lack of inspection testing or maintenance

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Protection of Conductors

Insulated to prevent contact with live

Unit GC2: Element 5.2
CONTROL MEASURES
conductor:
− Cable coverings unbroken
− Equipment casing intact
Inspect to ensure protection is in place
Ensure electrical panels are locked

Group Syndicate Activity Strength and Capability

What factors do you think should be Electrical equipment must be carefully selected to
considered when selecting suitable electrical ensure that it is suitable for:
equipment for use on a construction site? • The electrical system that it will become a part of
• The task that it will perform
• The environment in which it will be used
• No electrical equipment should be put into use
where its electrical strength and capability may
be exceeded

Fuses
Protective Systems
• Fuse/ MCB Designed to protect the equipment, not people!
• Earthing
Form a weak link in a circuit
• Isolation of supply (LOTO)
• Double insulation Designed to overheat and melt if the current
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs) exceeds the fuse rating
• Reduced and low voltages Rating should be above operating current required
• Competent person by equipment but less than the current rating of the
cable in the circuit

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Miniature Circuit Breakers

Advantages of fuses:
• Very cheap and reliable.
• Offer a good level of protection for the electrical equipment against Protects equipment not people
current overload that might damage the equipment or cause overheating,
fire or explosion.
• Electro-mechanical device which does the same
thing as a fuse
Limitations of fuses: • Rating should be above operating current
• They primarily protect equipment and not people. It is possible to required by the equipment but less than the
receive a severe, even fatal, electrical shock from equipment that is
protected by a fuse for two reasons:
current rating of the cable in the circuit
– A fuse does not stop current flow quickly enough to prevent ventricular • Tamperproof
fibrillation.
– The current flow must be above the fuse rating for the fuse to operate
and this may be above the 60 mA capable of causing fatal injury
– Very easy to bypass, e.g. by wrapping the fuse in tinfoil.

Earthing
Advantages of earthing:
• Earthing is a way of protecting equipment so that in the
event of an electrical fault, fault current with a low- • It protects the person from fatal electric shock.
resistance path to earth rather than flowing through a • It often provides secondary protection to the equipment
person who might be touching the equipment. The earth because a large fault current flowing to earth will overrate
wire of an item of electrical equipment is usually the fuse or MCB.
connected to the outer metal casing or chassis of the
equipment. Limitations of earthing:
• Electric shock should be minor
• Will usually blow the fuse • A poor or broken earth connection will prevent the earth
from working properly, but since the earth wire does not
take part in the normal functioning of the equipment this
fault can go completely undetected.
• It is easy to disconnect and disable.

Isolation of Supply Double Insulation

• Deprives the circuit of power Live parts cannot be touched

• Ensures that it cannot be re-energised by
applying some form of lock 2 layers of insulation
• Should be clearly labelled Either layer sufficient to provide protection
• Circuit should be tested
Eliminates need for earth protection
• Often referred to as lock-off/ tag-out

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Residual Current Devices Reduced and Low Voltages

Designed to protect people • For hand tools, the 110 volt centre-tapped (CTE)
Interrupt supply in event of a small leak of current to system is recommended
earth
• System relies on the mid-point of the reduced
Very sensitive: 30 mA voltage transformer being earthed
Very fast: 30 ms
Compare current in live and neutral • Maximum shock voltage is 55 volts, but full 110-
volt supply powers the equipment
Should be regularly tested
• Systems reduced to 25 volts are often used for
lighting on construction sites

Competent Persons – Refresher! Competent Persons

Knowledge
What do we mean by the term “competence”? − Of electricity and electrical work
Ability
− Understanding of the system, hazards
and precautions
− Understanding of when it is safe/unsafe
Training
Experience
− Experience of electrical work

Control Measures: Construction Sites Safe Systems of Work

For portable equipment, consider the following:
• Using battery-powered or low-voltage equipment
• Use RCDs(also known as RCCB,ELCB,GFCI) • Working on dead system
• Proper earthing to be given
• Isolation by Lock out tag out procedure • Working on live system
• Use fuse & MCBs
• Safe distance from live overheads (10 ft) • Working on buried services
• Locate cables carefully using cable detectors
• Use double-insulated equipment • Working on overhead lines
• Carry out pre-use checks
• Train operators in correct use
• Avoid using in wet conditions
• Use insulated tools & PPE’s
• Permit to work & Risk assessments
• Routine visual inspection and testing

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Safe Systems of Work Working On a Dead System

Work “dead” whenever possible
Work on or near live electrical equipment
− only under exceptional circumstances
− and if controlled tightly
Before working on a machine, check the following:
• Isolation and lock-off
• Warning signs
• Prove test equipment
• Prove dead
• Prove test equipment again

Working On a Live System Buried Cables

May be struck during excavations & can result in Arcing,
shock, burns, fire
May be controlled by national laws
Safe system of work to include: Precautions
Isolation & shut down
• Permit-to-work
Check plans
• Competent person Use insulated crow bars, rubber shoes
• Insulating PPE Use cable detector, dig trial holes
− Boots, gauntlets Identify and label
Do manual excavation
• Insulated tools
Mechanical excavation is prohibited
• Designated work areas Competent excavation supervisor
Training on the safe digging practices
Emergency procedures to workers
Inform the safe working method

Overhead Power Lines Group Syndicate Activity

Usually uninsulated What action should be taken on finding a

Protect by: person suspected to have suffered an electric
− Isolation (LOTO) shock?
− SSOW/ permit-to-work
− Barriers, signs,
goal-posts
− Banksmen
− Safe distance
− Non-conducting equipment

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Emergency Action
Inspection and Maintenance
Don’t touch the casualty
• User checks by user
Call for help
Isolate from the power supply • Formal visual inspection by electrician
Call for ambulance
• Portable Appliances testing(Combined inspection
Check for breathing
− Recovery position if breathing and testing) by competent person
− Start CPR if not breathing
Treat burns Applies to:
Treat for physical shock – Fixed wiring systems
Ensure medical help is obtained
– Portable electrical appliances

User Checks Formal Visual Inspection

• Damage to cable sheath User checks plus:

• Damage to plug − Remove plug cover and check fuse
• Flex fully insulated – no kinks /
splits − Check cord grip

• Inadequate joints − Check terminals are secure

and no signs of internal damage
• Unsecured sheath
− Done by competent person
• Wet or contaminated

• Damage to casing of equipment

• Burns / scorch marks

Combined Inspection and Test Portable Appliance Testing

Often known as PAT testing
Advantages
Portable appliance testing is an inspection done by a
competent person to find the defects like loss of earth • Demonstrates legal compliance
integrity, deterioration of insulation, which the visual • Detects faults not visible to the eye
inspection fails to detect. It is usually a legal requirement. • Allows early removal/repair of unsafe equipment
Also called as combined inspection & testing. Various • Identifies trends or patterns of faults
instruments are used to carry out this test.
Limitations
Inspection is carried out
• Provides proof of safety at one moment in time only
− When suspect equipment is defective
• Does not ensure safe use, or prevent misuse
− After repair/modification • Items may be missed and then remain untested
− At appropriate intervals • Can’t be applied to all equipment
(e.g. computers)

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Group Question
How Often Should You Test?
What are the advantages and limitations of Frequency is determined by:
portable appliance testing? • Legal standards and codes of practice
• Type of equipment
• Manufacturers’ recommendations
• Initial integrity/soundness of the equipment
• Age of the equipment
• Working environment
• Frequency and duration of use
• Foreseeable abuse of the equipment
• Effects of any modifications or repairs
• Analysis of previous maintenance records

End-of-Section Quiz

1. What are the advantages and limitations of

fuses?
2. What do we mean by the term “isolation”?
3. Live working is only permitted under certain
circumstances – what are these? What controls
are needed?
4. What things should be checked during routine,
visual, user inspections?

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