1 Electricity

This material was produced under grant number SH F-54 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 2

Objectives After this module you should be able to –identify the most electrical hazards associated with your work –take the steps necessary to avoid those hazards

4 Potential Outcomes What happens to you depends on how much, how long, and what part of your body the electricity goes through. People have survived shocks of several thousand volts. Others have been killed by voltages as low as 12 volts. Prevention means not becoming part of the electrical flow.

5 Path of Least Resistance Grounding Electricity –If your body becomes part of the path, electricity will flow through it. –If that path is through vital organs like your heart and lungs you can die. –Grounding Electricity means creating an easy path for current that doesn’t include your body. Electricity always follows through the path of least resistance.

6 Danger! Missing Ground Prong

7 For Your Safety-Continued Grounding Electricity –Inspect wires and plugs on power tools before each use. –Replace damaged wires or plugs before using equipment. Do not splice wires or tape gashes. –Extension cords should be rated for outdoor commercial use. –Never leave a plug in a puddle or other collection of water.

8 Danger! This Cord is Beyond Repair!

9 Circuit Breakers Protecting Equipment –Circuit breakers protect the wiring system from overloads. –If you become part of the circuit you may trip the breaker but it may be after a fatal amount of current flows through your body. –Circuit breakers do not protect people!

10 GFCIs –Portable GFCIs are common in landscaping as they can be used on any outlet. –All extension cords must have a GFCI connected to them, including those running off of a generator. –Are designed to keep workers from being electrocuted.

11 Call Before You Dig Failure to contact and locate utilities can lead to catastrophic events and large repair bills. Use your local one call system. All underground utilities should be located. Once located, utilities must be protected from damage.

12 Overhead Electrical Hazards Long, tall, or large equipment such as ladders, heavy equipment or long poles can come in contact with overhead power lines. Most Important ! You, your equipment, and the materials you work with must stay at least 10 feet from power lines !

13 Check Your Knowledge 1.In general, how many feet must you keep yourself, equipment, and materials from overhead powerlines? A.2 feet. B.3 feet. C.5 feet. D feet.

14 Check Your Knowledge 2. When selecting the correct extension cord for a job, which of the following must be considered? A.Use of the cord indoors or outdoors. B.The total wattage of the tool to be used with the cord. C.The distance to the nearest power outlet from where the tool will be used. D.All of the above.

15 Check Your Knowledge 3. What is the best way to protect workers from electrocution when using an extension cord? A.Make sure the cord has a ground. B.Make sure the cord is free from defects. C.Use a GFCI when using the cord. D.All of the above.

16 Additional Information t_safety.pdfhttp:// t_safety.pdf OSH Answers: Electrical Safety - Basic Information OSH Answers: Electric Tools - Basic Safety ed_electrical_wires.pdfhttp:// ed_electrical_wires.pdf trical_safety.pdfhttp:// trical_safety.pdf incidents/mainpage.htmlhttp:// incidents/mainpage.html