Jorge Castanon, Safety Consultant, FRSA Self Insurer's Fund
Each year, in the United States, about 700 workers get injured by electricity. In 2020, 126 workers died due to exposure to electricity.
When discussing electricity, there are several terms we need to be familiar with: current, volts, amperes and watts are the most important.
Current is the intensity of electricity and is measured in amperes (amps). Most household and industrial electric wiring carries 15 to 20 amps. The thicker the wires, the more current they can usually hold. It’s important to remember that it’s amps that deliver electric shocks and it doesn’t take many amps to cause a serious injury.
Volts are another term we hear a lot. Volts measure the force behind the current that is flowing. In North America, most power tools and household appliances run on 120 volts, but some specialized heavy-duty equipment require extra power and often run on 220 or more volts. Like amps, the higher the voltage the greater the danger.
Watts are a third term that is frequently encountered when working with electricity. Watts can be thought of as the combination of amps and voltage. You can determine how many amps something uses by dividing its wattage rating by the voltage in the electrical system it is running on.
Let’s look at how an electrical system works. Electricity flows when a loop or circuit is completed. This loop is created when an uninterrupted stream of electricity passes through a piece of equipment and returns to the power source. Only when a circuit is complete will tools and machinery be powered up and ready to go. One of the most important things to remember about electricity is that if it somehow leaks or jumps from the conducting wire, it will still try and complete a circuit by finding the shortest path to the ground. Unfortunately, this can lead to a nasty shock if you’re in its path.
Controlled grounding is what helps to keep us safe. If electricity leaks through cracked or defective wiring, a ground wire can direct the electricity back through the electrical circuit to the ground. You can see the ground wire easily in three prong plugs. It is the wire that ends in the round prong. However, for a ground wire to work, the outlet that it is plugged into must be grounded as well. Just because an outlet can take a 3-prong plug, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s grounded. The only way to be certain that the outlet is grounded is to test it. Currently, many outlets are fitted with a ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI. This device can be a lifesaver. It immediately shuts off the flow of electricity when it senses a change in the strength of the current.
Once you know how electricity works, you need to learn how to recognize and avoid potential hazards. Electrical hazards most often result in shocks, burns and fires. Never use power tools in flammable or explosive atmospheres. Many accidents are the result of faulty wiring, so, be sure to inspect all power cords. Do not use electrical power equipment that has bare, cracked or broken wires or has missing insulation, missing ground prong, loose connections or frayed ends. Report any problems and have damaged cords replaced immediately. Do not run extension cords or operate electrical equipment in wet areas, standing water or when you or your clothing are wet. Extension cords are trip hazards. Keep them out of high traffic areas such as doorways and stairways. Do not overload electrical equipment. Overloaded circuits, motors and wiring can cause electrical fires.
Exercise caution when selecting electrical equipment. Use double insulated tools whenever possible. They have built-in protection against shock in the event of a problem. If you do encounter an electrical problem don’t try to fix it yourself unless you’re qualified. Instead, advise your supervisor about the situation and contact a qualified repair person. OSHA states that you and any conductive objects you’re holding should not come within 10 feet of a power line carrying 50,000 volts. For higher voltage lines, you must stay even further away. These clearance distances also apply to vehicles and other equipment located near overhead lines. Don’t use metal ladders when working near power lines, use fiberglass or wooden ladders with non-conductive side rails.
Because electricity is part of so many of the things that we use, we often forget that it can be dangerous. However, by learning to recognize potential hazards and following proper work practices, we can work safely with electricity.
The FRSA Self Insurer’s Fund (FRSA-SIF) has professional safety consultants throughout the state who are willing to provide SIF members with safety training at no additional cost. To find out if you qualify for FRSA‑SIF membership, please contact us at 800-767- 3772, ext. 206, or email us at alexis@frsasif.com. To learn more about the FRSA Self Insurers Fund, please visit www.frsasif.com.
Previous Article