⚠ SAFETY TIP #7: ELECTRICAL HAZARD ⚡

Today, our hazard Identification is "ELECTRICAL".

Electricity is defined as the presence and flow of electric current.
Electrical charges can be found in: Transformers, power lines, static charges, lightning, energized equipments, wiring and batteries.

Electricity can be both useful and hazardous. If not properly managed and controlled it can result in electrocution(death) , burns, shocks, explosion and fire.

When working with or near electricity, it is important that you work with caution. This is very important because the electrical voltage and current stored in regular business units or home supply is enough to cause electrocution.

Injuries Resulting From Electricity

Electric shock, burns, fall, electrocution (death) and fire are some injuries that can result from electricity. Each of these injuries can occur in the following scenario:

• Direct contact with an energized electrical conductor

• Electrical arcing.

• Burns resulting from arcing, burns from materials that catches fire as a result of been heated up from electrical current, Internal burns as a result of electric shock

• Muscle contractions, or a startle reaction, can cause a person to fall from a ladder or scaffold resulting in injuries.

Power lines Safety Considerations

• Avoid working, driving, parking or storing materials closer than 49feet to overhead powerlines. This distance may vary from region to region.

• Do not enter an electrical power substation, or other marked areas

General Safety Tips

• Before each use, please inspect plugs and cords connected to equipments for damage.

• Do not nail or staple electrical cords to walls or floor. Instead, tape them or pass through pipes and trunks. Nailing or stapling can damage the insulation, resulting in fire and/or shock

• Ensure to use only cords and extensions that are properly rated for the equipment you are trying to power up.

• Only use the right fuse. Using over rated or underrated fuse is hazardous.

• Halogen lamps can become very hot and may be a fire hazard. Therefore, place halogen lights away from combustible materials such as cloths or curtains.

• Know where the panel and circuit breakers are located in your building in case of an emergency.

• Avoid blocking access to panels and circuit breakers or fuse boxes

• In an event of electrical accident, always disconnect the power source first before touching the person or apparatus involved.

As you carry out your duties today both at home or in your work place, especially in high risk job environments like offshore drilling rigs and construction sites, be mindful of Electrical hazards. Always ask yourself "what if?" "How can I get hurt in the task I'm currently carrying out?" Be very conscious of your environment. Train yourself to have a high sense of situational awareness.

"STAY ALERT, AND STAY ALIVE!"

-Shalom!

Reference:

• (eLCOSH : Chevron's Dropped Object Prevention Program)

• Google images

• Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety

I hope you found this piece of information useful. If you did, please UPVOTE , RESTEEM and FOLLOW ME for more.

@nathanieloamhen (NEBOSH™ certified Occupational Health and Safety practitioner)

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