SAFETY, HEALTH and WELFARECompiled and Presented by Doren Nedrick

Definition of TermsHazard A situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment. Danger!Accident An undesirable event that usually result in injury or loss of life/ propertyEmergency A serious and unexpected situation requiring immediate action.Safety - The condition of being safe; freedom from danger, risk, or injury.

Why Work safely?Failing to follow electrical safety rules and practices can injure you or others and destroy property. Shock and burns can result when the body conducts electricity. Property may be damaged by electrical fires started by overheated wires or sparks. These dangers must be prevented if we are to use electric energy safely and efficiently.

Occupational Health and Safety ActAs a future worker, you will become familiar with the occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Its basic purpose is to ensure that every worker in the nation has safe and healthful working conditions.

Occupational Health and Safety ActEmployers and employees (teachers and students) have a duty to ensure that the place in which they work is free from dangers which are likely to affect the health and safety of themselves and others.

Employer's obligationsUnder the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the employer must:1. ensure the health, safety and welfare of his employees;2. provide and maintain safe equipment;3. ensure the safety of employees in the use, handling, storage and transport of materials; and4. provide information and training in health and safety as far as is necessary to enable his employees to carry out the work safely.

Employee's dutiesThe employee must:1. Take care not to endanger the health and safety of himself or others at work;2. Co-operate with his employer in carrying out the duties previously mentioned and to report any dangers of which his employer may be unaware; and3. not interfere with anything that has been provided to ensure the well-being of himself and others.

Areas of SafetyWorkers should have free access to and from all floor areas, work-benches and machines and sufficient lighting to enable safe movement. Gangways (Passage), stairs, entrances and exits should be clearly marked, preferably by marked lines. These areas should be unobstructed, free from materials such as oil and grease and again, well lit.In areas where there are extremes of temperature, accidents are more likely to occur. Therefore a more uniform working temperature should be maintained.

The main causes of accident in the workshop Carelessness: When any job is done often enough, it tends to become boring and boredom easily leads to careless work. For example, a maintenance electrician may continually check control equipment when it is 'live' and become unconscious of the danger. Don't let familiarity breed contempt.

The main causes of accident in the workshop (Contd)Ignorance: Accidents often occur in industry due to the ignorance or inexperience of workers. Remember that most tasks look easy when done by an expert. Do not attempt a difficult job unless under supervision.

The main causes of accident in the workshop (Contd)Skylarking: Many young people work in industrial premises without a full realization of the hazards present. Skylarking may be a legitimate way of 'letting off steam" in a school playground, but it can often lead to serious and, sometimes, fatal accidents in a factory or workshop. Sensible people often do things they would never otherwise do when they are 'dared'

Sources of DangerPortable Equipment and Tools Portable equipment is one of the greatest single causes of serious accidents in an electrical installation.

Sources of danger (Contd)Water and chemicals: Moisture impregnates insulation and is often the cause of breakdown. Portable tools should be handled with great care in atmospheres containing inflammable chemicals. For example, Portable lamps should not be used in garage pits, even if an earthed shield is used, as mechanical damage to the lamp may lead to the ignition of petrol vapor.

Points of Danger for the Electrician 1. Burns. Electrical burns are generally more dangerous (and more painful) than normal burns, as they are usually caused by an arc containing molten metal.2. Falls. A very large percentage of industrial accidents are caused by falls, either from a height or by workers tripping over equipment left lying about.

Points of Danger for the Electrician3. Ladders(a) Ladders should always be placed at a reasonable angle to the vertical.(b) Ladders should be anchored on a non-slip surface or effectively wedged.(c) Aluminium ladders should be used with great caution, particularly near bare conductors.

Ladders (Contd)(d) Do not attempt to lift heavy, or unwieldy, equipment (for example, conduit lengths) up or down a ladder unaided.(e) Do not attempt 'acrobatic feats' - you may endanger your life and the lives of others and undermine your right to compensation.

Correct Use of Ladder

Points of Danger for the Electrician4. Strains: Strains occur through attempts to lift over-heavy weights or by lifting weights incorrectly. To lift heavy objects from ground level: place the feet apart, get a good grip with the fingers, keep the back straight, and lift by straightening the knees

Proper Lifting Techniques*

Manual Movement of a Load

Points of Danger for the Electrician5. Electric shock: This is one of the main hazards in our craft. It is not always possible to work on 'dead' conductors but certain precautions may be taken:(a) Never assume that an installation is 'dead': check thoroughly before opening equipment, and do not check by touching conductors with fingertips.(b) Check circuit thoroughly before replacing a re-loaded fuse in a 'live' D.F.B. and, if still in doubt, replace with gloves; always keep your face clear.

Electric Shock (Contd)(c) If working on an installation to which other people have access (for example, a crane), remove Circuit breakers and keep them beside you.

Points of Danger for the Electrician (Contd)6. Moving machinery: Great care should be taken when working on moving machinery; oil rags and ties should be kept well clear.Do not remove guards and, if it becomes necessary to remove a guard, do so when the machinery is stationary. Replace all guards before leaving a machine.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT*Safety BootsSafety HelmetProtective Ear MuffinProtective Clothing

Personal Protective equipmentPersonal protection requires equipment designed for individual safety. When wearing personal protective equipment, make sure that the equipment is in good condition, that it fits, and that it is approved for the specific task being performed. Since electrical equipment is used in nearly every environment, make sure that your personal protective equipment is appropriate for the environment, as well as for the specific electrical application.

Safety GlassesSafety glasses should be worn when soldering, cutting wires, handling chemicals and television picture tubes, and using machines such as drill presses, portable electric drills, and grinders.Glass lenses and some plastic lenses do not qualify as safety glasses since they can shatter and cause serious eye injury. Goggles should be worn over safety glasses when there is a danger of fluids, dust, or rust falling or splashing into the eyes.

ClothingPersonal grooming from the safety standpoint has little to do with personal grooming from the aesthetic standpoint. Flowing hair, heavy jewelry, and loose clothing may look nice, but that long hair can easily get caught in machinery or obscure your vision. Heavy jewelry can get in the way and conducts electricity. Loose clothing can interfere with movement, restrict activity, and get caught in machinery.Clothing can cover the body to protect it from solder burns, battery acid, and general external contamination. In some instances, rubber or latex gloves are necessary to protect the skin, eg. High voltage.

Mask and RespiratorsRespirators must be worn by engineers, technicians, and scientists working in contaminated areas.

Head Gear Helmets are worn where the danger of falling objects exists.

SAFETY SIGNS/SYMBOLS *

SAFETY SIGNS/SYMBOLYS*

The following action should be taken in the event of a fire a) Raise the alarm.b) Switch off the supply (if an electrical fire).c) Close doors and windows to prevent spread of fire.d) Fight the fire if trained to do so.e) Stop fighting the fire if: (i) it is out of control; (ii) you are threatened by smoke; or (iii) your escape route is blocked.

Categories of fireClass A: those involving ordinary solid combustible materials such as paper, cloth, plastics, wood, etc.Class B: those involving flammable liquids such as oil, fat, grease, adhesives, paint, varnish, petrol, etc.Class C: those involving flammable gas such as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), butane, propane, methane, acetylene, etc.Class D: those involving metals, molten metals, metal powders, etc.

Categories of fireElectrical: those involving fixed equipment such as switchgear, motors, computers, and portable equipment such as hand-held appliances, toasters, hairdriers, etc.

Types of fire extinguishers Water type: for Class A fires only.Multi-purpose dry powder: for Class A, B and electrical fires, although it does not penetrate the spaces in equipment.Standard dry powder: for Class B fires.Halon: for small-burning surface Class A fires, Class B fires and electrical fires.

Types of fire extinguishersMulti-purpose aqueous film-forming foam: for Class A and Class B.Foam: Class B fires. Carbon dioxide (CO2): Class B fires and live electrical equipment. Fire blanket: for Class A and B fires.

Types of fire extinguishers

Water

Foam

Dry powder

Green

Cream

Black

Red

Fire Blanket

Treatment for Cuts. Do not wash the wound, although the skin round it may be cleansed with soap and water. Apply a sterilized dressing, or an adhesive wound dressing, as quickly as possible.

Treatment for Burns. If serious, send for a doctor or ambulance. Cover the wound with a sterilized dressing, do not apply adhesive dressing or ointments.Chemical burns. Flush with cold water immediately and apply sterilized dressing. Use antidote if available (solution of bicarbonate of soda for acids and dilute vinegar for alkalies or buffered phosphate solution for both types of burns). Alkaline burns are more serious than acid burns and should receive medical attention as quickly as possible.

Treatment for Electric Shock An electric shock is caused by the passage of current through the body (generally hand to hand or hand to feet) causing a paralysis of the muscles, particularly the heart muscles. Currents as low as 0.02 A have been known to be fatal. The severity of the shock will depend on: (a) voltage between 'live' metal and earth, (b) moisture content of skin, (c) proximity of body to effective earth, and (d) length of time of contact.

Treatment for Electric Shockspeed is essential in treatment for electric shock. A few minutes' delay may make all the difference between recovery and death.1. Switch off current before attempting to remove the casualty or, if this is not possible, remove him with an insulated material (for example, jacket, dry wood, or dry newspaper). Do not touch or attempt to grasp casualty's skin.2. Remove any obstructions to breathing (for example, tight collar or false teeth).3. Commence artificial respiration, using the mouth-to-mouth method. (This should be practiced by everyone working with electricity as efficiency can only come with practice.)

Hand Tools

Power Tools

Mouth-to-mouth Artificial Respiration1. Position casualty on floor with head tilted backwards (Fig. below).

2. Take a very deep breath.3. Press his nose between your fingers.

Mouth-to-mouth Artificial Respiration4. Place your mouth against her/his mouth and form an air-tight seal.5. Blow into her/his lungs until her/his chest expands.

Mouth-to-mouth Artificial Respiration6. Remove your mouth and watch for the contraction of his chest.7. Repeat the above until his breathing returns to normal. note. Mouth-to-nose artificial respiration should be carried out if the casualty's mouth is blocked (e.g. due to injury).

Accident Book All employers are obliged by law to enter all accidents in the accident book. This book is used to register:(a) Date of accident.(b) Name of patient.(c) Nature of injury.(d) Cause of injury.(e) Treatment.It is essential that any injuries received during working hours be reported by the employee or claims for industrial benefits may be affected.

Safety rules for electriciansThe essence of safety is protection. 1. Be conversant with your regulations. These are your best electrical safety guide. 2. Familiarity breeds contempt. Do not let this happen to you. It could mean injury or death to yourself or other persons.3. Treat all electrical wiring or apparatus as alive unless you are sure it is dead and cannot be made alive without your knowledge.

Safety rules for electricians4. Do not connect any wiring or apparatus (permanent or other wise) that you think will become a hazard. To do this could mean the loss of your registration and legal action against you for injury or death. 5. Do not work in dangerous places without first obtaining competent advice and instruction.

Safety rules for electricians6. Do not work in dangerous places alone, see that someone is always with you.7. When working in elevated positions make sure you are safe, i.e. proper scaffolding. safety belt. Ladder properly lashed to avoid slipping. 8. Portable wire-reinforced or metal ladders should not be used in any location where contact with exposed live metal is possible.

Safety rules for electricians9. Do not wear loose or torn clothing when working on or about revolving machinery. 10. Always be clean and tidy in your work. Do not leave tools or materials lying about that will cause accidents.11. Report all defective tools and gear to your foreman or other person in charge. See that your own tools are in good condition. Blunt and damaged tools cause many accidents.

Safety rules for electricians12. Metal tapes and rules should never be used near live electrical apparatus. What appears to be a linen tape often has wire woven in for strength and is consequently as a metal tape.13. Do not work on or touch any exposed part of any live apparatus. What appears to be a linen tape at more than 100V to earth unless you are properly insulated from other conducting surfaces or you are using adequate protective devices, such as gloves, shields, or barriers.

Safety rules for electricians14. Appropriate safely measures, such as shield or barriers may be necessary when repairs or alterations are being made, for example, when working on a dead part of a apparatus while other parts are alive.15. It is extremely dangerous to connect tools, hand lamps, etc to bus bars without adequate protection which in most cases, would require to be HRC fuses.

Safety rules for electricians16. Always test your work before livening it.