Safety evo
Life saving tips
In many situations, a small electrical safety toolbox talk may be life saving for many workers.
Electricity became the driving power for most of our life activities
It is clear now that our life needs electricity always.
But, as electricity facilitates our life, it can also end it.
If we are unable to control this gift, it will turn into a beast that can destroy everything.
Now we will discuss the following:
Why conducting electric toolbox talk
The answer is simple,
We are using electricity every second, if not in our work place, in our homes.
Approximately every single device we own is powered by electricity.
And one of the most important features of electricity is that is is vary harmful if we are facing it with no precautions.
Direct contact with electricity can lead to severe consequences.
Not only for human, but also these consequences can affect the safety and environment.
A man can be badly injured if he contacted the electricity in many ways.
Also, a fire or explosion can be initiated due to uncontrolled electrical source.
So, making this electrical safety toolbox talk can improve the people’s awareness and avoid many accidents.
And also organization can gain a lot by conducting this electrical talk.
Electrical injuries can be
Electricity can cause one of many injury types.
This injury may be either burns, shocks, electrocutions or falls
We will try to explain the difference between each of them.
Electricity burns:
This can happen in two scenarios, either with direct contact with electrical source.
Or indirectly, when the electrical spark initiates a fire.
Electricity can cause direct deep burns in high voltages (500 to 1000 V)
These direct burns can even happen in lower voltages if the affected part is wet.
The other scenario happens if the electrical spark was produced adjacent to a flammable material.
Then a fire can start causing burns to the surrounding workers.
Electrical shocks:
Direct contact with electrical source can cause electrical shock.
Even small voltages are adequate to cause these shocks.
The more the voltage, the worse is the result.
The more the voltage, the worse is the result.
This can be minor shock, or complicated one causing unconsciousness or even Brain damage and death.
United states record approximately 30,000 non fatal electric shocks each year.
About 20% of these incidents occur within children.
Electrical shocks:
This type of injury is even worse than the chock.
It happens when the electrical current is strong enough to cause the victim’s heart to stop.
In many cases, it is life threatening.
And sadly, this can happen in low voltages (100 -250 V)
Studies proved that death can occur in lower voltages too. as it depends on many other factors.
Safety controls for electrical hazards.
When we talk about any control for any hazard, we have to consider the control hierarchy.
By selecting the most effective control if available.
For example, if we are able to remove and eliminate the hazard completely , it is the best solution.
And if it is not applicable, we need to try another effective one like substitution.
In case of electricity, we need to ensure that there is no contact between people and electricity.
This can be achieved in many ways,
Isolation can be a good solution, and we already discussed this in our LOTO post.
Using the proper type of PPE is a perfect way to protect against electrical hazards.
But, we need to consider the intensity of current we are dealing with to select the proper PPE.
Using the appropriate electrical tools can also help.
General safety tips for working with or near electricity
- Never work directly with electrical source without isolation.
- If you are in a work site, make sure to select the competent worker.
- Always make the requested preventive maintenance for electrical equipment.
- Use the proper PPE before dealing with electricity.
- At your home, avoid exposing children to electricity.
- Never contact electricity when you are wet.
- avoid storing flammable material adjacent to electrical source.
- In hazardous areas, make sure to select the proper equipment for the zone
Electricity is very helpful if controlled. And a giant killer if not controlled.
I hope this electrical safety toolbox talk is helpful.
