Electrical SafetyRelated Work
Practices
In and around the mines
AND
The home
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Jon Montgomery, EFS
[email protected] Albany, NY
518-489-0780
WHAT IS ELECTRICITY??
?
Electricity is a form of energy
High Voltage (>650 volts)
Low Voltage (650 volts or less)
Alternating Current
Direct Current
Static Electricity
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
Electrocutions rank fourth in work related
fatalities with about half of these at 600
volts or less.
There are an average of over 3,600
disabling electrical related injuries
annually.
There are an average of 4,000 non-
disabling electrical injuries annually.
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Lets talk about personal protection and the home
40,000 residential fires annually which are caused by
problems with electrical wiring systems, claiming more
than 350 lives
Additionally, electric cords and plugs were involved in
about 7,100 fires resulting in 120 deaths or about 32%
of all deaths associated with residential electrical
system fires, occurring each year.
Lamps and light fixtures were involved in about 8,900 fires
and 60 deaths
About 3,600 people are treated for injuries associated with
extension cords.
Switches and outlets are involved in 4,700 fires an
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Reported Mining Electrical Accidents
(INCLUDES FATALITIES)
1990 thru 2000
Coal-Underground
Coal-Surface
752
137
Metal/non-metal-Underground
Metal/non-metal-Surface
655
Prep Plants
244
Other
34
Total
1921
99
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Fatal Electrical Accidents
1990 thru 2000
Butmoreimportantisthecostinlives
Coal-Underground
27
Coal-Surface
4
Metal/non-metal-Underground
7
Metal/non-metal-Surface
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Prep Plants
9
Other
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Causes of Electrical Injuries
Touching live parts.
Short circuit
Accidental ground
Overload
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Electrical Hazards
Exposed conductors
Frayed and worn insulation
Exposed bus bars and connections
Overloaded circuits
Modified circuits
Removed grounding plug
Jury-rigged connections
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Effects on the Body
Burns
Flash burns (from electrical arcs)
Electrical burns (entry & exit wounds)
Electrical Shock
Damage to internal organs and body
systems
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Effects on the Body
Approximately 50 volts is needed to
overcome skin resistance
Resistance is higher on dry skin
Resistance is lower on wet skin
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ENTRY WOUND
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EXIT WOUND
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Electrical Shock
A person receives an electrical shock whenever any
part of his/her body becomes part of the electrical
circuit through which a sufficient current flows to cause
discomfort or worse.
Current flow slightly above this threshold is sufficient
to cause discomfort:
May cause involuntary contraction of the muscles.
Stop the heart.
Stop breathing.
Cause burns.
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Electrical Shock
The amount of current that flows through the
victims body will depend on:
The voltage of the circuit with which he/she is in
contact.
The insulating qualities of the place in which
he/she is located at the instant.
The resistance of skin or clothing or both.
The area of contact with the live conductor.
The pressure of contact with the live conductor.
The area of contact with the live conductor
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four major components of an
electrical system
sources
conductors
loads
switches
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SOURCES
provide electricity
batteries
transformers
generators
water system equivalent - water tank
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CONDUCTORS
carry electricity
wires
cables
bus bars
water equivalent - pipes
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LOADS
use electricity
motors
pumps
fans
hand tools
lights
heaters
water equivalent -water wheel
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SWITCHES
control electricity
floats
push buttons
disconnects
duplex outlets / plugs
water equivalent - valves
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Water system comparison
Voltage = pressure
Current = flow
Resistance = system resistance to flow
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Ohms Law
voltage
resistance
amps
Since voltage is constant,
current flow depends on resistance
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30 CFR 56/57. 12028
56/57.12028 Testing grounding systems.
Continuity and resistance of grounding
systems shall be tested immediately after
installation, repair, and modification; and
annually thereafter. A record of the resistance
measured during the most recent tests shall
be made available on a request by the
Secretary or his duly authorized
representative.
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Equipment grounding systems
high resistance = low current
low resistance = high current
current flow is what trips fuses/breakers
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Be sure:
all grounds ohms values are as low as
possible
all wiring connections are clean & tight
all conduit connections are clean & tight
all plugs have ground prong in place
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Methods of Contact
Step potential
Difference in voltages (potential for current
flow) between persons feet
Touch potential
Difference in voltages between points of
contact (usually hands and/or feet)
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HOW DO WE PROTECT
OURSELVES????
LOCK OUTTAG OUT!!
LOCKOUT/TAGOUT
Types of Devices
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LOCKOUT/TAGOUT
Types of Energy
Mechanical
Hydraulic
Pneumatic
Chemical
Thermal
Other
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LOCKOUT/TAGOUT
Preparation for Shutdown
Know the types and amounts of energy
that power it.
Know the hazards of that energy.
Know how the energy can be controlled.
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VERIFY-VERIFY-VERIFY!!!!
(ONLY IF YOU ARE QUALIFIED)
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HOW ELSE CAN WE
PROTECT
OURSELVES???
BY USING GFCIS
How does the GFCI work
GFCIs constantly monitor electricity
flowing in a circuit.
If the electricity flowing into the circuit
differs by even a slight amount from
that returning, the GFCI will quickly
shut off the current flowing through that
circuit.
The advantage of using GFCIs is that
they can detect even small variations in
the amount of leakage current, even
amounts too small to activate a fuse or
circuit breaker.
GFCIs work quickly, so they can help
protect consumers from severe electric
shocks and electrocution.
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Some things a GFCI does not protect you from.
A GFCI does not protect a person who comes in contact with two
hot wires or any hot wire and the neutral wire.
A GFCI does not protect a person from feeling and reacting to shock
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ALWAYS REMBER!
Never work on a Energized Circuit. Unless you are trained to.
Always Lock and Tag
Never depend on another person to take the power off a circuit that you are going to
work on. Its your Life! This should even apply to home.
Just remember that Half of what you have is hers.
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Qualified Employees
One knowledgeable in the construction and
operation of the electric power generation,
transmission, and distribution equipment
involved, along with the associated hazards.
Qualified employees must have training to be
considered qualified.
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Qualified Employees
Qualification extends to individual tasks
Employees can be qualified in one task, but
not in another.
Examples:
Racking breakers in & out
Changing fuses
Substation switching
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Unqualified Employees
Unqualified employees and mobile
mechanical equipment must maintain a safe
distance from energized circuits
Overhead power lines
Unguarded, exposed, energized conductors
10 feet up to 50,000 volts
Additional 4 inches for every 10,000 volts over 50
kV
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Methods of Protection
Insulation
Verify insulation is intact
Pay particular attention to flexible cords, such as
extension cords and tool power cords
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Methods of Protection
Guarding
Live parts operating at 50 volts or more must
be guarded
Locate in a room or vault accessible only by
qualified persons
Permanent partitions or walls
Metal-clad switchgear required if over 600 volts
Distance
8 feet (or more) above the floor
Warning Signs
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Methods of Protection
Grounding
Service ground
Neutral conductor is grounded
Equipment ground
Frame or casing of tool or equipment is wired
directly to ground.
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Methods of Protection
Circuit Protection Devices
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Designed for equipment protection
Open circuit on high current
GFCI
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Designed for personnel protection
Opens quickly (1/40 second) on any ground fault
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Methods of Protection
Safe Work Practices
De-energize
Lockout/Tagout energy sources
Use electric tools that are in good repair
Do not perform work you are not qualified for
Use appropriate protective equipment
FR clothing, non-conductive hard hats, rubber
mats, line hose, hot sticks, rubber gloves, safety
glasses, face shields, etc.
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Methods of Protection
Overhead Lines
Only qualified employees can work on or near
All others maintain 10-foot rule, or
Owner/operator must de-energize and ground
lines prior to work
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Safe Work Practices
DO
Inspect cords for
damage
De-energize and
L.O.T.O.
Keep cords off
walkways
Wear PPE
Perform work only if
qualified
Use a GFCI
DONT
Overload plugs
Upsize fuses, or use
substitutes
Lay cords in water
Use defective
equipment
Assume household
current is safe
Use conductive
ladders
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IF SOMEONE CONTACTS AN
ENERGIZED CONDUCTOR ---WHAT SHOULD ONE DO ??
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BLOOD TESTS TO WARN OF
FIBRILLATION TO OCCUR
TROPONIN
CPK ISOENZYME
(CREATINE KINASE)
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PLEASE
REMEMBER---
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SAFETY FIRST!!!!
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THANK YOU ALL FOR
LISTENING!!!
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