ELECTRICAL SAFETY I
MODULE DESCRIPTION
This module explains how electricity works, raises your awareness of how electricity
can hurt you, and discusses ways to protect yourself from electrical hazards.
OBJECTIVES
After completing this module, students will be able to:
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Explain the importance of electrical safety.
Describe how electricity works.
Understand the dangers associated with electricity.
List electrical safety devices and procedures.
Understand how to StartSafe and StaySafe around electricity.
MODULE OUTLINE
1. The importance of electrical safety
 Whenever you work with power tools, electrical appliances, or electrical
circuits, there are potential electrical hazards. Electricity is a powerful
resource, but when something goes wrong, the electricity can hurt or even
kill you. In fact, a significant amount of workers in the United States are
killed every year by electrocution.
 The key to protecting yourself around electricity is to StartSafe by
understanding how electricity works and StaySafe by always respecting the
power of electricity.
2. How does electricity work?
 Electricity works in a similar manner to water flowing through a pipe,
where:
- The movement of the water is similar to the flow of the electricity;
this movement is called the current.
- The force that pushes the water through the pipe is similar to the
force moving the electricity through a conductor; the force is measured
in volts.
- The rate, or speed, of the water flowing through the pipe is similar
to the rate of the electricity flowing through a conductor; the rate, or
speed, is measured in amps.
- Movement = Current
Force = Volts
Rate = Amps
 Electricity needs a path to travel in order to work. A complete path for
the flow of the current is called a circuit.
- There are at least two prongs on an electrical plug. One is for the
electricity to flow into the device, the other is for the electricity to flow
out of the device.
- When you plug in your television, you have completed a
circuit. The electricity can flow from the outlet into your TV and back
out, a complete circuit.
- A circuit can be completed in other ways, as well—some of which
can be very dangerous. For example, your body can complete a circuit,
and that can have some very serious consequences. So, to learn more
about how to StartSafe, let’s learn how electricity could hurt you.
3. The Dangers of Electricity
 To understand how electricity can be dangerous; how it could enter your
body; and what could happen to you if it did, you first need to know about
conductors. Good conductors are materials that allow electricity to move
easily through them. On the other hand, materials that don’t allow
electricity to move easily through them are considered bad conductors.
- Good conductors allow electricity to move easily through
them. Examples are: Metal (such as copper wire), skin, and water.
- Poor conductors (or insulators) are materials that don’t allow
electricity to move through them easily. Examples are: rubber, plastic,
and glass.
 Since your body is a good conductor, if you come into contact with
electrical current, the electricity will move through your body trying to
complete a circuit.
- When electricity enters your body, it can burn you both internally
and externally, or it can shock you, taking control of your muscles or
interfering with the beating of your heart.
 The severity of burn or shock is dependent on three main things: the
amps, or rate of the electricity; the duration of the electrical contact; and the
location of the electrical path through the body.
 Electricity can also cause fires.
- Electricity is one of the most common causes of fires in the home
and workplace.
- Faulty wiring, misuse of electrical equipment, and overloading an
outlet can all create an electrical fire hazard.
4. Electrical Safety Devices
 Electrical safety devices are items that reduce your risk of electrical
contact. Examples of such devices include:
- Insulation: Insulation is made of materials that are poor
conductors, such as glass, plastic, or rubber. These materials are
used in an attempt to keep an electrical current within safe
boundaries. For example, the plastic coating on an electrical wire
acts as insulation and is designed to keep the electricity inside the
wire.
- Grounding Plugs: “Grounding” literally means to connect an
electrical current to the earth. For added safety, electrical
equipment may contain a third prong on the plug. When that prong
is inserted into the electrical outlet, it is considered “grounded” or
connected to ground through the outlet’s wiring. This helps ensure
that any excess electrical current is delivered to ground, rather than
to you.
- Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI): A GFCI is a
device designed to detect a difference in current between circuit
wires (the inward and outward paths). When the amount of
electricity returning is less than the electricity leaving, the GFCI
will interrupt the circuit and stop the electricity from flowing.
- Fuses: Fuses protect equipment from receiving too much
electrical current by providing a weak link. Inside the fuse is a
metal conductor. When too much current passes through the fuse,
the metal link will melt, breaking the circuit.
- Circuit Breaker: Circuit breakers protect equipment from too
much current by tripping a switch that breaks the circuit, which
stops the flow of electricity. Once the situation that caused the
circuit breaker to trip is resolved, the circuit breaker can be reset by
moving the switch back to the “on” position.
5. Electrical Safety Procedures
 In addition to the aid of electrical safety devices, there are things you
can do to StaySafe around electricity. Here are some things to keep in
mind:
- If you are not properly trained or don’t feel comfortable doing a
job, don’t do it.
- Don’t use electrical equipment if you or your surroundings are wet.
- Don’t overload circuits or outlets.
- Never use a three-prong grounded plug if the third prong is broken
off.
- Inspect electrical equipment and power cords before using them. If
they are damaged, don’t use them at all.
 A final electrical safety procedure you should know about is called
“lockout/tagout.” The idea is simple. If you are going to work on
something electrical that is malfunctioning, you should first disconnect it
completely from its electrical source. Then, you must make sure that the
electricity cannot be reconnected by you or anyone else until it is safe again.
- The “lockout/tagout” process requires that a physical lock and tag
be applied to the malfunctioning device or machine. This ensures that
the electrical connection is not re-established until it can be done
safely.
6. OSHA Electrical Safety Regulations
 To protect you from electrical hazards in the workplace, OSHA has
developed standards for electrical safety. The standards are more elaborate
for people who work with electricity (more than simply using electrical
equipment).
 Employers are required to develop their own safe work practices,
including:
- Written procedures
- Employee training
- Equipment and installation inspection
- Maintenance of equipment
- Standardized use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
 OSHA standards are more elaborate for those who work directly with
electricity versus simply using electrical equipment.
 Based on OSHA requirements, employers must develop their own safe
work practices, including: written procedures, employee training, equipment
and installation inspection, maintenance of equipment, and the use of
personal protective equipment (PPE). If your job involves this level of
electrical work, be certain that you are properly trained and prepared to do
this job safely and successfully.