Typically, osha cites the same workplace injuries or hazards over and over. Chemicals in the workplace there are 750,000 hazardous chemicals used in the workplace around the world. Workplace tips for employees the following is general workplace health and safety information from the centers for disease control and prevention cdc. The most common causes of electrical hazards in office environments are faulty or defective equipment, unsafe installation, or misuse of equipment particularly extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors. Electrical safety in the workplace this easytouse leaders guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation. Simply put, workplace hazards are any aspect of work that cause health and safety risks and have the potential to harm. Electrical hazards in the workplace how to prevent injury and work in a.
Arcflash and other electrical safety hazards 27 electrical safety hazards 27 electric shock 27 arcflash and arc blasts 28 arcflash metrics 29 arcblast effect 31 light and sound effects 31 electrical hazard analysis 32 shock hazard analysis 32 approach boundaries 32 flash hazard analysis 34 arcflash calculations 35. Some hazards are more likely to be present in some workplaces than others, and depending on the work that you do, there will be hazards that are more or. Notice of that approval was published in the nsw government gazette referring to this code of practice as managing electrical risks in the workplace page 2695 on friday, 18 july 2014. Workplace hazards can be broken down into different categories, such as safety hazards, chemical and biological hazards, and. Electrical hazards awareness page 32 of 49 efcog electrical safety improvement project clothing. Check the licence status of electrical contractors and electrical workers. International hazard datasheets on occupations hdo ilo. Electrical accidents that occur in an office environment are usually a result of faulty or defective equipment, unsafe. Analyzing electrical hazards in the workplace by dennis k.
By following these basic rules, you can avoid workplace electrical hazards. The body stressing sources of risk checklist pdf, 187. Physical hazards cause injury to workers when an object. Analyzing electrical hazards in the workplace occupational. Ask each group to identify at least three things that could have been done to. Acknowledgements this document was written by joan burton, canada, as result of agreement for performance of work no. As we saw earlier, skin and body resistance has a lot to do with the relative hazard of electric circuits. Electrical hazards a major cause of accidents involving electricity comes from the failure to identify the hazards associated with live electrical equipment and wiring figure 261. Are you aware of these 6 types of workplace hazards. Rules and regulations regarding electrical hazards. Managing electrical hazards annotated instructors guide module overview this module covers electrical shock and arc flash hazards and provides an introduction to nfpa 70e, standard for electrical safety in the workplace. Many workers are injured and killed at the workplace every day in the united states.
This checklist covers a wide variety of workplace safety and health hazards. Recognizing electrical hazards in the workplace networx. However, the georgia institute of technology states that electrical equipment used in offices can be hazardous and result in serious injuries if not properly maintained. Electric shock electric current passes through the body 1 milliamp can feel the current 15 milliamps cant let go of electrical source 100 milliamps through chest can result in ventricular fibrillation which is usually fatal. The actual arc hazard is based on available energy, not available.
Electrical safety in the workplace platinum electricians. These hazards can result in both health and physical impacts, such as skin. Electrical hazards pose a serious threat to worker safety. Electrical safety at the workplace 2 introduction electricity plays a vital role in our daily lives but it can also kill or severely injure people and cause damage to property. For more information on hazards, contact workplace health and safety services. Nevertheless, working on or near electrical hazards is dangerous and can be fatal. Eliminating andor reducing these hazards require a basic knowledge of electric circuits. Understand and know the occupational safety and health administrations osha five types of workplace hazards and take steps to mitigate employee risk. Educate employees on the safe use of electrical equipment such as extension cords and power strips. Electrical safety in the workplace ionapex electric. As part of a safety and health curriculum for secondary and postsecondary electrical trades courses, this manual is designed to engage the learner in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazards associated with electrical work. Learning objectives as you work through this session you will learn to 9 distinguish between the concepts of hazard, hazard event, secondary hazards, multiple hazards and disaster 9 classify and describe types of hazards 9 explain hazard characteristics such as magnitude. While some accidents may not be caused by human mistakes, most accidents within the workplace are entirely preventable. Electrical work on an electrical installation or electrical equipment may pose a risk of inadvertent contact with adjacent energised parts.
Electrical hazards in the workplace are no laughing matter, but they can be avoided by taking the aforementioned precautions. Safety and health topics electrical hazard recognition. Energized work shall be permitted where the employer can demonstrate that deenergizing introduces additional hazards or increased risk. Identifying safety and health problems in the workplace identifying health and safety problems can be as easy as answering basic questions. The flash causes an explosive expansion of air and metal. How to identify workplace hazards staff in the workplace should provide answer to the following questions what can go wrong.
The purpose of this document is to provide an abbreviated version of the electrical safety workplace guidelines to help broaden the understanding of the standard regarding the various safety components cementex products, inc. The information below relates to workplaces using 230 and 400 volt supplies. How to prevent electrical hazards in the workplace ntt. It applies to all workplaces where a person conducting a business or undertaking. Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution and arc flash incidents. Preventing electrical hazards on the job is truly a matter of life and death. Examples of common workplace hazards the following is a list of common workplace hazards encountered within ahs. Ensure all appliances are turned off before leaving work at the end of the day. Identifying safety and health problems in the workplace osha. Nearly every workplace has some sort of electrical service, and that makes electrical safety a workplace issue. Calosha regulations on electrical safety require california employers to provide workers with a safe and healthful workplace. The high volume of electrical equipment in a typical office can expose workers to serious electrical hazards, including shocks, burns and fire, the rosslyn, vabased electrical safety foundation international warns. Home hazards electricity electrical hazards electrical hazards the managing electrical risks at the workplace code of practice, march 2012 has been approved by safe work australia members and is ready for endorsement by the select council on workplace relations ministerial council.
Electrical safety in the workplace 2 course goal the aim of this program is to provide comprehensive onsite training to highrisk workers i. Our personal and professional lives would not be the same without electricity. Most of the electrical health and safety regulations can be found in t8ccr, chapter. Examples of additional hazards or increased risk include, but are not limited to, interruption of lifesupport equipment, deactivation of. To determine if there are health and safety problems that need to be addressed in your workplace, use these questions. How to identify workplace hazards create a hazard scenario where it is happening environment, who is affected or what it is happening exposure, what causes the hazard trigger, the outcome that would occur should it happen consequence, and any other contributing factors. Every year several accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported. Assessment and control of psychological hazards in the workplace. Electrical hazards at work and how to prevent them safety. Identifying and reporting hazards in the workplace is one of the most powerful ways in which workers and companies can improve workplace safety.
Common sources of hazard electrical safety electronics. Providing your employees with a clear safety program and detailed training also plays a key role in electrical safety. There are several different areas to consider with electrical hazards in the workplace, each with different levels of risk that should be assessed accordingly. Outlines the legal obligations of employers and the selfemployed relating to electrical safety. Fact sheet electrical risks at the workplace august 2012 page. Of course, there is a danger of electrical shock when directly performing manual work on an electrical power system. Many workers are exposed to electrical energy while completing their daily responsibilities, and many are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment making them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.
These regulations are contained in title 8 of the california code of regulations t8ccr. An approved code of practice is a practical guide to achieving the standards of health, safety. Employers need to identify potential electrical hazards in the workplace, create the necessary policies and programs, provide personal protective equipment as appropriate, and provide training on how to safely work with or near electrical hazards. Be wary of heavy equipment rolling over or impacting the lead as it may damage the insulation and wires causing shorting. Electricity is a powerful force which can seriously injure and in the worst cases, can be fatal. Definitions of hazards anything or condition with the potential to cause harm the potential of a substance, person, activity or process to cause harm injury or illness anything materialsubstance, machine, methods or matters in the workplace that has the potential to cause harm 3. Take precautions to reduce injury and fatality risk.
Electrical risks at the workplace heading fact sheet. It is important to identify all electrical fire hazards in the workplace and understand the possible harm that these hazards may cause. It is a common misconception that arc hazards are an effect of only high voltage. By identifying hazards at your workplace, you will be. In 1999, for example, 278 workers died from electrocutions at work, accounting for almost 5 percent of all on the job fatalities. Form for reporting a hazard or other safety concern.
However, electric shock hazards exist in many other places, thanks to the widespread use of electric power in our lives. It is also an important part of keeping your workplace in compliance with health and safety laws. Esopdf179 electrical safety code of practice 20 managing electrical risks in the workplace page 6 of 57 scope and application this code provides practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking on managing electrical risks in the workplace. While many of the electrical improvements you undertake will involve electrical equipment, that should not be the only area of focus. Are you aware of these 6 types of workplace safety hazards. Places of work generally have power nominally supplied at 230 volt single phase and 400 volt 3 phase although some larger workplaces will receive electricity at a higher supply voltage. Electricity in the workplace health and safety authority. Under the electricity at work regulations 1989, employers need to take action for.
Foundation for a safe workplace is an oregon osha standards and technical. Nov 24, 2015 however, the georgia institute of technology states that electrical equipment used in offices can be hazardous and result in serious injuries if not properly maintained. It is developed as an addon module to the basic electrical safety training module for nonelectrical workers. Even non fatal shocks can cause severe and permanent injury. A 7 part series covering the 6 types of workplace hazards. This standard addresses arc flash and shock hazards, and there is a need for more empirical incident data on the actual hazards that may be experienced when equipment faults or adverse electrical events occur. Electrical hazards at work and how to prevent them. Standard for electrical safety in the workplace was born out of this understanding and is quickly becoming mandatory on jobsites around the nation.
Joan burton, bsc, rn, med, is a temporary advisor to who, and the senior strategy advisor, healthy workplaces, for the. Chemical hazards are hazardous substances that can cause harm. Department of labor occupational safety and health. Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to electric shock, electrocution, burns, fires, and explosions.
Identifying hazards is essential to preventing injuries at the workplace. According to the centers for disease control and prevention, some workers are unaware that they work among potential electrical hazards. Hazard assessments should be carried out as part of regular workplace inspections whether it is by the business owner or manager, or by an assigned employee. Identifying electrical hazards electricity in the workplace. Check what you should do when there are fallen powerlines, and actions to take in the event of an electric shock. Reports show that about 1,000 electrical related accidents occur a year in the workplace, which leads to about 30 recorded fatalities. Ensure the extension lead is placed appropriately, shielded or taped down to reduce tripping hazards.
It is especially important for those who install and service. All of the topics covered in this checklist may not apply to your particular workplace. Nonelectrical skilled worker this training provides additional electrical safety training for electrical hazards non electrical skilled workers are exposed to in the work place. How to manage work health and safety risks safe work australia. The following is a checklist of workplace conditions that have been associated with. Nov 22, 2019 electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread workplace hazard. Stay informed about public health recommendations related to the coronavirus and other health threats by visiting the cdc website at.
Safety in the workplace is job number one for employer and employee alike. Hazard identification is the foundation of a safe workplace pdf use these tools to document workplace hazards and eliminate, reduce, or manage risk. Using electrical equipment near a source of water or with wet hands. Cdc electrical safety niosh workplace safety and health topic. The list is broken down into the four main categories of hazards.
Oct 25, 2016 preventing electrical hazards on the job is truly a matter of life and death. Many workplace injuries and incidents are a result of unidentified hazards, or a lack of action on controlling the risk associated with a specific hazard. This hazard exists when a conductor is too small to safely carry the current flowing through it, such as using a portable tool with an extension cord that has a wire too small for the tool. Electrical equipment is one of the most important parts of the workplace, but it can also be one of the largest risks if used improperly. How to prevent electrical hazards in the workplace ntt training. Four strategies to reduce or prevent electrical hazards can do a lot to make workers safer in the workplace, even in work sites that are inherently hazardous. Electrical hazards in the workplace how to prevent injury and work in a safe manner. The niosh researchers analyzed 224 electrocutions that resulted in 244 workplace fatalities. Safe work practices for homeowners and consumers working with electrical appliances and generators. Identifying hazards in the workplace involves finding things and situations that could potentially cause.
Oct 12, 2015 the most common causes of electrical hazards in office environments are faulty or defective equipment, unsafe installation, or misuse of equipment particularly extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors. This information may assist when testing foil insulation for possible touch voltages. Occupational health and safety in forestry can be improved through training, supervision and the use of safety equipment, among other things. Electrical safety should be treated as a priority in every workplace.
In addition to the assessment of work practices, a shock hazard analysis must include an assessment of the physical condition of the electrical system. Electrical injuries an arc flash is a release of energy caused by an electric arc figure 262. This standard also includes safe work practices for employees performing other work activities that can expose them to electrical hazards as well as safe work practices for the following. Objectives upon completion of this module, the trainee will be able to do the following. The full force of an arc flash usually has no other course of travel than directly at an operator or technician and the results can be devastating. When thinking about where electrical hazards are commonly found, your first thought likely isnt your office. In 1999, for example, 278 workers died from electrocutions at work, accounting for almost 5 percent of all onthejob fatalities that year, according to the bureau of labor statistics.
Where in the workplace are safety or health problems occurring. Give students handout c electrical safety scenario. Although the continuity and low resistance of the equipment grounding system is a major concern for reducing the risk of electrical shock. Git recommends following these tips to help prevent exposure to workplace electrical hazards. An electrical risk is a risk to a person of death, shock or other injury caused directly or indirectly by electricity. To download a highresolution pdf of the infographic. Occupational health and safety in forestry issues of. The need for analyzing electrical hazards in the workplace has been recognized by a small segment of the industry for many years.