Let us begin by asking: What do we understand by safety?
Safety means the state or condition of freedom from danger or risk.Safety can also be termed as freedom of persons from injury and of property from damage. For this, you must first create a safe work environment, then work in a safe manner. Generally, it is best to remove the hazards altogether and create an environment that is truly safe. Safe work environments are created when the rules and regulations are followed strictly.Always remember the motto of safety first as good work can be spoiled by an accident.
But, you never know when materials or equipment might fail. Prepare yourself for the unexpected by using the safe work practices, which we now describe.Use as many safeguards as possible. If one fails, another may protect you from injury or death. Certain important definitions related to various aspects of safety have been put together in Appendix 1 for ready reference.
We first list the general safety precautions in Table in the form of DOs and DON’Ts . The first and foremost requirement for safety is that only qualified personnel should perform maintenance, inspection and repairs on any electrical equipment. Always evaluate personnel qualifications.
Safety means the state or condition of freedom from danger or risk.Safety can also be termed as freedom of persons from injury and of property from damage. For this, you must first create a safe work environment, then work in a safe manner. Generally, it is best to remove the hazards altogether and create an environment that is truly safe. Safe work environments are created when the rules and regulations are followed strictly.Always remember the motto of safety first as good work can be spoiled by an accident.
But, you never know when materials or equipment might fail. Prepare yourself for the unexpected by using the safe work practices, which we now describe.Use as many safeguards as possible. If one fails, another may protect you from injury or death. Certain important definitions related to various aspects of safety have been put together in Appendix 1 for ready reference.
We first list the general safety precautions in Table in the form of DOs and DON’Ts . The first and foremost requirement for safety is that only qualified personnel should perform maintenance, inspection and repairs on any electrical equipment. Always evaluate personnel qualifications.
Table : General Safety Precautions
You may like to pause here and think: How many of these safety procedures are followed meticulously by personnel in your utility?We now spell out the safety measures and recommendations that must be taken by personnel working on the mains and electrical apparatus for maintaining safe working conditions at the site.
Safety Procedures for Working on Electrical Mains and Apparatus
Work on live mains should not be commenced unless it is specifically intended and done by specially trained staff. In such cases all possible precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of the staff engaged for such work, and also of others who may be directly or indirectly connected with the work. A safe work environment is created by controlling contact with electrical voltages and the currents they can cause. Electrical currents need to be controlled so they do not pass through the body. In addition to preventing shocks, a safe work environment reduces the chance of fires, burns, and falls.
Create a Safe work Environment
ALWAYS GUARD AGAINST CONTACT WITH ELECTRICAL VOLTAGES AND CONTROL ELECTRICAL CURRENTS TO CREATE A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT.
You can make your environment safer by simply observing the following preliminary precautions:
• Treat all conductors − even "de-energized" ones − as if they are energized until they are locked out and tagged (see Box).
• Lock out and tag out circuits and machines.
• Prevent overloaded wiring by using the right size and type of wire.
• Prevent exposure to live electrical parts by isolating them.
• Prevent exposure to live wires and parts by using insulation.
• Prevent shocking currents from electrical systems and tools by grounding them.
• Prevent shocking currents by using Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters(GFCIs).
• Prevent too much current in circuits by using over-current protection devices.
Safety Procedures for Working on Electrical Mains and Apparatus
Work on live mains should not be commenced unless it is specifically intended and done by specially trained staff. In such cases all possible precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of the staff engaged for such work, and also of others who may be directly or indirectly connected with the work. A safe work environment is created by controlling contact with electrical voltages and the currents they can cause. Electrical currents need to be controlled so they do not pass through the body. In addition to preventing shocks, a safe work environment reduces the chance of fires, burns, and falls.
Create a Safe work Environment
ALWAYS GUARD AGAINST CONTACT WITH ELECTRICAL VOLTAGES AND CONTROL ELECTRICAL CURRENTS TO CREATE A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT.
You can make your environment safer by simply observing the following preliminary precautions:
• Treat all conductors − even "de-energized" ones − as if they are energized until they are locked out and tagged (see Box).
• Lock out and tag out circuits and machines.
• Prevent overloaded wiring by using the right size and type of wire.
• Prevent exposure to live electrical parts by isolating them.
• Prevent exposure to live wires and parts by using insulation.
• Prevent shocking currents from electrical systems and tools by grounding them.
• Prevent shocking currents by using Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters(GFCIs).
• Prevent too much current in circuits by using over-current protection devices.
Box: Lock Out and Tag Out of Circuits and Equipment
We would like to narrate a real-life incident to drive home the point about safety.
Two electricians working at an automobile assembly plant were replacing bulbs and making repairs on light fixtures in a spray paint booth. The job required them to climb on top of the booth and work from above. The top of the booth was filled with pipes and ducts that restricted visibility and movement. Flashlights were required.
The electricians started at opposite ends of the booth. One electrician saw a flash of light, but continued to work for about 5 minutes, then climbed down for some wire. While cutting the wire, he smelled a burning odor and called to the other electrician. When no one answered, he climbed back on top of the booth. He found his co-worker in contact with a single-strand wire from one of the lights. Needle-nose wire strippers were stuck in the left side of the victim's chest. Apparently, he had been stripping insulation from an improperly grounded 530-volt, single-strand wire when he contacted it with the stripper. In this case, the electricians knew they were working on energized circuits. The breakers in the booth's control panel were not labelled and the lock used for lock-out/tag-out was broken. The surviving electrician stated that locating the means to de-energize a circuit often takes more time than the actual job.What lessons do you draw from this story? The electrician would be alive today if the following rules had been observed.
• The circuits should always be shut off and then tested to confirm that they are de-energized before starting a job.
• Switch gear that shuts off a circuit must be clearly labelled and easy to access.
• Lock-out/tag-out materials must always be provided, and lock- out/tag-out procedures must always be followed.
Two electricians working at an automobile assembly plant were replacing bulbs and making repairs on light fixtures in a spray paint booth. The job required them to climb on top of the booth and work from above. The top of the booth was filled with pipes and ducts that restricted visibility and movement. Flashlights were required.
The electricians started at opposite ends of the booth. One electrician saw a flash of light, but continued to work for about 5 minutes, then climbed down for some wire. While cutting the wire, he smelled a burning odor and called to the other electrician. When no one answered, he climbed back on top of the booth. He found his co-worker in contact with a single-strand wire from one of the lights. Needle-nose wire strippers were stuck in the left side of the victim's chest. Apparently, he had been stripping insulation from an improperly grounded 530-volt, single-strand wire when he contacted it with the stripper. In this case, the electricians knew they were working on energized circuits. The breakers in the booth's control panel were not labelled and the lock used for lock-out/tag-out was broken. The surviving electrician stated that locating the means to de-energize a circuit often takes more time than the actual job.What lessons do you draw from this story? The electrician would be alive today if the following rules had been observed.
• The circuits should always be shut off and then tested to confirm that they are de-energized before starting a job.
• Switch gear that shuts off a circuit must be clearly labelled and easy to access.
• Lock-out/tag-out materials must always be provided, and lock- out/tag-out procedures must always be followed.
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ReplyDeleteEducating yourself and your family about electrical fire hazards is crucial. Teach children the importance of not overloading outlets, unplugging appliances when not in use, and using electrical devices responsibly. By fostering a culture of electrical safety, you create a safer environment for everyone. Empower your family with knowledge!
ReplyDeleteI've never really thought about burning smells as indicators of electrical problems. Your post is eye-opening and educates us on the importance of fire prevention.
ReplyDelete