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ELECTRICAL SAFETY
By; Prof. Mousa A. Abd-Allah
Course Code & Title: EEC572 Electrical Safety
Semester/Year: second / 2024-2025 Credit Hours: 2
Course Aims
By the end of the course the students will be able to:
1. Understanding the importantce of electrical safety and the types of electrical injuries.
2. Knowing the important electrical Safety Codes and Standards.
3. Understanding of the nature of electrical hazards.
4. Knowing the eequipment used to protect workers from arc hazards.
5. Recognize, evaluate and control electrical hazards (safety model).
6. Identify safety procedures and methods.
7. Knowing What should doing if a co-worker is shocked or burned by electricity
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Course Contents (As indicated in the program Bylaw)
Introduction,
Main types of electrical injuries,
Electrical Safety Codes and Standards,
Hazards of Electricity,
Electrical Safety Equipment,
Safety Model,
Safety Procedures and Methods,
First Aid Fact Sheet.
Assessment Tools Week Weight
First Midterm Examination 7 30 %
Second Midterm Examination 12 20%
Final Examination (As Scheduled) 40 %
Allover the
Reports and participation 10%
semester
Total 100 %
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Electrical Safety in the workplace is the most important job of
an electrical worker.
It is not important how much training one has received or how
much employers try to safeguard their workers, Electrical
Safety is ultimately the responsibility of the electrical worker.
The human factor associated with electrical accidents can not
be measured.
Work Safely
No one can replace a worker or loved one that has died or
suffered a permanent damage from an electrical accident
What is an electrical hazard?
Electrical hazard is present when a person can come into contact with
electricity in the workplace, which can resulted in an electric shock or
electrocution.
This can occur through direct or indirect contact with electricity, such as:
direct contact with energized parts of electrical equipment, or
indirect contact where electricity flows through conductive materials
The main electrical hazards include:
o contact with exposed live parts
o equipment faults
o using equipment that is not rated and not appropriate for the environment it is operated in
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What is Electrical Safety?
Electrical safety is a general practice for workers exposed during handling and maintaining
electrically powered equipment.
Electrical safety is a set of guidelines they follow to mitigate electrical hazards and prevent
their dangerous effects in case of an incident.
By following proper safety protocols, an individual can reduce the risk of electrical accidents,
both in the workplace and at home.
Importance of Electrical safety in the Workplace
Did you know that electrical hazards cause around 30 yearly or deaths for big industrial
countries?. These statistics illustrate the importance of electrical safety.
Safe electrical systems and equipment are fundamental to creating a healthy and productive
work environment.
Also, electrical accidents can disrupt operations, damage equipment, and incur significant
costs.
By identifying and addressing potential problems early on, like faulty wiring or damaged
cords, businesses can ensure a safe working environment and compliance with electrical
safety regulations.
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The high cost of Electrical Accidents
The human cost of electrical accidents is undeniable.
Electric shock can range from minor tingling sensation to life-threatening event, causing
severe burns, muscle contractions, and cardiac arrest. In the worst-case scenario, electrical
accidents can be fatal.
Even non-fatal incidents can leave workers with lasting physical and psychological trauma,
impacting their ability to work and their overall well-being.
The financial costs of electrical accidents for businesses can be just as severe, where it can
lead to costly shut down for repairs and investigations.
Additionally, costly fines and legal fees can be imposed for not applying safety regulations.
Main types of electrical injuries
Electrocution
(Death due to Electrical shock Burns Falls
electrical shock)
Fact: An Average of one Fact: More than 30000 non- Fact: As much as 80% of all
worker is electrocuted on fatal shock accidents electrical injuries are burns
the job each day occur each year resulting from an arc-flash
and ignition of flammable
clothing
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FACTS
97% of all electricians have been shocked or injured on the job.
Approximately 30,000 workers receive electrical shocks yearly.
Over 3600 disabling electrical contact injuries occur annually.
Electrocutions are 4th leading cause of traumatic occupational fatalities.
Over 2000 workers are sent to burn centres each year with severe Arc-Flash burns.
Estimates show that 10 Arc-Flash incidents occur every day in the US.
60% of workplace accident deaths are caused by burn injuries.
Over 1000 electrical workers die each year from workplace accidents.
Medical costs per person can exceed $4 million for severe electrical burns.
Total costs per electrical incident can exceed $15 million.
In the year 2002, work injuries cost Americans $14.6 billion.
Its Your Job To….
Know the hazards of electricity
Know the equipment
Use Safe Work Practices
Inspect your Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) before each use
Don’t work on energized circuits without permission
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It’s your life
Circuit Protection Checklist
Before a system is designed or when unexpected events may occur, circuit designers should
ask themselves the following questions:
What is the normal or average current expected?
What is the maximum continuous (three hours or more) current expected?
What inrush or temporary surge currents can be expected?
Are the overcurrent protective devices able to distinguish between expected inrush and surge
currents and open under sustained overloads and fault conditions?
What kind of environmental extremes are possible? Dust, humidity, temperature extremes
and other factors need to be considered.
What is the maximum available fault current the protective device may have to interrupt?
Is the overcurrent protective device rated for the system voltage?
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Will the overcurrent protective device provide the safest and most reliable protection for the
specific equipment?
Under short-circuit conditions, will the overcurrent protective device minimize the possibility
of a fire or explosion?
Does the overcurrent protective device meet all the applicable safety standards and
installation requirements?
Answers to these questions and other criteria will help to determine the type of overcurrent
protective device to use for optimum safety and reliability.
History of Electrical Safety
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Electrical Safety Organizations
OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Administration
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
UL Underwriters Laboratories
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association
ANSI American National Standards Institute
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
NECA National Electrical Contractors Association
