What are the hazards?
by Admin
Posted on 05-09-2022 09:03 AM
The main hazards of working with electricity are:
electric shock and burns from contact with live parts
injury from exposure to arcing, fire from faulty
electrical
equipment or installations
explosion caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus or static electricity igniting flammable vapours or dusts, for example in a spray paint booth
electric shocks can also lead to other types of injury, for example by causing a fall from ladders or scaffolds etc.
Electrical safety is a general practice of workers who are exposed to handling and maintaining electrically powered equipment. It is a set of guidelines they follow to mitigate electrical hazards and prevent its dangerous effects in case of an incident. Unable to adhere to electrical safety can lead to accidents, near misses, or even fatalities.
We rely on electricity, but sometimes underestimate its capability of causing injury. Even household current (120 volts) can stop your heart. Uw personnel need to be aware of the hazards electricity poses, such as shock, fire and explosion, and either eliminate or control those hazards.
Only qualified workers who have been trained in the avoidance of electrical hazards are permitted to work on or near exposed energized parts. Safety related work practices are employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contact when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits which are or may be energized. The specific safety-related work practices must be consistent with the nature and extent of the associated electrical hazards.
What do I have to do?
Combustible items should be kept away from portable heaters and built-in furnaces. For furnace safety, store combustibles far away from any heating appliances.
Portable heaters should not be operated close to drapes, and to prevent tipping, they should only ever be placed on a stable surface. On a related note, do you know what temperature your water heater is set to? high temperature settings eat into your water heater energy usage and can cause burns and unintentional scalding, especially in homes with small children.
From overloaded extension leads and cheap chargers, through to white goods not fit for the job, issues with electrical items are a common cause of fire. So how can you reduce fire risks and keep yourself and your family safe?.