Risks And Electrical Safety Measures In The Workplace

Safety and health in the workplace need a greater focus on the electrical safety. Recognizing electrical hazards are an important part of safety as well as health in any workplace. There are several hazards associated with electrical dangers. Each hazard deserves thorough as well as adequate training.

What are the risks from electricity?
Electricity causes more than 1000 accidents every year involving electric shocks or burns are reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Shocks from several faulty equipment can cause severe, permanent injury and can also result in indirect injuries, due to falls from scaffolds, ladders, or other work platforms. Faulty electrical appliances can also result in serious fires causing injuries and loss of life. They can also cause damage to plant, equipment, and property.

Harm can be caused to any individual when they are exposed to the live parts which are either touched directly or else indirectly by means of certain conducting objects. Voltages over 120 volts DC or 50 volts AC is considered dangerous one.

The main hazards associated with electrical safety are the electrical shock, electrocution, electrical burns and falls. Let’s take a more detailed look at each.

Electrical Shock
An electric shock is received when current flows throughout the body. The severity of the shock mainly depends on the path that the current traveled. If the current traveled through arms or legs, the damage would be less severe than if it had traveled through major organs such as the heart, lungs or kidneys. The other factor that determines severity is the amount of current that passed throughout the whole body. Currents 1–6 milliamps, for example, would range from a faint tingle to a painful shock. Currents 6–25 milliamps can lead to loss of muscle control. The last factor that determines the severity of electrical shock is the length of time the body is in the circuit.

Electrocution
Electrocution is the stopping of life determined by the stopping of the heart. Electrocution is another leading cause of death in the workplace. This is why it is so important to teach electrical safety to young electrician contractors as well as the general work population.

Electrical Burns
Such burns usually occur when an individual touches electrical wiring or any equipment that is not properly used or else maintained. It is the most common nonfatal shock related injury that typically occur on the hands. These type of electrical burns can be very quite serious and need a medical attention, 24-hour emergency electrician in Melbourne immediately.
There are three types of electrical burns. The first is electrical, and it occurs when someone touches a live wire. The second is an arc burn that mainly occurs when current travels through the air. The third type of electrical burn is a contact burn. This happens when copper or aluminum components melt.

Falls
Both indirect, as well as secondary injuries, such as falls, can be caused by electrical shock. Workers in elevated work areas that may experience a shock can fall, resulting in serious injury or death. Individuals who work on or around power lines need special training, personal safety devices in order to work safely and must take Some precautions for electrical safety and health in the workplace.

Therefore both safety as well as health in the workplace is about keeping everyone safe from all injuries, including electrical injuries.