Electrocution Hazards Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Materials Needed:

Flip chart and markers

Presentation slides

Student handouts

Student copies of planned activities

Copy of the OSHA Construction Standards

Questions for Review & Answers

If activity files are used for hazard recognition, copy PPTinstrHazRecAlt_Elec tr_April2011.pdf and PPTstudentHazRecAlt_E lectr_April2011.pdf

Training

Preparation:

Helpful References/Online Resources listed in this document

OSHA Construction Standards

Appendix A: Test Questions [instructor and student copies]

Appendix B: Activity Options A and B [instructor and student copies]

Appendix C: Fatal Facts Worksheets [instructor and student copies]

Appendix D: Student Handouts

Student

Handouts:

“Construction Focus Four: Electrocution, Safety Tips for Workers” tri-fold brochure format

Focus Four Toolbox Talks 1, 2, and 3 produced by IUOE National Training Fund under OSHA grant number SH- 16591-07-06-F-11

OSHA Quick CardTM “Electrical Safety”

Instruction for this session:

1.Ask the class if they can give an example of an electrical hazard on a construction site that could cause a worker to be electrocuted. Discuss the examples with the class. Be sure that examples of the most common electrical hazards are covered such as, contact with power lines, faulty extension cords, improper grounding of equipment, etc.

2.Discuss the content.

3.Show photos of electrocution hazards and have the class identify the hazards shown.

4.If time permits, conduct one of the following small group activities:

Option A: Wet Conditions / Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Option B: Extension Cords, Copper and Current

5.Conduct the lesson test and discuss answers with the students

Topic 1: What is an electrocution hazard?

A.Definition

B.Examples

C.Statistics

Content for Topic 1:

A. Definition

Electrocution results when a person is exposed to a lethal amount of electrical energy.

An electrical hazard can be defined as a serious workplace hazard that exposes workers to the following:

Burns

Electrocution

Shock

Arc Flash/Arc Blast

Fire

Explosions

NOTES:

Refer to “Condensed Electrical Glossary” section of the Construction Focus Four: Electrocution tri-fold handout [Appendix D]

Preview photos in “Hazard Recognition” PowerPoint presentation. As an alternative, trainers can use their own photos in the hazard recognition presentation. If the presentation is used as provided, the trainer can use the activity files provided to add interactivity by having the students involved in note taking. To conduct the activity, locate and print the PDF files titled: PPTinstrHazRecAlt_Electr_April20 11.pdf and PPTstudentHazRecAlt_Electr_Apri l2011.pdf

Option A and Option B scenarios and student worksheets are found in Appendix B

Locate instructor and student copies of test in Appendix A.

Preview photos in “Hazard Recognition” PowerPoint presentation.

Therefore, BE SAFE by recognizing, avoiding and protecting against all of these electrical hazards. These BE SAFE terms are defined as:

B = Burns:

A burn is the most common shock-related injury. Burns from electricity are one of three types: Electrical, Arc/Flash or Thermal Contact.

E = Electrocution:

Electrocution is fatal; it means to kill with electricity. Electrocution results when a human is exposed to a lethal amount of electrical energy.

S = Shock:

Shock results when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit; current enters the body at one point and leaves at another. Electrical shock is defined as a reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body.

A = Arc Flash/Blast:

An arc flash is the sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors. An arc flash gives off thermal radiation (heat) and bright, intense light that can cause burns. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 35,000 °F. High-voltage arcs can also produce considerable pressure waves by rapidly heating the air and creating a blast.

F = Fire:

Most electrical distribution fires result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords (such as extension and appliance cords), plugs, receptacles, and switches also cause electrical fires.

NOTES:

The types of burns from electricity are further defined as:

Electrical burns result from heat generated by the flow of electric current through the body

Arc/Flash burns are high temperature burns caused by an electric arc or explosion

Thermal contact burns occur when skin comes in contact with overheated electric equipment

An arc flash can be spontaneous or result from inadvertently bridging electrical contacts with a conducting object. Other causes may include dropped tools or the buildup of conductive dust or corrosion.

For more information on arc flash/blast, including best practices in electrical safety, refer to NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® online at: htpp://www.nfpa.org

E = Explosions:

An explosion can occur when electricity ignites an explosive mixture of material in the air.

Note that although a) electricity is the source of these hazards, and b) all of these hazards are of equal importance, for this focus four module, this lesson focuses on electrocution hazards.

B. Examples

The following are examples of electrocutions that have occurred in the construction industry:

Two workers were moving an aluminum ladder. One of them was electrocuted when the ladder came in contact with overhead power lines.

A worker was raising a mast on a water well drilling truck when the mast came in contact with high voltage overhead lines, electrocuting the worker.

Worker [victim] was electrocuted when the boom of a rotary drilling truck contacted an overhead power line. The victim and another worker had just finished drilling a water well at a residential property. The victim moved the truck away from the well. The victim was standing at the controls, lowering the boom and was thrown several feet away from the truck.

Worker was fatally injured when he was electrocuted and fell to the concrete floor while working from an 8' fiberglass step ladder. Worker was changing an energized ballast on a two bulb florescent light fixture, located approximately 11' 6" off the ground.

The worker was electrocuted while connecting a replacement electrical service box to the electrical service drop to the building.

NOTES:

Provide examples of accidents related to the type of work your audience does. Locate accident summaries on OSHA’s website. Go to:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/ac

cidentsearch.html

Within the keyword field, enter a keyword to be searched against. For example, to obtain accident investigations involving electrocutions, enter the key word electrocuted. To view a list of key words, use the keyword list at the bottom of the Accident Investigation Search page.