Electrical safety involves recognizing hazards associated with the use of electrical energy and taking precautions so that hazards do not cause injury or death. Some of the electrical hazards that may prevail in a workplace include: open cables, poor electric earthing, contact with overhead cables, overloaded circuits and electric explosions. These hazards can result into different types of electric injuries and risks to the individuals exposed to them and also to the surrounding environment. These risks include:
- Arc blast: An arc blast occurs when an arc flash causes a sudden blast of pressure, which can cause serious injury or death.
- Electrical fires: Electrical fires can occur due to overheated or damaged equipment, overloaded circuits, or other electrical hazards.
- Arc flash: An arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy that can cause an explosion, producing a high level of heat and light.
- Burns: Burns can occur when an individual comes into contact with an energized object, or when an electrical arc is created during an electrical event.
- Falls: Falls can occur when individuals are working on elevated surfaces or near electrical equipment.
- Explosions: Explosions can occur when electrical equipment is mishandled, overloaded, or damaged.
To control all these hazards and the associated risks, it is important to strictly adhere to the hierarchy of control, which is as described below:
Elimination: This involves completely doing away with the hazard.
Substitution: This involves replacing the activity, machine or equipment that is posing the risks with a non-hazardous or a less hazardous one.
Engineering control: This involves technical and structural modification to the machine or device that is posing the hazards to the workers
Administrative control: This involves following all the legislative requirements that are related to electrical safety, as well as setting and following electrical safety policies and procedures.
PPEs: These are safety gadgets and clothing that are put on by employees during operation to reduce their chances of being exposed to the hazards.
