Electrical Safety Basic Training for Non-Electricians | Schneider Electric

Summary

This video script emphasizes the importance of electrical safety on job sites, highlighting the potential dangers of electricity and the necessary precautions to mitigate risks. It covers hazard identification, proper training, GFCI use, lockout/tagout procedures, equipment inspection, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The script also addresses the need for emergency response planning and the importance of recognizing and rectifying electrical hazards to ensure a safe working environment.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Always perform a hazard assessment to identify potential electrical hazards on the job-site.
• ⚠️ Do not disregard other hazards; they require the same focus and respect as electrical hazards.
• 👷‍♂️ Ensure only qualified personnel operate or repair electrical equipment to avoid risks like electric shock or arc flash.
• 🚫 Never attempt to perform work without proper training and experience in handling electricity.
• 🔌 Use Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) when working in wet or moist locations to reduce the risk of electric shock.
• 💡 Check GFCI units regularly by bump testing to ensure they are functioning correctly.
• 💡 Ensure adequate lighting in the work area to prevent accidents caused by poor visibility.
• 🔒 Deenergize electrical equipment when working around it using a lockout/tagout system to eliminate shock risk.
• 🔍 Regularly inspect electrical cords and tools for damage to prevent personal injury and ensure they are in good working order.
• 🧯 Know the locations of fire extinguishers suitable for electrical fires and be aware of site-specific permitting controls.
• ⚠️ Be vigilant about overhead and ground hazards, such as power lines and high voltage sources, and always call before digging.
• 👀 Recognize and report abnormal equipment conditions like open panels, exposed wiring, or sparks as they may indicate dangerous situations.
• 👔 Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including fire-resistant clothing and electric shock-resistant footwear.
• 🛡️ Understand and follow the CSA Z462 standard for electrical workers to identify hazards and use the necessary specialized PPE.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the electrical awareness video?

The primary focus of the video is on identifying hazards around electricity on the job-site and ensuring that workers properly identify and mitigate these hazards to work safely around electricity.

Why is it important to perform a hazard assessment for tasks other than working with electricity?

It is important to perform a hazard assessment for all tasks because every job has its own set of hazards that require attention and respect to prevent accidents and ensure safety on the job-site.

What are the potential consequences of ignoring electrical hazards?

Ignoring electrical hazards can lead to devastating effects such as electric shock, arc flash, severe internal and external burns, and even death.

Who should be involved in the operation or repairs of electrical equipment?

Only qualified personnel with the proper training and experience should be involved in the operation or repairs of electrical equipment.

What is an electric shock and how can it affect a worker?

Electric shock occurs when a worker approaches or contacts exposed energized electrical equipment. The effects can range from a tingling sensation to involuntary muscle contraction, respiratory paralysis, ventricular fibrillation, and severe burns, potentially leading to death.

What is an arc flash and what dangers does it pose?

An arc flash is a dangerous event that results from two electrical components sustaining an arcing fault, followed by a blast wave containing molten metal, shrapnel, and toxic gases. It poses a significant risk to workers in the vicinity.

Why is it necessary to seek medical attention after any exposure to electrical shock or flash?

Medical attention is necessary because the effects of electrical shock or flash can be severe and may not be immediately apparent, requiring professional assessment and treatment.

What is a GFCI and why is it important in electrical safety?

A GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a device that monitors the balance of electricity flow and can detect minor imbalances, tripping to reduce the risk of electric shock. It is important for electrical safety, especially in wet, moist, or exterior locations.

What is the recommended practice when working directly around electrical equipment?

The recommended practice is to deenergize the equipment, which removes the potential for electrical shock by removing power. This can be achieved through the proper use of a lockout/tagout system.

What should be done before using any electrical cords or tools?

Before using any electrical cords or tools, they should be inspected individually to ensure they are in good working order. Faulty equipment can lead to personal injury and pose a risk to everyone on the job-site.

Why is it important to know the locations of fire extinguishers on the job-site?

Knowing the locations of fire extinguishers is important because they are a crucial safety measure in case of electrical fires. Fire extinguishers rated safe for electrical fires, such as dry chemical type ABC, should be readily accessible.

What is the significance of recognizing equipment in an abnormal condition?

Recognizing equipment in an abnormal condition, such as an open electrical panel, exposed wiring, sparks, smoke, or fire, is significant because it indicates a potentially dangerous situation that requires immediate attention and caution.

What are some common PPE requirements for job-sites?

Common PPE requirements include cotton or fire-resistant pants, shirts with minimum 6-inch to full-length sleeves, electric shock-resistant or static-dissipative footwear, Type one and two class E and G protective headwear, high vis clothing, safety glasses, and work gloves.

What is the CSA standard Z462 and why is it important for electrical workers?

The CSA standard Z462 is a set of guidelines that competent workers need to be trained on to help identify hazards associated with electrical sources, understand what controls can be best used, and be aware of the additional specialized PPE required, such as arc flash clothing and arc flash face shields.

What should you do if a co-worker is being shocked and you cannot deactivate the power source?

If you cannot deactivate the power source, you should never come in direct contact with the worker as you may become entrapped in the shock cycle. Instead, activate your emergency response plan to handle the situation safely.