What Are The Leading
Causes of Electrical Accidents?
| Unsafe Acts |
 |
There are 2 reasons for unsafe acts:
- We know better but intentionally do
something unsafe.
We don't know better.
|
Avoid
the following unsafe acts:
- Failure
to de-energize, lockout & tagout hazards during maintenance, repair or inspections.
- Use
of defective and unsafe tools.
- Use
of tools or equipment too close to energized parts.
- Not
draining off stored energy in capacitors.
- Using
3-wire cord with a 2-wire plug.
- Removing
the third prong (ground pin) to make a 3-prong plug fit a 2-prong outlet.
- Overloading
outlets with too many appliances.
- Using
the attached electrical cord to raise or lower equipment.
- Not
verifying power is off when making repair (drilling into a 110 Volt a.c. line can kill).
- Working
in an elevated position near overhead lines.
| Unsafe Equipment |
 |
Some common causes of unsafe equipment:
- Loose
connections
- Faulty
insulation
- Improper
grounding (removal of 3rd prong)
- Use
of "homemade" extension cords
- Defective
parts
- Unguarded
live parts--for example:
- Bare
conductors or exposed terminals
- Metal
parts of equipment may become energeized when connected by cord or plug. Capacitance
may cause up to 55% of line voltage to be stored on the casing of metal tools.
|
| Hazardous Environments |
 |
Use special precautions when working in potentially hazardous environments and
situations. Even an accidental static discharge can cause a fire or explosion in areas
where the following are present:
- Flammable
vapors, liquids and gasses
- Combustible
dusts
- Corrosive
atmospheres
- Explosive
environments
- Poor
housekeeping: blocked electrical boxes, flammable materials stored in equipment
rooms, lack of proper hazard signs, excess clutter.
|
Special
care is also need in wet or damp locations - water and electricity are a bad combination.
If the wire is frayed or damaged, a fatal electrical shock can result.
| This example of an outlet in a puddle with its cord in a traffic area is an
example of a potentially dangerous situation. |
 |
Check out OSU EHS's online Information
Library for additional information.
Why Worry About Electricity?
Common Causes of Accidents
How You Can Protect Yourself
Electrical Emergencies
Codes and Regulations
