Title: Reading Assignment
Course: WGF 107 DEVELOPMENT > Section: Content

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Sub-Title | Electrical Incidents – Main Types & Consequences
Content
Electricity has become essential to modern life. Perhaps because it is such a familiar part of our surroundings, it often is not treated with the respect it deserves.

Safety and health programs must address electrical incidents and the variety of ways electricity becomes a hazard. In general, OSHA requires [29 CFR 1926.416(a)(1)] that employees not work near any part of an electrical power circuit unless protected. The following hazards are the most frequent cause of electrical injuries:
 | Contact with Power Lines
 | Lack of Ground-Fault Protection
 | Path to Ground Missing or Discontinuous
 | Equipment Not Used in Manner Prescribed
 | Improper Use of Extension and Flexible Cords
PowerPoint | Electrical Safety – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy09/sh-19504-09/electrical_safety.pptx
Content
Electricity travels in closed circuits, normally through a conductor. Shock results when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit; current enters the body at one point and leaves at another.

Typically, shock occurs when a person contacts:

Both wires of an energized circuit. | One wire of an energized circuit and the ground. | A metallic part in contact with an energized wire while the person is also in contact with the ground.

Metallic parts of electric tools and machines can become energized if there is a break in the insulation of their wiring. A low-resistance wire between the metallic case of the tool/machine and the ground – an equipment grounding conductor – provides a path for the unwanted current to pass directly to the ground. This greatly reduces the amount of current passing through the body of the person in contact with the tool or machine. Properly installed, the grounding conductor provides protection from electric shock.
Links/Uploads
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Electrical Incidents https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/mainpage.html

Falls https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/falls/mainpage.html

Struck-by Objects https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/struckby/mainpage.html

Trenching https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/trenching/mainpage.html

Scope https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/scope.html

Safety and Health Program https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/shprogram.html

How Electricity Works – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/elecworks.html

How Shock Occur – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/howshocksoccur.html

How Electricity Effects The Human Body – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/eleccurrent.html

Burns and Other Injuries – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/burns.html
Attributions | Images and Content courtesy of OSHA – U.S Department of Labor