ELECTRICAL and FIRE SAFETY REFRESHER Electrical Hazards Types

ELECTRICAL and FIRE SAFETY REFRESHER

Electrical Hazards

Types of Injuries Ø Electrocution (fatal) Ø Electric shock Ø Burns Ø Other injuries caused by falls due to shock or muscle contractions

What determines the severity of the injury? Ø Current intensity (amps) Ø Current path through the body Ø Skin condition: wet or dry Ø Duration of exposure

It’s not the voltage that kills you, it’s the amperage. up to 235 A breaker trips 15 A up to 15 A 10 A death likely 1 -4. 3 A 4. 2 A ventricular fibrillation 50 -150 m. A GFCI trips 5 m. A portable welder shop vacuum Makita buffer Makita 5” disc sander

In Case of Emergency Ø Turn off the electrical current Ø CALL 911 Ø Do not touch the victim if still in contact with the “live” circuit! Ø Use only non-conducive materials (broom wood handle, plastic vacuum cleaner tube, PVC pipe) to pry the victim from the circuit Ø Do not move the victim

Precautions Test GFCIs with a tool plugged in and running!

Precautions red label

What contributes to a fire? Ø Items Ø Work practices

Fire Extinguishers Water A Carbon dioxide B, C Dry-chemical, A, B, C Dry powder D

Fire Extinguishers Ø Correct use P A S S Ø In the shop Ø Visible & marked locations Ø Not blocked or obstructed Ø In good condition Ø Suitable for the environment

Collision Shop Fires “Witnesses also reported hearing explosions coming from the fire. ” (National City, CA - 3/23/2014) “A three-alarm fire ripped through an industrial complex around midnight, sending fireballs into the night sky. ” "There's nothing left. Just the sign" “Several cylinders with flammable liquids inside the building exploded. ” (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - 7/19/2014)

Collision Shop Fires Tinton Falls, NJ – A two-alarm fire, that was apparently sparked by a welder, destroyed an auto body garage on Thursday. “The garage was a total loss. ” (11/1/2014) Auto body shop burns in Maryville, IL (1/28/2015)

Precautions Ø Eliminate the fire hazards (items and work practices) Ø Inspect the fire extinguishers Ø Emergency exits: unlocked, accessible, illuminated

Summary Ø Recognize a fire or an electrical hazard when you see it Ø Correct the hazard(s) Ø Report the hazard(s) Ø Know what is expected of you

Questions?