Electricity Electric happens when a person becomes part of an electrical circuit and the current flows through their body. When an electric shock kills someone it is called electrocution. Accidents and deaths can also happen when equipment becomes 'live' due to electrical faults, lack of maintenance, or short circuits. Electrical accidents are usually caused by a combination of factors such as: lack of training or supervision unsafe work practices equipment not properly installed, maintained, tested and tagged a hazardous work environment, electrical hazards may not be recognised Electrocution often occurs when people misjudge heights and distances between the ground and overhead wires when carrying equipment like poles and ladders, or operating equipment with height extension such as cranes. Remember, 'Look Up and Live'. Doing maintenance work on live electrical circuits is another common cause of electrocution. General safety precautions Apprentices, trainees and work experience students must be supervised at all times by a qualified worker Only licensed electrical workers can legally do electrical work. An unqualified person must not be asked to do electrical work Keep powered tools and equipment in safe working order through inspection and preventative maintenance programs Disconnect and report faulty and appliances - for example: frayed cords or broken power points. Even after a piece of electrical equipment, appliance or machine has been disconnected from the power source, it may still partially operate. This is because of stored energy within the equipment. After disconnecting the power source, activate the machine or appliance to release the stored energy.
Electricity Electric happens when a person becomes part of an electrical circuit and the current flows through their body. When an electric shock kills someone it is called electrocution. Accidents and deaths can also happen when equipment becomes 'live' due to electrical faults, lack of maintenance, or short circuits. Electrical accidents are usually caused by a combination of factors such as: lack of training or supervision unsafe work practices equipment not properly installed, maintained, tested and tagged a hazardous work environment, electrical hazards may not be recognised Electrocution often occurs when people misjudge heights and distances between the ground and overhead wires when carrying equipment like poles and ladders, or operating equipment with height extension such as cranes. Remember, 'Look Up and Live'. Doing maintenance work on live electrical circuits is another common cause of electrocution. General safety precautions Apprentices, trainees and work experience students must be supervised at all times by a qualified worker Only licensed electrical workers can legally do electrical work. An unqualified person must not be asked to do electrical work Keep powered tools and equipment in safe working order through inspection and preventative maintenance programs Disconnect and report faulty and appliances - for example: frayed cords or broken power points. Even after a piece of electrical equipment, appliance or machine has been disconnected from the power source, it may still partially operate. This is because of stored energy within the equipment. After disconnecting the power source, activate the machine or appliance to release the stored energy.
Safe@work-General-Module-Booklet-Info-Only.docx