Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the highest temperature an electric arc can reach?
What is the highest temperature an electric arc can reach?
What is considered the primary cause of electrical fires?
What is considered the primary cause of electrical fires?
How far away can a person suffer burns from an arc flash?
How far away can a person suffer burns from an arc flash?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to arcing intensity?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to arcing intensity?
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What happens to metal during an extreme arc blast?
What happens to metal during an extreme arc blast?
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Which of the following accurately describes a common cause of arcing?
Which of the following accurately describes a common cause of arcing?
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What type of setting is electrical fires most commonly associated with?
What type of setting is electrical fires most commonly associated with?
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Overheating in older buildings is commonly caused by what factor?
Overheating in older buildings is commonly caused by what factor?
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Which of the following human factors contributed to the incident involving the worker and the powerline?
Which of the following human factors contributed to the incident involving the worker and the powerline?
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What was a significant factor leading to the apprentice's fatal injury?
What was a significant factor leading to the apprentice's fatal injury?
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What type of electrical hazard is characterized by electricity entering the body to complete a circuit?
What type of electrical hazard is characterized by electricity entering the body to complete a circuit?
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Which scenario best illustrates 'direct contact' as a cause of electrical shock?
Which scenario best illustrates 'direct contact' as a cause of electrical shock?
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What is a human factor that could have minimized risks during the first incident?
What is a human factor that could have minimized risks during the first incident?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the three main types of electrical hazards?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three main types of electrical hazards?
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In the context of electrical hazards, what does 'step or touch potential' refer to?
In the context of electrical hazards, what does 'step or touch potential' refer to?
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What penalty did the company face for failing to ensure workplace safety regarding the apprentice's incident?
What penalty did the company face for failing to ensure workplace safety regarding the apprentice's incident?
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What is the primary reason electrical accidents are costly?
What is the primary reason electrical accidents are costly?
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What is the injury-to-fatality ratio for electrical incidents compared to other occupational injuries?
What is the injury-to-fatality ratio for electrical incidents compared to other occupational injuries?
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What is the most effective method for controlling electrical hazards?
What is the most effective method for controlling electrical hazards?
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What factor is indicated as the major cause of electrical incidents?
What factor is indicated as the major cause of electrical incidents?
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Which of the following describes over-fusing?
Which of the following describes over-fusing?
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What does inherent safety primarily focus on?
What does inherent safety primarily focus on?
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Which statement is true regarding the financial impact of electricity-related fires in Canada?
Which statement is true regarding the financial impact of electricity-related fires in Canada?
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What should engineers prioritize according to their responsibilities concerning electrical hazards?
What should engineers prioritize according to their responsibilities concerning electrical hazards?
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Which option exemplifies an administrative control for electrical hazards?
Which option exemplifies an administrative control for electrical hazards?
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Which of the following statistics demonstrates the severity of electrical injuries?
Which of the following statistics demonstrates the severity of electrical injuries?
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What is an example of an engineering control related to electrical circuits?
What is an example of an engineering control related to electrical circuits?
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What is an example of a situation that illustrates the potential hazards of electricity?
What is an example of a situation that illustrates the potential hazards of electricity?
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Which principle is applied when substituting a hazardous power source with a less hazardous one?
Which principle is applied when substituting a hazardous power source with a less hazardous one?
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Which of the following is considered personal protective equipment?
Which of the following is considered personal protective equipment?
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What is the primary concern with the misuse of extension cords?
What is the primary concern with the misuse of extension cords?
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Study Notes
Electrical Hazards and Controls
- This module covers the dangers of electricity and control measures.
- Upon completion, learners should be able to identify electrical dangers, describe different electrical hazards (shock, arcing, fires), and explain control hierarchies.
Learning Objectives
- Remember: Identify dangers associated with electricity.
- Understand: Describe electrical shock, arcing, and electrical fires.
- Differentiate: Explain the hierarchy of controls for electrical hazards.
Cost of Electrical Accidents
- Electrical accidents annually cost millions in property damage, injuries, and loss of life.
- In one year, Canada experienced 53,589 electrical fires, 304 deaths, 2,547 injuries, and $1.49 billion in property damage.
- Electricity-related accidents cost Ontario an average of $1.3 million annually.
Electrical Incidents (Examples)
- Incident 1: A worker on a construction site received a fatal shock from an overhead powerline while working on a boom truck. This incident highlights the importance of safety zones, signalers, and preventing contact with powerlines.
- Incident 2: An apprentice electrician was fatally injured while working on an energized electrical panel. Negligence in not de-energizing the panel and not ensuring appropriate PPE were worn led to the incident. Contributing factors were a lack of safety policy, insufficient supervision, and no hazard assessment.
Types of Electrical Hazards
- Electrical Shock: Electricity entering the body, completes a circuit, potentially causing electrocution. Even small currents can be fatal. This can impact muscle strength, memory, and mental health.
- Arcing Incidents: Electrical current flows through an insulating medium (air) causing a visible and audible spark. This can create intense heat and serious damage.
- Electrical Fires: Fires often result from misused equipment or poor maintenance, particularly in homes. Arcing & overheating are typical culprits and can contribute to fatalities. These can be sudden or from gradual issues over time.
Electrical Shock (Direct Contact)
- Direct contact with exposed energized conductors is a common cause of electrical shock.
- Dangers exist at any voltage level.
Electrical Shock (Step and Touch Potential)
- Step potential: Voltage difference between a person's feet when near a grounded conductor.
- Touch potential: Voltage difference between an energized object and a person touching it.
Electrical Shock (Reverse Polarity)
- Reversed polarity occurs when the wires in a receptacle are connected incorrectly.
- Even simple household appliances can pose a significant shock hazard if not wired correctly.
Electrical Fires (Causes)
- Arcing: Improper or damaged wiring terminations & conductors lead to sustained heat resulting in fires.
- Overheating due to wiring alterations: Changes & additions to electrical systems (especially older ones) can overwhelm the circuit, causing overheating and increasing the risk of fires.
- Over-fusing: Using higher-capacity fuses than the circuit is rated for allows too much current to flow, overheating conductors.
- Overheating of Extension Cords: Inappropriate use of extension cords (e.g., daisy-chaining, improper routing) can overload the cords and cause dangerous overheating that can lead to fires.
Hierarchy of Controls
- Elimination: Remove the hazard altogether.
- Inherent Safety: Design safeguards into the product reducing risk factors.
- Engineering Controls: Systems added to the process to prevent or mitigate a loss of containment; (like properly insulated tools).
- Administrative Controls: Rules and procedures for how workers act around hazards.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment worn to protect workers from hazards.
Summary
- Understanding electrical hazards, their causes, and preventive measures is crucial.
- The Hierarchy of Controls provides a systematic approach.
- Employee and public safety is the primary concern, even with low voltage appliances.
- The principles within this module offer practical insight on working safely with electricity.
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Description
This quiz explores the dangers associated with electricity and the measures to control these risks. Participants will learn to identify different electrical hazards, understand the implications of electrical accidents, and describe the hierarchy of control measures. Gain critical knowledge to promote safety in environments where electrical work is conducted.
