Safety Tips to Avoid Electrocution at Work

Most of us must have seen videos of people around the world who can conduct electricity through their body and survive unscathed. A tenth of an amp is enough to kill an ordinary human being, but these people can survive several amps of electricity without suffering any bodily harm. They don’t shoot lightning bolts or anything like it, but they can power up light bulbs and other household appliances by allowing massive amounts of current to pass through their body.

See this man featured on a magazine show in the Philippines: https://youtu.be/eOPMI7kJCbs

These people are admittedly outliers, as they can do things that normal people, like you and me (I don’t know about you, though), won’t ever dare try. Electrocution causes death and is among the leading causes of fatalities in the workplace. So, for the rest of us who don’t possess the “super-powers” that they have, we try our best to avoid electrocution, be it at home or at work.

Here are some safety steps to avoid electrocution at work, for example in a construction site or a power plant:

• Keep Distance 

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires a worker to stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines with up to a 50,000-volt current. (Even the “super-humans” won’t survive that!) For lines that exceed 50,000 volts, one is required to add a distance of stay of at least 10 feet, plus four additional inches for each additional 10,000 volts of current above 50,000 volts.

• Double Check 

If a worker will be working around electrical circuits or parts, he or she has to ensure that the machinery and power tools are properly grounded and that all power cords are in good condition. If one needs to inspect or repair machinery, he or she has to ensure to pull the plug first.

• Wear the Appropriate PPE 

A worker’s PPE is the last line of defense between him and any hazards he may face. One has to make sure that his or her PPE is approved for the type of work performed and that it is in good condition. Attention! PPE should be comfortable, as uncomfortable equipment can cause distraction and make one vulnerable to an accident.

Many accidents related to electrocution appear to occur because of the workers’ lack of basic electrical knowledge. The safety steps I provided above seem to be common knowledge, if not passé, but these steps are oftentimes overlooked due to their apparent simplicity. Electrocutions can be avoided, and it is not worth finding out if you yourself have the “super-power” by risking injury or, worse, death.

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Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com

Risks of Working in Confined Spaces at Power Plants

Working in confined spaces is often touted to be one of the most risky types of work carried out in power generation contexts. The risks involved in working in enclosed spaces may include exposure to hazardous atmospheres, suffocation, electrocution or burns. Dangerous as it is, the hazards of working in such an environment can be predicted and mitigated, and the impending accidents prevented.

One of the foremost dangers of working in enclosed spaces is exposure to electrical energy. Arc flashes and thermal burns are especially dangerous in such a working condition, as it may be difficult for a worker to avoid unintentional contact or proximity. Flammability is another hazard, as the equipment already inside the space and the devices introduced by the worker into the space can potentially be sources of ignition.

When working in energized enclosed spaces is indispensable, safety procedures, such as de-energizing electrical equipment and controlling access to risky premises, should be strictly followed. In addition, it is essential to train and orient the workers prior to deploying them for work in enclosed areas.

Another danger of working in confined spaces is engulfment. Presence of matters such as coal, sand and dirt, to name a few, poses a considerable risk. For instance, when an auger operates, matters such as the ones mentioned flow out of the bottom of the storage area. Matters at the top may not flow down evenly, forming what is called a temporary bridge out of the matter. When a worker walks over the surface of a bridged matter, he or she can be immediately engulfed.

Pipes through which gases and liquids pass through also present several potential risks. Valves and pipes inside confined spaces are hard to access and infrequently inspected, and leaks could instantaneously create a dangerous situation. Moreover, since materials being transported in pipes, such as steam or refrigerants, are at extreme temperatures, working in close proximity with the pipes can bring a considerable risk.

The stratified gaseous atmosphere in enclosed spaces, such as tanks, also represents danger for workers. Gases have different densities and can rise or sink relative to each other. Depending on the temperature and source of the matter, gaseous hazards may be found anywhere in an enclosed area. In order to mitigate this risk, the air must be evaluated at short intervals in a potentially stratified atmosphere, and workers should only be allowed to venture into the spaces where atmosphere has been tested.  

The foregoing situations are just a few of the potentially dangerous conditions that require a thorough evaluation before engineers and professionals are sent to work in them. Aside from what is evaluated, a keen attention should also be given to the team doing the evaluation. A company has to make sure that the group is thoroughly trained and qualified, and evaluated to perform the processes. Emergency communications should also be well defined and centralized. A phone number or emergency contact detail should be on every document or work order so the information is easily accessible in cases when it is needed.

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PRESS INQUIRIES
Robert Bagatsing
Altaaqa Global
Tel: +971 56 1749505
rbagatsing@altaaqaglobal.com