Electrical Safety Update

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Electrical Safety Update

• Bill Walke
• Autoliv ASP, Inc.
• March 17, 2003

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Electrical Safety Concerns

• Safety Audit Observations
• Licensed Electricians Assumptions
• Code Interpretations
• Code Revisions

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Observations

• Ineffective Improper Equipment Grounds
• Exposed Wires
• Unapproved Supports
• Missing Knockout Plugs on Electrical Boxes

4
Licensed Electrician Assumptions

• Licensing Ensures knowledge in Safety
• Understands the Hazards and therefore Works
  Safely
• Almost never take Short Cuts

5
Code Interpretations

• Electrical Professionals (Engineers,
  Electricians, etc.) often disagree on
  what is meant by the NEC
• Difficult Time Consuming to get Official
  Interpretations
• Are agreed Interpretations Defendable

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Code Revisions

• Understand the Changes
• How will this effect Current Future
  operations
• What Agencies will Adopt and Enforce
• When will the Revisions become Effective

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Electrical Safety Changes

• Addition of Electrical Consultant to Health
  Safety Staff
• Program Revisions Improvements
• Procedures, Audits Training
• Formation of company wide Electrical Safety
  Committee

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Floating Extension Cord
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220 V Electrocution - Home Furnace Switch Was
Turned Off, Not Verified
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High Voltage, 3rd Degree Burns Nonfatal, Involved
Arm Only
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Electrical Safety
The principal danger from electricity is that of
shock, electrocution, and/or sever burns from the
electrical arc or its effects, which can be
similar to an explosion.
It should be noted that the small current drawn
by a 7.5-watt, 120-volt lamp, if passed from hand
to hand or hand to foot, could be fatal.
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NEC Code
13
This support means applies to connections to cord
caps plugged into receptacles busway