Objective:
To familiarize employees with the hazards of working around electricity.
Background:
High voltage, current, grounding and resistance are basic electrical terms. Electricity and proper
grounding work together for safety.
Voltage is the force that causes the current to flow.
Current (amperage) is the amount of electricity that is flowing.
Resistance is the restriction that slows down or stops the flow of current.
The greater the resistance the less the amount of electrical flow.
A ground is a connection between an electrical circuit and the earth.
Electricity always seeks a ground.
Electrical shock occurs when a part of the body completes a circuit between conductors or a grounding
source. Death or injury is caused by the amount of current and increases with voltage. Avoid contact
with electrical equipment, especially in damp or wet areas.
The effect of electrical shock depends on the amount of current flow and the path of the current through
the victim's body. Some people have survived shocks of several thousand volts, while others have been
killed by voltages as low as 12. To prevent electrical shock, which can cause several types of injuries,
make sure that your body cannot become part of the electrical flow and a path for the current.
An important part of electrical safety is knowing how to help an electrical shock victim. Often, particularly
in cases of low-voltage shock, victims are unable to pull away from the current source. Stop the flow of
electricity in the victim's body. This can be done by disconnecting or de-energizing the circuit. Do Not
attempt to remove the victim from the source of the current. Call for help immediately.
AGRICULTURAL SAFETY TOPICS
ELECTRICAL ShOCk
wsps.ca
