Question

Electrical explosions directly into the face of a person working on or near energized electrical equipment can and will cause serious injury or death. OSHA laws and NFPA 70E have strict safety requirements for working on electrical equipment.

The basic rules are to turn off the power before working on the equipment and to wear the proper type of nonflammable clothing.

To further provide safety for the worker, the National Electrical Code has added a new requirement pertaining to Flash Protection. This requirement is found in 110.16 of the NEC.

Answer 1

Electrical hazards include thermal and shock risks, mitigated by safety regulations such as turning off power, wearing protective clothing, and using systems like fuses and circuit breakers to prevent overloads.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Electrical Hazards and Safety Requirements

When working with or near energized electrical equipment, two main hazards are of concern: thermal hazards and shock hazards. Thermal hazards occur due to excessive electric power leading to unwarranted heat generation, potentially causing fires or melting of materials. This is exemplified by a short circuit or overloaded wires, where electricity is converted into thermal energy at an unsafe rate. Shock hazards, on the other hand, involve the passage of electric current through the body, which can range from painful shocks to fatal ones, such as those causing ventricular fibrillation.

Preventive measures against these hazards according to OSHA laws, NFPA 70E, and the National Electrical Code include turning off power before maintenance, using nonflammable clothing, and adhering to Flash Protection requirements mentioned in NEC 110.16. Systems like fuses and circuit breakers are crucial in managing the threat of overloading, thereby mitigating potential thermal hazards.

Overall, these regulations and devices contribute to the multi-layered safety approach necessary to prevent accidents and ensure safe operations when dealing with electrical systems.