pshsa not for distribution electrical

© PSHSA - Not for Distribution

Your Health. Your Safety. Our Commitment.

Electrical Participant Workbook


The information presented here is, to the best of our knowledge, current at time of printing and is intended for general application. This publication is not a definitive guide to government regulations or to practices and procedures wholly applicable under every circumstance. The appropriate regulations and statutes should be consulted. Although the Public Services and Health Association (PSHSA) cannot guarantee the accuracy of, nor assume liability for, the information presented here, we are pleased to answer individual requests for counselling and advice.

All material copyright 2016 Public Services Health & Safety Association. You may make no claim to copyright in any materials incorporating or derived from these materials.

All other rights reserved.

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Electrical Copyright © 2016Product Code: PELPWAEN0116


Electrical Participant Manual

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Document Name: Participant Manual V1.3 JHSC Cert Part 2 Electrical PSHSA

Product Code: PELPWAEN0116

Version Date: 08.06.2017



Terms of Use

© Public Services Health and Safety Association ii



Table of Contents

© Public Services Health and Safety Association iii

Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... i

Welcome ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Section 1: Introduction to the Hazard ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

Defining the Hazard ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4

How the Hazard Can Cause Injury or Illness ............................................................................................................................ 7

Legislation, Regulations, Standards, Codes and Guidelines ............................................................................................ 10

Occupational Health and Safety Act ........................................................................................................................................ 11

Codes Standards and Guidelines .............................................................................................................................................. 12

Section 2: Recognizing, Assessing, Controlling and Evaluating the Controls ............................................................................ 15

Summary ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30

Appendix A: Understanding How to Apply the Hazard Management Tool to this Hazard .................................................. 31

Hazard Management Tool Examples: ...................................................................................................................................... 32

Health and Community Care, Education and Government and Municipalities: Custodian Changing Light Bulb ............................................................................................................................................................................ 32

Police: Arriving on Scene of a Vehicle involved in a Collision with a Hydro Pole...................................... 36

Fire: Arriving on Scene of Storm Damage Involving Fallen Trees ................................................................... 40

EMS: Responding to a Situation in which a Piece of Heavy Equipment has Come into Contact with a Hydro Line and the Ground .......................................................................................................................................... 44

Appendix B: Sample JHSC Electrical Hazards Inspection Checklist ............................................................................................... 49

Appendix C: Hazard Management Tool ................................................................................................................................................... 53

References .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 61

Glossary ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62



Table of Contents

© Public Services Health and Safety Association iv



Introduction i © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Introduction The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires one worker member and one management member of a joint health and safety committee (JHSC) be certified. Certification training is comprised of two parts: JHSC Certification Part 1 and JHSC Certification Part 2. Both parts must be completed in order to obtain certification status.

Icons Used in this Training In the book you will see the following icons. The table below explains what these icons mean and how they are used.

Icon What it Means Icon What it Means

New Section

Documents to Complete and Return to Facilitator

Group Exercise

Individual Reflection – Taking it Back to Work Exercise

Knowledge/Skill Assessment

Important Information for you to Remember

OHSA Reference and/or Regulations

Real Life Story, or a Preventable Accident

Joint Health and Safety Committee Training Program Standards Reference

Website Reference



Introduction ii © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Sector Specific Icons Used in this Training In the book you will see the following icons. The table on this page explains what these icons mean. These icons will be used to reference sector specific information throughout the hazard modules.

Icon What it Means

Health and Community Care Specific Information

Government and Municipalities Specific Information

Education Specific Information

Emergency Services – POLICE Specific Information

Emergency Services – FIRE Specific Information

Emergency Services – Paramedic (EMS) Specific Information

If there is no specific sector icon next to text, the content is generic and applies to all sectors. Icons are used when additional sector specific information is provided.



Welcome 1 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Welcome This workbook has been developed to provide information about electrical hazards. This book is yours to keep as reference after this course. Electrical has been identified by the Ministry of Labour as one of the top hazards in your sector.

This training is designed to provide you specific information about this hazard in your workplace. If you are taking this as part of your Certification Training to be a certified member of a Joint Health and Safety Committee, this training will be valid for a period of 3 years. After this time, you will need to take a refresher training course to maintain your certified member status.

If you are taking this training as an awareness course and want to learning more about being a certified member please talk to your facilitator, they would be happy to provide you information about Certification Training and being a certified member of a Joint Health and Safety Committee. A certified member has specific responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and plays a vital role in workplace health and safety.

Goal The goal of this module is to apply recognition, assessment, control and evaluation principles to electrical hazards.

Learning Objectives By the end of this module, you will be able to:

Describe the hazard and how it may cause injury or illness Identify the relevant legislation, standards and guidelines for the hazard Describe ways of recognizing and assessing the hazard Describe ways of controlling the hazard Describe ways of evaluating hazard controls



Welcome 2 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Exercise: Identifying the Hazard

Using the pictures below, list the potential hazards you see. To help you identify these, use the PEMEP model you learned about in Certification Part 1 to help you look for contributing factors. Remember the PEMEP model has you look at 5 factors:

People –the actions of people and the things they do, or do not do

Equipment – the tools, machines and equipment that people work with or near

Materials – how material are handled including raw materials and hazardous substances

Environment – any part of the workplace where people work including the condition of surfaces on which people walk, where things are placed, hazards caused by physical agents, housekeeping, maintenance and storage

Process – involves the flow of work and is a combination of the other factors that could contribute to the hazard.

Refer to Appendix B - Sample JHSC Electrical Hazards Inspection Checklist

People _______________

_____________________

Equipment ____________

_____________________

Materials _____________

_____________________

Environment __________

_____________________

Process ______________

_____________________



Section 1: Introduction to the Hazard 3 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Section 1: Introduction to the Hazard The goal of this section is to ensure you will be able to introduce, define and describe the hazard.

Objectives By the end of this section you will be able to:

Describe the hazard and how it may cause injury or illness. Identify the relevant legislation, standards and guidelines for the hazard.




Introduction Describe the hazard and how it may cause injury or illness. (8.2.2.a)

Electricity is one of the most commonly encountered hazards in many workplaces. Too often, we forget that electricity is a powerful energy source that must be treated with care and respect. All electrical equipment has a limited life span and faults may occur at any time. Because the human body is 70% water, it is a very good conductor of electricity. Every year, over two hundred people in Ontario receive injuries from contact with electricity. These incidents are preventable.

Defining the Hazard Some of the key terms related to Electrical Hazards are:

Electricity

Electricity is a force that is essential to life and can be either a natural or man-made energy force. The energy force is associated with the presence and flow of an electrical charge.

Examples include:

Lightning Static charge or Flow of electrons in a circuit

Voltage

Voltage (V) is defined as the difference in electrical potential between two points in a circuit. It is the force that causes the flow of electricity, and it is measured in volts. Voltage can be compared to water pressure.

High Voltage: Any voltage exceeding 750V

Low Voltage Any voltage exceeding 30V but not exceeding 750V

Extra Low Voltage Any voltage not exceeding 30V

Current

Current is defined as the flow of electrical charge. It can be compared to the rate of the flow of water in a pipe. Current is measured in amperes or amps.




Resistance

Resistance is the effect of friction on the flow of water in a pipe. Very high resistant materials are called insulators and low resistant materials are called conductors. Resistance is measured in ohms.

Grounding

Grounding is the process of mechanically connecting isolated wires and equipment to the earth, with sufficient capacity to carry any current and to ensure the wires and equipment remain in the same potential (same as voltage) as the earth (ground).

Conductors

Conductors are materials that are capable of carrying or conducting electricity in large amounts. Examples of conductors include: aluminum and copper.

Semi-Conductors

Semi-conductors are materials that can carry or conduct electricity depending on the conditions such as moisture content and contaminants. Examples of semi-conductors include: wood, rubber tires and earth.

Insulators

Insulators are materials that normally do not conduct electricity. Examples of insulators include: vinyl, rubber, glass, plastic, and air.




Electrical hazards are safety hazards




How the Hazard Can Cause Injury or Illness Electricity will always seek the path of least resistance to the ground. When a worker becomes that pathway, the electricity will pass through the worker causing various injuries or illness.

Electrical hazards exist in all sectors. Illness and injury can result from actions as simple as using defective equipment, improper work procedures, or to more complicated work such as near and around power lines.

Factors affecting health risk:

Amount of current Path of current through the

body o Heart or head:

serious Duration of contact

Definitions

Injury: Damage, harm, or loss, to a person particularly as the result of external force.

Illness: A disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind.

Electrical hazards may cause:

Burns

Burns may occur at the points of entry and exit. They may also cause internal burns where the electricity arcs across a joint. Tissue damage to blood vessels, muscle and bone may occur.

Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms happen when a naturally occurring electrical signal causes muscles to contract. Electricity can interfere with this process causing muscle spasms. The spasms may cause an inability to release the energized item being grasped. The spasms may also cause the individual to be knocked down, or thrown, resulting in further injury. The heart because it is a muscle may fibrillate and cause death.




Electrical Fires and Explosions

Injuries may also occur as a result of electrical fires or explosions.

Arc Flash

An arc flash is a type of electrical discharge that occurs between two points. Temperatures in the arc can exceed 20 000 degrees Celsius (C) and can result in: Intense ultraviolet radiation Eye injury, even at a distance Irritation, pain, sensitivity to light, tearing, and decreased visual acuity 6-

12 hours after the exposure. Usually gets better after 24 to 48 hours Repeated or severe exposure – permanent damage

The graph above shows you the effects of electricity on a 70 kg. person. Smaller individuals have less tolerance. The alternating current is at 60 Hz. Direct current has less of an effect. 100 mA for 3 seconds can stop the heart.

1.19

16

30

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Feel Painful Clamp On StopBreathing

Stop Heart

Effects of Current on the Body –Measured in mA




Exercise: Electrical Hazards in My Workplace

1. In your table group, or assigned group identify a workplace specific example of this hazard that you would like to work with today

2. Discuss how people are exposed to this hazard in your workplace, what jobs or tasks are they doing

3. Talk about ways in which you think that people could become injured or sick because of this hazard

You will be using this information throughout this course, so please make your notes below:

1. What is the workplace example of this hazard that your group identified?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

2. How are people exposed to this hazard in your workplace? What jobs or tasks are they doing? ____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

3. How could people become sick or injured by this hazard in the workplace? _

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________




A Real Life Story

A worker who was working alone and received a fatal electrical shock. The worker was working alone on a machine from an elevated forklift platform. There was no operator at the controls of the forklift as required, and the machine the worker was working on was not powered off. A plug and thermocouple had been removed from the machine and the plug had been disassembled. With the plug's parts removed, the prongs of the plug were exposed. The thermocouple would have been measuring the air temperature when removed, and the air temperature would have been below the set point. This triggered the machine's control panel to send power to the plug in order to heat the machine back to the set-point temperature. The worker was found unresponsive on the elevated platform with the exposed and burnt prongs of the plug in hand. The cause of death was electrocution. The worker had been provided generic lock-out training but had not been trained on how to specifically lock out the machine being worked on.

As per MOL Court Bullitins

Legislation, Regulations, Standards, Codes and Guidelines

Identify the relevant legislation, standards and guidelines for the hazard. (8.2.2.b)

There are various legislation, regulations, standards, codes and guidelines that support occupational health and safety legislation in Ontario:

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is general information that applies to all workplaces.

Regulations are guiding laws specific to the work/workplace and hazards that outline how to apply the Act.

Standards give specific technical information and are often developed by industry professionals.

Codes help outline and support regulations and are developed by experts. For example, the Ontario Building Code.

Guidelines are detailed rules or policies by experts and/or government, but are not enforceable on their own. If adopted into a specific piece of legislation, they will become part of the law and enforceable.

The following legislation, regulation, standards and guidelines apply specifically to this hazard and are included here for your reference:




Occupational Health and Safety Act

Ontario Regulations 213/91 for Construction Projects

Sections 181 to 195

These sections refer to requirements surrounding electrical hazards on construction projects. For example, specifies competencies, authorities, written measures and procedures, tools and personal protective equipment etc.

Ontario Regulations 851 for Industrial Establishments

Sections 40 to 44, and 60

These sections refer to requirements surrounding electrical hazards within industrial establishments. For example electrical equipment, lockout/tag out requirements, grounding and minimum distance of work from live power lines etc.

Ontario Regulations 854 for Mines and Mining Plants

Sections 129, 155 to 180, 195, and 247

These sections refer to requirements surrounding electrical hazards within a mine and mining plants. For example, proper equipment, work practice, live equipment, lockout/tag out, tools, energy distribution, grounding, power cranes, and competencies etc.

Ontario Regulations 67/83 for Health Care and Residential Facilities

Sections 62 to 73

These sections refer to requirements surrounding electrical hazards within health care and residential facilities. For example, electrical equipment, lockout/tag out, grounding, competencies etc.




Codes Standards and Guidelines

Canada Labour Code (Federally Regulated) The Canada Labour Code (Part II) requires that equipment used for generating and distributing electrical energies comply with prescribed standards.

Electrical Safety Authority The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) administers and enforces the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, licenses electrical contractors and master electricians, trains inspectors and conducts safety inspections and investigates safety inspections.

Canadian Electrical Code – Part I The Canadian Electrical Code specifies how electrical work must be done including installation, repair, and replacement work. It is updated every three years to address emerging technologies and improvements in safety practices.

Ontario Fire Service Guidelines (Section 21, Note # 6-20 and 6-34)

The Ontario Fire Service Guidelines addresses electrical hazards in rescue and fire situations.

Electrical Safety Handbook for Emergency Responders A handbook for emergency responders and municipal workers that covers various firefighting techniques for electrical hazards including substations, transformers, motor vehicle incidents, illegal marijuana grow operations, wind turbines and solar panels.

CSA/ANSI Standards The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provide best practice guidelines for the electrical industry.




Company Policies Company policies are specific rules and procedures laid down by an organization for the protection of workers.

Exercise: Legislation that Applies to Electrical

In your table groups, discuss the legislation that you have just learned about:

Did you learn anything new?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

How can this information be applied to your workplace?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



Section 2: Recognizing, Assessing, Controlling and Evaluating the Controls 15 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Section 2: Recognizing, Assessing, Controlling and Evaluating the Controls

The goal of this section is to apply recognition, assessment, control and evaluation principles to the hazard.

Objectives By the end of this section you will be able to:

Describe how to recognize and assess the hazard. Describe ways of controlling the hazard. Describe ways of evaluating the hazard control(s).




Recognizing, Assessing, Controlling and Evaluating the Controls

Describe how to recognize and assess the hazard. (8.2.2.c)

Recognizing Electrical Hazards Recognizing electrical hazards in and around the workplace is crucial towards preventing injuries/emergencies related to electricity.

The use of the PEMEP model is helpful in recognizing these hazards.




People

Untrained or unqualified In a hurry No personal protective

equipment (PPE) Wet Think the electrical power is

off

Equipment and Materials

Frayed electrical cords Extension cords become

permanent Overloaded circuits Cords running under carpets

and equipment Broken ground prong (third

prong) Outlets with loose fitting

plugs No ground fault circuit

interrupters Wrong equipment for the job

Equipment with no Canadian Safety Association (CSA), Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) approval

Equipment not maintained Wet or damp locations Conductive ladders and

scaffolds Visibility in heavy equipment Wiring problems

o Flickering lights o Buzzing sounds o Smell of burning plastic o Fuses blowing frequently

Environment

High voltage Improper installation Work near overhead power

lines Electrical wires not visible

(buried, dark, blind spot) Downed wire Wet or damp locations Poor lighting High winds High voltage Wet or damp locations

Process

Lockout/Tag out High voltage Close to wires Wet or damp locations Wires not visible




Video Scenario: Electricity the Invisible Killer Use the space below to take notes during the video. Why is the first responder injured?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Minimum Distance from Power Line (Reg.213/91) 750 to 150,000 Volts – 3 m (10 ft)

150,001 to 250,000 – 4.5 m (15 ft)

Over 250,000 – 6 (20 ft)

Video Scenario 2 Use the space below to take notes during the video.

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Contact with Power Line Step potential in ground may form

Stay put

If must move:

Jump with a two foot landing

Shuffle away, small steps, drag feet




Video Scenario 3 Use the space below to take notes during the video.

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

What are the hidden hazards that first responders should be aware of:

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Assessing Electrical Hazards

Assessing electrical hazards in and around the workplace requires the review of severity and likelihood of the hazard occurring.




Risk Assessment

Probability/Likelihood of Injury

Estimate how likely the hazard is to cause injury, illness, or damage to property. Consider:

Nature of exposure Time spent exposed Number of workers exposed How often workers are exposed Historical data

Probability Rating Definitions:




Severity

Estimate how serious the injury or illness could be using a scale of major, moderate or minor.

Severity Rating Definitions:

Exercise: Custodial Worker

As part of the job, a custodial worker replaces burned out lights throughout the facility. It takes roughly one hour per week. The task is performed with a metal step ladder. How would you rate the risk if the ladder is:

a) On dry floor? Circle your answer below:

b) In a wet environment? Circle your answer below




Exercise: Recognizing and Assessing Electrical Hazards at Work

In your table groups, discuss the workplace hazard you identified in this module:

1. What methods could be used to recognize this hazard in your workplace?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

2. What are contributing factors to this hazard?

People ___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Equipment________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Materials _________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Environment ______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Process __________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

3. What is the likelihood that the hazard will cause an injury or illness in your workplace and how severe would the injury or illness be?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________




Controlling Electrical Hazards Describe ways of controlling the hazard.(8.2.2.d)

Develop/Implement Controls

The most effective type of control is elimination of the hazard; however, that is not always possible. The last type of control to consider is personal protective equipment (PPE), which has been proven to be the least effective method when used on its own.




Types of Controls Below is a diagram illustrating the hierarchy of controls:

Location of controls: At the Source –eliminate or reduce the hazard to an acceptable level Along the Path –training and barrier between the worker and the hazard At the Worker –Personal protective equipment

The diagram on the next page illustrates the hierarchy of controls and location of controls.




Hierarchy of Controls and Location of Controls




Applying Hierarchy of Controls to Electrical Hazards Here are some examples of how the hierarchy of controls can be applied to this hazard:

Eliminate the exposure: Stay indoors during an

electrical storm Discard or destroy faulty tool

Replace faulty Equipment Fiberglass versus metal ladder

Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) Low voltage Lock out/Tag out (LOTO)

Training LOTO Program

Flash arc gear Non-conductive PPE




Police, Fire and EMS: Applying Hierarchy of Controls to Electrical Hazards Here are some examples of how the hierarchy of controls can be applied to this hazard:

Eliminate the exposure: Stay indoors

during an electrical storm Discard or destroy faulty tool

Replace faulty Equipment Fiberglass versus metal ladder

GFCI Low voltage Lock out/Tag out (LOTO)

Training/awareness SOPs supportive of hidden hazard

concerns

Flash arc gear Non-conductive PPE




Exercise: Using PEMEP to Identify Controls for Electrical Hazards

In your table groups, discuss the workplace hazard you identified in this module:

For each of the contributing factors below identify as many methods of control that you can which can be used at the source, along the path and at the worker.

Remember to include any controls that are currently in use in your workplace.

Location of Control

People Equipment Materials Environment Process

At the Source

Along the Path

At the Worker




Evaluating Controls

Describe ways of evaluating the hazard control(s). (8.2.2.e)

Evaluation of controls is an ongoing process that looks at existing controls and their effectiveness. Evaluation of controls:

Ensure competency of supervisors of and workers performing electrical work

Routine inspection processes

Statistics Industry trends Gap analysis/program review Audits

Taking it Back to Work: Electrical Hazards in Your Workplace

What do you consider to be the most valuable information you learned about this hazard?

_________________________________________________________________

What is one thing that you will do to apply what you learned about this hazard in your workplace?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



Summary 30 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Summary If you are dealing with a situation in which an electrical hazard may be present, ensure to take precaution. Stop and perform a scene survey, assess the hazards, do not become a casualty and take control.



Appendix A: Understanding How to Apply the Hazard Management Tool to this Hazard 31 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Appendix A: Understanding How to Apply the Hazard Management Tool to this Hazard This Appendix provides examples of how to apply the hazard management tool to this specific hazard This tool is also available in Appendix C: Hazard Management Tool on page 53.




Hazard Management Tool Examples:

Health and Community Care, Education and Government and Municipalities: Custodian Changing Light Bulb

Step 1: Recognize the Hazards

A:

What activity can cause injury or illness?

List job titles and work activities

B:

What hazard group can cause injury or illness?

Consider:

Physical Chemical Biological Musculoskeletal Disorders Psychosocial Safety

C:

What potential hazards can cause injury or illness?

Consider potential/actual exposures to hazards under the hazard group identified in Column B

Custodian spends one hour a week changing light bulbs with a metal ladder in a damp and dry environments

Safety Electrocution, fall from height




Step 2: Assess the Hazard

D: Probability

Estimate how likely the hazard is to cause injury, illness or damage to property. Consider:

Nature of exposure Time spent exposed Number of workers exposed How often workers are

exposed Historical data


High – injury or illness due to exposure to this hazard is very likely

Medium – there is a chance that the hazard will cause injury or illness

Low – the hazard will probably not cause injury or illness

E: Severity



Major – the hazard could cause fatal or serious injury, illness and/or property damage resulting in permanent or long term disability and/or significant loss

Moderate – the hazard could cause moderate injury, illness and/or property damage, resulting in lost time

Minor – the hazard could only cause minor injury or illness without lost time or other loss

F: Level of Risk

Using the chart below, plot the probability and severity of the hazard.

Dry environment: Low probability

Wet environment: High probability

Dry environment: Moderate severity

Wet environment: Major severity

Dry environment: Low risk

Wet environment: High risk




Step 3: Control the Hazard

G: Legal Requirement

Identify legal requirements or standards that apply to the identified hazard, work process and activity.

H: Current Controls

What is currently being done to eliminate or control the hazard?

I: Future Controls

What future actions are needed to eliminate or control the hazard? Make sure that hazard controls do not create new hazards.

Industrial Establishments Regulation

Ontario Electrical Code

Company policies

Unknown Develop programs and procedures (e.g working at heights, electrical safety, slips, trips, and falls)

Proper equipment selection and use (i.e. wooden or fiberglass ladders, power lift)




Step 4: Evaluate

J:

After implementation of controls, how likely is the hazard to cause injury or illness now?





K:

After implementation of controls, how serious could harm be now?


Major – the hazard could cause fatal or serious injury, illness and/or property damage, resulting in permanent or long term disability and/or significant loss



L:

Using the chart below plot the probability and severity of the hazard.

Dry environment: Low

Wet environment: Moderate


Wet environment: Moderate


Wet environment: Low




Police: Arriving on Scene of a Vehicle involved in a Collision with a Hydro Pole


A:



B:


Consider:


C:



Police officer approaches the vehicle that was involved in a collision with a hydro pole

Safety Electrocution (touch potential)





D: Probability








E: Severity






F: Level of Risk


High Major High







H: Current Controls


I: Future Controls




Company policies

Electrical Safety Handbook for First Responders and training

Department specific policies

Current PPE programs





Step 4: Evaluate

J:






K:






L:


Low Minor Low




Fire: Arriving on Scene of Storm Damage Involving Fallen Trees


A:



B:


Consider:


C:



Police and Fire at the scene of a storm damage involving fallen trees. Police officer reaches to move a branch.

Safety Electrocution (hidden Hazard)





D: Probability








E: Severity






F: Level of Risk


High Major High







H: Current Controls


I: Future Controls




Company policies








Step 4: Evaluate

J:






K:






L:


Low Minor Low




EMS: Responding to a Situation in which a Piece of Heavy Equipment has Come into Contact with a Hydro Line and the Ground


A:



B:


Consider:


C:



Paramedic responds to a situation in which a piece of heavy equipment has come into contact with a hydro line and the ground

Safety Electrocution (step potential)





D: Probability








E: Severity






F: Level of Risk


High Major High







H: Current Controls


I: Future Controls




Company policies








Step 4: Evaluate

J:






K:






L:


Low Minor Low



Appendix B: Sample JHSC Electrical Hazards Inspection Checklist 49 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Appendix B: Sample JHSC Electrical Hazards Inspection Checklist

Indicate if the following hazards and/or contributing factors of electrical hazards are present in your workplace. If yes, rank the priority and suggested

High: High priority – Implement or correct immediately

Medium: Medium priority – Implement or correct within a specified period

Low: Low priority – Implement or correct if that is practical solution




Description of Potential Hazard

Y/N

Priority

High/Medium/Low

Recommended Corrective Action

People

Proper training or qualifications

Taking time. Following Lock out/Tag out procedures

Proper type of Personal Protective Equipment (Flash Arc ) is being used

Ensuring the power supply is off

Other

Equipment

Cords are not frayed

Grounded/third grounding prong on the cord

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFIC)

Other

Materials

Materials are not running under carpets

Receptacles are not loose

Cover plates in place

Non-conductive tools/ladders

Other

Environment

No wet or damp locations




Description of Potential Hazard

Y/N

Priority

High/Medium/Low

Recommended Corrective Action

Absence of high wind

No downed wires

Poor lighting

Poorly located panel boxes and/or electrical outlets

Other

Processes

Lock out Tag out Procedures

High voltage/amperage circuits

Location of equipment with respect to overhead lines or buried cable

Extension cords used as a permanent condition

Other

Employee Comments/Concerns:



Appendix C: Hazard Management Tool 53 © Public Services Health and Safety Association

Appendix C: Hazard Management Tool RECOGNIZE

Requirement A:



B:


Consider:

Physical Chemical Biological Musculoskeletal

Disorders Psychosocial Safety

C:



Write your answers here

ASSESS

Requirement D: Probability

Estimate how likely the hazard is to cause injury,

E: Severity

Estimate how serious the injury or illness could be

F: Level of Risk

Using the chart below. plot the probability and severity of the hazard.




illness or damage to property. Consider:

Nature of exposure Time spent exposed Number of workers

exposed How often workers

are exposed Historical data





using a scale of major, moderate or minor.



Moderate – the hazard could cause moderate injury, illness and/or property damage resulting in lost time


Rate your hazards




CONTROL

Requirement G: Legal Requirement


H: Current Controls


I: Future Controls


Enter your answers

EVALUATE

Requirement J:

After implementation of controls, how likely

K:

After implementation of controls, how serious, could harm be now?

L:

Using the chart below, plot the probability and severity for the hazard.




is the hazard to cause injury or illness now?









Enter your answers




RECOGNIZE

Requirement A:



B:


Consider:

Physical Chemical Biological Musculoskeletal

Disorders Psychosocial Safety

C:



Write your answers here

ASSESS

Requirement D: Probability

Estimate how likely the hazard is to cause injury,

E: Severity

Estimate how serious the injury or illness could be

F: Level of Risk

Using the chart below. plot the probability and severity of the hazard.




illness or damage to property. Consider:

Nature of exposure Time spent exposed Number of workers

exposed How often workers

are exposed Historical data





using a scale of major, moderate or minor.



Moderate – the hazard could cause moderate injury, illness and/or property damage resulting in lost time


Rate your hazards




CONTROL

Requirement G: Legal Requirement


H: Current Controls


I: Future Controls


Enter your answers

EVALUATE

Requirement J:

After implementation of controls, how likely

K:

After implementation of controls, how serious, could harm be now?

L:

Using the chart below, plot the probability and severity for the hazard.




is the hazard to cause injury or illness now?









Enter your answers



References

© Public Services Health and Safety Association 61

References Hazard Management Tool http://www.wsib.on.ca/cs/groups/public/documents/staticfile/c2li/mdey/~edisp/wsib012544.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. (1990) c. O.1. Retrieved from http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm

"Ministry of Labour News - Court Bulletins." Ministry of Labour (MOL). Ontario Ministry of Labour, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016. http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/news/courtbulletins.php

http://www.wsib.on.ca/cs/groups/public/documents/staticfile/c2li/mdey/%7Eedisp/wsib012544.pdf

http://www.wsib.on.ca/cs/groups/public/documents/staticfile/c2li/mdey/%7Eedisp/wsib012544.pdf

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/news/courtbulletins.php



Glossary


Glossary Absorption: the act of taking up or in by a specific chemical, such as the passage of liquids and other substances through a surface of the body into body fluids and tissue.

Accident: An undesirable event which results in either harm to people, damage to property or loss to process.

Administrative Controls: A category of hazard control that uses administrative/managerial involvement to help reduce exposures to hazards. Examples include job rotation, enrichment, work/rest scheduling or training.

Biological Agent: Biological agents can have positive/negative effects. Vaccines would be considered an example of biological agents with a positive effect but biological agents can be used in bioterrorism. It is not the same as a pathogen (path is Greek for disease) as that is a disease producing microorganism. Living organism or its product, capable of causing or treating a disease

Certified Member: A worker or management member of a joint health and safety committee who has successfully completed a special health and safety training program that meets the standards established by the Ministry of Labour (MOL).

Certification Training: A special health and safety training program for individuals to be certified under standards established by the Ministry of Labour (MOL). Workplaces that regularly have 20 or more employees must have at least 2 personnel (one worker and one manager) that have completed Certification training while participating on the Joint Health & Safety committee. (JHSC).

Chemical Agent: Dust, gas, vapour or fume that acts or reacts with the human physiological system. A chemical substance that may affect any part of the body or its functions. The effects may be beneficial or harmful.

Chemical Hazard: A chemical agent that is a hazardous substance that, with exposure, will have harmful effects on the body, part of the body or any of its functions.

Colonization: the development of a bacterial infection on an individual as demonstrated by a positive culture. The infected person may have no signs or symptoms of infection while still having the potential to infect others.

Committee: Is a Joint Health and Safety committee, a forum, consisting of worker and management members who meet on a regular basis to deal with health and safety issues.

Competent Person: Often referred to as an agent of the employer. It is a person who, (a) is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its performance, (b) is familiar with this Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and (c) has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace.

Contagious: Capable of being transmitted from person-to-person



Glossary


Controls: Designed to eliminate or reduce hazards or hazardous exposures. The hierarchy of controls are: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment (PPE). Controls can be located at the source, along the path or at the worker.

• At the Source: as close to where the problem is created as possible • Along the Path: controls placed between the source and the workers • At the Worker: controls at/on the worker

Designated Worker Committee Member: A worker member of the JHSC assigned by worker committee members to perform any duties prescribed under OHSA.

Due Diligence: The taking of every reasonable precaution in the circumstances for the protection of health and safety of all in the workplace.

Employer: A person who employs or contracts for the services of one or more workers.

Engineering Controls: A category of hazard control that uses physical or engineering means to help eliminate or reduce a hazard. Examples include elimination, substitution, isolation, ventilation and design of the workplace/equipment.

Ergonomics: A science that studies the relationship between work and the human body. The aim of ergonomics is to fit the work to the worker.

Exposure: Proximity or contact with a source of a disease agent in such a manner that effective transmission of the agent or harmful effects of the agent may occur Exposure Values: The airborne concentrations of a biological, chemical or physical agent to which nearly all persons may be exposed without experiencing any harmful effects. Exposure values may be based on time weighted average limit (TWA), short term exposure limit (STEL) or the maximum exposure limit which is referred to ceiling exposure or ceiling limit (C). The ACGIH has set recommended exposure values which are referred to as Threshold Limit Values.

Falls: Fall hazards exist when there is potential for a worker to fall, a decent due to gravity.

First Aid: The immediate care given to a person who is injured or who suddenly becomes ill. It can range from disinfecting a cut and applying a bandage to helping someone who is choking or having a heart attack. Hazard: A hazard is a thing or situation with the potential to cause harm. The hazard can either cause an adverse effect in individuals (illness, injury, death) or equipment and or property loss

Hazardous Material: A material that has the potential to cause harm by reason of it being a compressed gas, or a flammable, oxidizing, poisonous, corrosive or reactive material.

Health and Safety Policy: A statement of intent or a commitment from management to coordinate action. The policy clearly states the organization’s health and safety objectives. The Health and Safety Policy in turn provides direction for the Health and Safety Program.



Glossary


Health and Safety Program: A systematic combination of activities, procedures and facilities designed to ensure and maintain a healthy and safe workplace.

Health and Safety Representative (HSR): A representative selected by fellow workers under provisions of the Act to help identify potential health and safety issues and to bring them to the employer’s attention. An HSR is required in workplaces with more than five but fewer than 20 employees. Generally speaking, an HSR has the same responsibilities and powers as a JHSC (except not the authority to participate in work stoppages).

Housekeeping: A way to control hazards along the path between the source and the worker. Good housekeeping practices ensures no items in the workplace are out of place and that there is management of wastes, dust and there is proper clean-up of all materials, walking and working surfaces and work areas.

Immediate Causes: The substandard acts or substandard conditions that have potential for harm in terms of injury, illness or damage. These are the observable, detected causes that have contributed to the accident. These causes can be traced back to at least one root cause.

Incident: An unwanted event which, in different circumstances, could have resulted in harm to people, damage to property or loss to a process.

Industrial Establishment: An office building, factory, arena, shop or office, and any land, buildings and structures appertaining thereto. The Industrial Establishments Regulations 851 (or IER 851) are specific rules that address requirements for work in factories, industrial settings where safeguarding. PPE, confined spaces, fire prevention are amongst the common hazards.

Industrial Hygiene: The science devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards (i.e. hazardous physical, chemical or biological agents) in the workplace. Commonly referred to in Canada as occupational hygiene.

Infection: The entry and multiplication of an infectious agent in the tissues of the host.

Ingestion: A Route of Entry. The taking in of a substance through the mouth and its passage through the digestive tract.

Inhalation: A Route of Entry. The breathing in of a gas, vapour, fume, mist, smoke or dust and its passage through the lungs.

Injection: A Route of Entry. To force or drive a liquid or gas through the skin and into the body.

Inspector: An inspector appointed for the purposes of enforcing and monitoring compliance with the Act. Inspector includes a Director (Ministry of Labour).

Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC): A forum or group consisting of worker and management members who meet together on a regular basis to deal with health and safety issues. Together they should be mutually committed to improving health and safety conditions in the workplace. Committees identify potential health and safety issues and bring them to the employer`s attention. The JHSC is to be kept informed of health and safety developments by the employer. As well, a designated worker member of the JHSC inspects the workplace at least once a month.



Glossary


Management Committee Member: A JHSC management member assigned by management to perform any duties prescribed under OHSA.

Material Handling: The movement of workplace materials by manual or mechanical means. There are two types of material handling: manual (e.g., lifting, pushing, or pulling by hand); and mechanical (e.g., using a forklift to move material).

MOL: An acronym for the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Government entity that sets, communicates and enforces workplace standards and occupational health and safety law.

Monitoring: The systematic measurement of health hazards to which individuals are exposed to in the workplace. There are 2 types of measurements: one is biological measurement of the worker and the other is environmental measurements taken of the workplace air.

MSD: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) are injuries and disorders of your musculoskeletal system (MS). MSD may be caused by or aggravated by various hazards and/or risk factors in the workplace. Injuries may involve: muscles, tendons, tendon sheaths, nerves, bursa, blood vessels, joints, spinal discs, and ligaments. MSD do not include musculoskeletal system (MS) injuries or disorders that are a direct result of a fall, struck by or against, caught in or on, vehicle collision or workplace violence. (Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO), 2008)

Musculoskeletal System: The body system composed of muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, bones, and related elements.

Near-Miss: An unwanted event, which in different circumstances could have resulted in harm to people, damage to property or loss to a process. Incident is another term for a near-miss.

Normal Flora: microorganisms that live on another living organism (human or animal) or inanimate object without causing disease.

OHCOW: The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

Pathogen: any disease-producing agent or microorganism. PEMEP Model: The 5 contributing factors to hazards - people, equipment, materials, environment and process.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Any device worn or used by a worker to protect against hazards. Some examples are dust masks, gloves, ear plugs, hard hats and safety goggles.

Physical Agent: A form of energy, such as noise, vibration, heat, radiation, that affects the body, a part of the body or any part of its functions. Such energy may be hazardous to the body.

Physical Conditions: Physical conditions refers to general workplace conditions, facilities, materials, equipment, hazard controls, emergency systems, personal protective equipment, compliance, etc., that need to be examined to prepare for and conduct good general inspections and physical conditions audits of workplaces.



Glossary


Practice: A set of guidelines that are helpful in providing direction for carrying out work.

Prescribed: Means specified by a regulation made under OHSA. When the word “prescribed” appears in OHSA, applicable regulations must be examined to determine what (if any) “prescribed” requirements exist.

Procedure: A step-by-step description of how to do a task, job, or activity.

RACE: Four steps of hazard management: 1.) recognition, 2.) assessment, 3.) control and 4.) evaluation of hazard controls.

Regulation: A regulation is a specific rule. It states how the law will be applied to uphold the Act. A regulation is enforceable under the Act.

Risk: The probability of a worker suffering an injury or health problem, or of damage occurring to property or the environment as a result of exposure to or contact with a hazard.

Root Cause: The real or underlying cause(s) of an event. Distinguished from immediate or apparent and obvious cause(s). Substandard personal factors or substandard job factors are the source from which immediate causes originate.

Route of Entry: The method by which a contaminant can enter the body. There are four routes of entry. Contaminants can be breathed in (inhalation), swallowed (ingestion), absorbed through the skin (absorption) or injected (injection).

Safe Work Practices: Safe work practices are procedures for carrying-out specific tasks which, when followed, will ensure the safety of a worker. This includes consideration of a worker’s exposure to hazardous situations, substances or physical agents.

Slips: Slip hazards exist when there is not enough friction between your feet and the walking surface.

Source of Injury or Illness: The object, substance, exposure, or body motion that directly caused a workplace injury or illness (for example, boxes, powered hand tools, acids, lead, cold, running, walking).

Standard: A guideline, rule, principle, or model that is used as a means to compare, or judge performance, quality, quantity, etc.

Substitution: The replacement of toxic or hazardous materials, equipment or processes with those that are less harmful.

Supervisor: A person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker.

Transmission: Transfer of a disease from one person to another. Infectious agents travel by means of:

• contact transmission, either through direct contact with someone who has an infection (e.g., MRSA, VRE) or through indirect contact, where germs are carried by hands from a contaminated item (e.g., toilet) to a clean item (e.g., food); this is the most common mode of transmission in health care

• droplet transmission, where germs are carried in droplets expelled in a cough or sneeze (e.g., influenza)



Glossary


• airborne transmission, where germs are carried on air currents (e.g., TB, measles)

• common vehicle transmission, when a single contaminated item can result in transmission to many people at once (e.g., contaminated food or shared equipment that has not been cleaned after use)

• vectorborne transmission, when insects carry disease (e.g., West Nile virus)

Trips: Trip hazards exist when your foot makes contact with an object in your path.

Worker: A person who is defined as any of the following:

A person who performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation;

A secondary school student who performs work or supplies services for no monetary compensation under a work experience program authorized by the school board that operates the school in which the student is enrolled;

A person who performs work or supplies services for no monetary compensation under a program approved by a college of applied arts and technology, university or other post-secondary institution;

A person who receives training from an employer, but who, under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, is not an employee for the purposes of that Act because the conditions set out in subsection 1(2) of that Act have been met;

Such other persons as may be prescribed who perform work or supply services to an employer for no monetary compensation;

This definition does not include an inmate of a correctional institution or like institution or facility who participates inside the institution or facility in a work project or rehabilitation program.

Workplace Harassment: Engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome;

Workplace Sexual Harassment

• Engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace because of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, where the course of comment or conduct is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome;

• Making a sexual solicitation or advance where the person making the solicitation or advance is in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to the worker and the person knows or ought reasonably to know that solicitation or advance is unwelcome

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): An information system implemented under the federal Hazardous Products Act and provincial occupational health and safety laws to ensure communication of information on hazardous materials. The information delivery system requires labels; Safety Data Sheets (SDS); and worker education programs.



Glossary


Workplace Inspection: A regular and careful check of a workplace or a part of a workplace in order to identify health and safety hazards and to recommend corrective action. Workplace factors that have the potential to cause injury, illness or death to employees, or property damage include: people, equipment, materials, environment as well as processes.

Workplace Violence

• The exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker;

• An attempt to exercise physical force against a worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker;

• A statement or behaviour that it is reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker.

Work Refusal: The right of a worker to refuse to work when the worker has reason to believe that he or she would be endangered by performing that work.


Your Health. Your Safety. Our Commitment.

Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA)4950 Yonge Street, Suite 1800Toronto, Ontario M2N 6K1CanadaTelephone: 416-250-2131Fax: 416-250-7484Toll Free: 1-877-250-7444Web site: www.pshsa.ca

Connect with us: @PSHSAca

Product Code: PELPWAEN0116

Electrical