Page 394 - IGC BOOK

Dangerous Activities

Portable and Stationary Electrical Equipment

A portable or movable electric appliance is any item that can be moved, either connected or
disconnected from an electrical supply. Portable or movable items generally have a lead (cable)
and a plug, for example, drilling, cutting etc, the equipment is normally weighing 18 kg or less.

Stationary power tools cannot be moved, it is fixed at one point, but offer accuracy and speed.
For example, dish washer, meat cutter. The equipment will not have handles to carry.

Most of the accident occurs with portable electrical equipment, the reason is they are used in a
different hostile environment, operated by different workers, often they are transported from
one location to another.

Reasons for accidents are:

• Using unsuitable equipment for the task and flammable environment.
• Using equipment in damp, wet/humid environment
• Misuse – makeshifts to extend the length of the cable or using high rated fuse to increase
speed or misuse of fuse.

• Physical abuse: pulling the equipment on the hostile environment, lifting the equipment using
cord.

• Using faulty equipment – damaged casing, loose connections.
• In appropriate maintenance or modifications carried out by an incompetent person.

• Physical damage by vehicle run over the cables or cables struck in machinery parts becomes
hot when machine runs or cables trailing over spilled chemicals.
• Being continuously flexed close to a terminal.
• Damaged covers or missing, thus exposing bare live conductors to touch.

• No regular maintenance or regimes followed as per manufacturer’s recommendation.

Use of Electrical Equipment in Wet Environment

Water is good conductor of electricity, also has a low resistance which allows greater current to
flow through the body, when any damaged cable or live conductor exposed to damp condition it
is likely to cause electrocution, because the skin is wet or moist.

Work Near Overhead Power Line

High voltage overhead lines i.e. greater than 1000 V or
1 KV have wires that are bare and uninsulated,
working near overhead power lines has the risk of
arcing, the factor depends on the voltage and
environment.

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 11 – Electricity 5