Electrical Safety

March 27, 2025
CAUTIONS CAUTIONS Support> Cautions> Electrical Safety Electrical Safety Electricity is a wonderful utility, but can be dangerous if not approached carefully. There are three basic hazards that cause injury or death – shock, arc-flash, and arc-blast. It is important to remember that even a small amount of current passing through the chest can cause death. Most deaths occurring for circuits of less than 600 volts happen when people are working on “hot,” energized equipment – PLEASE DISCONNECT AND LOCK OUT ALL ELECTRICAL POWER BEFORE ATTEMPTING KILN REPAIRS! ELECTRICAL HAZARDS SHOCK Electrical shock occurs when current flows through the human body. Electricity always seeks the path of least resistance to the ground. If a person touches a live wire, the current may pass through the nervous or vascular system and exit through another point of contact, such as a hand touching a metal pipe. This can disrupt normal electrical signals in the body, potentially stopping the heart or lungs, leading to severe injury or death. ARC FLASH An arc flash is an extremely hot explosion of plasma and gases that can cause severe burns and ignite clothing. Arc temperatures can reach up to 35,000°F—four times hotter than the sun’s surface! ARC BLAST An arc blast is a powerful pressure wave caused by an electrical arc. It can propel molten metal and hot gases at high speeds, causing serious injuries, destroying structures, or even knocking workers off ladders. SAFETY PRINCIPLES Always de-energize equipment before servicing. Use lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures in industrial settings to prevent accidental power restoration. Never work on live equipment unless absolutely necessary. Use the right tools. For example, use a fuse puller instead of a screwdriver to remove fuses. Wear proper protective gear. Use insulated gloves, rubber-soled shoes, and safety goggles or face shields to protect against arc flash and arc blast injuries. Ensure a safe working environment. Keep floors dry and maintain adequate space for safe operation. Minimize risk when working on live circuits. Avoid placing current across your chest—use one hand to handle test leads while keeping the other away from live components. Use a clamp for one lead when possible. Stay vigilant—electricity is unforgiving!

Electricity is a wonderful utility, but can be dangerous if not approached carefully. There are three basic hazards that cause injury or death – shock, arc-flash, and arc-blast. It is important to remember that even a small amount of current passing through the chest can cause death. Most deaths occurring for circuits of less than 600 volts happen when people are working on “hot,” energized equipment – PLEASE DISCONNECT AND LOCK OUT ALL ELECTRICAL POWER BEFORE ATTEMPTING KILN REPAIRS!

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

SHOCK

Electrical shock occurs when current flows through the human body. Electricity always seeks the path of least resistance to the ground. If a person touches a live wire, the current may pass through the nervous or vascular system and exit through another point of contact, such as a hand touching a metal pipe. This can disrupt normal electrical signals in the body, potentially stopping the heart or lungs, leading to severe injury or death.

ARC FLASH

An arc flash is an extremely hot explosion of plasma and gases that can cause severe burns and ignite clothing. Arc temperatures can reach up to 35,000°F—four times hotter than the sun’s surface!

ARC BLAST

An arc blast is a powerful pressure wave caused by an electrical arc. It can propel molten metal and hot gases at high speeds, causing serious injuries, destroying structures, or even knocking workers off ladders.

SAFETY PRINCIPLES

Always de-energize equipment before servicing. Use lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures in industrial settings to prevent accidental power restoration. Never work on live equipment unless absolutely necessary.
Use the right tools. For example, use a fuse puller instead of a screwdriver to remove fuses.
Wear proper protective gear. Use insulated gloves, rubber-soled shoes, and safety goggles or face shields to protect against arc flash and arc blast injuries.
Ensure a safe working environment. Keep floors dry and maintain adequate space for safe operation.
Minimize risk when working on live circuits. Avoid placing current across your chest—use one hand to handle test leads while keeping the other away from live components. Use a clamp for one lead when possible.

Stay vigilant—electricity is unforgiving!