Electrical Safety, Maintenance And Management

ABSTRACT

Electricity is a necessary source of energy that we depend on for our daily functions. When it’s installed, safety measures followed, maintained and management properly, it can be controlled easily and effectively. However, when electricity is taken for granted and there is a lack of understanding of the hazards it can produce, non-electrical workers are far more likely to become exposed unknowingly.

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to shock, electrocution, burns, fires and explosions. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), electrical accidents rank sixth among causes of work-related fatalities in the United States, with more than 300 deaths and 4,000 workplace injuries reported each year. OSHA statistics indicate that between 2003 and 2007, more than 13,000 workers required time off from work caused by injuries from electrical accidents. The fact that most of these accidents could have been avoided easily makes these statistics all the more needless and tragic.

This work focuses on how electricity safety measures could be observed, proper maintenance and management of electrical equipment could be observed in industry such as Nigeria Bottling Company.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION

Electricity is a powerful source of energy that powers lights, tools, machinery and many other devices necessary for our day-to-day work. Electricity can also be a hazard causing injury or death. Experts in the electrical industry look to the National Electric Code (NEC) for the electrical safety standards on how to correctly assemble and maintain electrical circuits and the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) for the basic provisions for safeguarding persons from hazards when installing, operating or maintaining electric machines used in industries.

OSHA recognized the importance of the NEC and included the 1971 edition into Subpart K of the 29 CFR 1926 for the construction industry. They have since made updates, revised and clarified the standard to make it more flexible in order to eliminate the need for the constant revision to keep pace with the NEC, which is updated every 3 years. For the general industry, OSHA has dedicated 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S to electrical safety. On February 14, 2007, OSHA published a final rule revising the electrical installation standards found in Subpart S that are intended to reduce the risk of injury and death caused by unsafe electrical installations.

Some of the requirements of sections 29 CFR 1910.303 through 1910.308 do not apply to all electrical installations. It can be difficult to determine which requirements apply to the installation based on the time period in which the equipment was built or last modified. To remedy this problem OSHA has developed an interactive eTool designed to assist employers determining what regulation applies to them based on the date of installation or modification of the equipment.

Talking about maintenance and management, Electrical maintenance and management is the upkeep and preservation of equipment and systems that supply electricity to a residential, industrial or commercial building. It may be performed by the owner or manager of the site or by an outside contractor. The work is commonly performed on a schedule based on the age of the building, the complexity of the electrical system or on an as-needed basis.

The main areas of general electrical maintenance and management commonly include the power outlets and surge protectors, generators and lighting systems. These supply sources are checked for structural integrity as well as internal stability. The maintenance plan normally includes the regular replacement of burned out fluorescent and incandescent lights. Many building managers in recent years have refitted their lighting systems with energy saving bulbs and elements.

Preventive maintenance is also generally part of a building’s upkeep. This plan ordinarily includes the scheduled inspection of large systems and equipment by a professional electrician. The purpose of these periodic assessments is to fix small problems before they escalate into large ones. This is particularly important at factories that heavily rely on these systems for daily operations.

Electrical generators, switches and circuit breakers are regularly checked for solid connections and intact wiring. If flaws are discovered, electricians normally make repairs. Depending on the condition of the wiring, the repairs are typically made by splicing wires together. In some situations, they are encased in metal tubing called conduit to protect them from wear. Keeping the wiring in good shape ensures a consistent flow of power to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

To guarantee the steady, uninterrupted flow of electricity to industry, electrical maintenance is ordinarily performed by licensed industry professionals. These maintenance electricians normally have building specifications, wiring and equipment diagrams, and blueprints at their disposal to make sure they inspect all areas. They typically use a variety of hand tools, including hand drills, pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, knives and conduit benders. Voltage, amps and ohm meters are commonly used in the maintenance operations.

If there are specific areas of concern in the company’s building electrical system, the maintenance crew may use specialized testing methods and equipment to isolate the problem. Power transformers are commonly analyzed as well as substation components and the construction of the site’s transformers. The testing procedures generally require a good understanding of switchgears and system design to comprehend how all of the electrical system elements interrelate.

1.2                                              OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of ensuring electrical safety, maintenance and management in Nigeria Bottling company is to:

• Maximum production at the lowest cost, the highest quality, and within optimum safety standards
• Identify and implement cost reductions
• Provide accurate equipment maintenance records
• Collect necessary maintenance cost information
• Optimize maintenance resources
• Optimize capital equipment life
• Minimize energy usage
• To provide employer with safer working environment
• To identify potentially hazardous electrical situations and provide corrective actions for these situations.
• Determine electrical system & electrical safety compliance with:
  – National Electrical Code
  – NFPA 70E
  – NFPA 70B
  – OSHA 1910.331-335
• Review and provide corrective actions for electrical safety work processes.
• Review and provide corrective actions for electrical maintenance tools.
• Identify potential cost savings and efficiencies through modifications of electrical system.

1.3                                            SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORK

Maximize production at the lowest cost, the highest quality, and within the optimum safety standards. This statement is very broad, yet maintenance must have a proactive vision to help focus its activities. The statement should be tied to any corporate objectives. It can be broken down into smaller components.

This activity is the primary reason for the existence of the electrical safety maintenance of Nigeria bottling company. The organization gains no advantage from owning equipment or facilities that are not operating or functional. This component is the “keep-it-running” charter of maintenance.

These programs are generally referred to as preventive and predictive maintenance (PM and PdM). These activities increase the availability of the equipment and facilities.

1.4                                   EFFECT OF ELECTRICITY ON THE BODY

In order for electricity to work in Nigeria bottling company, a complete circuit made of a conductor, a load or electricity-consuming device and a ground is needed. Electricity will flow through the conductor to the load and finally to the ground to complete the circuit. Electricity will follow the path of least resistance to ground—similar to water in a pipeline that flows out of a valve when it is opened. When electricity safety measure is not observed, when it is not maintained or carefully managed can be dangerous. Electricity becomes dangerous when you become part of the circuit, because the closest path to ground may be through you, causing an electrical shock.

When any staff is shocked by electricity, your muscles contract. If the lungs are involved in the path of the circuit, voluntary respiration can be halted. If the heart is involved, fibrillation can occur resulting in heart failure. As little as 50 milliamperes can cause death. It is important to realize that an electrical shock may not be strong enough to cause a fatality but it could cause you to fall or jolt to dangerous to employer in the industries.

1.5                                         CAUSES OF ELECTRIC ACCIDENT

Electrical maintenance

Electrical accidents commonly occur whilst equipment is being maintained. This may be electrical equipment such as switchgear or equipment that uses electrical power. Most accidents happen because workers have not been adequately trained, are being poorly supervised, or because the risks of the work have not been properly assessed. The incidents are real.

No training

A worker was injured when working in a live electrical panel. He had not been trained.

Inadequate isolation

An electrician received a severe electric shock because he had not properly isolated the supply.

Unsafe rules

An electrical fitter had to have both arms amputated after receiving burns from a 33,000 Volt supply.

Poor control of work activities

An electrical contractor was injured by live 11,000 Volt switchgear.

Live working

An employee suffered brain damage following an electric shock he received whilst live working.

Unsuitable test equipment

An employee was killed when setting up equipment to test printed circuit boards.

Poor maintenance

A worker received a 240 Volt electric shock whilst using a pressure washer.

Failure to manage work

A contractor’s employee received an electric shock after confusion over isolation.

Person not competent

Person received a severe electric shock after he incorrectly wired a machine.

Uninsulated electrical wiring

A worker was killed whilst attempting to clear a blockage in a wrapping machine.