Five pieces of essential equipment in an electrical emergency
Posted by: electime 16th October 2019
Electrical hazards are everywhere – from the workplace to home, there are electrical appliances and live wires above and around us – so it’s important to know the essential steps to preventing and helping during an electrical emergency as well as what equipment is needed. Should someone require your assistance, knowledge of the correct safety procedures could prevent a serious or fatal injury. Here are 5 essential pieces of equipment to have on hand in an environment where an electrical emergency could occur.
Fire extinguisher
Within each working environment and to abide by health and safety regulations, there will be an electrical fire extinguisher. CO2 extinguishers are mainly used for electrical fires and can also extinguish Class B fires such as those started by flammable liquids. Powder extinguishers are a multipurpose extinguisher that can put out Class A, B and C fires, which make them suitable for extinguishing electrical fires. Lastly, there is the water mist extinguisher which is suitable for extinguishing electrical fires.
All in all, there are three extinguishers that can be used on electrical fires: water mist, dry powder and Co2 Gas extinguishers. These can be identified by colour:
Water = Red
Dry powder = blue
Co2 (Carbon dioxide) = black
It is important to never use water on an electrical fire, even if the victim is in danger of being burnt – instead, use a fire extinguisher for electrical fires to ensure the flames don’t spread.
Electrical safety hook
Electrical safety hooks are essential for safely and correctly retrieving a victim of electric shock or from an ARC flash event; the safety hook prevents back feed of electricity from harming the rescuer. Electrical safety hooks should be kept anywhere where there is any exposure to electric works and live wires.
Rescue safety hooks are constructed from polyester or a glass fibre foam filled tube to stop electric currents from passing through to the rescuer when retrieving an injured person while an electric current is still in their body immediately after an electric shock. Their ‘S’ shape makes it easier for the rescuer to grip the victim’s arm, leg or waist for a secure hold and quick retrieval.
Before using the safety hook, turn off the main source of power for the electric unit so the victim is no longer in contact with the source, use the safety hook to further pull them away to safety.
First aid equipment
First aid equipment is required in every regulated building and business, but it is essential to have burns and electrical injury first aid equipment available in environments where electrical hazards are more likely. Supplies for burn treatments, such as antibiotic ointment and sterilised dressings is needed for even minor electrical injuries; it is also important to keep pain medication and intravenous fluid in your first aid kit, along with ensuring a first aider on site at all times in the occurrence of a medical emergency.
PPE
When working with electrics and live wires, ARC flash clothing should always be worn. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in preventing serious injury in an electrical emergency. It is made from flame resistant material such as cotton and nylon which is both breathable and comfortable.
For the most effective protection from arc flash events and electrical injury, wear base layers to provide extra insulation, as well as overalls, shirts, trousers and jackets, with double layer protection made of advanced fabrics – ideal for welders who are at risk of molten metal spatter.
