Electrifying Terms
A material such as copper or aluminum which allows electricity to pass continuously along it.
What is a conductor?
Though useful for temporary convenience, these items should not be used as permanent wiring.
What are extension cords?
In of itself this substance is a poor conductor, but add small impurities such as salt, acid and solvents and it turns into a good conductor.
What is water?
This hazard can result in anything from a slight tingling sensation to immediate cardiac arrest.
What is electrical shock?
PPE: Items such as rubber insulating gloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, blankets, line hose and industrial helmets which are designed to reduce electrical shock hazard.
What is Personal Protective Equipment?
A material such as glass or rubber which prevents the flow of electricity.
What is an insulator?
In the field, one should stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from these electric pathways.
What are overhead wires (or power lines)?
This type of electricity builds up on the surface of an object and under the right conditions can discharge to a person causing a shock.
What is static electricity?
These are the most common shock-related injuries to the human body.
What are burns?
The flow of an atom's electrons through a conductor.
What is current (or electricity)?
Anyone working with electricity in this type of environment needs to exercise extra caution to prevent electrical hazards.
What is wet (or damp)?
The amount of time someone is caught in an electrical shock.
This type of burn is the most serious burn and occurs when electrical current flows through tissues or bone, generating heat that causes tissue damage.
What is an electrical burn?
SPD: An accessory that stops damage or reduces the lifespan of your electrical system and devices.
What is a Surge Protective Device?
The path along which electric current flows from start to finish.
What is a circuit?
Doing this to a tool or electrical system means intentionally creating a low-resistance path that connects to the earth.
What is grounding?
When a person receives an electrical shock, sometimes the electrical stimulation causes the human body to do this as the muscles contract.
What is freeze?
This type of burn is caused when the skin touches hot surfaces of overheated electric conductors, conduits or other energized equipment.
What is a thermal contact burn?
NEC: Revised every three years, this outlines the minimum requirements for safe electrical installations.
What is the National Electrical Code?
The unit by which the flow of current through a conductor is measured.
What is an ampere (or amp)?
The awareness of dangerous electrical situations such as contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection and equipment not used in a manner prescribed.
What is hazard recognition/identification?
This phenomenon occurs when an electrical breakdown of gas produces a prolonged electrical discharge.
What is an electric arc (or arc discharge)?
This type of burn results from high temperatures caused by an electric arc or explosion near the body.
What is an arc burn (or flash burn)?
GFCI: Used in wet locations, construction sites and other high-risk areas, these devices interrupt the flow of electricity within as little as 1/40th of a second to prevent electrocution.
What are Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters?