Electrical Risks in Construction Sites - Literature review Example

There are greater risks associated with an electrical installation on a construction site than associated with a completed permanent electrical system Student name Institution of affiliation Management Board April 23, 2013 Subject: There are greater risks associated with an electrical installation on a construction site than associated with a completed permanent electrical system Background For completed electrical systems, the major risks are fire or shocks that result from poor installation or use of improper equipments in an electrical supply. However at construction sites, working with electricity exposes engineers, linemen, electricians, and other working with power lines, circuit assemblies and harnesses, to serious workplace hazards (OSHA fact sheet, n.d). Forms of electrical risks at a construction site The main dangers include electric shock, electrocution, fires, burns, and explosions. According to Joshi (2008), electrical shock that results to injury or death at a construction site can be as a result of undeviating or indirect contact, arcing or tracking across or through a conductor. Electrical shocks at a construction site result to external injuries such as scaffolds, and falling from ladders or from other working surface that are elevated. Muscle spasms, palpitation, nausea, unconsciousness, collapse, and vomiting are also caused by electrical shocks. Conversely, the internal injuries arising from electrical shock, especially when excessive electricity flows through the body are hemorrhage, destruction of tissue, and damages to the nerves and muscles (Washington State department of Labor & industries, 2010). Arcing, explosion or fire cause burns or even deaths as a result of present high fault current. Washington State department of Labor & industries (2010) reveals that electrical burns result to tissue damage and arise from flow of electric current through the body generating heat. Arc or flash burns are as a result of high temperatures too close to the body caused by electric explosion or arcing. When workers at a construction site are exposed to overheating electric equipment or their clothing gets ignited in an electrical accident, the result is thermal contact burn. Sources of electrical hazards at a construction site According to OSHA fact sheet (n.d) the sources of electrical hazards at a construction site are generators, power lines, equipment, and extension cords. At a construction site, generators are commonly used to supply power especially during power outage. For most construction sites, generators used combust gasoline which then powers them to produce electricity. During gasoline combustion, generators produce carbon monoxide which when inhaled decreases the body’s ability to use oxygen and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, headaches and tiredness whose fatality can be elevated by unconsciousness. Hse.gov (2013) asserts that power lines are causes of numerous serious injuries and deaths annually. Power lines are a cause of death or injuries through contact or flashovers as a result of being too close to a line. Washington State department of Labor & industries (2010) asserts that power lines at a construction site could be buried or overhead and both are extremely dangerous given that they carry very high voltage. The main danger associated with power lines is that they are not insulated and their voltage carrying capacity could be tens of thousands which means the employees working in their vicinity are exposed to high risks of electrocution. The risks of power line electrocution are elevated by the fact that construction sites make use of tools and equipments that can contact nearby power lines. The most common equipment that can contact power lines include cranes, metallic building materials, metal ladders, scaffolds, backhoes, elevated work platforms, and concrete pumpers among others (hse.gov, 2013). At a construction site, electrical extension cords are prone to normal or friction induced wear. As a result, these wires loosen or get exposed (Stauffer, 2008). Worn out cords are even more risky when used with worn out or faulty appliances. In addition, the use of improperly rated cords at a construction site results to easy exposure or damage to the insulation and this results to contact of two or more conductors and could result to fire or explosions that would cause injuries or death. Electrical shocks are also possible from exposed electrical wires and parts. According to OSHA fact sheet (n.d), construction sites are usually very rugged in nature. As a result, the use of electrical equipment causes wear and tear that could expose wires, break or short circuit them. In the absence of proper grounding any faults could result to very risky conditions like electrocutions. Electrical hazards arising from being near residential area and children’s playing field In residential areas, electrical explosions could result to noise pollution, destruction of houses or even fire. Residential houses destroyed by electrical explosions or fires could result to destruction, injuries or even death (Koreneff, 2005). Poorly grounded electrical wiring could result to shocking or death especially where wet floors are present. For electrical appliances that spark heavily in a construction site, the residents are exposed to burns. Risks in residential areas are also accelerated by outdoor appliances that come into contact with puddles of water or pools. Construction sites near playing fields should be surrounded by a fence or guardrails to prevent children from the temptation of playing in them (WHO 2013). Any stray electromagnetic wave from a construction site’s power lines could result to effects on the nervous system of affected children and result to anxiety, aggressive behavior and insomnia among others. Power lines above playing fields could induce voltages and currents in the body and result to shock or burns. Electrical explosions and fires could also cause death, burns or expose children to other harm. Recommendations While using generators at a construction site, it should not be placed in doors such that the exhaust gases do not remain in the room especially if there are people working in that room. In addition, generator locations should be well ventilated and so should be the case for other buildings at the construction site (OSHA fact sheet, n.d). Generator’s circuit breakers should remain off prior to generators start up to avoid incidents of back feed electrical energy from generators. When dealing with power lines, overhead and buried, it is important to have all of them indicated and to train the employees how to look for and interpret the indicators such that at all time, employees will keep their distance from such lines. For extension cords and other cords in appliances, it is only right to use only those approved by national standards and not modifying underrated cords and using them. In order to avoid electrical hazards in the construction site, Gahlot (2007) recommends that the employers at construction sites become part of the team developing and overseeing the implementation of safety programs to meet their specific needs. Through the observation of a safety program, a safety culture is cultivated and the construction site will be a safe work environment. Safety programs should include programs for employees training such that each employee has the right information on among others sewage connections, site transport, skips, materials storage at the construction site, first aid, personal protection and temporary electrical connections (Holt 2008; GII & GIRG 2007). Communication should also be made very clear and frequent such that employees are aware of what is expected of them like when equipment is faulty and should not be used or how to use equipment that has been introduced in the course of construction (GII & GIRG 2007). When working from residential areas and playing fields, ensure that construction site have protected sides and edges, wall openings and floor holes by using guard rails, such that falling or stray objects do not cause harm to residents and children (GII & GIRG 2007). In addition, all electrical extension cables should be well labled and located away from paths or pavements where they can be stepped on and exposed causing electrocution or other harm. In addition, areas used with electrical equipments, cables or other use near playing grounds or residential should be well labled and marked out such that people keep off from them (Stauffer, 2008). Installations in wet areas near residential and playing areas should be guardrailed to ensure that children and residents are not exposed to any harm. Reference Gahlot, P.S. (2007). Construction planning and management. New York: New Age International. Government Institute Inc., GII and Government Institutes Research Groups, GIRG (2007). Occupational Health and Safety Simplified for construction industry. United States of America: Government Institutes. Health and Safety Executive, HSE (2013). Electrical Safety at work. Retrieve from http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/overhead.htm Holt, A.J. (2008). Principles of construction safety. United States of America: John Willey & Sons. Joshi, (2008). Residential, commercial and industrial electrical systems: Network and installation. United States of America: Tata McGraw-Hill Education. Koreneff, I. (2005). Information Technology. Australia: Pascal Press. OSHA fact sheet (n.d). Working safely with electricity. Retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/elect_safety.pdf Stauffer, H.B. (2008). Engineer’s Guide to the national Electrical code. United States of America: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, (2010). Hazards of electricity in construction. Retrieved from http://wisha-training.lni.wa.gov/training/presentations/ElectricalHazards.ppt World Health Organization, WHO (2013). Electromagnetic fields (EMF). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html Read More