Hazards and Emergencies
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Electrical Hazards
Electrical Facilities
- Do not enter fenced and gated areas around electrical facilities.
- Observe all danger and warning safety signs around electrical facilities.
- Stay away from generating facilities, powerhouses, and all electrical equipment.
Ways Electricity Behaves
Ripple Effect
- When a tree or an un-insulated boom truck touches a power line or if a broken power line falls to the ground or lands on a vehicle, electricity will fan out in a circular motion from the point of contact.
- This circular motion is similar to dropping a pebble into a pool of water and is known as the 'ripple effect'.
- At the place where the electricity contacts the ground the voltage is very high. The level of intensity decreases as the electricity moves outward.
- The radius of the hazard area depends on such factors as line voltage, ground conditions, metal fences and many other conditions. It is recommended to to stay away from the point of contact by at least 15 metres (50 feet).
Touch Potential
- Trees and ladders are good conductors of electricity.
- If a power line ‘touches’ a tree or touches a tree with a ladder leaning on it, electricity moves down to the ground using the tree and the ladder as the conductor.
- If a person is ‘touching’ the tree or ladder that is in contact with a power line, this will force the electrical current to move down through their body to the ground.
- This electrical movement from the tree or ladder through the body to the ground may easily result in serious injury or death. It is known as ‘touch potential’.
- Electricity can also jump. Depending on voltage you or your tools and equipment do not have to actually touch the energized line or apparatus to be shocked. The only way to stay safe around electricity is to know where the lines are and to keep the proper distance away. For information on line voltages and safe limits of approach, contact us.
Step Potential
- The human body is a better conductor of electricity than the ground.
- Electrical voltage decreases and increases as one ‘steps’ away or toward a source of electricity.
- As a person ‘steps’ the electricity may travel through the body with dangerous consequences such as injury or death.
- This electrical safety hazard is known as ‘step potential’.
Electrical Emergencies
If You Happen Upon an Electrical Accident
- If the injured person is in contact with the source of electricity, do not approach or touch them until you know the area is electrically safe, as there may be a dangerous step and touch potential present and electricity can flow from their body to yours.
- Call 911 and contact us.
- Keep all people at least 15 metres (50 feet) away from a down power line or anything that is touching a wire.
- Once the area is declared electrically safe by Maritime Electric employees, trained emergency response may commence.
Electrical Accidents
If you are in a vehicle or on equipment that has contacted an energized line, do not exit until Maritime Electric employees make the area electrically safe.
Life Threatening Situation Where You Must Exit Your Vehicle or Equipment
If you must exit the vehicle or equipment due to an electrical fire or other life threatening situations, jump out with your feet together. Never contact the ground and your vehicle at the same time. Then either shuffle or hop away from the electrically charged area by at least 15 metres (50 feet). Trying to jump free of the vehicle or equipment if still in contact with the power line may result in electrocution. This cannot be overemphasized.
Shuffle or Hop
- Shuffle:
- Keep your feet close together and take short shuffling steps, do not allow the heel of one foot to move beyond the toe of the other.
- Hop:
- Hop with both feet together.
