news & notes KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY   It's easy to forget how hazardous electricity can be, but you can avoid accidents and injuries by following the safety rules. Just in case, however, be prepared to deal with an electrical mishap. Here’s what to do: Shock: •   Don’t touch the victim. Turn off the power immediately, if possible, and call for medical help. Use a stick or other nonconducting aid to move the victim away from the shock source. •   Call or send for help. Don’t wait until after you’ve applied first aid. •   Give artificial respiration if the victim is not breathing. •   Give CPR if the heart has stopped. •   Try not to move the victim. Keep the person lying down and covered until help arrives.     Electrical Fire: •   Do not use water or touch the burning object. If possible to do safely, unplug or turn off the current. If the fire is small, put it out with a CO₂ or multipurpose ABC extinguisher, or even baking soda. •   Always notify firefighters immediately. Electrical fires are tricky. They can keep burning unnoticed behind walls.     Burns: •   For a minor burn, rinse with cool water and cover with a clean dry cloth. •   Cover a major burn with a sterile dressing and get immediate medical attention.     Remember—electricity supplies the muscle to make things run, but you supply the brain to protect yourself. Don’t Get Zapped!      Test your electrical safety knowledge   1.  Which of these is NOT a good conductor of electricity?         a. Metal b. Wood   c. The human body     2.  Grounding electrical equipment means:         a. Keeping extension cords on the ground at all times.         b. Making sure electrical equipment is properly installed.         c. Conducting electrical current into the ground away from people.      3.  The main purpose of lockout/tagout is to prevent the accidental release of                energy.         a. True b. False   4.  Even if you are not a qualified electrician, it’s safe to make electrical repairs       if you follow an instruction book.         a. True   b. False   5.  Unless you are qualified to work on live power lines, you should stay at least    _____ feet away.   6.  Which type of hard hat is safer when working near electrical equipment?         a. Plastic     b. Metal   c. Both are equally safe     7.  Which type of gloves protects you best from electrical shock?         a. Leather       b. Rubber c. Cloth       8.  Which type of fire extinguisher should you use to put out an electrical fire:         a. A b. B c. C or ABC (multipurpose)     9.  Electrical shock can cause muscle and nerve damage.         a. True   b. False 10.  The main purpose of OSHA’s electrical standard is to identify potential           electrical hazards.         a. True   b. False 11.   What is the safest thing to do if a power tool appears to be damaged?         a. Don’t use it.             b. Use it unless it won’t work at all.         c. Try to repair it yourself. 12.  Insulation on wires protects you from heat generated by electricity.         a. True   b. False Answers: (1) b (2) c (3) True (4) False. Only trained and qualified personnel should repair electrical equipment. (5) 10 (6) a (7) b (8) c (9) True. It can also cause pain, loss of muscle coordination, internal bleeding, cardiac arrest, and death. (10) False. The main purpose is to protect employees from accidents involving electricity. (11) a (12) False. Insulation protects against shocks. All Safety Products    www.AllSafetyProducts.biz   Jun 2004