In brief
Electricity is an essential part of our lives. No organization or company can function without it. Electricity is used for central heating, lighting, driving and operating machinery. Electricity is a form of energy that lends itself to safe use but still there are inherent risks involved.
The dangers of electricity are often not realized. The main reason is that we can barely detect it. However we can mostly perceive the electrical accidents which can have a severe consequence on people and their environment.
Risks
Under the heading of risks, we can make a distinction between that to people (from burns, electrocution) and to their surroundings (from fire and explosion).
People
The risk to people is coming into contact with live materials. The effects - dependent upon the current strength and the voltage difference - vary from panic to death. The effect of panic should not be underestimated as it could lead to a fall or other injury. Another effect is burning. The seriousness of which depends upon the power and the time of exposure. Internal burns are also possible. Sometimes the injuries can take hours to come to light. Damage to vital organs (e.g. heart) and other tissues can occur.
Surroundings
Due to an overload or short circuit, causing abnormal overheating of an apparatus or a circuit, a fire or even an explosion can result.
Distinction between plant and equipment
To responsibly manage electrical safety a distinction is made between the plant (electrical installations) and equipment. Everything installed up to the point of the socket is called the plant (e.g. fuse boxes, switch boxes, transformers).
- Electrical sockets
- Fuse box
Everything that is plugged into the socket is counted as equipment (e.g. drill, grinder and the computer).
- Cable spool/extension
- Water vacuum cleaner
Rules regarding electrical plant
The rules about electrical plant are simple. The ‘installatie verantwoordelijke’ (IV’er) is responsible for the safety of the electrical installation (in dutch: installatie verantwoordelijke (IV)). De IV’er may permit qualified people (VOP-IV'er) to perform simple tasks (e.g. the replacement of fuses).
Rules regarding electrical equipment
Electrical equipment should be regularly inspected and approved. This is shown on the sticker on the piece of electrical equipment. Before using the equipment you should check that the equipment is approved and that the next inspection date is not overdue.
The inspection of the electrical equipment is carried out by the 'keurmeester' or VOP-elektrische arbeidsmiddelen.
Click on the FOM-ARBO logo on the right to read what FOM dictates about this subject.
