Electric Shocks.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 7, 3 October 1907, Page 11

Electric Shocks.

1, DANGERS TO WORKMEN,

A writer in "Electricity" states that a class of accident which is particularly numerous, and which, ono would suppose, would lie anticipated and guarded against by any intelligent workman, is indicative of the familiarity which breeds contempt of danger —ie., working' on or near livo conductors. In this class last year 19 non-fatal and one fatal accident occurred to skilled persons and live nonfatal accidents to unskilled persons. It is clear from tho inspector's report that in mcst of tho cases where the 19 skilled persons met with accidents the work need not have been done while the conductors were alive. The fatal accident again shows tho danger even with low pressures. It occurred to an electrician when running wires for a temporary light in an unfinished building for tho use of somo workmen. He omitted to tape up a joint Mjeforo turning on the current, and subsequently took hold of it, and was killed by a shcck to earth at 200 volts. This man probably held the popular, but erroneous, idea that with such a low pressure there is no danger. Carsiojsricss. Tho accidents in testing electrical apparatus in course of manufacture numbered 22 non-fatal and one fatal. These v/cre mostly from short circuits, in many easen duo to carelessness on the part of the injured persons, many of whom were apprentices, and therefore probably not acquainted with tho dangers of the work. Tho fatal accident was from shock in testing cables at high pressure in a cable factory,, and appears to have been due to the person continuing to work at a drum of cable after having been ordered to move away. In view of the greatlyextended use of electricity, it is not to bo wondered that the number of accidents should show an increase on previous years; but tho remarkable increase from 122 to 199—0r over 60 per cent, including eight fatalities, as against four in 1905—within the short space of one,year is largely duo to a great .-leal of careless handling on the ono sido and the installation of inferior apparatus on tho other. This opinion is confirmed, by tho Government inspector, who says that burns from tho arcing of switches in ordinary use are often due to faulty construe-' tion of tho switches or to the absence of any cover, or guard. . Not infrequently, he addSi the accidbnt occurs at a motor's starting panel. The double, pole switch is put on, and a flash burns tho operator's hands, sometimes oven when thero is a covor, ov."ing to the flash passing through the slot provided for tho handle. This variety of accident is, he says, nearly always duo to tho use of cheap and •flimsy switch gear. •Ttio Starting Switch. • It arises primarily from tho starting switch being of inferior construction, 'generally much too small for the motor it has to control. The contacts arc burnt up, the spring is weak, and tho lever will'stick in any position. Tbo motor is stopped by turning off tho double-polo switch, and tho lover of the. starting switch fails to move hack to the starting position automatically. This failuro is not noticed by tho attendant; consequently, when ho proceeds to start the motor on the iioxt occasion, he turns on tho dotible.pole switch on what is practically a short circuit. Jinny switches are now designed with the handle attached to tho "extension of tho spindle, so that no slot in tho cover is required, 1 ' and are, consequently, to bo prcfuried. Attention should also be drawn to the' numerous accidents in connection with the use of portable appliances, generally lamps, and to the obvious conclusion that, as a precaution, the portable sbouUl bo"'c&ms'ectcd to .earth,, or that no part of tho metal 'of the'appliance which can bu touched can under any circumstances become charge;! by leakage. Tho accidents (pnerclly emphasise the necessity for having up-to-date equipments maintained' in good condition. But one of the most" "important lessons to bo learned—of greater importance, beoauso it is so simple and obvious—is that workmen should exorcise greater care and forethought in the.carrying j out of their duties.