Electrical Hazard Protection
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Electrical Hazard Protection

WHAT ARE ELECTRICAL HAZARD RATED SAFETY FOOTWEAR?

 

Electrical hazard (EH) rated safety footwear are ISOLATING safety boots meaning they provide a secondary source of protection for you from electric shocks or electrocution. The idea behind these EH rated safety boots is pretty simple, the entire surface of the boot is made from non-conductive materials and as a result no electrical charge will pass through the body, because you are fully isolated from the ground. EH rated safety boots have an Electrical Hazard (EH) rating on them, meaning they have been tested by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for their protection against an electrical shock.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• In some cases, EH rated safety boots can be affected by certain factors which decreases their potential to keep the wearer safe. The excessive wear of the soles or exposure of these EH boots to wet conditions, humid conditions or both can reduce the effectiveness. EH rated safety boots are usually worn when working in dry areas where the potential for electrocution is at high risk, do not wear these in wet, hazardous or explosive areas!

• EH rated safety shoes are isolating safety shoes and cannot be confused with conductive safety shoes, like ESD or antistatic safety shoes, which have a whole other purpose.

 

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Protection from electrocution or any other electrical hazard can be obtained in many ways. One of the most direct and efficient features to prevent electrical hazard is the use of insulating protective equipment inside safety boots.

WorkWay offers EH rated boots which protect from electrical hazard by insulation:

•  According to ASTM-F2412

• Tested in production for 1 minute at 18.000V, 60Hz, AC

• Outsoles made in specific insulating rubber or PU compound

 

HEALTH RISKS FROM ELECTRIC CONTACT

Electrocutions are one of the most frequent electrical hazards in construction sites. When in direct contact with electric high voltage equipment, such as overhead powerlines or transformer cabins, electrocution can be fatal by cardiac arrest. Each year they cause more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries. Electricity flows through conductors including metals, water, earth, but also the human body. When electrical equipment is functioning properly, the circuit is maintained between the tool, the wires and the electric source.

However, in case of a malfunctioning machine or circuit, the operator can become part of the electric circuit. When in direct contact with a “live” wire, a person can feel a tingling sensation, over an intense electric shock, to ultimately a fatal electrocution, depending on the power, frequency and type (AC/DC) of electric source. Voltages over 50V AC or 120V DC are considered hazardous.

 

1 mA  faint tingle
5 mA  slight, not painful but disturbing shock
6-25 mA  painful shock, loss of muscular control
9-30 mA freezing current, muscular contraction, can be pushed away from the circuit
50-150 mA extreme pain, respiratory arrest, death is possible
1000-4300 mA heart fibrillation, muscular contraction and nerve damage, death is likely
10.000 mA  severe burns, cardiac arrest, death is probable

 

MAIN CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL INJURY OR ELECTROCUTION

Electric contact can occur in many different ways and situations, we listed to most common below:

defective or damaged tools, badly maintained equipment

inadequate wiring, improper grounding

unsafe work practice or environment

unexpected exposition to electric parts

contact with overhead power lines, high voltage circuits

overloaded circuits, improper insulation