Attention Should Be Paid To The Safety of Ship Electrical Equipment Operation

Electrical equipment is a vital component of a ship, and the safe operation of its equipment is crucial to the safety of the vessel, cargo, and personnel. Accidents caused by improper operation of electrical equipment still occur frequently each year, so electrical safety is paramount. Understanding the safe use, management, and maintenance of electrical equipment, as well as mastering basic preventative measures and first aid knowledge, is crucial.

I. Definition of Ship's Electrical Installation

• Ship's electrical installation encompasses all electrical equipment used to generate, transmit, convert, distribute, and utilize electrical energy on board a ship, such as generators, main switchboards, transformers, electric motors, and lighting.

• Ship's Electrical Installation Operation: All work performed on a ship's electrical installation, including conversion, control, monitoring, and maintenance.

II. Major Safety Risks

• 1. Electric Shock

• Injury or death occurs when a person directly contacts an electrical source or when high voltage electricity is transmitted through air or other conductive media. Electric shock is categorized as either external injury or internal injury, depending on the severity of the injury.

• 2. Fire and Explosion

• Fire and explosion incidents are caused by arcing, high temperatures, static electricity, and other factors generated by ship's electrical equipment.

III. Safety Measures

• Notices should be posted at every location on board where electrical equipment and switches are installed, explaining how to treat people who have been electrocuted. If a person is unconscious, they must be treated immediately on the spot. Never leave or store flammable items near the switchboard. All personnel who operate and use electrical equipment should understand the safe operating procedures and be familiar with electrical performance and control principles. If any abnormality is found in the electrical equipment, timely measures should be taken.

• Work on or near live equipment should be avoided as much as possible. However, if it is necessary to do so for the safety of the ship or for testing, the following precautions should be taken:

(1) A person who is competent to treat people who have been electrocuted should be assigned to provide assistance at any time;

(2) Work should be done in a safe and stable place to avoid accidental contact with live parts. Insulated gloves should be worn whenever possible;

(3) Contact with the deck, especially the wet deck, should be avoided. Shoes that are wet or have metal studs or rivets cannot be completely insulated. Always use dry insulating pads;

(4) Avoid direct contact with metal. It is particularly dangerous to electrocute both hands at the same time. If possible, avoid contact with both hands at the same time;

(5) Take off watches, metal identification marks and rings that can be used to identify identity to avoid conduction.

• Working in high-temperature, sweaty, and humid electrical installation spaces is more likely to cause electric shock. Body sweat and wet clothes will greatly reduce the body's resistance. In this case, work should be suspended and wait until the situation returns to a safe level before working again.

• Non-responsible personnel are not allowed to tamper with switches on board, and fuse capacity is not allowed to be changed at will. The casing of electrical equipment with a voltage higher than 36 volts must be grounded. It is strictly forbidden to use steel tape measures and wire rulers (because they contain metal wires) for measurement work on live equipment. When maintaining and inspecting electrical equipment with large capacitors, the capacitors should be fully discharged.

IV. Emergency Response

• 1. If someone is electrocuted, first disconnect the power source as soon as possible, or use a dry, non-conductive stick, rope, or other device to disconnect the person from the source. Rescuers should avoid direct contact with the person to avoid collateral electric shock.

• 2. Move the person to a well-ventilated, warm area and provide first aid. If breathing or cardiac arrest occurs, immediately perform artificial respiration and chest compressions, and quickly call for help.

• 3. In the event of an electrical fire, first disconnect the power source and use a dry powder or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. Never use fire water directly to extinguish the fire to avoid electric shock and equipment damage.

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