BOS 3001
The Hidden Hazards of Electricity
Columbia Southern University
BOS 3001-18L-2A21-S1
Abstract
Electricity is located in just about every faucet of our lives today. The sources of electricity
surround us and are not just the thick wires running in to the home to your breaker box.
Understanding the dangers and hazards associated with electricity takes familiarization and an
understanding of the terminology associated with working on and around electricity. We must
be aware of the different sources, solar, wind, and power supplied by powerlines. Knowing the
sources is just the beginning you must also know the hidden hazards and how to identify if the
power has been isolated or not.
Introduction to Electricity
The article “Electricity: The Invisible Hazard” briefly reviews the hidden nature of
electricity and its ability to camouflage the source and its level of danger. The reader is
introduced to a fire-fighters perspective of how dangerous electricity is to their work and how it
is hidden in every faucet and material that surrounds them on a call. The author describes how
not understanding the terminology of electricity can affect fire-fighters in different types of
settings. The example given was the authors supervisor responded to a call with the department
and went to find out how high the voltage was to the downed line. Due to his misunderstanding
the electrical engineer that had showed to repair the line stated it was of low voltage and the
supervisor took that to mean it was not life threatening. Since the author had been a master
electrician, he questioned the electrical engineer as to the voltage of the lines and was informed
The Hidden Hazards of Electricity
Columbia Southern University
BOS 3001-18L-2A21-S1
Abstract
Electricity is located in just about every faucet of our lives today. The sources of electricity
surround us and are not just the thick wires running in to the home to your breaker box.
Understanding the dangers and hazards associated with electricity takes familiarization and an
understanding of the terminology associated with working on and around electricity. We must
be aware of the different sources, solar, wind, and power supplied by powerlines. Knowing the
sources is just the beginning you must also know the hidden hazards and how to identify if the
power has been isolated or not.
Introduction to Electricity
The article “Electricity: The Invisible Hazard” briefly reviews the hidden nature of
electricity and its ability to camouflage the source and its level of danger. The reader is
introduced to a fire-fighters perspective of how dangerous electricity is to their work and how it
is hidden in every faucet and material that surrounds them on a call. The author describes how
not understanding the terminology of electricity can affect fire-fighters in different types of
settings. The example given was the authors supervisor responded to a call with the department
and went to find out how high the voltage was to the downed line. Due to his misunderstanding
the electrical engineer that had showed to repair the line stated it was of low voltage and the
supervisor took that to mean it was not life threatening. Since the author had been a master
electrician, he questioned the electrical engineer as to the voltage of the lines and was informed
