Electricity keeps Soldiers and civilian contractors working or enjoying free time while deployed to a combat zone. However, electricity can be the enemy if it isn't used properly.
The 3rd Corps Support Command issued an electrical safety alert for those living on Logistical Support Area Anaconda. The alert is to let Soldiers and civilians know the dangers of electricity.
"We've had hundreds of near misses to every fire," said Ms. Lorese Dudley, the 3rd COSCOM safety director. "The big problem is that Soldiers are overloading these devices."
Power strips are the main cause of concern because too many devices are being plugged into them. According to Dudley, an overloaded power strip is cause for concern because it creates heat in the cord.
If the cords aren't stretched out, they stay coiled together and eventually melt. If no one notices the melted cords, they can burn the floor and anything else that might come in contact with them.
Personal heaters or heating elements can overload the power strips causing them to melt. Dudley believes these heaters are the cause of overloading during the colder months.
However, many of the power strips are rated to ten amps. Overlooking the amperage on these devices and overloading them can cause serious harm or even death throughout the year.
The COSCOM safety alert provides helpful reminders on how to keep yourself safe while enjoying your electrical devices.
Avoid circuit overload; before plugging in devices to power strips make sure the total current being plugged in doesn't exceed the rating imprinted on the power strip.
Resistance is the enemy; damage to cords increases electrical resistance, which causes cords to heat up and ignite.
Knotting, tightly coiling, and walking on cords may cause damage. Keep power strips where you can see them, never cover any part of an extension cord with newspapers, clothing, rugs or any other objects while the cord is in use.
Use approved devices; look for the certification symbols: UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.) and CE (Conformité Européene).
The UL mark on a product means that UL has tested and evaluated representative samples of that product and determined that they meet UL's requirements.
A CE marking is a European marking of conformity that indicates that a product complies with the essential requirements of European laws or directives with respect to safety, health, environment and consumer protection.
This issue is important because this is happening to Soldiers and civilians across Iraq.
Dudley said that people should look at the fuses inside of the power strips, if they have one, to make sure that it matches the rating on the device.
If the fuse doesn't match the rating, replace it with a fuse of correct amperage. This is one way to keep Soldiers and civilians from having to purchase new power strips.
"The main thing that we have to stress to Soldiers and civilians here is to unplug everything when they get ready to leave," Dudley said.
Dudley suggested people leaving their trailers should shut everything off as well.
"We are trying to mitigate the risk as much as we can," explained Dudley. "Awareness is the key. I would encourage Soldiers to get smarter with electricity."
"Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards focus on the design and use of electrical equipment and systems," according to "Controlling Electrical Hazards" a 2002 OSHA publication. Look for OSHA approved devices; they will carry the UL or CE symbols.
Staying safe is the key. If you have questions about safety or safety issues contact the safety NCO in your unit.
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2006 12:15 |
| Story ID: | 5823 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 12 |
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