Be careful if water and electricity are together!
Pointing out that there is a special type of socket that can detect imbalances in the electric current and automatically cut off the electricity before an electric shock occurs, experts say that a residual current relay is mandatory in pools.
Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "The underground electrical installation on the streets and streets in the city must be made at a depth of 80 cm."
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "We must immediately cut off the contact of the cable by using an insulated material to cut off the electric current. The board can be used for this purpose, as it does not conduct electricity; however, the main thing to do is to cut off the electricity supply if it is quickly accessible."
Üsküdar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan and Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl evaluated the incidents of electric shock from pools and puddles and explained the necessary safety measures.
Electrical equipment used in the pool must be protected by Earth Residual Current Circuit
Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department Assi. Prof. Rüştü Uçan informed about the current OHS standards and regulations for electrical safety in ornamental pools and said that "There is a special type of socket that can detect imbalances in the electric current and automatically cut off the electricity before an electric shock occurs. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection is required for all electrical equipment and all outdoor outlets used in a pool. When using pumps, appliances, and lights near water, use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) to protect yourself from electric shock. Never connect portable generators to household circuits."
Noting that danger zones were created during electrical installation in ornamental pools in the project phase, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that residual current relay is mandatory in these pools.
How should the underground electrical installation in the streets in the city be?
Emphasizing that the underground electrical installation in the streets in the city should be done at a depth of 80 cm, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "Periodic inspections should start after the facility is commissioned. Periodic inspections must be carried out in case of modifications or changes made in the facility. Insulation control is the most important step of periodic inspection. When other institutions such as water, sewerage or natural gas need to intervene in the facilities of the electricity distribution company, coordination must be ensured, and at the end of the work, compliance checks and isolation tests must be repeated."
Residual current relay must be used in kitchens, WCs and bathrooms
Stating that it is mandatory to use a 30-mA residual current relay in the apartment panel in houses, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "30-mA residual current relay must be used in places outside the home, in humid and wet places, in kitchens, WCs and bathrooms."
Noting that periodic inspections for small household appliances and these tests must be carried out in places outside the home, regarding electrical leakage in small household appliances, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that these tests are called PAT test (Portable Appliance Testing).
First aid in case of electric shock...
Pointing to first aid in electric shock, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "First, the electricity is turned off from the fuse. If you have a first aid certificate, Gently touch with the back of the hand and talk to the person, not the palm of the hand. If there is no reaction, start CPR (CPR is performed in the form of 2 exhalations and 30 heart massages). If you have an electrical burn, you can treat it in the same way as any other burn. Hold the burned area under running water for at least 20 minutes and then cover it with a sterile gauze or clean cloth if available.
What should be the regular maintenance and safety measures in wet areas?
Asst. Prof. Uçan stated that people's demands for the use of wet areas have increased with the warming of the weather, and that the increasing number of users and frequency of use cause a threat to human health when regular maintenance and safety measures are not considered in wet areas.
Regular control of swimming pools is important
Noting that 'swimming pools' are one of the most preferred especially in the use of wet areas, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "Swimming pools bring with them responsibilities such as regular checks, periodic maintenance and taking security measures around them. Swimming pools are usually inspected for suitability by the Provincial Health Directorates every month. The primary responsibility for meeting the minimum conditions for swimming pools is held in the operators, as well as in the case of communal swimming pools belonging to public living areas, the apartment complex management is held responsible."
A safety barrier should be created around the pool
Emphasizing that the precautions to be taken around the pool are also extremely important, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "Safety barriers/railings should be created around the pools with a height of at least 120 cm. Therefore, the pool should be separated from other common areas in a way that it is noticeable."
The compliance of the electrical installation with the legislation must be monitored every year
Emphasizing that the insulation of the pool material must also be done, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that the compliance of the electrical installation with the legislation must be carried out regularly by the authorized companies or the Chamber of Electrical Engineers every year and must be followed by the operator or apartment complex management.
Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "It must be paid attention to ensure that the electric current in or around the pool meets the condition described as a non-hazardous voltage below 50 Volts. 12-volt (AC) lighting and cleaning robots should be used in pools. The filter systems used in the cleaning of the pool should be applied in a way that does not create a vacuum and the suitability of the filter covers in the pool (not broken, cracked or hollow) must be checked regularly for cleaning the water.
Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan concluded his remarks as follows:
"In addition to all these, health and safety measures must be implemented in the pools, they must be carried out regularly every day, they must be monitored by the apartment complex management or the operator, and the work done must be recorded."
Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl: "Tests and inspections of underground cables are very important"
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl referred to the incident in İzmir in which two people lost their lives as a result of electric shock from a puddle while walking on the road and emphasized that the tests and inspections of distribution companies and underground cables are of great importance in such incidents.
Stating that residual current relays are extremely effective devices in saving lives, Asst. Prof. Bingöl expressed that "These devices are designed to protect human life by interrupting the circuit in as little as a tenth of a second when they detect a leakage current above 30 milliamperes, and therefore provide very strong protection."
A person caught in an electric current must be intervened within two seconds
Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl emphasized that in the event of an electric shock, if a person caught in the current is not intervened within two seconds, the probability of survival is significantly reduced.
Asst. Prof. Bingöl stated that "We must immediately cut off the contact of the cable using an insulated material to cut off the electric current. The board can be used for this purpose, as it does not conduct electricity; however, the main thing to do is to cut off the electricity supply if it can be accessed quickly." Bingöl also emphasized that hitting the head of the person caught in the current with a board is not the right intervention method.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)