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Introducing Dave

Dave and the Danger of Death sign

Hi there, my name’s Dave and I spend my days working on the Danger of Death sign, and my nights and weekends having fun with my mates, or chilling out with my girlfriend Julie.

It’s hard, working on the Danger of Death sign, but it’s good to know that I’m doing a job that saves lives. The work’s varied too. You never know where you are going to be next. The Danger of Death sign is there to warn you that you are close to high voltage electricity and it turns up all over the place. One day I might be working on a lamppost, the next on an electricity substation, pylons, electric railways, they all have Danger of Death signs.

Electricity is powerful stuff. I use it to power my computer and sound system, Oh and the fridge, that’s pretty important too, along with the TV – couldn’t be without watching the footie with my mates. But it has to be treated with respect. If not you can find yourself in serious trouble. Electricity can cause serious injury or kill you if you don’t take care.

Ask Julie

Julie

Dave’s brainy girlfriend answers some important questions about electricity:

What is electricity?

Electricity is a form of energy, which is easily changed into other forms of energy (such as heat and light) and can flow along wires to wherever it is needed. Electricity flowing through a wire is called current electricity. Most electric currents consist of a stream of particles called electrons.

Why is electricity dangerous?

  1. It always tries to find the easiest path to the ground
  2. Human Bodies contain 70% water
  3. Electricity flows more easily through water than through air

This means that if you touch an electric current it will pass through the water content of your body as it seeks to find the easiest path to the ground. Causing you to suffer an electric shock.

First Aid

Electric shock victims often cannot let go of the appliance that is passing the electric current to their body because the electricity causes their muscles to contract.

  • Never attempt to rescue a person from High Voltage Electricity. Dial 999 and call for help.
  • Do not approach a person who is in contact with high voltage electricity – it can jump.

Mains electricity:

  • Do not touch the person until the current is switched off. If you touch them, you are likely to be electrocuted as well.
  • If the current cannot be switched off, stand on some dry insulating material (such as a thick pile of newspaper), and use a wooden or plastic implement to free the casualty from the electrical source.
  • If breathing has stopped, start mouth-to-mouth respiration and continue until the casualty starts to breathe or until medical help arrives.

High Voltage Electricity

High voltage, is electricity with a force in excess of 1,000 volts. In the United Kingdom mains electricity is supplied to houses at 230 volts, which is called Low Voltage. The electrical current that flows around the national supply network (the National Grid) is usually between 275,000 volts and 400,000 volts. This current is transformed down to a lower voltage by transformers at electricity substations.

High Voltage electricity is particularly dangerous because it can jump. The higher the voltage the further it can jump. People and machinery should never get closer than 5m (20ft) to high voltage electricity. This is why electricity substations and pylons have safety barriers around them and Danger of Death warning signs.

Next page: Meet Julie