What is Hazardous Energy?
Energy in any form becomes hazardous when it builds to a dangerous level or is released in a quantity that could injure a worker. Workers servicing or maintaining machines or equipment may be seriously injured or killed if hazardous energy is not properly controlled. Injuries resulting from the failure to control hazardous energy during maintenance activities can be serious or fatal! Injuries may include electrocution, burns, crushing, cutting, lacerating, amputating, or fracturing body parts, and others.
- A steam valve is automatically turned on burning workers who are repairing a downstream connection in the piping.
- A jammed conveyor system suddenly releases, crushing a worker who is trying to clear the jam.
- Internal wiring on a piece of factory equipment electrically shorts, shocking worker who is repairing the equipment.
Forms of Energy
Energy is the power for doing work. Energy exists in different types, but all are associated with motion. Regardless of the type, energy exists in two basic states:
- potential energy - Energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position relative to others, stresses within itself, electric charge, and other factors.
- Kinetic energy - Energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion..
Reference the infographic at the right: Releasing the load causes it to drop, converting potential energy to kinetic energy. It's the harmful transfer of energy at impact between an object and the worker that can cause injury. Note: it's the "harmful transfer of energy" that is always the direct cause of injury in an accident event.
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1-7. What are the two basic states of energy?
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