Exam Question

### (a) Hazards Associated with Working on Electrical Machinery (4 Marks)
Working on or in the vicinity of energized electrical equipment onboard a vessel presents several severe hazards, which are amplified by the marine environment. As per the provided context, factors like high humidity, wetness, and elevated temperatures significantly reduce the body's contact resistance, making even low voltages potentially lethal. The primary hazards include:
1. **Electric Shock:** This is the direct physiological reaction to an electric current passing through the body. The reduced skin resistance in a ship's environment means that voltages below 60V, often considered safe ashore, can be fatal at sea. The current can cause muscle contractions, paralysis, fibrillation of the heart, and death.
2. **Electrical Burns:** These are burns resulting from direct contact with live electrical components. The heat generated by the current flowing through body tissues causes severe internal and external burns along the path of the current.