Exam Question

### (a) Hazards while working on Electrical Machinery (8 Marks)
Working on or near electrical machinery, particularly in the unique marine environment, presents several severe hazards. A comprehensive understanding of these risks is fundamental for ensuring personnel safety.
1. **Electric Shock:** This is the most immediate and life-threatening hazard. The human body becomes part of an electrical circuit, leading to current flow that can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and severe internal and external injuries. As noted in the provided context, the risk on ships is significantly elevated due to factors like high humidity, perspiration, and wet surfaces (e.g., bilge water), which drastically reduce the skin's contact resistance. Consequently, even low voltages (less than 60V) that might be safe ashore can become fatal at sea.
2. **Electrical Burns:** These occur in three primary ways: