Electrical Safety in Social Care: Hazards and Precautions

Question 1

The primary hazard associated with electricity is:

Accepted Answer

Electric shock

Answer

Burns

Answer

Fire

Answer

Explosion

Question 2

Which type of electric current is particularly dangerous to humans?

Accepted Answer

Alternating current (AC)

Answer

Direct current (DC)

Answer

Both DC and AC are equally dangerous

Answer

None of the options provided

Question 3

Which of the following is not a recommended practice for maintaining electrical safety in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring damaged electrical equipment

Answer

Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer

Following safe working practices

Answer

Reporting electrical hazards promptly

Question 4

Which of the following is a key electrical safety precaution to prevent electric shock?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring electrical appliances are properly grounded or double insulated

Answer

Using electrical appliances with frayed cords

Answer

Touching electrical outlets with wet hands

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a potential electrical hazard found in social care settings?

Accepted Answer

Properly earthed devices

Answer

Exposed wiring

Answer

Faulty appliances

Answer

Wet or damp surroundings

Question 6

What is the appropriate action to take if you suspect an electrical appliance is malfunctioning?

Accepted Answer

Report it to a qualified electrician

Answer

Continue using it until it fails completely

Answer

Attempt to fix it yourself

Answer

Ignore it and hope it doesn't cause any harm

Question 7

True or False: It is acceptable to use extension cords as a permanent electrical connection.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 8

Which of the following is **not** a potential electrical hazard in social care settings?

Accepted Answer

Infrequent maintenance and inspection

Answer

Faulty wiring

Answer

Overloaded sockets

Answer

Exposed cables

Question 9

The primary defense against electric shock is:

Accepted Answer

Using insulated tools

Answer

Wearing protective clothing

Answer

Maintaining a safe distance from electrical equipment

Answer

Grounding electrical appliances

Question 10

If you witness someone receiving an electric shock, you should:

Accepted Answer

Turn off the power supply and call for emergency services

Answer

Attempt to pull them away from the source with your bare hands

Answer

Try to resuscitate the person if they are unconscious

Answer

Leave the area immediately to avoid being shocked yourself

Question 11

Which type of fuse breaks the circuit when the current exceeds a safe level?

Accepted Answer

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

Answer

Residual Current Device (RCD)

Answer

Cartridge fuse

Answer

Plug fuse

Question 12

The purpose of a Residual Current Device (RCD) is to:

Accepted Answer

Detect and interrupt current leakage to the ground

Answer

Prevent overcurrent

Answer

Protect against short circuits

Answer

Isolate a circuit after a fault occurs

Question 13

In social care settings, which type of electrical system is preferred due to its increased safety features?

Accepted Answer

Ring main

Answer

Radial circuit

Answer

Parallel circuit

Answer

Series circuit

Question 14

The minimum safe distance to maintain from overhead power lines is:

Accepted Answer

10 meters

Answer

1 meter

Answer

3 meters

Answer

5 meters

Question 15

What is the fundamental cause of electric shock?

Accepted Answer

Contact with an active electrical source

Answer

Exceeding the capacity of an electrical outlet

Answer

Wet hands touching electrical equipment

Answer

Damaged electrical cords

Question 16

What is the primary function of a residual current device (RCD)?

Accepted Answer

To detect and interrupt the flow of electricity in the event of a fault

Answer

To provide a physical barrier between the user and electricity

Answer

To amplify the flow of electricity in the circuit

Answer

To convert alternating current to direct current

Question 17

When should electrical equipment be inspected and tested according to best practices?

Accepted Answer

Regularly, as per manufacturer's recommendations

Answer

Only when it shows visible signs of damage

Answer

Only when it is new

Answer

Never

Question 18

What is the maximum amperage that can safely pass through a standard 13 amp socket in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

13 amps

Answer

10 amps

Answer

16 amps

Answer

20 amps

Question 19

Who shares the primary responsibility for ensuring electrical safety in social care settings?

Accepted Answer

Both the employer and the employees

Answer

The employer

Answer

The employees

Answer

The residents

Question 20

What is the appropriate action to take if you discover a damaged electrical appliance in a social care setting?

Accepted Answer

Report it to a supervisor immediately

Answer

Attempt to repair it yourself

Answer

Ignore it if it's not causing any problems

Answer

Plug it into a different outlet

Question 21

What is the function of a residual current device (RCD)?

Accepted Answer

Protection against electric shock

Answer

Preventing overheating

Answer

Isolating faulty circuits

Answer

Detecting electrical surges

Question 22

When handling frayed electrical cords, it's best to:

Accepted Answer

Replace them immediately

Answer

Insulate them with tape

Answer

Continue using them if they work

Answer

Report them to a supervisor

Question 23

Electrical safety training for care workers is crucial because it:

Accepted Answer

Covers all of the above

Answer

Protects their safety

Answer

Ensures service user safety

Answer

Meets legal requirements

Question 24

Which of these is NOT a responsibility of care workers regarding electrical safety?

Accepted Answer

Repairing electrical faults

Answer

Reporting electrical hazards

Answer

Using equipment safely

Answer

Following safety guidelines

Question 25

Which of the following is **not** a potential long-term effect of electric shock?

Accepted Answer

Memory loss

Answer

Cardiac arrhythmias

Answer

Nerve damage

Answer

Muscle weakness

Question 26

Which of the following is a primary responsibility of social care workers in ensuring electrical safety?

Accepted Answer

Regularly inspecting electrical equipment and reporting any concerns

Answer

Installing and repairing electrical wiring

Answer

Providing comprehensive electrical safety training to service users

Question 27

What is the primary distinction between voltage and electric current?

Accepted Answer

Voltage is the difference in electrical potential between two points, while current is the rate at which electrical charge flows.

Answer

Voltage represents the amount of electrical charge flowing through a conductor, whereas current is the force driving the charge flow.

Answer

Voltage is the electrical energy stored within a conductor, whereas current is the power dissipated by the conductor.

Answer

Voltage measures the strength of an electric field, while current measures the flow of electrons.

Question 28

Which material is commonly used to prevent the flow of electricity?

Accepted Answer

Plastic

Answer

Copper

Answer

Metal

Question 29

What's the main reason for grounding in an electrical system?

Accepted Answer

To create a safe path for extra electrical energy to release

Answer

To keep a steady flow of electricity

Answer

To make energy use more efficient

Answer

To stop power surges

Question 30

To prevent electrical fires in social care settings, which action should social care workers take?

Accepted Answer

Inspect appliances and wiring for damage.

Answer

Plug multiple appliances into one outlet.

Answer

Use equipment with damaged cords.

Answer

Keep flammable materials near electrical equipment.

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a common electrical hazard in social care settings?

Accepted Answer

Water damage

Answer

Fires

Answer

Burns

Answer

Electric shock

Question 32

What is the purpose of an electrical circuit breaker?

Accepted Answer

To prevent electrical overloads

Answer

To store electrical energy

Answer

To amplify electrical signals

Answer

To generate electricity

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a good electrical safety practice in social care settings?

Accepted Answer

Using damaged electrical cords

Answer

Inspecting electrical equipment regularly

Answer

Keeping electrical outlets away from water

Answer

Avoiding overloading electrical outlets

Question 34

What type of plug should be used for outdoor electrical appliances?

Accepted Answer

Weatherproof plug

Answer

Three-prong plug

Answer

Two-prong plug

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of social care workers in ensuring electrical safety?

Accepted Answer

Installing new electrical wiring

Answer

Reporting electrical hazards

Answer

Inspecting electrical equipment

Answer

Unplugging unused appliances

Question 36

What is the fundamental purpose of grounding in electrical systems?

Accepted Answer

Providing a safe pathway for excess current to flow.

Answer

Increasing the electrical voltage.

Answer

Reducing the overall current flow.

Answer

Improving the efficiency of electrical appliances.

Question 37

Upon suspecting an electrical fault, what should your primary action be?

Accepted Answer

Report it to the designated authority and refrain from using the affected area.

Answer

Attempt to rectify the issue without professional help.

Answer

Continue using the affected area with caution.

Answer

Ignore it, as it may resolve itself.

Question 38

Which practice is considered essential for maintaining electrical safety in a workplace?

Accepted Answer

Regularly inspecting and testing electrical equipment.

Answer

Touching electrical outlets with damp hands.

Answer

Using extension cords as permanent wiring.

Answer

Storing flammable materials adjacent to electrical appliances.

Question 39

What is the primary objective of electrical bonding?

Accepted Answer

Equalizing electrical potential among connected components.

Answer

Enhancing the electrical insulation of components.

Answer

Reducing voltage drop across a circuit.

Answer

Increasing the flow of electrical current.

Question 40

In the context of electrical safety, RCD stands for:

Accepted Answer

Residual Current Device

Answer

Reverse Current Distributor

Answer

Resistance Control Device

Answer

Rapid Current Discharger

Question 41

Which practice is considered a safe measure when using electrical equipment in social care settings?

Accepted Answer

Keep electrical cords out of frequently used pathways

Answer

Overload electrical sockets

Answer

Use electrical cords with exposed wires

Question 42

What is the primary purpose of earthing in an electrical setup?

Accepted Answer

To provide a safe route for electrical current in the event of a fault

Answer

To completely prevent electrical shocks

Answer

To enhance the efficiency of the system

Answer

To increase the voltage of the system

Question 43

Within a social care setting, who bears the legal responsibility for ensuring electrical safety?

Accepted Answer

The employer

Answer

The employees

Answer

The residents/clients

Answer

The local authority

Question 44

What is the primary objective of a Portable Appliance Test (PAT)?

Accepted Answer

To verify the safety of portable electrical appliances

Answer

To detect faults in electrical installations

Answer

To measure the efficiency of electrical appliances

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT an indication of a potential electrical hazard?

Accepted Answer

Well-maintained and insulated wiring

Answer

Flickering electrical lights

Answer

Exposed electrical wires

Answer

Strange burning odors