What hazard can arise if grounding jumpers are not properly connected?

Grounding jumpers play a crucial role in electrical safety by providing a low-resistance path for fault currents to safely flow to the ground. When grounding jumpers are not properly connected, the effectiveness of the grounding system is compromised. This can lead to an increased risk of electric shock for individuals who may come into contact with energized equipment or conductors, as there isn't a safe path for the electrical current to follow in the event of a fault.

Inadequate grounding may allow dangerous voltages to persist on equipment frames, increasing the likelihood of a person receiving a hazardous electric shock. Proper connection of grounding jumpers helps ensure that fault currents are redirected into the ground, thereby protecting people from electrical hazards.

The other options, while related to electrical safety, do not directly address the specific risk associated with improperly connected grounding jumpers. For instance, circuit overload concerns relate more to excessive current causing circuit damage, voltage irregularities pertain to fluctuations in voltage that can affect operation, and electric arc flash incidents largely involve high-energy discharges that could be mitigated but not specifically caused by the grounding jumpers' connection state.