Employees in both offices and manufacturing facilities often face workplace electrical hazards that they are either poorly trained for, or are inadequately equipped to handle. In some cases, the hazards involved come about in spite of the best efforts of employers to maintain code-compliant work environments; in others, hazards come about for reasons of employer oversight or carelessness. Maintaining a safe workplace doesn’t cost much — it only requires a simple education in the importance of good electrical design in the workplace, and an attitude that places value on safety.
Does poor electrical design cause much damage?
The year 1992 saw close to 400 employees in the US meet their end through electrical accidents in the workplace. Many thousands more suffered sustained long-term disability through electrical accidents.
According to statistics by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), electrical accidents have become less frequent over the past quarter-century, falling to no more than 250 deaths a year in recent times. These impressive improvements have been achieved through strictly enforced regulations.
Individual businesses need to work hard to ensure close compliance to all safety codes to maintain such high standards. An accident can be terrible news for any small business. Not only are employers likely to be sued for unsafe practices, an OSHA audit can be serious enough to spell all financial disaster.
What kind of safety practices make sense?
The electrical safety requirements for workers in office environments tend to be far easier for employers to follow than those in place in industrial environments. Even as offices have relatively modest needs for electrical power, poor electrical design certainly can cause accidents. The following precautions are required.
- Employers should be aware of the level of electrical draw permitted over every outlet in every office, and make sure that there is no greater draw.
- In the event of electrical malfunction or electric shock, breaker boxes should always be within easy reach, unencumbered by furniture or other obstructions. If earth leakage circuit breakers are not installed, it’s important to call in a contractor to have the situation corrected.
- Extension cords, when used, should not be used to draw more power than an outlet or circuit is capable of delivering. It’s important to call in a qualified commercial electrician who provide Commercial electrical services in North Bergen or residential electrician like Naples Electrician | A/C Electrical Services to ensure that all connected loads add up to no greater and electrical load than is safe.
- When extension cords are run across floors, they should not be placed under rugs. Over time, friction can wear insulation through.
- All electrical equipment, including wall outlets and circuit breakers should be inspected monthly by a qualified electrician for serviceability like this electrical repair in Rowlett, TX.
Marking out hazardous areas
Whether employees have routine access to areas housing incoming power lines and other high-risk power equipment or not, it’s important to make sure that all such areas are clearly marked out as hazardous. If these areas aren’t clearly marked out by the buildings’ managers, or if they appear slow to respond to requests for such markings, it’s easy to look up information on how to use floor marking for electrical panel compliance, and have an electrician do the job with easily available special marking tape sold for such purposes. If you need electrical repair in White Plains area or electrical repair in De Pere, WI, you might want to contact your local commercial electrician for professional assistance. You can also visit sites like https://hometownelectricaldoctor.com/ for additional guidance.
Employee electrical safety in factories and warehouses
Employees should be equipped with all necessary safety equipment: From proper, insulated tools to safety glasses, masks, hard hats, clothing and footwear, employees working with hazardous electrical currents should have all appropriate safety apparatus. Since perspiration can make any electrical job less safe, it’s important for to arrange for ample ventilation.
All signage and markings should be of he permanent kind: As repairs and modifications are carried out over time, electricians may leave temporary signs on makeshift materials such as tape and cardboard. It’s important to replace all temporary markings with permanent ones that don’t fade or fall off.
Overhead and underground power lines: When workers need to operate forklifts or cranes, or install scaffolding or poles, it’s important for them to consult available materials about power lines either underground or overhead. One careless move is usually all it takes to breach electrical lines.
Emergency shutoff switches should be easily available: In the event of an emergency, it is important that all staff know exactly where to go to turn off power. The area that houses power equipment should be clearly marked out, and workers should be trained in locating and operating these controls.
The risk of electrical accidents tends to be far greater in manufacturing facilities. It’s important for employers to make sure that they follow all regulations. And when you need electrical repair in Sioux City, make sure to contact a professional as soon as possible to avoid further damages. Visit sites like callbrand.com for additional guidance.
Knowing what to do when an emergency occurs
Employers need to do far more than to simply train their workers in the importance of the safety principle. It is also important to train every worker in basic emergency relief in the event of an electrical accident. Teaching CPR and basic first aid can save lives.
After 15 years in the aerospace industry as a Lean manager Antonio Ferraro was offered a job with creativesafetysupply.com doing lean for companies and helping to show others what an organized workplace can do to help the bottom line. Antonio enjoys sharing his ideas and insights online.
