5 Common Electrical Hazards to Avoid At Workplace
Electrical safety measurements are not only significant
for residential places but also hold equal importance for offices and other
such commercial establishments. After all, the dangers are no less for the
workplaces as they are for the residences. Thus, electrical safety parameters
need to be sustained with as much care in both places.
When it comes to the workplace, think about the number
of electrical appliances plugged in and used every day. Right from several
monitors, printers, to the lighting, motor, and pumps, everything has to
operate for almost the entire day.
To top it off, you are responsible for the safety of
your employees who are diligently completing their eight-hour shifts or more at
your premises. Making sure that common electrical hazards are avoided at your
office is your duty. Here's outlining the five common electrical hazards that
you must avoid at a workplace.
1. Water Spilled On Electrical Devices
Electrical equipment should not be switched on or
operated when it is in contact with water. The risk of getting electrocuted
increases manifold when the equipment comes with damaged insulation.
It is crucial to switch the main power connection off
and unplug the damp or wet equipment at your workplace. The next step is to dry
out the equipment thoroughly.
Do not plug in the equipment immediately after drying it
out and start operating. Get a certified electrician to check that device to
make sure that it is no longer dangerous and can be switched on again.
2. Overloaded Circuits and Inadequate Wiring
The dangers of electrical fires and overheating loom
large if you have the wrong size in your office premises. Overloading a circuit
is as dangerous as having inadequate wiring.
Current heats the wires at a high temperature if a lot
of devices get plugged into one circuit. That leads to fire. Arcing might occur
when the wire insulation starts melting down, and that can lead to a fire in
the area of the overload or even inside the walls.
3. Improper Grounding of the Electrical Equipment
Every electrical device, appliance, or equipment needs
to be grounded or earthed for obtaining a low resistance path to dissipate
current in the earth. Faults in grounding have a direct impact on human safety because it can cause electrical shock and
fires.
Moreover, leaving electrical systems ungrounded can be
seriously hazardous to the electronics. It is an important safety feature that
takes away the extra electricity from the device and saves the electronics from
any damage.
4. Leaving Loosely Fitted Plugs in Any Part of the Property
Plugs for all electrical equipment must fit firmly in
the socket. Keep in mind that loose-fitted plugs are dangerous because they can
make equipment catch fire due to overheating. It might need regular physical
checks to make sure that a plug is not loose.
Be cautious at the time of office cleaning and shifting
of equipment there. At times, plugs get loosened from the sockets in the hustle
of moving the equipment. The problem can also arise from exposed electrical
parts like detached parts of insulators, temporary lighting systems, or
open-power distribution units. Burns and shocks might stem from these parts, as
well.
Get an electrician to repair the exposed parts and
secure all electrical parts with the right guarding mechanism. Do not try to
handle such critical electrical equipment all by yourself.
5. Incorrect Placement of Electrical Cords in the Facility
It is crucial to install electrical cords in the right
manner while keeping in mind the safety measures. The electrical cords are
usually located along or within the walls, but make sure that you hire an
expert electrician to install wires and cords. Relying on a Flat Extension Cord might be a good idea in this regard.
All loose wires should be taken care of before they lead
to any disaster. You should also see that no electrical cables pass through the
high-traffic zones in the office, such as across doorways or under carpets. It
will prevent the cords from getting worn down and minimize accidents.
Additional Guidelines to Follow For Maintaining Safety
Though the ways to prevent the common electrical hazards
have already been discussed, here are some crucial guidelines that you should
keep in mind for electrical safety:
● Know the exact location and the way to operate the
circuit breaker panels and shut-off switches. In case there is electrocution or
fire, these devices will help in shutting off the equipment.
●
Fuses or circuit breakers are a must for the multi-plug
adapters.
●
Unplug appliances and switch them off when they are not
in use.
●
Make sure that all the appliances are turned off at the
end of the day.
●
Do not try to force a plug into the outlet where it does
not fit.
● Make sure that there is at least
three feet clearance maintained in front of electrical panels.
If any of the following situations arise, then you
should see to it that the equipment is taken out of service immediately:
●
Experience any kind of shock, even mild ones, upon
contact
●
Abnormal levels of heat generation
●
Arcing or sparking in the plugs
● Smoke coming out from the
equipment
It is vital to label "do not use" over the
dangerous equipment in a commercial establishment. You should make sure that
the equipment gets repaired either through the department support or the
equipment manufacturer, as is appropriate for your organization.
Takeaway
You and the other employees spend at least seven to
eight hours every day at the office premises. Avoiding the basic measures of
electrical safety will put many lives at risk. Major electrical mishaps have
always occurred due to carelessness and failure to take action at the right
time. Make sure the points given above are paid attention to, and the necessary
steps are taken to secure your workplace from electrical hazards.
