One of the most critical duties of management at any facility is to keep workers safe. Every building will have electrical hazards, so there must be safety precautions in place.
Electrical safety requires training, lockout criteria, and specific forms of work practice. It also includes taking caution when using portable electrical equipment.
More and more businesses are involved in electrical protection by recognizing and detecting any electrical threats such as shock, arc flash/blast, and fire.
Electrical safety can be practiced by detecting electrical hazards, having awareness of appropriate work practices, and defending against electrical hazards. Non-electrical employees should also be aware of electrical risks to promote the safety of themselves and other employees.
Top 13 Electrical Safety Tips
Safety precautions are important when dealing with electricity. Protection must not be compromised and it is important to obey certain ground rules first. Below are 13 electrical safety tips to properly handle electricity and its equipment.
- Always turn the main switch off while you are working on anything electrical. It’s also a smart idea to place a sign on the service panel so that no one accidentally switches it back ON.
- Water and electricity do not work well together. Never work with wet hands to patch any electrical appliances or circuits or be prepared to get shocked due to the electric currents conducted.
- Never use frayed-cord machinery, faulty insulation, or bent connectors!
- Always obey the safety rules provided by the electrical code. Electrical risks include uncovered energized components and unguarded electrical devices that could suddenly be energized. Such devices often bear warning signs such as Shock Risk.
- Use suitable sealed latex gloves and eye protection when operating on any branch circuit or any other electrical circuit.
- Never use an aluminum or steel ladder while operating near electricity. Aluminum and steel are materials that conduct electricity. Instead use a ladder made of bamboo, wood, fiberglass, or any other non-conductive material.
- When using a tester, always verify that it is de-energized and disconnected at the source first. The bulb inside the tester shows up when an electrical tester contacts a live or hot wire, indicating that the respective wire is running through an electrical current. Before continuing with the job, inspect all the cables, the exterior metallic coating of the service panel, and any other dangling cables with an electrical tester.
- Scan all your Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) at least once a month. In modern homes, particularly damp areas such as the bathroom and kitchen, they become very prevalent as they help prevent electrical shock hazards. A GFCI is programmed to disconnect easily enough to prevent any damage incurred by faults in the overcurrent or short circuit.
- Ensure that all risk assessment is done properly. The purpose of the risk appraisal is to determine any risks as well as serious damage that may occur. The type of electrical equipment used, how it is used, and the environment in which it is used should be taken into account.
- Complete the protocol for lockout. It is a crucial protocol for machines that guarantees the welfare of fellow workers when a computer is switched off and left alone. Lockout is extremely helpful when servicing and repair work is being carried out to ensure that there is no re-energization of a computer that may cause unintended harm to someone nearby.
- Don’t overload your electrical adapters. Be sure that equipment plugged into outlets does not surpass the maximum current level defined for the extension lead by using extension leads. This could lead to overheating and/or fire if power outlets are overloaded.
- Make sure you use signs for safety. Protection signs are required to help warn others of threats. For example, alert and hazard signs should often be located next to the equipment, not just for the protection of staff, but for the protection of anyone who might visit the site. They are also helpful in avoiding injuries.
- Four safety signals can be used in the health and safety policy of the workplace; ban and fire (red), obligatory (blue), alert and stable state. Yellow ‘danger’ signs are used for electrical threats and fire dangers to identify electrical shock threats, fire risks, and hazards.
- Maintain the equipment. This tip is vital for keeping machines, instruments, and equipment clean and stable for as long as possible. To keep them running properly, computers and appliances should still be tested with daily services and maintenance, which can minimize the risk of machinery breaking down or malfunctioning.
There are many ways to repair massive machines and appliances, including the regular addition and inspection of lubricants, which not only increases the life of the machines but also reminds you to search for build-up or excess oil and seal leakage.
By monitoring for signs of wear when a computer is used without first spotting the warning signs, you are less likely to experience any technical failures and injuries to staff.