Electric Safety in the Workplace

Electricity is directly responsible for powering the workplace; however, its immense power also has the capability of causing serious – even potentially deadly – repercussions. Electricity may shock, it may burn, and cause a multitude of serious injuries.

In addition to the bodily harm that may be experienced when subjected to the power of electricity, it has the capability of igniting costly fires and resulting in damage to equipment, tools, and buildings.

Electrical safety in the workplace should be a top priority. In this brief guide, you will be introduced to several strategies on how to ensure your safety, the safety of those around you, and the safety of the area where you work.

It All Start with Respect

The first step to electrical safety in the workplace is to respect the power that it possesses. This is especially true if you find yourself touching a wire that is considered to be “live”. In this instance, you immediately become a core conductor of the electricity. It does not take a very large amount of electricity to result in serious bodily harm. In order to avoid this level of bodily harm, you should respect electricity in the following ways:

1. When moving equipment, you should ensure that you do not use or pull on the cords attached to the equipment in order to maneuver the piece.
2. Cords should always be untangled and kept out of areas where people frequently walk.
3. You should never fasten the cords in such a way that the insulation becomes damaged.
4. If you need to use extension cords outside, you should always opt for the waterproof version.
5. All of the machines within the workplace should be properly maintained at all times to ensure optimal functionality.

Eliminate the Potential for Shocks

A shock has the potential to result in a vast amount of harm. If you work around electricity in the workplace, you should follow these steps to eliminate the potential for shocks:

1. First, all electrical equipment should be inspected on a regular basis. You should make certain that all of the connections are tight and that the insulation on the electrical components is not frayed.
2. All equipment in and around the workplace should be properly grounded.
3. If wet, in a wet area, or your hands have moisture on them, avoid touching any type of electrical component in the workplace.
4. If you must use tools around sources of power, you should ensure that they are insulated and are considered to be non-conductive.
5. If your workplace has equipment that is energized, you should never place your body in the spaces that could possess that energy.

As you can see, there are many steps that may be taken to avoid electrical complications in the workplace. You should always ensure that the electrical situation in your workplace is evaluated to make certain that there are no dangers. If you would like assistance with this endeavor or would like to learn how to remain safe at work, call us at Hardcore Electric today at: 720-841-3897

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