If you’re an employee or a small business owner, workplace safety is very crucial and ensuring electrical safety in the workplace qualifies under this. There are a few basic rules to remember and rules to follow in the workplace regarding electrical safety. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Dos and don’ts
- Make sure that you don't use outlets or cords that have exposed the wiring.
- Never block access to electrical panels, circuit breakers, and fuse boxes.
- In the event of an electrical accident, do not touch the person or the apparatus without disconnecting the power source first.
- Never use a portable cord-and-plug connected power tool that has the guards removed.
- Make sure that you know where the electrical panels and circuit breakers are in the case of an emergency.
- Always make sure that exposed receptacle boxes are made of non-conductive materials.
- Make sure that you use the correct fuse size at all times. Replacing a fuse with a fuse of larger size will cause excess current to run through the wiring and this can possibly cause an electrical fire.
- Always make it a point to use ladders of non-conductive side rails when working with or near power lines.
- Make sure that the extension cord and another equipment that you use is the correct rating to be used for the application.
- Tape all extension cords to the floor or walls when required. Don't use nails and staples to fasten extension cords as they can damage the equipment and cause fire and shock hazards.
The basic thing to remember about electricity is that is powerful enough to kill or cause serious injury if you’re not careful. Voltages in industrial setups and even homes are high enough to cause death by electrocution. Even the simple act of changing a light bulb without switching off the electrical connection can be hazardous. TASCO, Inc. advises that you use an electrical circuit branch identifier for complicated jobs.
This shows how important it is to comply with the regulations of safety to protect the business and more importantly the people who work, who are the real asset to any organization.