Electricity is vital in every business, therefore workplace electrical injuries are a serious risk everywhere. Any electrical system utilised in a workplace has the potential to be dangerous, especially if it is handled or maintained incorrectly. Humans are said to be good conductors of electricity. This implies that we will receive a shock if the open electric circuit makes a contact with our body. The electric current will move from one part of our body to the next, causing severe pain, burns, and harm to the muscles, nerves, and tissues. Even death could result from this.
Types of Workplace Electrical Injuries
Electricity can cause four different kinds of injuries:
- Electric shock
- Electrocution
- Falls
- Burns
How Electrical Injuries happen?
- Direct touch with electrified cables or exposed electrical connections.
- A grounded person can pass through electrical arcs that circulate in the air and are caused by exposed electrified cables or circuits.
- Internal tissues will burn if the skin comes into contact with the heat from electric arcs.
- The eyes may be harmed by the UV and IR light that an electric arc flash emits.
- An arc flash causes an arc explosion, which can cause bodily harm, hearing loss, or the collapse of your lungs, when the potential pressure from the flash is released.
Common Electrical Hazards
In some workplaces, electrical safety may not be the most evident danger, but it has the potential to be the most dangerous.
Electrical risks should be properly assessed and related to workplace safety. Fortunately, there are numerous actions that organizations can take to manage electrical risks and safeguard staff members. It goes without saying that you have to start somewhere when it comes to electrical safety, so let’s take a look at some of the most crucial safety measures that businesses should implement to uphold good electrical safety in the workplace.
Avoid Wet Areas
The first rule of electricity is that Water and electricity shouldn’t be combined. Water and other liquids should be kept far away from any areas of the workplace that have electricity. There shouldn’t be any water source nearby, whether it’s a power strip in an office or a circuit breaker.
Faulty equipment
Another thing that doesn’t go well with electricity is faulty equipment. When it comes to electrical dangers, there is no reason to take any chances. Simple things like faulty insulation, frayed wires, or broken plugs could be the cause. To lessen the risks linked with electricity, any of these problems should be resolved soon away.
Insulated tools & equipment
A unique form of equipment is needed to protect against electrical risks. Employees should always wear goggles and rubber gloves when working on any kind of electrical circuit. To further safeguard anyone working with electricity, it’s a good idea to lay down rubber mats on the floor.
Lockout / Tagout Procedures
Before doing any maintenance or servicing, all machinery or equipment that is linked to an electrical source should always be de-energized using lockout/tag-out procedures. After a while, this kind of practice may start to feel regular, but it’s an essential aspect of workplace electrical safety. When this type of job is required, employees should be thoroughly taught on lockout/tagout procedures and adhere to strict protocol.
Organized Cords
This is the kind of precaution that may seem simple but is crucial. Electrical risks should never be taken lightly, thus these areas should always be kept tidy and orderly. A workplace’s safety risks can be unnecessarily increased by something as simple as disorganised or messy wires.
Unqualified employees
In general, if staff aren’t trained to operate a given place or piece of equipment, they should be kept away from it. But when it comes to power, it’s much more crucial. Clear information on which areas to stay away from due to electrical hazards should be issued to employees. But make sure to explain the risks associated with such hazards and the reasons why they should avoid those locations.
Physical barriers
Putting up physical barriers around locations with electrical risks is frequently beneficial. The absolute minimum is to always keep cabinet doors to electrical panels closed. But even temporary barriers like walls or other types of shields can be wise. You don’t want to take any chances when it comes to electrical risks. It really helps to reduce those risks if barriers are put in place to keep employees away from electrical equipment who have no business being there.
Conclusion
It always benefits to train your staff on electrical safety, regardless of how much you do to address workplace electrical safety. We advise your company to take our Electrical Safety training, which is provided by trained professionals with experience in the industry. The best method to develop a thorough strategy for managing electrical safety at work is to do it this way. Because of the safety accidents it can avoid, it not only protects employees but also saves money by preventing any electrical accidents or injuries.
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