Electrical safety may not be the most obvious hazard in every workplace, but it has a chance to be the most serious.
Workplace safety and electrical hazards need to be closely examined and linked with one another. Fortunately, there are plenty of steps that employers can take to address electrical hazards and keep employees safe. Obviously, you have to start somewhere in the name of electrical safety, so let’s look at some of the most important safety precautions that companies should take to maintain proper electrical safety in the workplace.
Avoid Wet Areas
The first rule of electricity is that water and electricity don’t mix. If there is any part of the workplace where there is electricity, water, and other liquids should be kept far away. Whether it’s a power strip in an office or a circuit breaker, there should be no source of water anywhere in the vicinity.
Never Use Faulty Equipment
Faulty equipment is another thing that doesn’t mix well with electricity. There’s no reason to take any chances when it comes to electrical hazards. It could be something as simple as broken plugs, frayed cords, or damaged insulation. If there are any of these issues, they should be addressed right away to reduce risks associated with electricity.
Use Insulated Tools and Equipment
Electrical hazards are a special type of hazard that requires special equipment. Working on any type of electrical circuit should involve employees wearing rubber gloves and goggles. It’s also not a bad idea to place rubber mats on the floor to further protect anyone performing electrical work.
Use Lockout/Tagout Procedures
Any equipment or machinery that is connected to an electrical source should always be de-energized via lockout/tag-out procedures before any maintenance or servicing is performed. This type of thing might start to become routine after a little while, but it’s a critical part of electrical safety in the workplace. Employees should be well-trained in lockout/tag-out procedures and follow protocols closely when this type of work is needed.
Keep Cords Tidy and Organized
This is the type of safety precaution that sounds simple but is important. It’s best not to take any chances with electrical hazards, which is why these areas should always be clean and organized. Even something as simple as scattered or unkempt wires can needlessly add to the safety hazards in a workplace.
Keep Unqualified Employees Away
In general, it’s good to keep employees away from certain areas or equipment if they aren’t qualified to use them. But it’s even more important when electricity is involved. Employees should be given clear instructions on what areas to avoid because of electrical hazards. But be sure to explain the dangers of those hazards and why they need to stay away from those areas.
Use Physical Barriers
It’s often useful to put up physical barriers around areas with electrical hazards. The bare minimum is keeping cabinet doors to electrical panels closed at all times. But even temporary walls or other shields can be a good idea. When it comes to electrical hazards, you don’t want to take any chances. If employees who have no business being near electrical equipment have barriers that keep them away, it goes a long way toward mitigating those hazards.
Get a Backup Safety System
No matter how much you do to address workplace safety, it always helps to have a backup system. That’s why we recommend EHS Insight’s safety management software. This is the best way to create a comprehensive approach to monitoring and managing workplace safety. Not only is it effective in protecting employees but it’s also cost-effective because of the safety incidents it can prevent.
If you want to have the right safety system for your business, let’s have a conversation about how our software can help you accomplish your safety goals.
