Every year, too many injuries occur in the workplace as a result of electrical accidents. Educating your workers, and taking preventative measures to ensure your office is free of electrical hazards is a necessity for a safe work environment. While these tips may seem simple, they’re often overlooked in the workplace. Keep reading to see how you can keep your workplace as safe as possible.
Outlets
To avoid overloading outlets, inform your employees of how many appliances can be plugged in at once. As a general rule of thumb, only one high-wattage appliance should be plugged in at a time. When not in use, appliances should be unplugged, not only to minimize the risk of an electrical fire but also to save energy.
Electrical Cords
In the workplace, you should inspect electrical cords once a month to make sure they are not damaged in any way. If you see any signs of fraying or cracking, they should be discarded and replaced immediately. Cords should not run through high-traffic areas, under carpets, or across doorways to avoid tripping hazards.
Power Strips and Extension Cords
The use of extension cords should be kept to a minimum in the workplace, and preferably not used is possible. Two extension cords should never be plugged into each other. Consider having an electrician come to install more outlets, rather than overloading with extension cords and power strips.
Unplugging
Cords should always be unplugged by gripping the plug directly, rather than tugging on the cord from a distance. Appliances should also be unplugged before being serviced or repaired in any way.
Water
Electrical equipment should never be used near wet surfaces. If your hands or the appliance is wet, avoid touching until fully dried.
Warning Signs
If goes without saying that if you see something wrong, don’t ignore it! If the equipment feels exceptionally hot, is making unusual noises, starts smoking or sparking, report it immediately and make note that it should not be used. Once it has been made clear that there is an issue, call your local electrician to come and inspect the problem.
Contact Cardoso Electrical
To learn more about electrical safety in the workplace, contact the experts at Cardoso Electrical! We are also available 24/7 for emergency calls if an electrical hazard should occur. Give us a call at 781-246-7700 or fill out an online contact form!