Introduction
Electricity is the most hazardous and dangerous at the workplace. While working around or surrounding electrical systems and electrical equipment, the all essential safety protocols should be understand and follow to avoid risks of any unexpected workplace accidents and injuries. Today, we are going to discuss some of the electrical safety protocols and industries best practices to ensure all worker are performing their job safely.
Electricity plays a crucial role in our day-to-day life, which helps to reduce lots of stress and make our routine tasks more efficient. It's really important to get familiarized with all electrical safety protocols and guidelines. Electrical safety is not just only responsibility of the electricians, it's everyone responsibility those who are working around and using fixed and portable appliances to understand the electrical safety protocols and guidelines so that we can prevent maximum incidents and accidents tomorrow.
The common Electrical Hazards and Risk
Electrical Shock
Generally, Electrical shock occur when a human body come into contact with energized electrical lines. During this process electrical current passes through the body from one point of contact to ground which has potential to harm and lead to severe injury. Basically, the electric shock and be depend on various factors, such as voltage level and duration of the contact.
The possible consequences can be sensation to serous injuries such as minor burns muscles contraction, heart arrhythmias, and high intensity shock can lead to death as well.
Arc Flash
Its a dangerous situation when electric current passes in the air or rapid release of energy that can cause severe burns injuries and even death. This arc flash happens when short circuit or any defect/fault cause an arc flash between conductors.
Electrical fire
In many major fire incidents, the root cause was electricity such as failure of electrical components, faulty wiring, overloading, damage and faulty equipment, which generate heat and spark create ignition source to the flammable material. Electrical fire are very critical, because small spark can lead to massive fire. It's important to take proactive and preventive measures to reduce probability of fire.
Overloaded Circuit
Its happens due when user uses multiples electrical devices in a single electrical circuit, this situation can cause overheating the wires, outlet and extension which indirectly bring the ignition source to catch the fire. If overloading cannot manage adequately can turn in to the massive fire. Its really important to perform regular inspections of all electrical system to monitor and ensure its under control without risk to users and building itself.
Damage Cables and wiring
In many occasion, it has been observed that damage cables and faulty equipment led to the electrical fire. Temporary joints and damage cables such as bare wire, cut exposed or wear and tear can also create electrical short circuit, electrical shock, and increases the risk of fire. All damage and faulty cable must be removed from the service or replace it with appropriate authorization.
General Electrical safety guidelines and rules
- Do not allow to use multiple electrical appliances and high-powered equipment on the power extension.
- Everyone should adhere manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines while using of appliances.
- Make sure all switches are shut off when it is not working, or before going away from the particular location.
- Power source must be disconnected or removed from the outlet before replacement of equipment accessories.
- Prior to use, make sure power connections source are equipped with fuses and circuit breakers.
- Temporary extension cord must be prohibited to use as a permanents solution.
- All repair, maintenance and installation must be performed by a competent person who has sufficient knowledge, skills and experience.
- Perform regular inspections prior to use them such equipment physical condition, and to look for any damages.
- All electrical equipment and appliances should be kept away from the water source.
- All damage and faulty equipment must be removed from the service area.
- All damage and faulty equipment must be reported to the concern department to get fixed as soon as possible without harming to other people.
- Wire insulation must be suitable and sufficient according to the current rated.
- All electrical system must be equipped with GFCI and MCCB
- Do not operate the powered equipment without any approval and authorization.
- Never ever allow anyone to fixed or repair the electrical equipment without any approval and authorization.
- Always use insulated hand tools and equipment.
- Never ever touch any electrical equipment with wet hand.
- Before planning to perform a maintenance activity on electrical equipment, lockout and tagout procedure should be followed.
- All electrical connections should be well secured.
- Wear all necessary personal protective equipment.
- All people must receive or attend all mandatory safety training to get familiar with all applicable safety standards.
Common Emergency Response Procedures while working with electricity
It’s everyone responsibilities to know the emergency response and safety protocols while working with electricity. Incident and accidents still can happen due to any malfunction and human error. So now it’s become a top priority to understand how to react and what to do in case of an electrical emergency. Adequate response can make a huge difference in preventing further injuries and damage.
1. Personal Safety
- Stay calm and follow the organizational emergency response plan.
- If it’s possible try to make alert and safe people around you.
- Do not the touch anything if you do not aware
2. Turn of the Power Source
- If it’s possible and safe to do turn of the power source.
- Use insulated materials or non-conductive objects to be switched off the power source.
3. Call to the Emergency service
- Call the local or nearest emergency services.
- Alert other workers, those who are working around you.
4. Emergency Responders
- Try to gather information from the witness.
- To get familiar with workplace existing hazards and risk or relevant information.
5. Report the Incident
- After the incident, workplace HSE team should investigate to identify the root cause and contribution cause of incident.
- Incident area must be isolated and barricaded to prevent unauthorized access until investigation and eliminating hazards.
- If there is injuries or burn, medical team should evaluate the victim condition.
- Based on the investigation, all relevant policies and procedure must be review and update as required. Apart from that, Lesson learn should be deliver to the entire workplace team to prevent reoccurrence as well as it can be disseminated to other project from the corporate officer as their proactive approach.
Conclusion
All we need to give top priority to the Electrical safety because electricity plays a crucial role in our day-to-day life. Basically, there are lots of adverse consequences of electrical accidents such as minor and major injuries and property damage. However, it’s good to know that all electrical accidents can prevented by implementing adequate safety measures and industries best practices.
All organizations should establish specific safety procedures relevant to electrical safety. This procedure shall include understanding of potential dangers of electrical hazards, electrical system, tools and equipment specification as per the manufacturer's technical and operational manual. Make it habit to read manuals, prior inspection, cords outlets etc. and issues must be report to concern department. Electrical safety is not just limited with workplace safety, its should be followed at the home as well to protect family members. Additionally always use personal protective equipment suitable and sufficient for the activities.
