The Office is home to many electrical appliances, ranging from computers, fuse, bulbs, printers, HVAC systems, cables, scanners, etc. When well-maintained, these appliances can work without potential hazards. However, if not well maintained, they can cause all types of electrical hazards, which may put your employee's life and your Sussex business at risk.

Implementing electrical safety measures in the Office is the best way to reduce the chances of electrical hazards. In addition, it can save you from lots of potential lawsuits resulting from office injuries. Here are some easy-to-implement electrical safety tips for your Office. However, before we proceed, you should familiarize yourself with common electrical hazards in the workplace.

Common Electrical Hazards in the Workplace

Here are some electrical hazards in the workplace you need to be wary of:

• Damaged equipment and power tools
• Exposed electrical cables
• Using electrical equipment near water or with wet hands
• Wrong use of replacement fuse
• Smoke and smells from equipment
• Wrong grounding

Ensure you take note of these electrical hazards and adopt appropriate measures to curb them. Here are some ways to practice electrical safety in the workplace:

1. Prevent all Potential Contact with Live Current

One of the best ways to keep yourself and employees safe from electrical hazards is by staying away from them. Is there a cable that transmits electrical currents greater than 50 V in your Office? We advise that you, your employee, and other unqualified personnel stay away from it.

If you have equipment operating on more than 50V in your work area, you should maintain a safe distance. Close all panel doors, and leave no wires exposed. Don't go around tinkering with such equipment, regardless of how little the fault is. Leave such for professionals in Sussex.

2. See that Electrical Equipment is used safely.

Prioritizing the maintenance of your electrical equipment can minimize the possibility of an electrical hazard. But while you put measures in place to inspect and maintain your equipment, ensure you teach your employees how to use the equipment properly. Here are some safety measures to teach your employees.

• Always unplug cords with the head and not by drawing the cord
• Don’t press or overstretch electrical cords
• Don’t fasten cords with staples
• Don't hang electrical equipment from the cord

Also, ensure you inspect all cords and plugs in the workplace for external defects before use. You can do that via PAT Testing Sussex, a routine examination of electrical appliances to ensure that they are safe to use. Finally, make sure to replace faulty electrical equipment based on the recommendation of a professional.

3. De-Energize Equipment and Use Lockout/Tagout

Are there exposed, live electrical parts in your workplace? Ensure you de-energize them before working on or close to them. Prevent accidents and separate electrical energy by locking and tagging out the electrical system or parts of the system based on your company’s Lockout/Tagout rules

Lockout/Tagout is a procedure whereby equipment is shut down and broken until maintenance or repair work is done. This procedure protects individuals from electrical hazards like shocks while carrying out servicing and maintenance activities.

4. Only Qualified Personnel Should Work on Live Electrical Cables

Quell the urge to work on live electrical wire, regardless of the hazard it poses to you and your employees. Instead of tinkering with the wire, place physical safety barriers around the area and call qualified personnel with the appropriate expertise to fix the issue. The same applies to hazardous electrical equipment. All live electrical hazards should be handled by the right professional.

Conclusion

A workplace is not only a hub for productivity but also a home to several electrical appliances and components. Therefore, it is essential to create a healthy space by implementing safety measures that protect against potential electrical hazards. As the owner of your business, you should prioritize the safety of yourself, your workers, and your premises by following some practical advice to create a secure and healthy workspace. This way, you can prevent potential catastrophes, such as fire, electrocution, and shocks.