Did you know that more than 5,000 electrical-related fatalities are reported annually in the United States? Poor handling of electricity can lead to electrocution of employees or damage of property through fires. As an employer, you are required by law to protect your staff members from accidents, electrical fires, and other life-threatening situations. This article highlights key areas to start with while fireproofing your offices against electrical fires.
Table of Contents
1. Conduct frequent electrical check-ups
It is wise to contract an electrician and schedule regular maintenance checks. The electrician should test all devices used at the workplace and ascertain their efficiency and safety levels. Most electrical fires often start from faulty appliances.
Remind your electrician to have a look at the fuses and circuit breakers, as they are the last line of defense in case of an electrical short-circuiting. Due to their importance, you should only have legit circuit breakers such as the Westinghouse circuit breakers from Bay Power installed in your system.
2. Unique energy outlets for high energy devices
High energy devices consume much power and can easily overload your sockets. These include appliances such as portable heaters, ovens, laundry machines, and any other heat-generating devices. They should have unique power outlets fitted with different power ratings to suit their high energy requirements.
3. Have your electric distribution blueprint
Do you know the wiring layout of your workplace? As an employer, you should at least have a printed blueprint. This could come in handy when renovating or repairing your workstation, as workers can accidentally destroy circuit lines causing fires. Commercial buildings are serviced by an electric distribution system whose size and complexity vary. This system contains power fuses, circuit breakers, and transformers that adjust power levels when needed, and a blueprint shows you where these features are located.
4. Don’t chain several extensions
One mistake most businesses make is daisy-chaining several power strips across the room. Unfortunately, these power strips are not designed to handle another power strip’s power demands, and they can quickly get overloaded when connected.
5. Unplug heat-producing appliances
Heat-producing devices are susceptible to fires when plugged into the electrical system for a long time. Additionally, the process can overwork the system leading to overheating and sparking that may cause a fire. It is recommended to have such devices unplugged when not in use.
6. Don’t use faulty devices
Faulty devices such as sockets and power strips can cause a short circuit in the entire system. It is advisable to have routine maintenance checks on all devices in your office and replace rusty ones.
7. Stick to OSHA guidelines
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workplaces in the United States to meet set safety standards. If adhered to, these safety precautions are adequate and prevent accidents such as fire.
8. Train your staff on electrical safety
Most electrical fires are caused by employees’ ignorance or negligence. Adding comprehensive safety training to your employee package isn’t a bad idea. Additionally, trained employees can make better decisions that can save lives in case of a fire.
Endnote
Workplace fires can cause massive damage to property and loss of lives. It is crucial to have precautionary measures that fireproof your place and protect the lives of your employees from electrical faults.
