Electrical accidents are one of the most common types of workplace injury. To reduce these risks, workers must use proper protective equipment such as rubber gloves or non-conductive tools. It is also vital that electrical appliances are regularly PAT tested. In this article, you will know about Electrical safety in the workplace.
Table of Contents
What are workplace electrical accidents?
Electrical accidents are defined as any accident occurring in the workplace that results in an electric shock, burn or electrocution. They are commonly caused by faulty electrical equipment, poor wiring, inadequate earthing, and electrically conductive tools when fixing electrical appliances.
The importance of different electrical safety equipment
Electrical safety in the workplace is a very essential issue that concerns employers and employees. There are various types of protective equipment available to help reduce the risks associated with electrical work.
Rubber gloves
Occupational health and safety professionals often recommend Rubber gloves as they offer the user some electrical insulation. In addition, they make working with electronics safer as they protect the user from minor shocks.
Non-conductive tools
It is also imperative that non-conductive tools are used when working with any electrical equipment to prevent profound shock if touched by a live wire.
PAT testing
PAT testing is the acronym for ‘Proof of electrical safety. It is carried out to check if the power system is working correctly. Electrical safety is essential because it helps reduce workplace injuries. If a worker touches live wires with rubber gloves on, they’re less likely to get harmed. If you use non-conductive tools when working with electronics, this can mean the difference between life and death. Periodic testing will detect any problems early and prevent power outages that could put workers at serious risk of shock or injury.
Pat testing involves checking safety equipment by applying a low-voltage electric current and looking for future hazards. Hazards include overheating cables or defective insulation systems. If you arrange periodic testing of your electrical system, PAT testing will detect any potential problems before they happen. If you are looking for a local pat testing company in and around Coventry then click here
How to test for a live circuit
To test that the electrical system is working correctly, there are two methods you can use.
Method 1: A safety switch
This safety switch must trip and cut off power if anything is wrong. You can do this by finding a live circuit on the machine or equipment you’re testing and attaching the safety switch to it so that the course being tested is complete. You can then safely attach one of the safety switch’s test leads to one end of the circuit and touch the other lead with your finger. If the power supply trips off, you need to investigate further as it’s clear that there are problems with this circuit.
Method 2: A current detector
These also need to be applied to a circuit that is complete for them to work correctly. If they detect a current, you can be sure there are one or more unsafe conditions with the power supply. A detector’s light will flash if it detects anything – even a tiny amount of electricity passing through it.
How to test for an earth fault
An earth fault occurs when a small electrical charge fails to travel throuh the conductive part of the circuit (the wire) and instead travels through the insulation or casing. These are dangerous because they make workers believe everything is okay when it isn’t, which can lead to severe accidents. To test for this, you can use a multimeter. Set it to the ‘continuity setting’ and touch each test leads to the wire insulation. If you get any indication that there is a problem, this means there is likely an earth fault in your equipment.
Identifying hazards in your workplace
To identify any potential hazards in your workplace, you should consider what sorts of risks there are associated with the work you’re doing.
Exposed wires
Exposed wires may cause a shock or injury if touched by a worker, which is why it’s important to use cable concealers.
Faulty electrical equipment
If you find any faulty equipment, make sure it’s replaced immediately because this puts workers at risk of harm. A fire can cause serious injuries or even death, so make sure you constantly carefully monitor the temperature of your equipment.
Flammable Chemicals
If you work with any flammable materials, make sure there are no sources of ignition nearby. If this is not possible, make sure the facilities to deal with any ‘spillages’ are available and easily accessed.
Damaged insulation
This will cause electric shocks if touched by a worker, so it must be repaired immediately.
Electrical safety in the workplace is a very serious matter. The more you know about identifying electrical hazards and protecting yourself, the better off you’ll be. We hope this post has been helpful if you are looking for some information on keeping safe while working with electricity at work!
