In school, we were taught that the five elements of nature are air, water, earth, fire, and space. Even though these are still of the greatest importance, our list of essentials to survive in this day and age does not end here. For a human being to function every day, we require technological gadgets, an internet connection to run those gadgets, and lastly but most importantly, electricity.
Everyone is aware of the basic safety precautions one needs to keep in mind while dealing with electricity, like unplugging unused devices, putting off switches when not in use, and to never go near open wires and circuits. However, that isn’t enough, as electricity can be hazardous if handled with negligence.
The only way to avoid such mishaps is to conduct routine audits that will help you stay safer and keep the workplace protected. There are companies like Wire Consultants that conduct risk assessments in the workplace that essentially save your office from burning down. We have listed seven common workplace hazards; you need to be aware of to avoid any major problems.
Damaged Wiring
The foremost necessity of making sure your office is safe is to check if there aren’t any faulty wires. Cables with loose, frayed, exposed wires should be discarded and replaced immediately. They are the number one cause of electric shocks and fire.
An Overload of Circuits
There is a chance that your circuit might not be able to take the load of your gadgets. Plugging in too many devices at the same time may overheat the circuit to a very high temperature. Thus, leading to the insulation melting. Arcing may occur which is an open invitation to fire.
Use Of Extension Cords
Even though our laziness does not permit it, extension cords are vastly unsafe. With time the cords tend to develop cracks and other defects that can result in shocks. It is advisable to nip the problem in the bud and avoid using extension cords. If that is not possible, make sure it is in perfect condition and keep replacing it time and again.
The Most Dreaded Combination: Water and Electricity
Due to the minerals present in water they become a good conductor of electricity. Even though purified water is not a conductor, we should leave such experiments to the scientists. Electrical equipment should not be switched on in case of contact with water. Faulty wiring or exposed wires can increase the risk of electrocution when in contact with water.
If there are any pieces of equipment that have come in contact with water, you need to first switch off the main supply of electricity. Step two is to isolate the gadgets and let it dry off. The equipment then needs to be inspected by an electrician to certify that it can be used again.
The Wiring Needs to Be Down To Earth
Every electrical device needs to be earthed properly to obtain a low resistance path for the dissipation of current into the Earth. Ungrounded or faulty work can lead to a fire break out. This feature takes away the extra electricity from the device which can protect your devices from damage.
Incorrectly Placed Cords
These are mostly attached to the walls or are within. There should not be any loose wiring here as well. You need to make sure that no cables run through a high-traffic area like doorways.
Lastly, Proper Plugs
By now you might get the gist of what will happen if you are using loose wires. Plugs are no different, so to avoid a fire make sure all the plugs in the office are perfectly drilled into the walls.