Electrical maintenance precautions to Prevent electrical accidents

Harm to any person can be caused if one is exposed to live electrical parts. Even on touching it indirectly or directly through some objects, harm is sure. Voltages over 120 volts DC or 50 volts Ac are hazardous. Accidents due to electricity may be fatal. Shocks from faulty equipments result in severe and permanent injury. It may also cause indirect injuries such as falls from ladders or scaffolds. In fact, faulty electrical appliances cause injuries, fires and loss of life, property and equipment.

People at high risk

• Anyone exposed to electricity dangers at work. In fact, everyone should be alerted about the electricity dangers.
• People at risk include the maintenance staff working in electrical plants, devices and machinery. This also includes people working in construction sites in harsh environments.

Most electrical accidents occur:

• As one works near the equipment that is considered dead, but is live.
• While working without enough training or required equipment or without appropriate precautions.
• Misusing equipments or making use of faulty electrical equipments.

As a moral duty, employers must protect their employees. In addition, specific obligations and duties are laid out as regulations and these regulations are applicable to all aspects from electrical supplies to equipment use. Thus the duty includes:

• Maintaining electrical systems to avert danger
• Having electrical systems built such that danger is prevented
• Using closed electrical systems so that danger is prevented completely.

Additionally:

• Electrical equipments must be protected from becoming dangerous due to extremes of corrosive conditions, temperature or weather, thus prevent hazardous environments.
• Professionals with adequate experience or knowledge or with proper supervision the electrical work should be done.
• Notify the enforcing authority by phone or to the Health and safety executive if you find anything seriously faulty endangering lives.

The incidents to be reported:

• Electrical overload or short circuit causing explosion or fire.
• Equipment or plant that comes into contact with power overhead lines.
• Injury to staff owing to electric shock resulting in unconsciousness or require hospital admittance.

Fire Electrical faults result in fires. This is true if the equipment has a heat source such as water heaters, washing machines, heat-seal equipments and ovens. Even explosive or flammable atmospheres are a source of ignition that may be potentially explosive and this includes refueling areas and spray paint booths.

The risks from electricity are mostly due to the harsh conditions. Unsuitable equipments and wet conditions make the surrounding live and are prone to electrical mishaps. While in the outdoors, equipments become wet and are prone to greater damage. Likewise, in confined and cramped spaces, earthed metalwork in lots, especially in silos and ducts, inside tanks, etc, developing electrical faults is dangerous as avoiding shock in such places also is difficult.

Below are minimum steps to ensure electrical safety

• Install electrical systems meeting the requirements.
• Maintain electrical installations in good working condition.
• Avoid overloading outlets as it may cause fires.
• Providing clear switch near machinery so that the power may be cut off in emergency.
• Portable equipment to connect nearby socket so that it is easily disconnected in critical times.

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