There are a number of hazards that are unique to work areas and electrical installations. Many of these can be avoided through proper training and a bit of common sense, but there are always the unforeseen accidents that can be difficult to plan for or even to foresee at all. The goal is to try and prevent as many accidents as possible while still ensuring the best safety practices for the job in hand. Here are some of the common hazards of work safety near electrical installations and some ways to help lessen their impact on your employees and the public.
The first hazard of work safety is generally the most obvious – fire. The potential for a spark or other fire in an area where electricity is present is high and is something that should be taken into consideration whenever you are planning any kind of installation. You should always have some type of fire extinguisher on hand. Even if you only have one or two fire extinguishers in your workplace, there is still a good chance that you will have enough to provide a quick response to a fire.
The second hazard of work safety in an area where there are electrical installations is falling from heights. If your work area is not closely monitored or controlled, there is a good chance that you will see workers being injured when they are trying to perform tasks above or close to where electricity is being used. This can often times result in serious injuries such as broken bones, severed limbs, or even death. It is important that you have designated an individual or individuals in your company that will monitor your workers and watch for any signs of distress or any falling individuals.
The third hazard of work safety in an area that has electrical installations is equipment malfunction. No matter how well trained you are in the maintenance of your equipment or how careful you are when working with the specific parts that you are using, there is still a chance that some equipment will fail on you. This could range from a simple issue that results in small sparks or even a complete blackout. In the worst case scenario, it could result in a fire. Regardless of what type of equipment malfunctions, it is always imperative that you have the knowledge and training to be able to fix it quickly.
The fourth major hazard of work safety in an area that has electrical installations is falling or being crushed. When people are working with heavy machinery, it is very easy to fall due to the design of the device. When people are working in areas where power is used, there is a good chance that they will either be crushed by the machinery or when it goes bad, there is a good chance that the wire will come off and strike an individual. Either way, there is a good chance of serious injury if you are not wearing the proper safety equipment.
The fifth most common hazard of work safety in an area with electrical installations is falling and being injured from debris or lack of protective gear. As you can probably imagine, there are many different pieces of machinery that could potentially crush somebody. Whether it is a piece of ladder or an electric box, it could prove to be extremely dangerous if it breaks and shatters on someone’s leg. Regardless of how strong the person is, a broken leg could turn into a lifelong disability. If you work in a job that requires you to do work safety checks such as this, you should always ensure that your work safety gear is current and clean.