Electrical Safety in the Workplace: The Environment
Electrical Safety in the Workplace: The Environment |
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Another important aspect of proactive electrical safety relates to the workplace environment. Some work environments are small, whereas others are quite large. There are about as many different workplace environments as there are different workplaces and occupations. Each environment will have its own unique combination of features that will need to be considered and worked around.
"Loss control" or "loss prevention" safety systems are used in workplaces to minimize loss. They include all types of losses: loss of life and limb, loss of health, loss of environment, loss of equipment, as well as loss of material and property. Engineering controls include things like the basic workplace layout, environmental controls such as ventilation systems, lighting, electrical systems, floor coverings, piping arrangements, valve locations, safety rails, and other such implements. These are the first lines of defense in safety.
With regards to the basic workplace layout, it is important to know your workplace and know the location of possible hazards, particularly the electrical hazards. Know where the electrical outlets are located, and take effort to find out where the junction boxes or other electrical structures are located. The workplace should be structured in a way that facilitates ease of movement from one area to another. There should not be electrical cords across the natural work pathways as these can pose a tripping hazard or a greater electrical hazard if the circuit is broken. Again, electrical cords should not be placed in the path of heavy traffic areas as this will cause wear and tear on the cords and possibly an electrical incident.
Environmental controls in the workplace environment contribute greatly to the health and safety of the environment. Know what environmental controls are in place. Each of these systems may have an associated electrical source or supply structure. The lighting system is one of the more obvious electrical systems. With regards to electrical safety, you must have adequate amount of lighting to see what you are doing and to be able to see potential hazards. Electricity surrounds us everywhere and it is important to be aware of where and how it surrounds you in the workplace environment.
In the workplace, an "electrical installation" can include the wires, machinery, apparatus, appliances, devices, material and equipment used or intended for use for the generation, transmission, distribution, supply and use of electrical power or energy, and includes power lines and power line equipment. Depending on the workplace, the electrical components of the workplace environment can be quite diverse. Make sure that the equipment and appliances of the workplace environment are hooked up to the electrical system in a way that they should be. Take action to ensure that the plug and receptacle you are using together are intended to be used together. The electrical systems' switches, components and wiring will not stand up to rough handling. Treat all aspects of the electrical system with respect and care. If you are using extension electrical cords, be sure that the extension cord is rated for the job it will be doing. Extension cords are not intended for ongoing continued use. They are intended to provide short-term electrical access. Long term use can cause problems and is not a recommended practice. With regards to the workplace and electricity, all efforts should be made to eliminate possible shock hazards. One of the ways that shock hazards can be minimized is through the use of insulation. Insulation makes sure that something with non-conductive properties is placed between the worker and the conductive materials. Glass and rubber are examples of good insulating materials.
We store things every day: cans and boxes in cupboards, stacks of plates, clothes, tools, and shoes. How we store things is an important part of the workplace layout. The same goes for the workplace. Work site storage is an important aspect of the workplace environment. There are a number of guidelines to keep in mind when storing materials at the workplace. First, you should be aware of what you are storing and follow the correct carton or container labeling procedures. When storing materials it is essential to assess the environment and ensure there are not any electrical hazards. Be aware of what is around you and above you. Make sure that there are no overhead hazards such as electrical installations or power lines. When storing things in piles, make sure that the stacks of piles are stable and are not piled too high. Equipment or materials that are stored under electrical installations, indoors or out, are setting up a potential hazard for someone who will have to move the materials using equipment that could come in contact with the electrical system (for example, you commonly see pulp stored under power lines). Flammable chemicals / vapors should not be stored or used where there could be a spark, in the form of an electric arc. Electric arcs are caused by most electrical switches, motors and even telephones. Have a qualified Electrician install 'explosion-proof' or 'intrinsically-safe' electrical and communications equipment in these areas. What is overhead can prove to be a hazard. In the workplace, it is often necessary to store materials: this is a task that must be taken seriously and always with consideration for electrical safety.
Knowing your workplace and being aware of what dangers exist is important. However, there are also day to day maintenance aspects of electrical safety at the workplace that will help to make the environment safer for everyone. An orderly place will be a safer place to work. For your own protection, and the protection of your fellow workers, all tools should be in their proper places and equipment should be placed in such a way that it does not stick out or interfere with your work or the persons working with you. Make sure that all equipment that you are using is safe while you are using it, and that it is left safe for others in the workplace to use. With everything picked up and in the proper place there will be less chance of workplace injury. If the workplace is clean and tidy, work can proceed in a safer and more productive manner. It is the responsibility of each worker to help keep the work area clean and tidy. As you will soon discover, the work area can begin to look very uninviting if cleaning and housekeeping are not kept up. Housekeeping is a part of every worker's responsibilities. Good housekeeping is not just another chore, it is an important element in accident prevention and efficiency on the job. Good housekeeping, as a rule, begins with planning ahead. Participate in protective housekeeping.
People do spend a lot of time at work. As such, time should be invested thinking about the different aspects of the workplace situation and how these relate to possible associated hazards as well as potential action avenues for addressing safety issues and challenges. It is important to be thinking about these questions and more:
Things you need to be thinking about in the workplace include, but are not limited to: workplace signage, exits & and alternate emergency exits, evacuation routes, emergency numbers, safety stations, fire extinguisher location and use, evacuation routes for persons with disabilities, and the associated alarm notification systems. Every workplace is different. For example, many industrial workplaces have a variety of voltages and uses for electricity. Industries often use the regular 120/240 voltages for offices and 'service equipment', Lighting could be supplied by a different voltage and industrial machines at another voltage again (600 volts is very common but by no means the upper limit). It is extremely important to know which is which, through proper labelling. The wrong voltage, or the wrong wire hooked up to a piece of equipment can be very dangerous. The way around this is to find out more about your workplace and be aware of what is going on around you. You are not a passive prisoner, you are an active agent who has a voice and can do your part to promote electrical safety and protect yourself and others in the process.
Preventive protective actions aside, there are also things that inevitably happen in the workplace, that need to be addressed immediately for the safety of all. You need to be an active agent in taking action to protect and promote health and safety for yourself and others. Some specific times when the work area needs special attention include:
The type of job you are doing will influence the diversity of settings in which you find yourself working. It is important to always keep close observation of the work environment what is happening there and the types of conditions to which you are being exposed. Consideration of the amount of oxygen, amount of working space, amount of lighting, exposure and access to the electrical system: all of these are important aspects of the environment in which you will have to work.
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Something to think about with regards to work: "If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play." ~ John Cleese (born 1939) English actor, writer |
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