Safety Never Sleeps: How to Protect Your Commercial Facility
As a business or commercial property owner, you probably have a laundry list of things keeping you up at night. Don’t let your building’s safety (or lack thereof) be one of them. How you approach electrical safety at your workplace has the potential to neutralize risks or exacerbate them. Consider the fact that fires in commercial properties cost owners more than $2 billion annually.
Suffice it say that an abundance of caution goes a long way when it comes to protecting your people and your operations. Here are some non-negotiables to keep in mind as you look to safeguard your facility:
1. Don’t Skimp on Regular Inspections, Maintenance and Detection
inspections by qualified electricians can help bring attention to potential hazards such as overloaded circuits, poorly installed wiring, or faulty equipment. This due diligence also offers peace of mind that electrical systems are in optimal condition. Such a state can reduce the risk of malfunctions or accidents. Not to mention, there may be some financial incentives in the way of reduced insurance premiums.
Safety devices are also important elements of a safe workplace. Install infrastructure like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to help prevent electrical hazards. These devices can sense electrical problems and call out potential dangers. This is your opportunity to take corrective action before something disastrous happens and you have a much bigger problem on your hands. Be sure to have them checked regularly so you know they’re working properly.
Beyond the protection factor, placing electrical safety at the forefront of your operations can also contribute to energy efficiency. When electrical systems are properly maintained, optimized, and free from defects, buildings tend to waste less energy, and the utility costs reflect that savings.
2. Implement a Safety Program
A culture of safety starts with your employees and their day-to-day habits. Every action can make your building safer or pose danger. Introducing a detailed electrical safety program is a must to protect commercial establishments. This program should outline guidelines for safe work practices, procedures for handling electrical equipment, and processes for reporting and addressing safety concerns. You should have a point person on staff who can field questions and concerns.
3. Promote Training and Education
If you own, operate or are responsible for an industrial venture, you likely have a number of high-voltage machines running any at given times. If that’s the case, confirm that all employees working with and around electricity are trained on best practices for electrical safety. They should feel confident spotting the telltale signs of electrical problems, understanding how to operate electrical equipment safely, and knowing how to proceed in the event of an emergency.
4. Invest in Quality Equipment
Shelling out the extra money for high-quality electrical equipment and materials is one way to greatly reduce the likelihood of electrical failures and accidents. Cheap or inferior products may cut corners around safety and could pose a danger to people and property.
5. Confirm Proper Wiring and Circuitry
Take inventory of your electrical wiring and circuitry. All work should be installed correctly and comply with relevant building codes and standards. Hazards like overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, and improper grounding are associated with electrical fires and accidents.
6. Take Labeling and Signage Seriously
Take care to mark electrical panels, outlets, switches, and equipment to communicate important information to workers and visitors. Warning signs should make it known that hazards such as high voltage areas or restricted access zones exist and should be approached with caution.
7. Practice Safe Work Habits
Employees should know what it means to engage in safe work practices when working with electricity. That includes using insulated tools, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and de-energizing equipment at certain times. It should be second nature for employees at all ranks to follow proper lockout tag out procedures.
8. Emphasize Emergency Preparedness
Your employees should know how to go about responding to electrical emergencies. Conduct regular drills so they can act confidently, quickly and effectively when every second counts. You might need to consult with a workplace safety consultant if you’re unsure about how to plan and execute these exercises.
9. Stay Vigilant
Maintaining a safe work environment should be an ongoing pursuit. Don’t let your guard down. Stay proactive at all times to maintain workplace electrical safety. If you make improvements to reduce fire risk, set up monthly audits to assure that corrective actions have yielded the intended results. This fire safety audit can address vulnerabilities noted in your assessment report and other common safety concerns. This proven approach has been very effective in reducing fire risk in other facilities and can help you be fire safe, too. Accomplishing these goals is in everyone’s best interest.
10. Hire a Professional
Placing your trusted in a licensed, bonded and insured electrician can offer assurance that your electrical system is installed and maintained safely. Such a contractor has the training, experience, and knowledge to navigate complex electrical systems safely and with ease. Always check that anyone you hire for any type of commercial work has the appropriate licenses, certifications, and insurance to get the job done. You don’t want to leave anything to chance and put your people and operation in harm’s way when it could be avoided.
Trust the Experts to Keep Your Building Safe
In short, maintaining electrical safety in your commercial building is in the best interest of your property, employees, and customers. By following these tips, you can do your part to identity and resolve electrical hazards and create a safe environment for your business.
But don’t just trust anyone for this work. You should lean on a trusted company in your community. J.O. Mory provides electrical services from the planning stages to implementation and completion.
J.O. Mory is licensed, bonded and insured. We take pride in serving customers in Northern Indiana, the Tri-State area, and beyond. If you have questions or would like to arrange for a free quote, call 800.621.6679.