As the primary point of contact for electrical work at client facilities, electricians must always be on top of safety issues and procedures. This is especially true when dealing with hazardous equipment and working in wet conditions.
Despite their extensive training and expertise, electrical workers still face serious hazards when on the job. Electrical shock is one of the leading causes of worker fatalities and injuries.
Training
Training is a vital part of ensuring workplace safety. It gives workers the skills and knowledge to recognize electrical hazards, write procedures, maintain compliance, and avoid fees and penalties.
Injuries to employees, damage to facilities and equipment, insurance premium increases, citations, and lawsuits are just a few of the costly expenses that can be avoided by adequately educating your workforce.
It requires only qualified workers to perform maintenance and repairs on electrical equipment. These employees must be trained to identify exposed live parts, their voltage, and corresponding clearance distances.
Regardless of whether or not they are qualified to work on electrical equipment, every worker should be trained in electrical safety as part of their job duties. This is especially important for non-qualified employees who may be prone to injury or death from electrical shocks and burns.
Inspections
Electrical contractors play an essential role in ensuring workplace safety throughout their careers. They must ensure their employees are protected by providing safety programs and training.
Inspectors often visit job sites to verify that work is being done according to their employers’ standards and safety procedures. They also check that equipment and work areas comply with safety regulations and that they are free from electrical hazards.
They may also conduct quality inspections to ensure that the materials used on a project are in good condition. Typical tasks include constructing new buildings and significant remodeling work on existing structures.
Inspectors also check the outlet and switch heights to ensure they are consistent with local codes. In most cases, outlets (also called receptacles) should be at least 15 inches above the floor, and switches at least 48 inches above the floor.
Maintenance
One of the most significant roles of an electrical contractor Philadelphia PA is ensuring workplace safety. Injuries in the workplace can cost a business money and result in lawsuits.
An electrical contractor must ensure all equipment is in good working order to keep employees and the public safe. This includes repairing any damaged wiring, frayed wires, or worn casing.
Maintenance practices will maximize the lifespan of your equipment and assets, which in turn can positively impact the ROI of your business. Whether you’re working on time-based or predictive maintenance, if you’re diligent about maintaining your business’s essentials, you can help your company avoid costly repairs and replacements.
Performing routine maintenance on your business’s electrical system can also ensure that your workers are using all necessary tools properly, reducing the risk of injuries. This can be done by providing each worker is adequately trained to use the equipment they’re working with.
Inspection Reports
Whether you’re an electrical contractor or not, it’s essential to understand the role of inspection reports in ensuring workplace safety. These checks help to identify and remove unsafe work practices that could lead to injuries or fatalities.
Aside from detecting and removing dangerous aspects of the workplace, inspectors also help to establish a safety culture that is more likely to remain consistent. Depending on the company’s needs, these inspections can be carried out by an internal professional or external expert.
The best way to write an effective safety inspection report is to make it clear and concise. This will ensure that everyone in the organization understands exactly what you found, why it’s dangerous, and how to correct it.