Electrical fire safety can prevent fires from starting. A building’s electric grid carries a tremendous load between running equipment, powering the HVAC system and keeping the lights on. Whether they are out in the field, on the factory floor or in the office, employees need to be aware of potential electrical hazards and know how to recognize them. Knowing the hazards and danger signs can help you develop preventative strategies and life-saving evacuation plans.
Identify Electrical Hazards
- Don’t use outlets or cords that have exposed wiring
- Don’t use portable cord-and-plug power tools with the guards removed
- Check cords for cut, broken, or cracked insulation
- Keep slack in cords to avoid putting stress on electrical connections
- Check for badly wired or overloaded electrical outlets
- Overloaded systems that heat wiring and melt insulation
- Never remove the grounding prong from a device or extension cord
- Don’t overload circuits by plugging one extension cord into another
- Do not attach extension cords with staples, hang from nails, or suspend them by wires
- Don’t force a plug into an outlet
- Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs or covers
- Don’t use cracked, frayed, or broken electrical cords
Detect Dangerous Warning Signs
- Tools or wires that feel too warm to the touch
- Repeatedly tripped circuit breakers and frequently blown fuses
- Circuit, fuse or junction boxes that overheat
- Frequently tripped ground fault circuit interrupters
- Odor of burning metal or plastic near wall outlets or light fixtures
- Extension cords that overheat or fail to supply adequate power
- Discoloration around wall outlets
- Lights that flicker or make popping sounds
Develop Electrical Fire Safety Procedures
- Scheduled regular maintenance for fire sprinkler systems
- Properly store flammable materials and chemicals
- Clearly mark fire exits and keep free of anything that could block evacuation
- Clear access to all electrical panels and emergency shut down controls
- Properly placed and rated fire extinguishers throughout the building
- Regular employee training on proper use of fire extinguishers
- Smoking areas clearly designated outside and away from the building
- Determine the safest and quickest paths to fire exits
- Print and post maps illustrating evacuation routes
- Designate individuals to sound alarms, call firefighters and shut off electricity
- Practice regular fire drills and stress their life-saving importance
Electrical fire safety in the workplace needs to be everyone’s priority. Call Fire Control Systems today for any of your fire safety needs.