Every homeowner should be diligent about their electrical safety. After all, keeping yourself and your loved ones safe is of utmost importance. Still, your cautious attitude should also extend to another location you spend a large portion of your life: the workplace. Whether you are an employee trying to safely complete your tasks or a commercial property owner looking to ensure everything is up to code, you should read this blog to learn about some of the potential electrical dangers that can arise in the workplace.
Workplace Electrical Hazards
A mundane office building might seem much safer than a physically demanding outdoor job, but we will touch on both aspects today in this blog. Electrical dangers can arise anywhere that electricity is powering devices and infrastructure.
Cramped and Overloaded Sockets
Limited office space and awkwardly placed outlets can lead to power strips and extension cords littering the floor of the workplace. Besides all of the office equipment, such as computers, printers, and more, employees often bring in phone chargers, personal laptops, lamps, and other devices that draw a decent amount of electric current. Plugging too many devices into one singular power strip can cause it to overload, possibly sparking and causing a fire. Even if the power cord itself is rated for high levels of electrical current, the outlet it is ultimately receiving power from can only safely supply so much at once. Always use a power strip that monitors electric usage and check with the building owner to ensure the usage is not dangerously high.
Water and Electronics
Working outside with tools that need power can be especially dangerous if the tools, extension cords, or outlets are not adequately protected from water damage. Not all extension cords are rated for outdoor use and might succumb to damage even after a minute amount of water contact. Because power tools often draw a lot of electricity to function, using them with inadequate wiring is a recipe for trouble. Offices also have dangers associated with water, but to a different degree. Depending on the type of office, date of construction, and how up-to-date it is with its electricity standard, GFCIs may or may not be installed in relevant areas. GFCI outlets ensure that water coming into contact with the outlet does not shock nearby people, causing significant harm. Using common sense and being mindful of liquids near electronics is a good start, but you should also be diligent after washing your hands and fully dry them off. Absentmindedly flipping a light switch or garbage disposal in the office kitchen space with wet hands, especially if the office was retrofitted and not originally built for that kitchen purpose, can be extremely dangerous and lead to shocks or burns.
Power Lines
Some professions bring workers close to overhead power lines, and while you more than likely received some training, the reality is shocking. Most power lines have little to no insulation outside of the coating placed around the wires to protect them from the elements. Touching these wires while not insulated is enough to cause immediate deathly injury. Office parks have a larger concentration of power lines to supply the businesses’ needs, so downed power lines are more likely to be found at a workplace. Immediately report downed power lines to the utility company or relevant authorities and keep your distance. A downed power line after a storm can still injure you by following the path of any water on the ground.
Promise Electric provides professional electrical services to residential and commercial clients throughout the greater Sarasota area. Call today and discover why our customers trust us for their electrical needs.
