When operating in any form of an industrial facility, there are a variety of threats to consider. There are dangers everywhere at the complex, from massive machinery to the poisonous chemicals utilized, and many more. With all these dangers, some safety or facility managers overlook electrical safety, which can be an expensive error.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, there were 166 electrical fatalities in 2019, which is up 3.75 percent from 2018 and the highest number since 2011. This demonstrates that one of the leading causes of fatality in the construction business is electricity.
Electricity offers a serious harmful risk to employees and the general public, especially when innovative technology is brought into our homes and professions. Many people are unaware of electrical dangers, and as a result, individuals are hurt or killed each year because of these hazards. Proper education to people about the actual hazards of electricity and how to avoid similar catastrophes is utterly vital in today’s time.
According to the Electrical Safety Index of OSHA 4779 worker fatalities were recorded in 2018 out of which 8.5% resulted from electrocution. The survey also recorded 1 out of every 3 workers has experienced arc flash. These scary numbers project the reality of the US. But the situation here is no different.
Another major number of deaths were not instant, certain fatalities were owing to illnesses or injuries that were sustained for a long time on the job.
The safety standards and adherence are improving yet it to be insufficient. There is still a lot of opportunity for development. Safety managers must establish strict guidelines and not tolerate any insensitivity. One must also see that all essential safety requirements are met in every production unit, facility, factory, and industry, which is currently not the case.
When the Make in India program places a greater emphasis on domestic manufacturing, why not place an even greater emphasis on worker safety? Because without the man force, neither the dream will be realized nor the company's market reputation will be enhanced. The importance of safety standards in the workplace environment may assist a company to achieve more revenues, which can contribute to establishing a favorable public impression of the brand. Therefore, workers must receive proper training on how to work with or around electricity safely.
To avoid electrical injuries and deaths, electrical and non-electrical employees should be encouraged to engage in safety training programs that focus on personal protection equipment, safe work practices, and risk assessments. For that, the educating tone must be set right. The management should be able to show that they care for employees and hence the protocols.
When one is dealing with electrical safety, the quality of tools is important because it could be what stands between you an electric shock. Hence safety is of utmost importance and to ensure that, buy products to meet the highest standards in electrical safety.
It is wise to use appropriate tools according to the working environment. Instead of looking at the procurement cost choose to look at the safety features of the product, as an appropriately designed, rugged, and the technologically advanced product is always a safer choice and can take your work a long way, safely. This can also deliver considerably higher ROI on your investments in terms of longer life, lesser safety hazards, and more productivity and uptime.
For example, the insulation property of cables, machinery, etc. deteriorates over time. Electrical overloading, humidity, high temp, poor power quality, etc. can also speed up the deterioration process and can lead to short circuits and major fire accidents. Adopting insulation testing as a predictive/preventive maintenance test is highly recommended. A rugged range of insulation testers available in the market certainly offers flexibility, repeatability for such requirements.
Facilities need to check the functioning of residual current devices, regularly to avoid electrical hazards. For this purpose, there are all-in-one easy-to-operate insulation testers. The electrical safety of any facility is highly dependent on the integrity of the electrical earthing system of the facility. Choose best-in-class earth testers that understand your needs and the vitality of maintaining earthing systems.
Lastly, we would like to urge everyone to make safety a lifestyle and create a more powerful space for the technicians in the industry. Do not forget with safety and ruggedness hand in hand your industry and technicians will go a long way!
