Electrical Office Safety

Electrical office safety is extremely important. Electrical currents can be deadly at high voltages. Even a small amount of electrical current can be damaging to our body. It can cause nerve damage or paralysis. While it is important to practice all safety habits at work electrical office safety is most important. Misusing electric could result in many accidents including fire. Electrical fires kill more than 700 people a year.There are hundreds of products aimed toward electrical safety.

Electrical Dangers in the Office - Safety Tips

• Always check for damaged cords and replace if necessary.
• Cords run in high traffic areas create a tripping risk.
• Do not overload circuits with too many plugs.
• Never pull a plug out by the cord always grip it firmly at the base.
• Keep all cords away from extreme heat of fires.
• Never touch an exposed electrical wire
• Be sure there is no water leaking on or near electronic devices.
• All employees should be trained on proper electrical office safety

Electric Safety Facts To Consider

• Use the proper personal protective equipment when working with electrical equipment.
• DO NOT touch electrical equipment or wires with wet hands or while in contact with liquids.
• Use a properly rated and grounded power source when plugging in electrical equipment.
• Combustible materials and electric don't mix! Keep them several feet apart at all times.
• DO NOT overload electrical outlets with excessive equipment.
• ONLY Perform maintenance or cleaning on electric devices, after turning them off.
• Frayed electrical cords should be replaced immediately.
• Use the appropriate fuse or circuit breaker for the electrical equipment in use. Ensuring it is the proper amperage, voltage, etc.
• Never remove or bypass safety guards. They are there to protect you!

Safety Equipment For An Office

Following all of the tips above and the proper use of safety equipment will greatly reduce the risk of electrical related injuries. The use of safety signs in high voltage areas can be a life saver. Many companies make warning signs they can say "Danger open electric wires" or "High Voltage Area Use Caution". Many can be customized to read whatever warning you prefer. Another great safety tool is a pair of electrical safety gloves. Electrical gloves are usually plastic and have special insulation to prevent the electrical current form running through them. There are also circuit testers and tracers to help determine how high the voltage is. You can also use clamp meters,oscilloscopes or phase meters.

Below is a short follow up list of ideas for the proper safety equipment you may or may not need to use in your office. Consider the types of electrical work that your company does and which are right for you:

• Safety Glasses or Goggles
• Face Shield
• Insulating Mat
• Voltage Tester or Multi-meter
• Up To Date Fire Extinguisher
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
• Correctly Sized Circuit Breakers
• Rubber Insulating Sleeves, Blankets, & Gloves
• Hard Hat

WHERE TO BUY SAFETY GEAR & EQUIPMENT:
There are always several options to consider when purchasing the proper office safety gear. I have attempted to outline way you can find the right gear while saving money and ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations:

• Shopping online via retailers such as Amazon and eBay often offer more competitive prices than specialized companies. It is also possible to find a way array of choices online, however I remind you to double check these are in compliance.
• Look for wholesale or bulk purchasing options from manufacturers or distributors.
• Don't forget to check locally! Local safety equipment suppliers, safety supply companies, and sometimes an average store in your area may have the safety items you need.
• Renting or leasing safety equipment instead of purchasing it outright may be a more cost effective solution if your needs are short term for the equipment.

Always double check that the equipment you are purchasing meets OSHA regulations. It can also be important to ensure that the seller is reputable. When in doubt, you can check OSHA website for list of approved safety equipment that would be appropriate for your needs.

• CAUTION! - What to watch out for?
• One sneaky thing you may encounter, especially online, are companies that have what appears to be the proper gear to meet OSHA compliance regulations, but are out of date!

Though a something as innocuous as a date may not seem important, often times OSHA list of approved safety equipment is based solely on a production date. As time moves forward, companies are required to use different manufacturing standards from one year to the next. So in an effort to maintain OSHA Safety Compliance in your office - Check The Dates!

Office First Aid Safety

If an electrical accident should occur it is always good to be prepared. Make sure all employees now the proper way to handle an electrical situation. Most important is all employees should know CPR in case the person has stopped breathing. they should preform this until medical attention arrives or the person can breath on their own again. If the person is still touching the electrical device it would be dangerous to just grab them you may get shocked also. Try to turn off the power flow or grab them with your plastic electric safety gloves or a stationary object in the area. Just make sure you do not touch them skin to skin and draw the current into yourself. Once they are clear of danger and breathing own their own give them room to breath and have them lay still until medical attention arrives.

Practical First Aid Tips
• Unplug all devices at the power source.
• Don't touch anyone in contact with electricity.
• Use an up to date fire extinguisher to put out any electrical fires.
• Remove burning clothing if necessary!
• Use a non-conductive object, such as a wooden broomstick, when attempting to separate another person from contact with electricity.
• Apply cold water to any burn injury
• Administering first aid in situation where a person suffers an exception electric shock.

And just to end on a lighter note...An electrical office safety joke!
Why did the electrician bring a first aid kit to work? - He was worried about powerful injuries!

OSHA Electrical Safety Standards for an Office Environment

5 OSHA Safety Requirements For Employers:
• Provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards, to keep employees safe from serious physical harm.
• Ensure electrical equipment is inspected regularly for any damage or excessive wear.
• Only properly trained, and authorized personnel should be allowed to perform electrical work.
• Proper electrical protective devices, equipment, and gear should be used at all time.
• Provide employees with the proper training on electrical safety, as well as any resources they may need.

General Electrical OSHA Safety Requirements for the Office
• Ground all electrical wires and equipment properly to prevent accidental electric shock.
• Electrical panels, outlets, and circuit boxes esepcially should always be kept free of debris, excess moisture, and all obstructions.
• Electrical equipment and devices must only be used in proper accordance with the equipment's manufacturer's instructions.
• Extension cords should be the proper gauge wire for the equipment being used.
• Extension cords should only ever be used in a pinch, temporarily.
• Damaged, frayed, or old electrical cords and equipment must be repaired or replaced immediately.
• Never overloaded electrical circuits, outlets, or breakers.
• Always be certain to use the properly rated equipment for the job. Items such as: protective devices, circuit breakers, fuses, light fixtures, bulbs.

Short 5 Question Electrical Office Safety Quiz

1. Q: What should you do if you smell gas in the office?
   • A: Immediately evacuate the building and call the gas company or emergency services.
2. Q: How do you use an extension ford properly?
   • A: Extension cords should be used temporarily and not as a permanent solution, they should be kept away from high traffic areas, doorways and should not be placed under carpets,rugs, or furniture and should be maintained in good condition. Cords should always be unplugged when not in current use.
3. Q: What is the maximum recommended time to continuously use of a computer safely?
   • A: Recommended time for use of a computer is approximately 2 hours on average at a maximum continuous usage.
4. Q: How should you properly dispose of batteries?
   • A: Batteries should be disposed of properly. Batteries should not be thrown in the trash as they can create fire hazards. They should be taken to a recycling center or a location specifically designated for battery disposal.
5. Q: What is the proper way to handle and store cleaning chemicals?
   • A: Cleaning chemicals should be stored in a cool and dry location. Always store cleaning chemicals away from heat sources. Cleaning chemical should always be used in direct accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. In all situations, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when handling any and all chemicals.