Safety Tips to Keep Industrial Workers Safe

Every year, about 350 industrial workers are killed by electrical hazards in the workplace.

It's your responsibility to keep yourself, the job site, and everyone else who is working alongside you safe when you're doing any kind of electrical work.

Even if you've been in the business for a long time, it's always smart to review your knowledge of basic electrical safety.

Read on to learn more about some of the most common electrical safety tips, and understand how to identify risks you may not always notice right away.

Cover Basic Electrical Safety First

The most important way to avoid electrical hazards is to follow basic electrical safety rules.

Only those with proper training/certification should handle electrical equipment, and the proper tools must be used at all times. Upon arriving at a work site, make sure to identify potential risks before starting to work.

Proper clothing and protective gear should be worn, and make it a point to regularly clean and inspect your sources of ventilation.

Unplug tools when not in use, never cover equipment until it's completely cooled, and avoid overloading electrical outlets to prevent electrical shock.

Manage Cables and Cords

Next up on our list of the top electrical safety tips?

Proper cable and extension cord management.

Avoid plugging multiple extension cords together, and never cover them with rugs (this also prevents slip and fall accidents, not just electrical disasters.) At the beginning and end of every workday, look for cracks and frays in the cords.

Always use tape to secure cords to a floor or surface -- never staples.  

Finally, when you're done for the day, remember to properly remove the extension cord. Instead of yanking the cord, go directly to the electrical outlet and unplug it from there.

Identify Electrical Fire Risks

To prevent electrical fires, you should first keep your job site as clean and organized as is possible.

Properly enclose any chemicals and separate combustible equipment, materials, and tools from one another.

Follow proper disposal safety regulations when it comes to industrial waste, and ensure that you conduct regular maintenance/inspections on your equipment. Plug equipment only compatible outlets, and keep several fire extinguishers on hand at all times.

You also need to train your employees on exactly what to do if a fire erupts on the job site. Regularly run drills and go over the protocol, and conduct unannounced workplace inspections to ensure everything is as it should be.

Above all, follow the OSHA guidelines when it comes to electrical fire prevention.

Prevent Electrical Accidents with These Tips

From mastering basic electrical safety to knowing how to eliminate electrical fire hazards, we hope this post has helped you to lower your accident risk on any job site.

Above all, working with qualified and experienced electricians -- and instituting your own unique safety regulations and routines -- will help to keep everyone safe.

Looking for commercial, industrial, or even municipal electrical services?

Reach out to us to learn more about how our incredible team can help you to handle any project -- and put safety first.

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