Every company with a retail or service outlet must make electrical safety checks on their employees. These checks are designed to ensure the safety of everyone who comes in contact with electrical equipment. Electrical safety checks come in many forms, each designed to prevent accidents from occurring and also to help maintain the safe operation of all electrical equipment. Also, these inspections are required by law, as electrical equipment can cause injury or death if not properly maintained.
There are three types of electrical safety checks that companies must undergo: visual inspection, audible inspection, and feedback inspection. Each type is designed to do a particular job, but all have the purpose of preventing electrical equipment from causing harm. While performing these inspections, certain precautions must be taken. These precautions can avoid electrical injuries, so companies should always try to follow these guidelines. Here are some tips on following these electrical safety guidelines:
Visual inspection: This is the most basic type of inspection a company can do. It is designed to visually examine the equipment in question, looking for any signs of wear or damage. Companies need to check both the power source and the frequency with which the equipment is switched on and off. Any warning lights should be watched and any dangerous parts removed if at all possible.
Audible inspection: This test requires no tools and is simply performed by listening to the equipment to determine if there are any unusual sounds or smells. For this test, the employee speaks the alphabetical letter(s) associated with each component and then uses light to signify “on” or “off.” The light is turned on when the letter is turned off. For this test, it’s recommended that someone in the work area has either the proper training or an assistant to assist in the test. If this isn’t possible, it is important to check the equipment frequently to ensure that it is still in good working order.
These checks aren’t only performed on newly-purchased electrical equipment; they’re also necessary for many older pieces of equipment. The manufacturer of a piece of equipment may decide to replace certain components, such as outlets or fuse bays, due to age. Older equipment might have been neglected in its care and repair and contain potential issues that can affect its use or even cause it to short out altogether. When these components are replaced, there is often a corresponding increase in the cost of the electrical supply. To prevent this expense from increasing, you should always check the equipment you currently own to make sure it still meets the electrical safety requirements outlined in your product manual.
When you purchase used or old equipment, you should also check the manufacturer’s information to determine what safety features it possesses. Many manufacturers voluntarily label the equipment as certified. In this case, it will indicate that the equipment meets current electrical safety standards. However, not all manufacturers’ labeling is accurate. Before purchasing, you should research the product thoroughly to make sure the labeling is correct.
Once you’ve purchased the equipment and verified its safety, you’ll need to perform some more basic checks. A safety discharge indicator (SDI) should be located in a convenient location where its use is easy to locate. This indicator will usually be small and located near the outlet or fuse area. You’ll need to pull a long wire with an exposed metal tab off of the end. This tab will become marked as you continue your inspection. If you see two black or white lines, you’ll need to stop your inspection and take the wire out, replacing it with a new one.
These basic safety checks should be performed before every electrical service. With today’s technology, you can even perform these electrical safety checks while you’re away from home. Ensuring that your home is safe is one of the best things you can do, and you’ll be glad you took the time to perform these tests as part of your electrical safety maintenance.
