Electrical Safety: Essential Tips for Commercial Facilities
Monday 14 October
From lighting to outlets, electrical equipment is key to running your everyday business. As a result of this, maintaining best practices when it comes to electrical safety is essential.
Failure to do so can lead to unexpected outages, costly repairs and even potential electrical fires or accidents. In the UK some of the leading causes of fires in the workplace is due to faulty appliances or the misuse of electrical equipment.
Here are some recommendations we would advise all commercial facilities to follow:
1. Maintain regular inspections and testing
Even if systems seem to be working fine, it’s always worth getting your equipment regularly inspected by a qualified electrician. They provide the ultimate peace of mind and can be key to finding faults that aren’t easily visible.
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) are recommended every 3-5 years. During one an electrician will assess the safety of your installations, reporting on potential damage and defects.
The Health & Safety Executive also recommends that regular PAT testing should be done as a form of preventative maintenance. The frequency of these tests depends upon the environment they are in and the usage amount. For specific details, you can visit The Health & Safety Executive website.
2. Ensure proper installation
Getting installations done by a certified professional is a great way to guarantee that they are:
- Completed to the highest level of safety
- Compliant and meet requirements such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Cost efficiency as a good electrical contractor will help reduce lifetime repair costs and provide energy-efficient parts.
Once these installations are completed, a comprehensive maintenance plan will go a long way in maintaining business continuity.
3. Keep employees informed
Without regular guidance, employees may be at risk of improper handling of electrical equipment. To combat this, provide regular training to your employees on identifying and reporting electrical hazards.
Your employees can be the first step in detecting a problem early if they know what to look for, creating a safer work environment for everyone.
4. Have an emergency plan
In the event of an emergency, being prepared is important for reducing risks. Be sure to have an evacuation plan for electrical accidents which will allow for a swift and organised exit.
Fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting are crucial to this plan, so ensure they are always in working order. Testing for fire alarms and emergency lighting should be conducted regularly to make sure they are in working order.
How A Commercial Electrical Contractor Can Help
Creating a professional partnership with a qualified electrical contractor is incredibly beneficial for electrical safety. They can assist you with installations and inspections while offering expert advice.
At SR Electrical, we can help your commercial business with:
- Inspections and Testing
- Installations
- And more
If you want to take your workplace safety to the next level, contact our team today!
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