Electrical Hazards to Safety Solutions: A Guide for the Workplace

From retail shops to tech operations, manufacturing to daycare, every commercial workspace is dependent on electricity. Powering nearly everything a business relies on, electricity is essential for lighting, computers, machinery, HVAC units, and many other critical systems that keep a workplace running smoothly and safely. Yet, despite its necessity and constant use, electricity can carry substantial risks not only to the business but also to the safety of its employees and patrons.   

Electrical accidents in the workplace injure hundreds of workers and cost businesses millions in downtime, medical expenses, and restoration costs each year. In this guide, we will discuss what electrical safety hazards are, why electrical safety is important in the workplace, and practical steps that employers and employees can take to prevent accidents. By reviewing universal workplace safety tips and examining solutions tailored to specific commercial spaces, we hope that employers and employees alike will take electrical safety seriously and work to prevent dangerous and unnecessary hazards. To help build a culture of safety, our guide is complete with a ‘How-To’ section, providing employers with strategies on how to promote electrical safety in the workplace. Let’s start with the shocking truth of what electrical hazards are.

What Are Electrical Hazards?

The simple explanation of electrical hazards is an injury or any damage caused by electrical energy. Electrical hazards consist of two main parts: the cause and the consequence. The most common causes of electrical hazards in any work environment include:

• Exposed electrical wires or those with damaged insulation on cords and electrical equipment.
• Overloaded outlets, power strips, or circuits.
• Inadequate employee training.
• An electrical system that is neglected, without the proper maintenance of the electrical panel, cords, or machinery.
• Improper grounding is another common cause of electrical accidents, allowing electrical current to flow down an unintended path.
• Wet areas.

For employees and employers, recognizing the signs of a potential electrical hazard is the first step in preventing injury to people or damage to the business. Even in a small business, such as one of the many office spaces in Northborough, a single, frayed electrical cord can quickly turn into a disaster. Below are some of the consequences of being exposed to an electrical hazard:

• Electrocution 
• Electric shock
• Burns
• Falls
• Arc flashing (jumping of an electrical current)
• Fire
• Explosions

These accidents can cause serious injury and even death in some circumstances, not to mention the potential for property destruction with a fire or explosion. With a better understanding of what electrical hazards are, their causes, and the associated dangers, let’s examine the importance of electrical safety in the workplace. 

The Significance of Electrical Safety in the Workplace

When it comes to business, compliance is a significant factor in the overall safety and success of the company. However, beyond compliance, electrical safety is about protecting the people, property, and productivity that make the business successful. A single accident, no matter how minor, can halt production, lead to fines (OSHA), and damage reputations. Most alarmingly, according to OSHA, electrical accidents in the workplace are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. Here in Massachusetts, where many businesses operate out of older buildings and industrial spaces, electrical systems can become hazardous without proper safety measures and regular inspections by a professional commercial electrician. By keeping electrical systems properly maintained and implementing safety practices, businesses can:

• Reduce the risks of accidents or injuries caused by shock, electrocution, burns, or arc flash.
• Prevent property damage caused by fires, electrical surges, or explosions.
• Protect their productivity by avoiding electrical accidents that can delay or disrupt operations.
• Ensure business compliance with regulatory agencies, thereby reducing the likelihood of fines or forced shutdowns.
• Create a culture of workplace safety that enables employees to work confidently, reinforcing the employer’s commitment to their well-being and boosting morale. 

As you can see, the importance of electrical safety in the workplace cannot be overstated. But how can safety be achieved? Let’s start by reviewing universal safety tips for any workplace.

7 Universal Tips for Any Workplace

It doesn’t matter if you work in an office, a hospital, a restaurant, a retail store, or a manufacturing plant; specific safety measures should be applied universally. Whether you manage a team of ten or 200, safety should always be a top priority. Universal electrical safety tips include:

1. Inspect all outlets and electrical cords at least once a week, replacing any damaged, frayed, or cracked cords immediately.
2. Do not overload outlets, allowing only 80% of each outlet’s full capacity to be utilized at one time. Avoid plugging in larger appliances into the same outlet, such as a microwave and a space heater.
3. Never block the electrical panel, leaving it accessible for emergency shutoffs.
4. If your business doesn’t already have them, consider having a Northborough commercial electrician install GFCI protection in areas with high exposure to water (kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors), and inspect them monthly.
5. Ensure that all electrical panels and circuits are labeled correctly, including a circuit directory that indicates emergency shut-off locations.
6. Train all staff on safety protocols, like lockout-tagout basics, even if they will likely never be required to perform such a task. 
7. Only use a professionally trained commercial electrician for any installations, repairs, or inspections of electrical systems.

Employers and managers who follow these universal safety practices support a strong foundation for a safe and productive work environment. 

Workplace-Specific Electrical Safety Tips

While recognizing that all workplaces share common risks related to electrical safety, each industry has unique challenges that require tailored solutions for specific circumstances. Follow along as we explore particular workplace electrical safety tips:

Offices and Shared Commercial Spaces

• Use surge protectors for all computers and electronics.
• Secure all power strips and prohibit the practice of piggybacking or daisy-chaining them.
• Schedule regular inspections by a commercial electrician for the entire electrical system (Lighting, HVAC).

Retail and Restaurants

• For eateries with grease fryers, empty them at least once a week to prevent insulation breakdown.
• Keep walkways clear of any cords that could trip employees and customers.
• Prohibit employees from tampering with the electrical system unless they have received adequate training to do so.

Construction Sites

• Inspect any temporary power sources daily.
• Always use GFCI on any temporary power sources.
• Keep cords elevated and out of the way to prevent damage from tools or vehicles.
• Ensure all power tools and generators are correctly grounded.

Industrial, Manufacturing, Distribution

• Implement lockout/tagout protocols for all maintenance activities to ensure safe and effective work practices.
• Inspect any forklift charging stations daily, looking for damaged plugs and cords.
• Provide proper PPE, such as insulated tools and arc-rated wear.

Although these are only a few specific workplaces we encounter in our world, it is clear that each commercial space will have specific electrical safety procedures tailored to that particular industry. Employers who promote a culture of workplace safety demonstrate their desire to keep their employees and patrons safe. Below, we will offer some advice on how business owners and managers can promote electrical safety and maintain the reputation and productivity of their businesses. 

How to Promote Electrical Safety

Keeping your business, staff, and customers safe is much more than a one-time effort. Electrical safety is an ongoing endeavor that requires awareness, training, and accountability. Here are some ways to promote electrical safety effectively and turn rules into habits:

1. Hold regular training sessions for all employees to educate them on identifying hazards and train them on responding to emergencies. 
2. Have regular safety meetings where employees can express any concerns they may have. 
3. Encourage employees to report any concerns they have without fear of reprisal.
4. Post clear labels on high-voltage areas, breaker boxes, and emergency shut-offs. Ensure that all employees are familiar with how to read these signs.
5. Partner with local professionals, such as a Northborough commercial electrician or the fire department, for free electrical safety demonstrations and education.

Perhaps the most important thing a business owner or manager can do to promote electrical safety in the workplace is to lead by example. A proactive mindset to electrical safety not only keeps everyone safe but also creates a workplace culture built on prevention rather than reaction.

Safety First

Electrical hazards are a reality for every workplace. However, with awareness, education, and the proper safety measures in place, electrical hazards can be effectively managed and significantly reduced. By identifying hazards such as frayed cords or overloaded circuits and prioritizing prevention practices, business owners can develop tailored solutions to make safety an integral part of their daily culture. Whether it’s a weekly inspection by employees or a scheduled professional inspection, every act, no matter how small, can prevent big problems. By understanding the risks and committing to ongoing safety practices, Northborough businesses can create an environment where employees feel protected, operations run smoothly, and everyone goes home safe at the end of the day with the business’s reputation intact.