Reducing Electrical Risks at the Office

In the working world, the office may seem an unlikely setting for electrical hazards. Typically, when people think of electrical shocks and burns, as well as fires resulting from electrical malfunctions, they think of places like the shop floor or warehouse.

True, the office tends to be more "low risk," but electrical accidents can happen anywhere. Don't get complacent. Electrical safety is just as important to office employees as it is to factory workers.

Inspect Equipment Regularly
Every office is furnished with a range of devices that operate on electricity: from small items like desk clocks to large equipment like copy machines. It is very important that companies conduct regular and complete equipment inspections. These should include visual inspections and equipment tests. Items to look out for during a visual inspection include:

• Damaged electrical cords
• Damaged equipment
• Electrical cords repaired with tape
• Wires pulling away from plugs
• Signs of equipment overheating (e.g. burn marks or discoloration)

In addition, fuse boxes should be checked to make sure the correct fuses are used, and all electrical outlets should be inspected to make sure the shields are secure.

Testing should involve:

• Operating a piece of equipment to make sure it functions properly.
• Making sure wires are safely grounded and insulated.
• Careful inspection of all cables, plugs and extension wires to make sure they're all in working order.

Testing can be conducted by the equipment users or by designated equipment testers. Sometimes, special instruments may need to be used to obtain electrical readings.

Tips for Electrical Safety
To ensure a safe office environment:

• Conduct inspections and testing at regular intervals.
• Make sure that the appropriate pieces of equipment are effectively grounded.
• Develop a preventive maintenance program.
• Discourage staff from bringing their own electrical equipment to work.
• Maintain records of inspections and tests.

Be aware of common electrical risks. In the office, the most common include:

• Loose cables that cross employee pathways.
• Covered vents on equipment (this can cause overheating).
• Equipments that operate by timers (they can switch on after office hours).
• Cable management systems assembled in an unsafe manner.

Further, companies may want to designate an employee to serve as the electrical safety guru. This person needn't be an electrical expert, but he or she should be armed with the knowledge and understanding of what to observe. To this end, the company should develop an employee electrical safety manual. However, this "lay" person should seek the assistance of an expert when necessary, particularly when confronted with a question that goes beyond their own expertise and experience.

Risks and Accidents: What to do
If any equipment fails a visual inspection or testing, it should immediately be removed from the office setting and be sent off for more testing or repairs.

In the unlikely event that someone is electrocuted, make sure the current is immediately turned off. If contact needs to be broken between the electrocuted employee and the live current, use non-conducting items such as paper and dry clothing. Immediately contact 9-1-1 for emergency medical treatment. Before an ambulance arrives, the employee may require immediate first aid treatment such as CPR. Make sure at least one employee knows the technique.