September is electrical safety awareness month in New South Wales (NSW), and thus during this month, the spotlight shines on electrical safety at home, work, and industrial sectors.
With electricity being an integral part of our daily lives, it’s essential to be aware of the potential electrical hazards and how to mitigate them.
The primary goal of safety awareness month in NSW is to remind you to prioritise electrical safety in your day-to-day activities.
Electrical Safety in Homes
In most households, electricity powers everything from lighting to essential appliances like refrigerators and microwaves. Despite the immense benefits, electricity can also become a great hazard under certain circumstances.
Some of the common electrical hazards include;
- Poor or defective wiring: Though not a common hazard when professional wiring is done, defective wiring still occurs in some homes. This can increase the chances of power surges, fires, and other serious electrical problems in your home. Trying to do it yourself (without the requisite skills) is also a common cause of defective wiring. This mainly stems from do-it-yourself electrical work and inadequate maintenance. Always hire professional electricians to handle all electrical work in your home.
- Overloaded outlets: This happens when you use multiple high-voltage appliances like computers, speakers, and televisions on the same outlet. Therefore, don’t plug all your appliances in one spot.
- Unprotected outlets: Your child is more likely to experience electric shock if your outlets are uncovered. Their curiosity drives them to insert metal objects, such as knives, into unprotected outlets. Therefore, you should unplug appliances when not in use and install safety plugs in electrical sockets to prevent this hazard.
- Lightbulbs: When you keep a lightbulb near flammable materials like plastics and beds, your home could risk electrical fires. This mostly happens when the bulb overheats. You can prevent this electrical safety hazard by keeping bulbs away from flammable materials.
Electrical Safety in Commercial Settings
Almost every commercial building relies on electricity to power its appliances, equipment, and electronics. However, electrical hazards are also a real issue in commercial settings. They include;
- Faulty wiring
- Unsafe electrical equipment
- Lack of proper safety measures
- Exposed wiring
- Wet areas
Therefore, business owners and employees should understand these electrical hazards and implement safety measures to prevent potential risks. For instance, if you own a business, you should conduct regular electrical audits to maintain a safe and compliant electrical system. Electrical audits can help detect issues early before they turn into significant problems.
Additionally, you should train employees on electrical safety practices, including proper use of electrical equipment. Encourage them to report potential hazards promptly.
Electrical Safety in Industrial Sectors
The industrial sector uses electricity to produce goods, usually from raw materials. The energy is used to power high-voltage equipment and complex machinery. But while electricity is essential in this industry, it poses significant hazards, including;
- High-voltage equipment: Industries mostly use high-voltage equipment such as switchgear, transformers, and power distribution systems. The electrical hazard stems from the high voltage, which could cause various risks such as fire.
- Inadequate grounding: This may cause electrical shocks and equipment malfunctions in the industrial setting. Therefore, you should regularly inspect and maintain grounding systems to minimise the risk of electrical shocks.
- Hazardous environments: Some industrial settings contain flammable chemicals, gasses, or liquids that increase the risk of fires and explosions.
Following current safety regulations regarding electricity and wiring in industrial settings is vital to minimise safety hazards and associated risks. Also, staff needs adequate training on electrical safety to minimise potential risks.
The Role of Professional Electricians
You should never try to tackle electrical work on your own, whether at home, work, or in an industrial setting. This is due to the risks that electricity presents. Instead, always hire qualified, licensed, experienced, and professional electricians like M1&Co. Here’s why you should hire licensed and qualified electricians.
They are qualified for the job
To be a licensed electrician, you must have completed hours of classwork and rigorous on-the-job training. This training equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle electrical issues, including installations, repairs, and maintenance.
Therefore, you have peace of mind knowing that the person you hired is qualified for the job.
They adhere to strict safety standards
Electricity is highly regulated due to the potential risks. Therefore, any electrical work must adhere to safety standards and codes in the area. A qualified and licensed electrician should be current with all the regulations governing electrical work in all sectors—home, commercial, and industrial.
Protection from liability
Electrical works are risky to your property and the person handling them. For instance, there could be a fire damaging your property.
Therefore, hiring a licensed and insured electrician protects you, your family, and your property against any potential risks and liabilities.
Ready For the Electrical Safety Awareness Month?
If you use electricity at home or work, you need to understand the potential electrical hazards and how to minimise risks.
Therefore, you should observe electrical safety awareness month by checking your electrical safety measures at home and work. And if you need any professional electrical needs, contact M1&Co to ensure the utmost safety.