Office Electrical Safety Tips
You might think that electrical safety is a no-brainer, but many people actually don’t even know some of the basics. There’s no shame in educating yourself and your staff to prevent injury, property damage, or even death from unsafe electrical equipment and use. Also, consider having your commercial electrician come in for an inspection to identify potentially unsafe practices and equipment.
Here are some basic office electrical safety tips:
- Don’t overload outlets or circuits
- Don’t daisy chain power strips (connect one power strip to another for the same outlet)
- Make sure cords are in good condition
- Never kink, bend, or knot electrical cords
- Never use extension cords as a permanent solution
- Use power strips and extension cords properly rated for your intended use (indoor/outdoor as well as power capacity)
- Don’t place extension cords across doorways, windows, or underneath rugs or carpets
- Never use wet electrical equipment
- Don’t handle electrical equipment with wet hands
- Unplug equipment when not in use
- Stop using equipment immediately if signs of an electrical issue (such as extreme heat, buzzing/humming noises, smoke, or sparks)
- Use electrical equipment certified by a trusted lab, like UL (Underwriter Laboratories)
There are many ways to improve electrical safety in your office. One simple way to keep your office safe from electrocution and electrical fire risks is to schedule regular inspections and electrical maintenance. This can help you detect problems early, such as overheating systems or loose components.
Also, if you find yourself reaching for extension cords or power strips frequently, that’s actually a good indicator that you need more outlets in your office. Cathey Electric can add outlets in your workspace and also increase electrical capacity to reduce the risk of overloading your system. We can also relocate outlets if you frequently use extension cords to run power to an appliance located just out of reach of the nearest outlet.
In addition, we can upgrade and retrofit electrical systems as needed for compliance and safety. If you have an aging electrical system in your building, we can help you create a plan for upgrades for enhanced safety and performance. Give us a call today!