Your Electrical Safety Checklist in the Office

Posted by MichealH Alexander on November 26th, 2019

As a business owner or PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) you have a legal requirement to provide a safe working environment for everyone in the workplace and those exposed to your operations.

Although the risk of electrical shock is low in most working environments it’s beneficial to be aware of the ways you can further reduce that risk.

Here is a simple list of electrical safety tips to follow and ensure you are doing your best:

•          Ensure no power point is overloaded
•          Do not plug powerboards with multiple outlets into other powerboards
•          Do not use any equipment with wet hands
•          Do not bind or knot electrical cords
•          Check appliance leads and extension leads for damage before connecting them to power
•          Do not hide electrical cords under carpets of matts where chairs can roll over them
•          Unplug devices and appliances when not in use to save energy and eliminate the risk of fire or shocks
•          Have your installation checked and maintained periodically by a commercial electrician.
•          Ensure that all circuits are protected by an RCD.  This is a regulated compliance requirement
•          Have a licensed electrician carry out the electrical test and tag of your appliances to ensure they are safe for use. This is another regulated compliance requirement.
•          Do not use electrical equipment near wet areas or hot surfaces
•          When unplugging a leading, pull from the plug, don’t yank on the lead as this can cause damage.
•          Have your electrical distribution boards thermographically scanned to ensure there are no hot joints or faulty equipment.
•          Make sure pedestrian aisles and high traffic areas are not cluttered with electrical leads.
•          If any equipment or machine is making unusual sounds, emitting sparks or smoke, or the surface seems abnormally hot – do not use it, unplug it and report it to the facilities/office manager immediately.
•          Try to purchase and use well-known brands that meet Australian Standards, avoid purchasing no-name brands off the internet as you cannot guarantee they meet the rigorous testing required by the Australian Standards
•          Quarantine all equipment that requires servicing so it is not plugged in again for use by mistake
•          If any electrical lead or cord is twisted, frayed, cracked or damaged – replace it immediately

So why is electrical safety important?

Electrical hazards cause fires, fatal injuries and deaths every year in the workplace.

It’s important to be aware of the potential hazard and to minimise it as much as you can.

The list above provides some simple guidance that will help reduce that risk but to ensure your workplace is electrically sound, get in touch with us at Rotric. Data Cabling

We have over 45 years’ experience as a commercial electrician and can undertake a survey and provide a report on your existing installation to indicate the installation is sound and meets the required safety standards or identifies areas in need of attention.