Every day, the workplace buzzes with activity. Across all industries, all workplaces use up huge amounts of electricity daily, especially today in the digital age where most work is done with the use of devices. This is amplified in industries like information technology, business process outsourcing, accounting firms, technological firms, e-commerce companies – basically, businesses who are fully dependent on electricity in order to operate. There is no debate that energy use and energy efficiency are much more important today than ever before.
But the higher the electricity use, the higher the health and safety risks associated with it. What your local electrician in Hampton and Melbourne, in general, would advise you to do is to keep in mind these essential tips for electrical safety at your workplace.
First, what are the different ways you could get an electrical injury at the office, and how might they occur?
The most common types of electricity-related workplace injuries are electric shocks, burns, falls, and electrocution. They can happen when:
- Electrical circuits are exposed, and a person comes into direct contact with it.
- The air contains an electricity arc that comes from an exposed energised conductor or circuit, putting people passing through at risk for injury.
- Electric arcs generate heat and the skin comes into contact with that heat.
- UV and IR light emitted from electric arc flashes come into contact with the eyes.
- Electric arc blasts release pressure, causing lung damage or hearing problems.
In any case, these injuries are caused by poorly set-up wiring, poorly maintained equipment, overheating of outlets, bad cable management, worn-out equipment, or irresponsible contact with the equipment (such as when a person approaches high-energy equipment with wet hands.) It is important to note that these problems are completely preventable, so really, the first and main electrical safety tip is to hire an electrician in Brighton or other Melbourne suburbs that has a solid reputation.
Electrical safety tips you should always keep in mind
Be discerning in your choices for electrical equipment
Electrical safety should not be practised after-the-fact: the moment you shop for devices and appliances, you are already practising electrical safety. Ensure that the devices, lights, HVAC appliances, and other equipment are of good quality (they should be should come with approval from a trusted national facility.) When in use, they should be properly grounded or double-insulated. Make sure there are no broken or damaged cords, and that they don’t give off a foul smell when used.
Cultivate a habit of unplugging or switching off at the workplace
Many employees forget to unplug or switch off, or simply choose not to. You don’t always experience the consequences (like overheating or wear-out) of failing to unplug immediately; often, these consequences occur overtime. Remind employees of the possible harms so they don’t forget to unplug and switch off their own stations. Maintenance staff could be tasked to take care of the rest, such as turning off general power sources.
Mind the outlets
If plugs don’t fit into an outlet, don’t force it to. Outlets must not be too crowded or overloaded. They should also be regularly checked to avoid any electric shock due to a defective outlet. Properly label outlets that are defective, or have them removed completely. Make sure that outlet removal doesn’t produce rogue or open wires.
Perform routine checks and maintenance
Look out for defects and replace or repair immediately – do not wait for them to fully malfunction as that could lead to much higher costs for you. It could also cause untoward injuries, which the company will be liable for.
Be proactive and get your employees involved
While most companies have maintenance teams or employ third-party electrical maintenance contractors, it would still definitely be beneficial for you if employees are fully knowledgeable about electrical safety. Include electrical safety in your training programs, and perform drills for your electrical safety protocols. You can’t be too careful – the more information there is, the better.
If you suspect that your office has a potential electrical hazard, call Bell Electrical immediately
Of course, prevention is always better than cure, and the more diligently you follow these steps above, the less likely you are to encounter an electricity-related problem. However, there will always be a risk for malfunction, so as long as you have a keen eye for the warning signs, you will be able to nip problems in the bud. How? By asking a professional to handle the situation immediately.
At Bell Electrical, we are ready to provide the best solutions to these problems. Partner with our electrician in Bayside and other Melbourne suburbs today. Call us at 04114711922 or email us at [email protected]. You may also leave us a message via our enquiry form.
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The size of your room will determine what size chandelier will be best suited to it.
If the ceiling is very high, you could install a multi-tiered fitting to cascade down through the space – providing, of course, that the chandelier still complements the room and its décor rather than overpowering it.There’s no doubt a large light fitting can add drama to a room, but there are several things you need to know about having a chandelier installed.The biggest considerations in practical terms are size and weight, according to Melbourne-based electrician, Andrew Bell of Bell Electrical Contractors“You want to make sure the light doesn’t make the room feel small, so check the ceiling is high enough for the chandelier you choose, and the room is big enough,” Mr Bell says.“That way the light fitting does what you want it to, rather than making the space seem too crowded.
You also want a light that suits the era or style of the house – it can look a bit odd if you choose an ultra-modern light for a period home, or the other way round.”Mr Bell suggests someone who wants to have a chandelier installed talks to their electrician first to get some ideas about the right type of fitting and find out more information about what is involved.“Ask the electrician how they plan to install the light.
You don’t want your electrician using a small ladder and potentially falling and hurting themselves or damaging your house.”According to Mr Bell, if you’re looking at a dramatic, heavy fitting, you will need several electricians on the job and they will need to use some form of a platform or manlift to get the job done.“Your sparky may also need to install some type of bracing in the ceiling if the light is heavy, or call in some help from a carpenter and/or engineer to help make it safe and secure,” he says.“Bracing is reasonably straightforward in a single-storey dwelling where access to the roof is fairly simple, however if you are installing the light on the bottom level of a two-storey house, it may not be possible to brace without damaging the plaster because there is limited access to the ceiling.”Once you know if it is possible to install a chandelier and whether there are any weight restrictions, Mr Bell suggests you measure the room where you want the light installed, and take a photo, and take both to the lighting store.That way, the sales team should be able to visualise what you want and what the room will allow for.
So, for example, if your room measures 304cm x 426cm, the width of the fixture should be around 73cm.It’s a similar situation with the height.
Raising the chandelier too high may cancel out its impact.
