Electrical Safety at the Office | Teems Electric

When you head into the office for the day, there is a good chance you have plenty on your mind. Your to-do list, emails to read and emails to send, that upcoming presentation to make…

But does electrical safety ever make it on your mental list?

It’s safe to say that worrying about electrical safety probably doesn’t make it on very many people’s lists, if anyone’s at all. But electrical fires are a leading cause of disasters—and more often than not—they are completely preventable.

Considering electrical safety isn’t just a way to protect your building and your coworkers from fires, though; it can also help keep your energy bills lowered. If you run or own a business, finding ways to cut your overhead costs is likely one thing that never leaves that mental checklist.

Identifying the Hazards

Electrical hazards vary according to your industry, but there are some hazards that all commercial properties should be addressing.

No matter what you do as a business, there is likely a good number of electronics plugged in throughout your office or other building spaces. Frayed cords, overloaded outlets and surge protectors, and misused extension cords are some of the most common electrical hazards in buildings.

These are all fire hazards (and trip hazards) that can be easily corrected. If your outlet or surge protector, has more than eight plugs in it, unplug some and find another outlet. Only use the correct length of extension cords, and always check for frayed wiring before plugging anything in.

While cords can certainly create a fall risk, they should never be run under rugs, carpets or doorways. This can cause overheating and set you up not only for equipment failures but fire hazards as well. If you notice flickering lights or wall plates feel warm when you go to flip a switch, your circuits could be overloaded. Have a professional come in to check your circuit breaker box.

Encouraging Safety and Efficiency

Taking time to assess even some of the simplest hazards like where your cords are and what kind of condition they are in can go a long way in protecting your building. It is also a great way to encourage safety and efficiency amongst your team.

Add electrical safety to your regular training materials and get your crew used to looking at their cords for signs of fraying. Encourage unplugging of items that are not used often, especially in shared spaces like a staff kitchen. No one likes burnt coffee—make sure whoever uses the pot last not only turns it off, but unplugs it as well. Invest in energy-efficient appliances for these areas as another way to help save energy and keep things safe.

Assign staff members to complete closing procedures, especially if your team is about to head out on a break or be out for a long weekend. Everything that can be unplugged should be. Get your team used to looking for potential hazards so that you can rest assured your building is safe and your bills will stay low.

Want to make your office more energy-efficient and ensure your electrical safety? Contact us to get started.