Electrical Safety Issues

There's nothing more jolting than those teensy electric shocks you feel when you drag your feet through carpeting and then accidentally bump into a metal object. Even though these shocks are small, they're reminders that electricity is a powerful thing that you don't want to mess with. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also doesn't want you to mess with electricity, so it has instituted electrical standards for employers to follow in order to keep employees safe at work.

Electrical Wiring

• According to the U.S. Fire Association (USFA), wiring is an electrical safety issue that business employers should pay special attention to in order to eliminate potential risks in the workplace. Damaged, frayed and exposed wires can cause fire hazards due to their ability to overheat or spark. The USFA says that most electrical fires are caused by faulty outlets, problems with cords, and poorly placed and maintained wires---for example, wires that run underneath rugs.

  OSHA explains that safety begins with safe work practices. Educating staff about how to handle wires, cords and outlets is an important first step for employers to take. Also, damaged wires, faulty outlets and extension cords that are acting up should be fixed immediately before anyone gets injured or a fire starts.

Electrical Equipment

• When electrical equipment is not properly safeguarded or protected, it can overheat, go up in flames, become explosive or electrocute people. Electrical equipment includes everything that runs off of electrical power, from your computer to those annoying fluorescent lights in your office. Employers can minimize electrical equipment hazards by making sure all equipment functions properly. Defective equipment is a safety hazard because if a device malfunctions, it can injure employees.

Working With Electricity

• Some employees' jobs require them to work directly with electricity, such as engineers and electricians. According to OSHA, there can be electricity safety issues when it comes to working with things like power lines and generators. OSHA recommends that workers visually inspect all electrical equipment to determine its condition prior to use. Defective equipment should be removed from the work site and replaced with equipment that functions properly.

  Water and electricity can be a deadly combination. As a general safety rule, people who work directly with things like power tools should not stand in, or near, water and wet surfaces when operating equipment.