Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces

Electrical safety requirements ensure an office building meets minimum standards to protect the business's customers and employees. There are a few common areas of an office that require particular attention to ensure the space is up to the highest level of safety. By addressing these issues to create an electrically safe office, employers and staff can put their minds at ease.

Outdoors

• If there are trees near your workplace's electrical wires, have the branches cut back or ask your city to remove the trees and replant them in a safer spot. This will eliminate the risk of dead branches falling into the wires, causing an electric hazard for passing employees. Be sure to alert your city's electric service if any wires become detached, as can sometimes happen during heavy storms or winds.

Indoors

• Plastic plug covers are one of the most important electrical safety tools. These plugs are placed into the socket of an electrical outlet to prevent people from sticking items into the openings. Plug covers can be purchased at many types of stores, including hardware and discount stores. Also, make sure small electrical appliances are unplugged when out of use. Items like toasters, coffee pots and microwaves are often found in employee lounge rooms; keep them unplugged when they are not in use.

Restrooms

• Employee restrooms pose unique electrical safety concerns because of the proximity of water to electricity. If your employee restrooms have any electrical outlets, make sure they are on a wall away from faucets. They should also be away from the floor, in case of flooding. Electric outlets should be located high on the walls; an electrician can move them if they are in a dangerous area.