Winter in the Workplace: Tips to Prevent Electrical Hazard During Winter

February 18, 20191:19 pm832 views

Accu Weather forecasted there will be storm with a chance of rain and mountain snow in the Middle East, as well as parts of China and Japan during Winter of 2018-2019. Jason Nicholls, an international meteorologist, said, “There is a possibility that cold air may push far enough south during one or more of these storms to bring snow in the lower elevations of Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Jordan and northern Iraq in January and February.” In India, smog and poor air quality is also projected to return during the season.

However, farther to the east, the season might turn much drier. “Much of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, southern Laos, southern Vietnam, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Singapore can expect warmer and drier conditions than average,” Nicholas said.

Image credit: Accu Weather

Preparing for the storm and other unexpected things during winter is crucial, given that this season could be more dangerous than any other seasons, according to WPAFN. The reasons why winter would be the season of more fires are:

01 There is less daylight available so people are turning indoor lights on much earlier and using it for longer periods.

02 People are using electric blankets and space heaters often under designed circuits than what is required.

03 The physical wood structure around the office becomes drier which can lead to electrical fires under certain conditions.

04 Poor judgement of residents who ignore warning signs and do not follow recommended codes and safety rules.

Without safety awareness, electrical hazards could occur in your workplace. Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT) stated that electrical equipments used in the office during winter can be dangerous. Just like any other electricity, ‘If you do not pay attention to your office electricity, there will likely to occur hazardous accident during this unpredictable season.’ Also, without proper knowledge on how to handle office electricity, you and your employees could get some serious injuries.

Thus, to prevent unwanted electrical accident, GIT as cited in Safety and Health magazine has shared some tips and tricks on how to prevent office injury during winter.

Ensure all appliances are turned off before leaving work at the end of the day.
Use only grounded appliances that can be plugged into grounded three-prong outlets.
If you smell something strange such as fog or burning flame, make sure to unplug electricity immediately.
Do not use appliances with cracked, frayed, or broken cords.
Keep walkways and doorways clear of clutter with staples, nails, or wires.
Check plugs to ensure they fit securely into outlet; however, never attempt to force a plug into an outlet.
Be aware that all appliances in your office have been approved by an independent testing laboratory.
Keep a minimum of 3 feet of clearance in front of electrical panels.
Do not overload outlets.
Use only equipment that is properly grounded of double-insulated.
Unplug or disconnect machines before servicing or repairing, and check to make sure machine is actually disconnected and turned off prior service.
Do not use electrical equipment or appliances near water or wet surface.
Never use electrical equipment when your hands or equipment are wet.
Inspect cords and equipment regularly, and report if there is any defects immediately.
Lastly, make sure your employees are aware of winter electrical hazards.