Electrical Hazards During Commercial Renovation
- 2021-02-22 21:29:26 / Commercial Construction , Commercial Renovation ,
According to commercial renovation,
contractors in Toronto construction sites tend to be full of
electrical and fire dangers. Fires on construction sites happen too frequently,
and they create a tremendous risk of severe injury or even death of the workers
on site. Construction site fires also pose a threat to the general public as
well as the property around a job site.
Damage to both the worksite and the area around
can add up to high, unforeseen costs to a construction company. The awareness
programs for electrical and fire hazards on construction sites have significantly
grown through recent years as frequent incidents of fires and accidents take
place on an everyday basis. Improvements in construction site procedures and
safety precautions are already making a huge difference, but there’s also space
for more. ASASA Constructions ensures the compliance of all the safety measures,
whether it’s a commercial project or a residential one.
Some of the critical areas of concern in terms of
danger of electrical fires are, whenever any, high-wattage power tools are
utilized. The potential for an electrical fire is high whenever portable
generators are bringing electricity to the job site or when a new electricity
system is being installed and tested in the building.
Why Should We Eliminate Electrical
Hazards?
Working around electricity can tend to be very
safe when workers accurately find and control hazards on the job site. But,
inadequate training, lack of experience, and failing to recognize potential
risks could result in an electric shock or even death.
The construction industry has the most danger of electrical hazards. The cause of main incidents and fatalities are by direct contact with the overhead power lines and direct communication with machines, tools, and hand-carried metallic components. So how can we protect ourselves against the potential dangers?
Electrocution is one of the most common hazards
in commercial renovation services in Toronto.
Diagnosing electrical hazards can help raise awareness of the dangers, their
severity, and how harmful it can be for the workers.
Here we bring you some of the most common
electrical hazards in the workplace and tips on what you should do
minimize these potential dangers:
Overhead Power Cables
Overhead powered and energized
electrical wires have high voltages, which can cause massive burns and
electrocution to the site workers. Remember to maintain a minimum distance of
at least 10 feet from overhead power cables and the nearby equipment. Conduct
site surveys to assure that nothing gets stored under overhead power cables.
Safety barriers and should install signs to warn the non-electrical workers of
the hazards present in the particular site area.
ASASA Construction
is known to be among the top commercial renovation companies in Toronto.
We aim to achieve the exclusiveness never produced before.
Flawed Equipment and Tools
Exposure to faulty electrical tools and equipment
can turn out to be very dangerous. Do not try to fix any electrical component
unless you are qualified to do so. Thoroughly check for cracks, cuts, or
scrapes on cables, wires, and cords. In the case of any faults, have them
repaired or wholly replaced. Lock
Out Tag Out (LOTO) operations should be implemented at all times
before initiating any electrical repairs and maintenance. LOTO procedures are
there to protect all the workers on a worksite.
Faulty Wiring and Overloaded
Circuits
Using wires that have
inappropriate size for the current can lead to overheating and fires. Use the
correct cable suitable for the function and the electrical load to work on it.
Utilize the right extension cord designed for heavy-duty use. Also, do not overload
an outlet and install proper circuit breakers. Perform daily fire risk assessments to
identify areas at risk of lazy wiring and circuits.
Improper Grounding
The typical electrical violation
is the improper grounding of the on-site equipment. Proper grounding can
eradicate unwanted voltage and minimize the hazard of electrocution. Do not
remove the metallic ground pin under any circumstances as it is responsible for
returning adverse current to the ground.
How to Avoid Any Accidents on the Worksite
Wear the Right Protective Gear
Assure that all of your site
workers are appropriately equipped with protective gear to reduce the danger of
being exposed to any electrical hazards. Ensure that the site workers wear
properly insulated head protection to evade contact with overhead cables that
are approved. Your workers will require face protection and eye protection to
lower any injuries caused by the arc blast. Wearing insulated hand protection
is also very critical to stopping the flow of electricity if any direct contact
made with energized equipment. You should also build an emergency contact list
as well as keeping a first aid kit that is always available to the employees.
Avoid Accidental Electrical Contact
Most job and industrial sites have a variety of
crews working on them at the same time. Here are some simple precautions that
you can take to evade accidental electrical contact during the commercial
renovation process:
- De-Energize the Electrical Elements
If you are not using an electricity system, then
it only does not have to be energized. Make sure that you shut the off till you
need to use it.
- Construct a Barrier
Assure that you install insulation components
like rubber mats and conduit around any electrical parts. Place signs of
letting the workers know of the areas which can have potential electrical
hazards.
On-site Fire Extinguisher
Assure to provide the correct type of fire
extinguishers on-site for the specific tasks the employees will perform. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration stated five significant kinds of
extinguishers available for your workplace and personal usage. Fire
extinguishers vary from A to E, but type C are the ones used for any electrical
fires - whether caused by electric motors, fuse boxes, or the welding machines.
Assure to have them on hand whenever electricity is in use at your worksites.
Maintain a Competent Training and Supervision System
Assure to provide thorough, up-to-date training
and supervision for all of the employees, especially those working in direct
contact with electricity. Give close attention to new employees so that you can
ensure they know how to handle themselves around any high voltage equipment.
Safety During Welding
The welding, cutting, and brazing procedures
can produce extremely hot flying particles and sparks. Showers of sparks
can move the molten metal far away from the work area where they are not seen
and could initiate a fire. Put shields around the welding site to avoid any
accidents. Remove all combustible elements, liquids, and containers from the
site area. Position tool cords safely and assuring that sparks or molten metal
do not burn any power cords.
Knowing your limits and following the best
electrical safety practices can help minimize the possibility of electrical
shock and death, especially when renovating old
commercial buildings. It is safer to work within your expertise
instead of taking the risk of working beyond your ability. If you are not
confident enough to do the job, do not hesitate to call for help from an
expert.
Instead of relying on your memory, make a
checklist when practicing electrical safety in your workplace. A digital list
is a potent tool that can perform as a guide for the work near electrical
equipment and hazards.
For more read A Complete Guide for Basement Waterproofing: Types and Costs for 2021.