With the intervention of the Mississippi Pride Initiative,
the emphasis on office organization and cleanliness takes on
a different personality. We shall all have a different look as
we work and function in each of the areas throughout the
Extension network.
This month we shall discuss office equipment hazards,
materials storage, and electrical safety in the office, plus a
review or overview of general housekeeping in the office.
The first subject we should discuss is electrical safety in
the office. Electricity is an essential source of power in all
modern and automated offices. As essential and necessary as
it is, it is just as potentially hazardous and as we all know,
can cause serious shock and burn injuries if improperly used
or maintained.
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS COMMONLY FOUND IN
UNSAFE OFFICES INCLUDE:
• Ungrounded equipment -
Most fixed equipment such as large, stationary machines
must be grounded. Typewriters and coffee pots do not
have to be grounded. But, much of our newer office
equipment is manufactured with grounded, threepronged plugs as an extra precautionary measure. We
should never remove the ground prong from any threepronged plug.
• Insufficient or Overloaded OutletsOverloading electrical circuits and extensive use of
extension cords can cause fires.
• Unsafe/Non-Approved Equipment -
Employees should refrain from bringing heaters,
individual coffee makers, radios, lamps, etc. to the
office, especially if their wiring is judgmental or faulty
or unless they have been approved by a quality testing
laboratory.
• Defective or Improperly Installed CordsWe should examine all electrical cords on a regular basis
for fraying or exposed wiring. Bare wiring can and will
cause shocks. Worn cordsshould be replaced.
• Placement of Electrical CordsRegular checks should be made to see that cords aren’t
lying against steam or heat radiators, walls, and
windows. Be careful with cords behind and around
furniture. Desk, tables, etc. can be squeezed tightly
against walls, pinching the cords and/or bending the
plugsin the socket.
WALKWAYS AND WORK AREAS:
We stress keeping walkways, aisles, etc clear for walking
and transporting loads, but there are other potential problems as
well.
Extension CordsExtension cords should be used on a temporary basis only.
If you have to use them, they should be unplugged each night.
If they have to be used for an extended period of time, they
should be taped to the floor or a strip cover purchased to reduce
the potential for a trip hazard.
Also, if the extension cord is to be a semi-permanent set up,
then arrangementsshould be made to install a plug to eliminate
the extension cord.
Plugs-
• When removing a plug from an outlet, pull the plug by the
plug itself and not by the cord. Never pull by the cord.
EQUIPMENT:
• Disconnect all electrical machines before cleaning,
adjusting or applying flammable solutions.
• If guards have to be removed to make adjustments or
repairs to the equipment, be sure to replace them before
testing the machine or returning it to service.
• All electrical panels and doors must be kept closed.
• Clearing access to all electrical panels is critical, as
obstructions or obstacles stacked in front could prohibit
you from gaining access to the breakers in case of an
emergency.
OFFICE FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY:
• Heat-producing equipment such as copiers, printers, hot
plates, microwave ovens, etc. should be located so that no
flammable materials are in close range.
• Electrical appliances - All electrical appliances should be
turned off each night. three-pronged plugs and outlets
(grounded)should be used for all appliances.
• Electrical equipment – If electrical equipment malfunctions
or emits a strange odor, disconnect it and call the pertinent
maintenance personnel.
• Extension cords – Again, keep cords clear of doorways and
areas where they can be stepped on and the insulation
chafed, along with the creation of a slip, trip or fall hazard.
• Combustible materials – Isolate all combustibles, such as
boxes, paper, etc away from ignition sources.
LEAD THE WAY ~ SAFETY TODAY!
-----------------------------
THE DOOR TO SAFETY
SWINGS BOTH WAYS!!
FOR PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL INQUIRIES CONCERNS AND ORDERS:
EMAIL US: SAFEELECTRICAL2013@GMAIL.COM
FOR PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL INQUIRIES CONCERNS AND ORDERS:
EMAIL US: SAFEELECTRICAL2013@GMAIL.COM
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