Almost everything in an office today operates on electricity. Electrical equipment is potentially hazardous if improperly used or maintained. Below are tips to keep your workspace safe from electrical hazards.
- Ensure all electrical equipment is certified by a nationally recognized laboratory and read all manufacturers’ instructions carefully.
- Conduct a monthly check for cracks, cuts, or abrasions on cables, wires, and cords.
- Perform regular fire risk assessments to identify areas at risk of fire caused by bad wiring and/or faulty circuits.
- Unplug equipment when not in use to save energy and minimize the risk of shock and fire.
- Avoid overloading outlets with too many plugs. Never plug more than one high-wattage piece of equipment in a power outlet at a time.
- Place power strips where there is good of air circulation to disperse heat
- Do not bind, kink, or knot electrical cords.
- Never run electrical cords through high-traffic areas, under rugs, or across doorways
- If your computer screen flickers or fades, or you detect a burning smell, power down and report the problem.
- Consider having a licensed electrician install additional outlets where needed as the university does not allow extension cords of any kind.