The Role of an Electrical Contractor in Ensuring Safety

1. Radian Engineering Solutions The Role Of An Electrical Contractor In Ensuring Safety Introduction Construction of any building involves a host of processes ranging from designs, fabrics, lighting, plumbing, flooring, furniture, painting, etc. one such department is the electricity department. There are many jobs associated with electricity in the construction industry. The responsibility of ensuring workers’ and clients’ safety from electrical failure is that of the electrical contractor. As per some statistics, electrical shocks make for the third-highest amount of fatalities. In 2016, around 82 workers died from electrocution injuries. Electrical constructors perform some of the most tedious and risky tasks in the construction project. The electrical workers are exposed to risks related to electric failures like deadly shocks and grisly burns. Therefore, the safety of workers must be considered the topmost priority for electrical constructors. The electrical contractors have a lot on their mind. They provide light and power to buildings and are responsible for the worker’s safety at the job site. They also ensure that the work is being done as per the standard norms and code of conduct.

2. Radian Engineering Solutions Who is an electrical contractor? An electrical contractor is the one responsible for installing and maintaining electrical systems at a plethora of places. They can work in residential, commercial, and industrial setups. Electrical systems will include installing breaker boxes, wiring, and switches. Need for an electrical contractor in ensuring safety Apart from the regular responsibilities of installing and maintaining the electrical systems, an electrical contractor’s primary responsibilities are to ensure the employees’ and workers’ safety. The trends and statistics show that electrical workers are often injured due to electrical hazards and failures. To avoid such mishappenings at the workplace, it becomes necessary for an electrical contractor to employ such practices for improving safety in the construction industry. Common electrical hazards administered on the construction sites According to the occupation safety and health administration(OSHA), some electrical threats are found on the construction sites. These include improper grounding, inadequate wiring, overloaded circuits, exposed electrical parts, wet conditions, damaged insulation, contact with overhead power lines, and damaged tools and equipment. Role of an electrical contractor in ensuring safety The guidelines discussed below will help in ensuring worker’s safety. An electrical construction should follow these principles and try to implement them. 1.Survey and evaluate the workplace and equipment– before starting with the work, the workers must look for any dangers or problems in the equipment to be used and the work environment. This will help determine the faults and issues, if any, in the equipment or workplace to prevent any mishappening. It will also help them in preparing safety plans and procedures beforehand to ensure workplace safety. 2.Keep track of the hazards- the contractor should have information and idea about the places where electrical hazards occur the most. The job site should be adequately inspected, and pictures should be taken and information about the threats. This information will then be stored in the cloud base for workers to know the exact location where the hazard can occur and take necessary preventive measures. 3.Planning well in advance- planning is the base for doing any task or work. If the work is well designed, it can be done efficiently and generate excellent results. The contractor should plan well in advance the tools and equipment required for the task. The condition of the tools and any failure should be anticipated beforehand. There should be a backup plan if anything goes wrong or amiss. This will ensure safety and better work experience. 4.Proper training of the employees- the contractor must ensure that the workers are well equipped with the knowledge of tools and equipment used at the workplace. They should have information about how the mishandling of tools and equipment can lead to hazards and failures. Therefore, workers should be given proper training to carry out their work safely. 5.Protecting employees from shocks and burns– the contractor should ensure a safe working environment for the employees by de-energizing the equipment and system. The concept of de-energizing means switching off the equipment, locking the source switch, and assess the absence of voltage. De-energizing equipment will help in maintaining a safe working setup for the workers.

3. Radian Engineering Solutions 6.Wearing protective equipment-workers’ safety can also be ensured by wearing protective gloves and footwear when working with electrical equipment. The contractor should arrange for these protective equipment types and train the employees to use them while dealing with wiring or to come in close contact with electricity. 7.Using and installing tools that help prevent any electrical damage– tools like surge protectors and voltage regulators should be used to shut down power during an emergency and help prevent equipment damage. 8.Conforming to the company’s safety standards and norms– the contractor should ensure that the employees complete their tasks safely while abiding by the companies safety policies and standards. The contractor himself should have a thorough knowledge of the safety programs and policies to guide the workers properly. The contractor should supervise and monitor that the employees follow all the necessary safety precautions while at work. 9.Testing the equipment before use– before working with the equipment, it is necessary that it passes the testing procedure so that any shocks or electrocutions could be prevented. Testing the equipment with tools like voltage detectors, receptacle meters, and clamp meters will come in handy. 10.Taking preventive measures during weather conditions– the workers should also be prepared for bad weather conditions such as rain. A qualified electrician should inspect the wet electrical equipment before turning the power back. So, all the precautions and safety measures should be taken when working with electrical equipment during rain. Conclusion The statistics discussed above indicate that electrical hazards and failure are the primary reasons for worker’s injuries and fatalities on a construction site. Electricity safety is a significant concern in any construction industry. Its safety should, therefore, be a major concern. These tips and guidelines will help in minimizing the risk of working with electrical equipment. If the contractor takes care of these guidelines and works on these lines, he will ensure safety and security at the construction site from electrical hazards. See Also: The Guide to winning a high margin construction project - Radian Engineering Solutions