Electricity has become an important part of life in today’s time. It has become an important tool for homes, workplaces and industries. No work can be done without it. Its benefits are countless, yet if one does not know how to use electricity properly, it can cause very serious risks. Accidents caused by electricity can cause fire, injury and even death. To avoid this, it is important to know and follow the electrical sefguard rules carefully. In this article, detailed information will be given about electrical safety rules, their importance and various practical tips.
Top Four Main Electrical Hazards
1. Electric Shock – Accidental contact with live electrical components can result in electric shock. This shock can cause mild injury, serious injury, or even death.
2. Burns due to electrical – When exposed to high voltage, electricity flows through the body. These damages the body tissues. These burns are extremely painful. This leads to many complications in the future.
3. Electrical fires – Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits or damaged electrical equipment can produce heat and sparks. These sparks can cause a fire anywhere.
4. Explosion – Electrical sparks can cause explosions in atmospheres containing flammable gases, vapors, or dust.
Because of all these hazards, it is very important to follow electrical safety rules to save your life and protect your property.
Top Electrical Safety Rules for Home, Workplace, and Industry
1. When working on the line, turn off the power
If you have to work on any electrical system or equipment, first turn off the electricity. If you have to work at home, first turn off the main switch and remove its fuse.
If you have to work in an institution or industry, turn off its main switch or circuit breaker and get a work permit. This is the first rule of electrical prevention rule. This simple rules can prevent electric shock and other accidents.
2. Keep electrical appliances away from wet areas
Electrical appliances or switches should never be touched with wet hands. Also, they should not be used near sinks, bathtubs or water sources.
If an electrical appliance falls into water due to any reason, do not try to take it out while the power is on. First turn off the power and then take it out.
If it is deemed necessary to place electrical equipment in bathrooms, kitchens, basements and outdoor areas, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are a protective device that must be installed along with it.
These devices prevent electrical incidents such as electric shock, ground faults, fire, overheating and destruction of wire insulation. this is an important point of electrical safety rules.
3. Regularly check electrical Chords, Wires, and Plugs
Power cords, extension cords, plugs, switches, boards etc. installed in the house or industrial premises must be inspected once a month.
During the inspection, it should be found out whether any equipment is worn out, broken or has open wires. If there is any defect in it, it must be replaced immediately.
Power line wires must be protected from being pressed or twisted, otherwise this can damage the wire insulation.
If the wire’s insulation is damaged, it must be replaced immediately. this is a good tip in electrical protection.
4. Home Safe for Children
Children are naturally uninformed, which is why electrical outlets and appliances are dangerous.
To protect children from tampering with outlet covers or sockets, commercially available resistant outlets should be installed.
Electrical plugs and cords should be kept away from children. this also comes under electrical safety tips.
5. Unplug Appliances When Not in Use
When appliances are not in use, they should be unplugged to prevent electrical failure and fire.
Do you know about “phantom” or “standby” power? Let’s know that this is a condition in which many electrical appliances continue to use electricity even after they are turned off.
To get rid of this problem, always keep such appliances unplugged when not in use.
To remove a plug from a socket you should pull it out by holding the plug and not the wire. This will prevent any damage to the wire.
6. Don’t Overload Electrical Circuits
Never use high load appliances on extension cords or in multi-outlet sockets. higher loads generate more heat in the electrical outlet, posing a fire hazard.
If the fuse in a house blows repeatedly or the circuit breaker in an industry trips repeatedly then it indicates a sign of overload in the circuit.
Surge protector should be used to avoid damaging the devices in the circuit and reducing the causing electrical fire.
7. Keep Flammable Materials Away from Electricity
The heat from electrical equipment and components can ignite flammable substances so they should be kept away for electrical protection.
Under electrical defence rules, heaters and air conditioners should not be placed near flammable substances as this can cause a fire hazard.
8. Stay away from Overhead and Underground Power Lines
From an electrical safety point of view, a distance of at least 10 feet must be maintained from overhead power lines.
Although underground power lines are laid at a safe distance inside the ground, it is necessary to be careful while digging the ground.
The worker doing electrical work should always use safety glasses, face shield, hard hat, insulated boots, rubber gloves with leather protectors, insulating sleeves and flame-resistant clothing to reduce the risk of electric shock.
This is also mentioned in the Electrical Safety tips who are given in the Indian Supply Code.
9. Use the Correct Wattage Appliance
In homes and industries, equipment of correct wattage should be used as per the line load.
Using an appliance of the wrong wattage can overheat the circuit and cause an electrical fire. Wherever there is a loose contact in the circuit there is a greater chance of a fire.
A fire can also occur if the load of the wire used in the circuit is less than the total load of the equipment used in the premises. In this situation, the insulation of the wire melts due to heat, causing a short circuit and a fire.
To avoid this problem, use the correct load in the circuit and use the correct rating fuse or breaker to avoid any accident.
10. Everyone should be Educated about Electrical Safety Rules
Electrical defence training is essential for everyone, especially in workplaces and industries where electrical equipment is frequently used.
Industries need to conduct regular safety training for employees so that they are well aware of the risks and can handle electrical emergencies.
Staying safe means staying updated with the latest safety regulations and standards.
11. Use Smoke Detectors at Home and Industrial Offices
Smoke detectors should be installed in the house such as kitchen, bedroom and hall. Get them tested every month and change its battery once a year.
Smoke detectors should be installed in industries such as offices, corridors, halls etc. It immediately informs us about a fire and prevents major damage from occurring.
12. Always use Safety Equipment Tools
This electrical safety equipment protects us from potential dangers. List of electrical safeguards equipment used in working:
- Insulated Tools like Insulated pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and cutters are used.
- Rubber insulated gloves are made of leather or rubber. They protect us from electrical shock.
- Safety glasses or face shield protects our face and eyes from electric sparks.
- Insulated mat which is made of rubber. Working by keeping feet on it saves us from electrical shock.
- Arc flash suit protects us from arc flash and electrical explosion.
- Voltage tester and multimeter instruments help us to measure the current or voltage in the circuit. By this, we can check whether the circuit is completely de-energized or not.
- A fire extinguisher must be kept so that if a fire breaks out it can be extinguished immediately.
- Local earthing rod is used in working place. It protects us from induction line due to any reason.
Electrical Safety Week
Electrical Safety Week is an electrical defences awareness event aimed at educating about the importance of electrical safety in homes, workplaces and public places.
This week-long campaign provides information to individuals, families and organizations to learn about safe practices, identify potential hazards and take measures to prevent electrical accidents, injuries and deaths.
Electrical Safety Slogans
There are also some slogans of electrical prevention rules through which people are encouraged about electrical protection.
- Stay alert, don’t get hurt – practice electrical safety.
- Electricity can be shocking – handle with care!
- Don’t be a fool, use insulated tools
- Switch off before you switch on safety.
- Electrical protections is no accident – be prepared.
- Stay grounded for safety – avoid electrical shock.
- Don’t overload, take the safe road!
- Protect your life, inspect the wire twice.
- Safety is the best connection – avoid electrical disconnection.
- Safety starts with awareness – stay protected from electric hazards.
Conclusion
Electrical prevention is our responsibility. By following these electrical safety rules, we can greatly reduce the risk of accidents, injuries and deaths. It is important to remember that, whenever it comes to electrical safety, prevention is better than dealing with the consequences of an accident. Stay safe and be cautious – Electricity is a valuable resource, but it demands safety and caution.
I am an engineer in a government department and also a blogger. I write posts on topics related to electrical and electronics engineering.
