5 Steps for a Safer Electric Room

Safety is an important part of any plant and reducing the risk of injury leads to a more positive team and work environment. Integral Strategic Solutions wants to offer you 5 easy steps to creating a safer electric room. Some of this may sound trivial, but the results would surprise you. If you know your code and work with your partners, you can reach the goal we all are after, safe work environments.

Step 1: Spring Cleaning

Sweep the floor
Remove trash
Remove unused equipment
Remove non-electrical system equipment
Replace lightbulbs
Seal the room from dust and outside interference

Step 2: Annual & Preventative Maintenance

Tighten connections
Cycle the breakers
Verify that all fuses are a matching set
Review equipment settings to match the last coordination/arc flash study that was performed
Ask your local electrical supply house to generate a list of spare parts
Install spare parts shelving. This does not need to be a large investment, just the basic parts
Pressurize the room if possible

Step 3: Safety & Security

Install proper safety signage
Ensure PPE and lock-out tag equipment is readily available
Ensure all guards and covers are installed
Plug unused holes in equipment
Properly secure all enclosures and raceways
Install panic hardware on doors that will swing out of the room
Install insulation mats for working clearance issues.

Step 4: Proper Documentation

Match the redline drawings to the equipment which is critical to keep your facility up to date.
Post the base documentation and charts in either paper, poster, or iPad format in the room
Create a directory of the location of each motor to facilitate lock-out/tag-out equipment

Step 5: Equipment Labels