Faulty wiring is an often overlooked safety hazard in workplaces. It’s a leading cause of workplace fires and can also lead to electrical shocks and arc flashes – which often result in costly compensation payouts. It’s therefore important to make sure that your workplace wiring is in good condition.
Below we’ll take a look at some of the signs your workplace wiring may be faulty, the dangers of this and how to identify and fix faulty wiring.
Signs of faulty wiring in the workplace
There are a few telltale signs of faulty wiring that are worth looking out for:
- Flickering lights: While a flickering light in a single room might just be due to a loose bulb, flickering lights throughout a building is a classic sign of a wiring issue.
- Circuit breaker trips: Power outages caused by circuit breaker trips are often another sign of an electrical fault.
- Buzzing outlets: Outlet shouldn’t make any noise – a buzzing noise could be a sign of loose wiring.
- Burning smells: A burning smell coming from an outlet is never a good sign and could be a red flag that an electrical fire is about to happen.
- Minor shocks: Tingles or minor shocks when using outlets is another sign of wiring issues.
Dangers of faulty wiring in the workplace
Faulty wiring can be dangerous for many reasons. Some of the biggest dangers include:
Fires
Frayed wires and loose connections can cause excessive heat. Flammable materials like dust and insulation within walls can ignite and this can lead to fires.
Electric shocks
If exposed wires become damaged, contact with these wires could lead to deadly electrical shocks. Broken ground wires can also increase shock risk by leaving no safe path for excess current.
Arc flashes
Arc flashes are electrical explosions that can be caused by faults like damaged wiring. Certain malfunctioning equipment like switchgears and panelboards may also cause an arc flash.
How to identify and fix faulty wiring in the workplace
If you notice signs of faulty wiring, it’s a good idea to arrange a professional inspection as soon as possible. A qualified electrician will be able to assess whether there is a problem. Buildings with old wiring can benefit from regular inspections to spot potential issues early.
Arc flash study companies can carry out specialised electrical analyses if you think electrics pose a major risk. Similarly, you may want to seek out specialists for electrical inspections in workplaces like factories and servers where equipment can carry its own risks.
If you notice any damage to outlets, wires or electrical equipment, make sure that this damage is repaired as soon as possible. Do not use damaged equipment until it is fixed and similarly do not use outlets that you think are damaged until repaired.
In old buildings with original wiring, rewiring the entire building may be recommended. This is an expensive job, but it will greatly reduce the risk of future problems, which could become a recurring issue if multiple wires and outlets are worn.
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