Electrical Risk Assessment
Electrical Risk Assessment is a systematic process used to identify,
evaluate, and control potential hazards associated with electrical systems and
equipment in any environment, particularly the workplace. Its primary goal is
to prevent electrical accidents, injuries (such as electric shock, burns, and
arc flash), fatalities, and property damage, while ensuring compliance with
safety regulations.
Here's a breakdown of the key
elements and process:
Purpose and Benefits:
- Prevent Accidents: Proactively identifies
dangers before they lead to incidents.
- Ensure Safety: Protects workers, occupants,
and assets from electrical hazards.
- Legal Compliance: Helps organizations meet
local and international electrical safety standards and regulations (e.g.,
OSHA, NFPA 70E in many regions; in Bangladesh, relevant regulations would
include the Electricity Act, 1910, Electricity Rules 1937, Bangladesh
National Building Code (BNBC), and directives from authorities like BERC
and DIFE).
- Improve Efficiency: Reduces downtime and costs
associated with accidents or equipment failures.
- Enhance Safety Culture: Fosters awareness and
responsibility among personnel.
The Process (Common Steps):
- Preparation and Planning:
- Define the scope of the assessment (e.g., a
specific piece of equipment, a department, an entire facility).
- Gather relevant documentation (electrical diagrams,
equipment manuals, previous inspection reports).
- Assemble a competent team, including electrical
engineers, safety professionals, and operational personnel.
- Identify Electrical Hazards:
- Conduct a thorough inspection of the electrical
systems and equipment.
- Look for potential sources of harm, such as:
- Exposed live parts (e.g., damaged insulation, open
panels)
- Faulty or damaged equipment (frayed cables,
cracked plugs, signs of overheating)
- Overloaded circuits or sockets
- Improper grounding or wiring
- Lack of proper labeling or signage
- Environmental factors (moisture, dust, extreme
temperatures)
- Potential for arc flash or arc blast.
- Inadequate clearances around electrical equipment.
- Evaluate the Risks:
- Assess the likelihood of a hazardous event
occurring.
- Determine the potential severity of harm or injury
if the event occurs (e.g., minor injury, severe injury requiring
hospitalization, fatality).
- Consider who might be harmed (e.g., employees,
contractors, visitors).
- Risk is often quantified using a matrix (likelihood
vs. severity) to prioritize issues.
- Implement Control Measures:
- Develop and apply appropriate controls to eliminate
or reduce the identified risks. The hierarchy of controls is
typically followed:
- Elimination: Physically remove the hazard
(e.g., remove unused live equipment).
- Substitution: Replace the hazard with a
safer alternative (e.g., lower voltage equipment).
- Engineering Controls: Design changes to the
equipment or workplace that isolate people from the hazard (e.g.,
guards, interlocks, proper insulation, RCDs, adequate ventilation).
- Administrative Controls: Procedures, safe
work practices, training, warning signs, lockout/tagout (LOTO)
procedures, and permits to work.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): (e.g.,
insulated gloves, safety shoes, arc-rated clothing, face shields) as a
last line of defense.
- Document Findings and Actions:
- Record all identified hazards, evaluated risks,
implemented control measures, and any corrective actions taken.
- This documentation serves as evidence of due
diligence, helps track progress, and is crucial for audits.
- Monitor, Review, and Update:
- Electrical systems and conditions can change.
Therefore, risk assessments should be reviewed regularly (e.g., annually,
bi-annually) and updated whenever there are significant changes to
equipment, processes, workplace layout, or regulations, or after any
electrical incident.
- Encourage feedback from employees to identify gaps
in existing controls.
By systematically following these
steps, organizations can significantly reduce electrical risks, ensure a safer
working environment, and protect their valuable assets.
For Details,
please Contact +8801712438395
