As we approach the end of October, homes and workplaces across the country are decorating for Halloween and therefore more electronics will be used to help get into the spooky spirit.
In the UK, over 1,000 electricity related accidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive each year, and with Halloween, electronic decorations and candles add to the mix of possible hazards.
Electrical safety experts Direct365 have identified the most common electrical hazards that occur in the workplace during this time of year, and have provided tips on ways in which we can ensure that our electronics are in safe working order to protect our employees. As an employer, if you are not taking action to protect your staff you may be found liable in the case of an accident.
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Delegate responsibility to key members of staff to check electrics are switched off
Three quarters of all employers now offer hybrid working to their staff[2], meaning that offices are generally less busy on certain days of the week.
Therefore, with no guarantee that someone will always be in the office each day of the week, it is crucial that all necessary electrics are turned off at the end of each day. This is especially necessary over the Halloween period when fairy lights and electric candles are likely to be used to decorate the workplace.
By delegating responsibility to a group of employees to ensure that this task is complete at the end of each day they are working from the office, this will reduce the likelihood of electrics remaining on for a prolonged period.
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Ensure that extension cables are not overcrowded
It is inevitable that people are more likely to overcrowd extension cables at this time of year. Where plug sockets are usually safety compliant, rules may be broken to accommodate these.
If using an extension cable, never overcrowd it. Extension cables plugged into other extension cables are likely to cause overheating. If you require one, make sure to use a fused ‘inline’ cable, rather than an extension cube and if you spot any damage to cables or general wear and tear, replace it immediately.
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Inspect and maintain decorations
As we tend to only bring out our Halloween decorations once a year, many presume that they will last multiple years. However, for lighting such as fairy lights it is advised that these are replaced every 5-10 years, depending on usage.
Politely decline if an employee offers to lend Halloween decorations. With the employer having to take full responsibility for electronics used within the workplace, there is no way of guaranteeing the age and working order of decorations.
Additionally, inspect for frayed wires, exposed conductors or damaged plugs and check that your electrical decorations have the BSI Kitemark™, as this will show that they meet the highest requirements in terms of safety and performance and are unlikely to overheat.
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Be cautious where you place decorations
It is important to secure decorations appropriately and ensure that they are not near to any flammable items. Additionally, it is not advised that decorations are placed in areas that have heavy footfall, including around door frames to reduce the risk of decorations falling on top of people.
To ensure maximum safety, make sure that you use LED lights as these are both more energy efficient and have lower heat output, meaning that they are unlikely to overheat. Furthermore, if you are interested in decorating your office with pumpkins, invest in LED candles rather than real candles to minimise fire hazards.
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Unplug all electrical appliances during the Christmas break
Although we tend to keep electrical appliances plugged in most of the time, we are usually able to recognise and report any potential hazards in the workplace before they become dangerous.
Therefore, it is important that all decorations are checked and turned off when leaving the workplace. While unplugging electrical appliances will reduce your energy bill, it will also ensure your office is not at risk from electrical hazards.
Karl Bantleman at Direct365 commented, “As Halloween approaches, concern should be heightened around electrical safety in the workplace as businesses dig out their decorations for another year.
All businesses must comply with legislation in order to maintain safe working conditions for their staff, and PAT testing is advised on a yearly basis to ensure that portable electrical appliances are in safe working order.
Therefore, while additional electrical items such as lighting is used for a limited period in your workplace, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that they are in safe working order and will not cause any harm to employees.”
Head to Direct365 to find more information about the electrical compliance services on offer.