PC Electrical Safety: Tips and Tricks to Help Keep the Workplace Safe
Posted by: electime 7th September 2022
The modern workplace is filled with electrical equipment and appliances, whether it is a factory floor, an office space, or a retail outlet. Nearly every workspace has a computer that helps maintain communication and the flow of data between departments. Here are some tips and tricks that can help any employee or employer keep their workplace safe.
Laptops and Desktops
There are many different kinds of computers, but the most common you will come across at home or in an office are laptops and desktops. Both are portable devices, but laptops contain lithium-ion batteries and have separate power packs which their own require inspection.
Desktop computers are portable, as they can be moved from one place to another, but they will mostly stay in the same place. They will have a connection to a mains electricity supply and will stay plugged into it most of the time. These connections and the supply need to be maintained and checked regularly.
Power Hungry PC Components
Some desktop PCs can consume massive amounts of power which can change the way they need to be maintained. It can also mean they need to be inspected more often, and more in-depth.
Computers that are used to process high volumes of data, such as for video or graphics processing or as a data server, need lots of processing power that can generate a lot of heat.
These computers will often need regular cleaning to reduce the risk of fire. Dust inside desktop cases is a common occurrence, and the high temperatures of CPUs and graphics processors could ignite a large dust build-up.
Modern processors like the Intel Arc range can provide the performance that high-end PC users need without excessive temperatures, helping to reduce risk and power consumption at the same time.
PAT Testing and Maintenance
All the electrical equipment in any workplace should be PAT tested. This stands for Portable Appliance Testing and everything from a data server to the kettle in the kitchen needs to be tested for safety. Faulty electrical connections and poorly maintained equipment can cause fire, injury, and even death.
Businesses should have a regular maintenance schedule, and a PAT testing schedule that covers all existing equipment and any new equipment brought into the workplace. This can often include the personal devices of employees, such as the charging units for mobile phones.
If these are to be used in the workplace, they should also be PAT tested for safety. Educating employees about electrical safety and the responsibilities they have to themselves, and others, can be an effective way to reduce the risks of accidents and electrical faults.
Encourage employees to make visual inspections of electrical devices regularly, including the PCs they use. Teach them the signs of faulty electrical equipment, and make sure they understand the steps they should take to protect themselves and others.
Knowledge, awareness, and a maintenance schedule are key to creating a workplace that is safe from electrical hazards and the risks of electric shocks or fires have been minimised.
