The Good and the Needs-Improvement

We shared the below picture with you last week and asked you what you saw in the picture that needed some improvements. We mentioned that it appeared the employer had labeled the circuit breakers in the electrical panel, which is good. But are there some things that stand out to us that need improvement.

Here’s our list:

1. You could tell that the circuit breakers in the electrical panel were labeled because the door to the panel was left open and it looks like you can see the labels on the individual breakers. Labeling the circuit breakers is good. However, both the Fire Codes and OSHA state that manufacturer’s recommendations must be followed. Additionally, Fire Codes and OSHA require employers to provide protection of exposed electrical. The recommended way to provide that protection is to close the door to the electrical panel.

2. There seems to be an accumulation of containers, rags, cords, what looks to be a spray nozzle in front of the electrical panel. This makes it difficult to access and does not allow a clear working space around the panel or electrical equipment. 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1) says “Space about electric equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment…. Working space required by this standard may not be used for storage.” The regulation goes on to define the sufficient access and working space as being at least 30 inches or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater. The area around the panel has room for improvement by removing the items left for storage.

3. We also see a bucket to the right of the panel. A hose extends from the bucket that appears to be attached to the nozzle next to the saw. While we don’t know for sure, the bucket, hose and nozzle lead us to believe that there may be additional electrical hazards by having liquid next to an electrical source. Moving any potential for the liquid to contact the electrical source is a definite improvement.

4. We also see some dust and wood shavings on the saw. We believe that there may be more dust in the area. Preventing dust and wood shavings to contact an electrical source, the panel, would improve the workplace by removing the dust and wood shavings.

Weekly Safety Challenge:

Look around your workplace. What areas of your site have some room for safety improvements?