An electric safety audit is a systematic and detailed examination of energy consumption patterns within a facility. The main objective of this safety check is to check whether the electrical structure of the installation meets all requisite requirements. The standards to meet include BS 7671wiring regulations, IEC 60079- 17 for electrical equipment in explosive areas.
What to consider while auditing
Insulation Integrity: Testing cable insulation resistance.
Thermal Imaging: Identifying hot spots caused by loose connections or overloads.
Physical Inspection: Detecting electrical hazards such as shock, fire, and overloading, along with recommendations for safety improvements.
Lightning Protection: Assessing the adequacy and maintenance of lightning protection systems.
Hazardous Areas: Reviewing area classifications and flameproof equipment, including maintenance checks.
Earthing System: Evaluating installation and maintenance of earthing systems, including resistance testing.
Overloading Identification: Measuring load current against cable capacity.
Preventive Maintenance: Reviewing maintenance systems and documentation.
Safety Policy Review: Assessing the company's commitment to electrical safety and risk identification.
Importance of Electrical Safety Audits
Electrical safety audits are crucial in identifying non-compliance and potential faults, helping to prevent major incidents, downtime, and enhancing overall safety. Key tests conducted during audits include:
Pre-Energization Tests: Assessing continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance, polarity, and earth resistance.
Energized Tests: Evaluating earth fault loop impedance, phase sequence, functional testing, voltage drop, and thermal inspections.
Risk of Electrocution and Prevention
Electrocution risks arise from contact with energized parts, potentially leading to severe injury or death. Preventive measures include:
Best Practices: Proper use of equipment, maintaining clean workspaces, and ensuring good electrical connections.
Grounding: Ensuring sound grounding to create low-resistance paths for fault currents, minimizing shock risks.