Power Practices

Work and Wellbeing: “Power Practices”

Our ability to stay connected with each other has grown with innovations in new media, like the BurrRidgePatch, as well as with advances in communications, electronics, and satellite technologies. For example, when we are away from our employment, we can check-in with our colleagues via email.

When we are at our job, we can use mobile video to see our households or cell phones to call family. All of our connections rely on one basic ingredient: electricity.

On assignment, in our vehicles, or in the comfort of our homes, we use electricity to make everything that has an on/off switch work. Most of the time, we can see a power cable or extension cord that allows electricity from the utility power grid to move into the equipment that keeps us comfortable and accessible.

But sometimes electricity is stored where we might not notice. In an electric vehicle, a laptop computer, or a flashlight, batteries deliver electricity to the equipment. And then there are the situations where the electricity moves through power supply lines that are buried, or suspended out of our sight.

When electricity travels along power lines, cables , cords, or battery connections, electric current flows through metals. But when electricity is uncontrolled, harmful effects can be seen, such as fires, burns, or death.

On a world-wide basis, May is celebrated as “Electrical Safety Month” to raise awareness of the best ways to keep electricity use safe, reliable and secure. Especially as we know that spring and summer storms can disrupt our communities, here are power practice tips for our wellbeing at work and home:

1. Never approach a power line that is on the ground, hanging in vegetation or dragging from building structures. Because electricity moves in a silent, odorless and invisible way, we won’t be able to know if a power line is energized by simple inspection. And if we step too close to an energized power line that is hanging or on the ground, we could be burned or killed by the harmful effects of uncontrolled electricity on our body.

If a power line is down or looks disconnected from where it should be, notify the authorities, including the police and the power company, so that they can respond to the situation. Keep children and others away from the area. Understand that uncontrolled electricity can travel a dangerously wide path.

2. Use a GFCI with powered equipment, especially around wet areas. The letters G-F-C-I stand for “ground fault circuit interrupter.” This very small electrical component has saved thousands of lives in workplaces and homes over the last 30 years. Our heart rhythm can be changed with interference from uncontrolled electricity. A GFCI improves our safety because it can interrupt the flow of electricity in less than 5/1000ths of one second—before uncontrolled electricity can disrupt our heart’s regular pattern.

Places where we usually can find these important devices include:

• In construction locations, GFCIs are built into commercial extension cords or portable power supplies. 
• In our kitchens, GFCIs are found where we plug in our toaster or coffee pot.
• Or in our bathrooms, a GFCI can be found attached to a product we may use every day, like a hair blow-dryer.

If GFCIs are missing, an electrical professional should be consulted to check the area for the possibility of doing a retrofit to install GFCIs where needed. The usual expense is modest, and the potential benefit for protecting life is huge.

3.      Schedule regular check-ups. When we think about our personal health, we know how important a regular visit with our doctor is to identifying small problems early. We have our weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels measured to find changes before our heart or body organs are affected. We do this to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes and joint conditions.

In a similar fashion, prevention is important to secure and reliable electricity. For fire and life safety, facilities managers regularly inspect the buildings and equipment where we are employed. In our homes, we are the ones acting as the facilities manager. So it’s up to us to get inspections done.  For example,

• Ventilation equipment like air conditioners should be checked for signs of sparks or fluid leaks.  
• Switches, fuses, and breakers should be cleaned and replaced by an electrical professional if burn marks or frequent interruptions of power are noticed.
• Smoke detectors and GFCIs should be tested.  

Electricity is essential to the success of our daily lives. Safe power practices can protect our wellbeing at work and home. Let’s enjoy our beautiful spring as we remember “May is Electrical Safety Month!”