Top 3 Electrical Incidents That Could Have Been Prevented with the Right Insulation Mat

Would you want to go to work again tomorrow after seeing a dangerous electrical accident in your workplace? Would you still feel secure after seeing your coworkers having serious medical emergencies or even dying due to electrical accidents in workplace?

No, right? This is why it is crucial to ensure electrical safety in the workplace. With the right insulation mat, you can prevent such outcomes. Read more to understand:

 Incident #1: Electric Shock During Panel Operation 

 Scenario 

A worker was in the LT/HT panel room, performing routine switching. Leakage current energizes the panel body as it is a metal enclosure. The worker was standing on the bare floor, and automatically, the current flowed through his body to reach the ground. Thus, he got an electric shock.

 What Went Wrong Here 

• The worker was standing on the concrete floor without any insulation on the flooring.

• He had no other protective equipment to save him from this excessive current during the shock.

• The electric panel was not tested and maintained, which is the source of the majority of electrical accidents in the workplace.

 How an Insulation Mat Could Have Prevented It 

• During such electrical accidents in workplace, an insulation mat provides a barrier between the high-voltage source and ground.

• As they are non-conductive in nature, during electrical safety hazards, they prevent the flow of current through unintended paths during electrical safety hazards.

• Minimize the risks of burns during electrical accidents in workplace.

 Incident #2: Arc Flash Injury in a Switchgear Room 

 Scenario 

Due to a phase-to-phase electrical fault, a technician in the switchgear room experienced an arc flash. He was wearing rubber gloves, but it could not protect him completely, and he got an arc flash injury.

 What Went Wrong Here 

• There was no insulating mat in the switchgear room.

• The technician did not wear and install certified and industrial safety-compliant protective gears.

• There is no prior awareness about emergency situations like electrical accidents in workplace.

 Role of Insulating Mats 

• Our insulating mats are compliant with the industrial safety standards such as IEC 61111:2009, ASTM D178, and IS 15652:2006.

• They are tested and certified to protect workers during such electrical accidents in workplace.

• With their high dielectric strength, they do not break down in excessive electric fields common during electrical safety hazards.

 Incident #3: Fatal Shock in a Substation Environment 

 Scenario 

A maintenance worker was conducting routine check-ups in the transformer room. Lack of grounding and negligence of safety equipment usage led to fatal electric shock due to leakage current.

 What Went Wrong Here 

• Lack of maintenance of equipment.

• No proper grounding and negligence of workers’ electrical safety.

• Absence of protective equipment such as insulating mats and other secondary safety gears.

 How Proper Insulation Could Have Helped 

• Insulation would prevent the flow of current through the operator’s body during electrical accidents in workplace.

• They would prevent burns, injuries, or even immediate death due to industrial electrical accidents.

• Proper insulation brings peace of mind to workers and also increases their productivity in the workplace.

 Common Patterns Behind These Electrical Incidents 

• Lack of training for best conduct in workplaces.

• There is no insulating mat coverage on the floor near critical electrical application zones.

• Absence of other protective equipment, such as rubber gloves, protective boots, and others.

• No emergency training after the occurrence of electrical accidents in the workplace.

• Lack of awareness about protective methods.

• Practices are not compliant with the industrial safety standards.

 Key Takeaways for EHS Managers and Plant Engineers 

• Make the installation of electrical mats compulsory to minimize the risks of workplace electrical injuries. You should install them near your high-voltage areas, such as generators, panels, switchgear, and others.

• To minimize the risks of electrical accidents in workplace, focus on adopting safety measures adhering to the industrial safety standards.

• Keep records and document the routine maintenance and inspections of your electrical systems.

• Installation of safety gears is not enough; provide a training and awareness program to your workers.

 Conclusion 

Make sure to buy electrical safety mats from reliable suppliers who will provide test certificates and a warranty with them. They should adhere to the industrial safety standards such as IEC 61111:2009, IS 15652:2006, and ASTM D178 standards. You should make sure to get insulating mats as per the dimensions of your application area for proper coverage to minimize the risks of electrical accidents in workplace.

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