POTENTIAL CAUSE OF ELECTRICAL HAZARDS IN FOOD INDUSTRY

 Below are the few points which shows the potential causes that might occur in any food industry

ELECTRIC SHOCK or ELECTROCUTION:

·         Use of ungrounded and improperly grounded machinery and equipment

·         Electrical cables passing through/laid around damp/humid locations

·        Cracked fuses, plugs and sockets, damaged distribution boxes, circuit breakers and poorly connected and/or worn, frayed or bare cables

·         On/Off power circuit switches that are not located at clearly visible points

·     Absence of lockout/tag out maintenance procedures, training and required apparatus to de-energize electrical circuits

·         Absent, insufficient and unreadable signage related to electrical hazards

·     Inadequate electrical lightning conductor deployment and installation leading to power surges and associated problems

·    Lack of PPE for workers that may be in contact with exposed electric parts response, building evacuation and first aid procedures

·         Obstructed or locked emergency exits

·         Lack of lighting at emergency exits, in corridors and hallways

EMERGENCY EVENTS of ELECTRICAL Fires and Explosions:

·         Inadequate procedures for maintenance and cleaning of heat-producing equipment, such as burners,   ovens, stoves and fryers

·    Inadequate handling, signage and storage of "flammable, combustible and explosive materials, including pressurized containers

·     Inadequate housekeeping (cleaning, servicing, repairing), collection and disposition of "flammable materials from workplaces and storage areas

·         Poor inspection and maintenance of fuel lines

·         Leaks and spills from "flammable materials containers and installations

·         Inadequate ventilation facilitating accumulation of fine dust particles exceeding the lower explosive    limit (LEL)

·   Improper storage (e.g. unventilated places) and transport (e.g. rolling instead of using carts) of pressurized gas cylinders

·         Failure to reject, return to supplier or eliminate damaged or incompletely equipped gas cylinders (e.g. missing regulator caps)

·         Inadequate procedures for controlling ignition sources such as smoking, welding, and burning

·         Unsafe gas hoses and gas welding equipment

·         Use of equipment producing sparks close to explosive, combustible and "flammable materials storage and usage

·         Poor electrical maintenance using unauthorized electricians