Safety Hazards Within the Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing seems to be a term that covers several different companies within a wide range of industries.  With such a wide variety of businesses, manufacturing facilities have a vast number of operational and safety practices they follow.  There is a specific organization known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that sets forth standards and compliance regulations for manufacturing facilities to help avoid common safety issues found within the sector.

Even though there are several different industries that make up the manufacturing sector they share a few safety concerns including:

Falls

Falls are the most common accidents that occurs within the United States.  The frequency of falls makes this the number one hazard found within the workplace, especially within manufacturing facilities.  Falls represent a serious risk for workers.  They can lead to death or injury; most falls will require at least a few days off work to recover from.  It is of the utmost importance that manufacturing facilities take special precautions to avoid falls throughout their facilities.

Machine Guarding

Heavy machinery is operated throughout many different types of manufacturing facilities which is why it is so important that proper guarding procedures are followed to keep workers safe.  Improperly installed guards on machines presents a major hazard to the safety of employees.  To keep manufacturing workers safe while operating large scaled equipment proper safety features are installed.

Electrical

Even when individuals are not directly working with electricity, such as you do as an electrician or engineer, there are still plenty of electrical risks involved in manufacturing.  Many manufacturing facilities use a system of bus ducts, plugs, and shut offs to avoid industries from electrocution.  Electric panels are kept secured in manufacturing locations as well to increase safety.  Large scaled equipment is also inspected and kept up to date with the use of reconditioned electrical components on a regular basis that helps keep equipment running smoothly before a chance of failing occurs.  Standards are in place from OSHA regarding electricity to lessen the risks involved within manufacturing facilities.

Undertrained Employees

Employees that are not properly trained for the position they are in is a problem found not only in manufacturing.  Facilities are only as safe as the people that are working within them.  It is crucial that proper training is done regularly on all pieces of equipment that workers may encounter in your facility.  When machines are replaced or even upgraded for that matter, employee re-training should be mandatory.  Exposure to proper safety training will help keep all employees throughout the facility safe.  Practicing procedures that are in place are just as important as training.  Take the time to run regular tests involving the safety procedures to ensure that they are properly executed before it becomes vital.

Learn more about J & P Electrical Company and their vast line of new, surplus, and refurbished industrial electrical components including: circuit breakers, bus ducts, bus plugs, disconnects, fuses, panel switches, tap boxes, and transformers at www.jpelectricalcompany.com.  To contact one of our product reconditioning specialists, call 877.844.5514 today.

The Basics in Wiring Electrical Disconnect Switches

Understanding how the electrical system works in your manufacturing facility is not as difficult as you may think. While it may seem like magic how the lights turn on or how the power gets to your stuff that you plug into the wall outlet. However, it is far from magical and in fact it is quite simple really. It is not a very complex system when explained.

There are several parts that make up your electrical service, one of the most important parts being the disconnect switch. This device is designed to instantly shut off the power to your facilities main power panel. This device is a very important part of your manufacturing electrical system and should only be used in extreme conditions.

How does an electrical disconnect switch work?

The basic operation of an electrical disconnect switch is simple in that it truly has only one purpose and that is to kill the power to the main power panel for your facility. All the facilities wiring goes into the main power panel and is connected to breakers that control the power inside the building. The disconnect switch sits in line between your facilities electrical meter and main power panel.

By turning this switch off you will instantly disconnect all power going into your location, this does not however, have any effect on your electrical service. You will continue to have power at the meter and on the feeder side of disconnect switch.  It is important to know where your electrical disconnect switch is, which is also referred to as the electrical service disconnect switch.

When repairs or replacement is needed it is important to find the right parts.

Due to the seriousness of the functionality of the electrical disconnect switch only trained professionals should ever open up the disconnect switch box. This is because the feeder lines going into the switch have 240v running through them and that is enough to kill a person if you are in direct contact with it. When repairs are needed, and it becomes necessary to replace the electrical disconnect switch there are several options that will be recommended.  One of the more common options in manufacturing is budget friendly reconditioned disconnect options. 

When parts are needed you can insist on using reconditioned equipment.  Often reconditioned electrical components like the disconnect are preferred as they not only save you money but most often all the bugs that are found in new OEM parts have been worked out and fixed.

J & P Electrical Company is a full-service electrical company that supplies contractors, end users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, bud ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers.  More information can be found at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com