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Fire and Shock Hazards Hidden in Plain Sight in Your Florida Factory

Mike Jeffries | October 18, 2016

hazardsfloridafactoryEvery factory carries with it certain risks and hazards that have the potential to derail work and reduce profitability, not to mention risk the health and safety of the workers. Here are some fire and shock hazards that you might not be aware of that could very well threaten the productivity of your factory:

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1. Luminaire Heat Damage

Using an oversized wattage bulb can cause serious burn damage to the ceiling side of a luminaire. When occupants want to get more light, they often resort to using 100W to 150W lamps, instead of the recommended 75W. Add to this the fact that the lamp covering traps heat inside, and the result is heat being directed towards wires and conductors in the outlet box, thus causing great damage.

2. Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation acts as a necessary padding for protecting machines, equipment, and workers from excess heat. When oversized luminaire lamps are used, the fiberglass padding bears the brunt of the heat and can be damaged and become worn out over a long period of use.

3. Luminaire Wires

Yet another hazard that comes of using oversized luminaire lamps, the wires become overheated from carrying the extra current load and can burn out, causing them to become damaged beyond repair. Naked wires hanging out in the open pose a serious challenge to the safety of the factory.    

4. Poor Grounding

If the luminaire is not properly grounded, the canopy and other components of the device that are metallic in nature can become energized. Add to this the risk of the wiring being uninsulated, and the equipment that comes into contact with it creates a serious electrical and fire hazard.

5. Building Conductors  

Heat does not remain in one place, but is always looking for other places to flow to through a suitable conducting medium. This means heat from the lamp can flow through the metallic contacts and the wires right over to the building conductors. These conductors function as heat sinks while also carrying electrical energy on their uninsulated surface, which every employee is in danger of coming into contact with.

6. Replacement Lampholder

For improperly used luminaires that have a high wattage, the lampholder is often one of the first parts of the device to get damaged, making replacement necessary.  If the replacement holder is not fixed correctly, it can result in improper wiring and exposed terminals that pose a threat to employee safety.     

As you can see, there are many potential fire and shock hazard points localized at different points in your factory. Thorough knowledge of the possible dangers should be communicated to the factory workers to ensure an effective response in the event of an emergency.

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Topics: Florida factory

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