Electrical Safety Audit

Electrical Safety Audit

Electrical Safety Audit (ESA) is a systematic procedure to evaluate potential hazards in the electrical energy system of a facility, and to recommend measures to minimize / prevent such hazards. Electrical Hazards could result in loss of property, production, loss of life, injuries to personnel working etc. ESA is a systematic independent review to verify conformance with established standards to  identify, assess and control electrical risks.

ESA is carried out by way of physical examination, sample tests, review of records and discussions with various plant personnel  operating the electrical equipment. Every industry has to perceive seriously the safety audit especially ESA as most of the fatalities in factories are due to accidents caused by electricity. International and national fire safety organizations have observed that one fourth of fires are caused by electrical faults in most of the industries.

Electrical faults could be anything like short circuit, overloading or loose electrical joints leading to sparking. In the course of the ESA observations are to be made and data collected. Based on the analysis, hazards are to be classified if the flaw is due to Design, Maintenance, Lack of training, Facilities & Procedures being improper or due to sheer negligence of management committee. Though ESA comes under general Safety Audit, comprehensive ESA is to be

 carried out regularly to provide a thorough review of the Electrical System, which will in turn identify impending electrical hazards and defects in the system. An effective ESA program includes a proficient audit team visiting the plant and having a thorough discussion with safety and electrical officers, data collection and reviewing the relevant information such as accident reports, history cards, Electrical Electrical Inspectors' Report and preventive maintenance program. Subsequently a consolidated report is submitted to the management for review and implementation.