SAFE MAINTENANCE PRE PLAN FOR ELECTRICAL FACILITIES BASIC INFORMATION

The design of a facility and its electrical equipment should include consideration for future maintenance. In order to remain in good, safe condition, the electrical equipment and facilities must be maintained properly.

Dust and dirt, damaged enclosures and components, corrosion, loose connections, and reduced operating clearances can be the cause of employee injuries.

Some of these conditions can also lead to fire. A thorough, periodic preventive maintenance plan should be established as soon as new facilities and equipment are installed.

Local procedures should be created as soon as possible to cover the maintenance of electrical equipment. Most of this information can be obtained from recognized standards and manufacturer's literature.

Proper operation and maintenance are important to electrical safety because when things do not function as designed or planned, the results may be unexpected.

Many injuries and fatalities have occurred when the unexpected happened. NFPA 70B-1998 is an excellent guide to recommended practices for maintenance of electrical equipment.

It also contains the "why's" and the "wherefore's" of an electrical maintenance program, as well as guidance for maintaining and testing specific types of electrical equipment.

In addition, it contains information in its appendix regarding the suggested frequencies for performance of maintenance and testing. This is a good document to review while facilities are being installed.