Electrical Safety
Powering all kinds of machines and equipment, electricity is critical for businesses to operate. However, unsafe electrical usage and poor management can quickly lead to accidents that hamper those operations overall.
Electrical safety is all about recognizing hazards associated with the use of electrical energy and taking precautions to avoid injury or even death.
Having a basic understanding of what unsafe environmental conditions and behaviors to avoid is crucial to maintain a safe working space. Below are some common electrical hazards.
| Unsafe Conditions |
| Exposed energized facilities (e.g., exposed electrical panel board) |
| Damaged wire insulation |
| Loose electrical connections |
| Overloaded electrical circuits/equipment |
| Loose or lack of grounding connection |
| Substandard appliances & electrical equipment (no Underwriters Laboratory or Import Commodity Clearance Markings) |
| Blocked/Inaccessible panel boards |
| Dirt & dust accumulation on electrical installations (lack of maintenance and regular inspection) |
| Conductors installed without conduits or raceways |
| Unsafe Practices |
| Use of electrical devices in wet or hazardous conditions |
| Electrical works carried out by unqualified individuals |
| Unrestricted access to energized or high voltage facilities |
| Working on energized facilities without proper skills, tools and PPEs |
| Not following safe electrical work practices. Specifications/ratings are not compliant with PEC standards |
| Use of appliance/electrical equipment with incorrect voltage rating |
In most cases, when electrical safety is overlooked, the following may occur:
Severe injury or worse, death from electric shock.
Electrical fires due to overloaded or damaged wires, circuit breakers, equipment, and motors.
Arc flash or the sudden release of unexpected heat and light energy produced by electricity passing through the air like lightning.
This is usually caused by mismanaged live conductors.
Electrical safety is a shared responsibility between Meralco and its customers. The next sections will talk about how Meralco ensures the safety of its facilities and its customers.
Electrical Safety Measures
Meralco’s Distribution Network follows globally accepted standards, with 97% of its configuration being overhead. While this is cost-effective and generally safe and reliable, it is susceptible to weather disturbances and foreign objects.
To safeguard our power lines from potential hazards and ensure the safety of both our crew and customers, Meralco implements various electrical safety measures, including:
- Replacing wooden poles with taller and stronger concrete or steel ones.
- Relocating facilities from areas prone to issues such as railroad tracks and waterways.
- Conducting periodic tree trimming.
- Re-insulation and conductor shielding of power lines.
- Implementing the lightning protection improvement program.
- Sectionalizing and fault mapping through the installation of smart devices.
- Managing foreign attachments on the lines.
- Enhancing telecommunication infrastructure redundancy.
For safety concerns on Meralco's power lines and poles, you may report it via Meralco Online.
10 Golden Rules on Electrical Safety
To guide your business in managing potential hazards, follow the 10 Golden Rules of Electrical Safety developed by Meralco in partnership with the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc.
Comply with all applicable industry technical standards in the design, installation, and operation of electrical systems.
Treat all electrical systems as energized. If there is work to be done on any part of the electrical system, isolate it from the power source and install an appropriate tag.
Ensure that electrical equipment is properly guarded and appropriately grounded.
Install protective devices that are properly rated, set, and coordinated to automatically isolate faulted parts of the system.
Consult and engage the services of PRC-licensed electrical practitioners (PEE, REE, RME) and TESDA-certified electricians.
Ensure that electrical equipment are correctly labelled, conductors are properly color coded, electrical diagrams are always available, and that safety signages are highly visible.
Regularly monitor loading of electrical system components to ensure they are within their rated capacities. Upgrade immediately if necessary.
Periodically inspect and maintain electrical systems and equipment.
Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and use proper tools when conducting electrical works.
Provide disconnecting means for local and manual isolation of electrical equipment during emergencies.
To learn how you can ensure safe business operations, book a free Power Consult today via biz@meralco.com.ph, business hotline 16210, or your Biz Partner Manager.
Typhoon Tips
The typhoon season can bring with it safety hazards, especially if electrical systems are not managed properly. Follow these electrical safety tips to ensure your business continues to operate smoothly no matter what the weather:
Ensure sufficient fuel supply and readiness of generators in case of power interruptions and voltage disturbances.
Check and secure electrical wires and breakers, and other electrical facilities.
Make sure all breakers are properly marked to avoid turning the wrong circuit on or off.
Secure outdoor objects such as billboards, tarpaulins/signages and scaffoldings that may hit power lines.
Have a dedicated maintenance personnel or Licensed Electrical Practitioners ready to respond to emergencies.
Relocate electrical equipment and appliances to higher locations if your area is prone to flooding.
Ensure that all electrical equipment is unplugged in cases of flooding.
Immediately report electrical hazards in your area to Meralco.
Have your equipment checked by Licensed Electrical Practitioners in case you suspect water seepage in your electrical system, or if you have experienced any form of power interruptions.
Do not touch the circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
Stay away from fallen or damaged power lines; leave those to our Meralco line crew.
For safety concerns or power interruptions during typhoons, you may report it via Meralco Online.