As our workspace represents the environment where we are supposed to spend most of our time, we may often forget how important it is to maintain its safety. As many bad things could happen at any time, you need to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario.
Keeping your workspace a danger-free zone is a must. Many construction workers and electricians stumble upon different types of dangers. Unfortunately, a lot of those workers experience life-threatening injuries and even death.
One of the easiest mistakes you can make can often be related to using extension cords. When not used properly, you may risk getting injured badly. There are simple steps you can take to bring the possibility of getting hurt when using extension cords to a minimum.
1.  Use a GFCI
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a frequently used method in maintaining safety when working with electricity. The reason why the GFCI system is a must-have is that it can intercept the electricity flow. That way, it keeps you safe when doing any electrical work.
In most cases, GFCI gets installed in places where there is a chance that electrical compounds may come in contact with water. Also, whenever it recognizes the difference in electricity between conductors and grounded conducting materials, it stops the flow and prevents it from working.
Many appliances already have a built-in GFCI. However, it’s necessary to keep bathrooms and kitchens safe by building this circuit breaker. Also, you should always check if the GFCI works accordingly, as the malfunction may also cause dangerous electrical accidents.
Make sure you use the right 30 amp extension cord, as there are many different types.
2.  Don’t Use Damaged Extension Cords
One of the most frequent ways to hurt yourself with electricity is to use faulty tools and cables. In most cases, you won’t even notice that the cord you use is damaged, and you may risk your life when using them.
Before starting any electric job, make sure the cords you use are undamaged and safe for use. By checking if both the chord and the plugs look right, you will reduce the possibility of getting shocked and hurt.
Especially keep an eye out for old chords that may be faulty due to their long-lasting usage in the past. If you’re unsure how to check if a specific cord is safe, you should ask an electrician to give it a look and help you protect your environment from any potential threats.
3.  Don’t Plug Extension Cords Into Each Other
If you don’t understand how electricity works, there is a big chance that you may make mistakes along the way. Because of that, you need to inform yourself about basic things you need to know before working with electricity.
One of the mistakes many people continue to make inside their household is to plug multiple extension cords into each other when they have a problem with short cables. Unfortunately, such a mistake may hurt you and even take away your life.
Plugging extension cords into each other may result in a sudden voltage drop, which can cause additional electrical problems. The reason why it’s so dangerous is that it may cause electrocution and equipment failure, and it may even start a fire.
4. Know Your Materials
Before you inform yourself about potential threats an extension cord may bring you, you should also know which materials conduct electricity and which don’t. Although it may seem like unnecessary information when using electrical chords, knowing so may save your life.
You may experience accidents when fixing the chords to ceilings or walls with metal screws. Also, previously damaged cords may come in contact with materials such as metal and may cause a big problem in seconds.
If you ever see someone getting shocked by electricity and can’t seem to disconnect from the flow, make sure you use objects made out of materials that don’t conduct electricity (such as rubber and wood) to help a person move.
5.  Don’t Put Extension Cords In High-traffic Areas
When setting extension cords on your worksite, carry them through areas where no one can trip over them. Doing so will reduce the possibility of damaging your cords, and you can have a more environment-friendly workspace.
Make sure you avoid running extension cords through doorways. Also, avoid placing cords in areas where someone can trip over them and step on them. Doing so will protect your family from experiencing accidents, and you will also reduce the possibility of damaging your cords.
Always remember that safety comes first! Even when it may seem that the easiest way to run your cords through the worksite, think again. Consult your team on how to make the best work environment!
Conclusion
Because it’s in human nature to always use shortcuts when doing any type of job, we often may forget that the smallest mistakes may cause enormous problems. We all own extension cords within our households, but many people aren’t fully aware of the threats they may bring to a big worksite.
If you ever get into a situation where you aren’t sure if you’re using electrical cords the right way, you should look for advice from professional electricians – they may save you the trouble of experiencing accidents. We wish you a safe experience on your worksite, and we hope that this article helped you learn more about the danger’s extension cords can bring.