Scheduled Maintenance

Written on the 2 March 2020 by Kerri Vandenberg

 

 

Over time, electrical systems age, undergoing wear and tear just like your office building, appliances, and equipment. For this and other reasons, it's crucial for every business site to have a well-planned electrical maintenance schedule in place. With this in mind, we explore some of the vital reasons you should establish an ongoing maintenance program for your operations, and the advantages your business could reap as a result.

WHAT DOES ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE INVOLVE?

Electrical maintenance is carried out by a licensed electrician, and it incorporates the testing and tagging, monitoring, troubleshooting, repairs, and replacement of electrical equipment. It can deal with any aspect of your electrical system and equipment such as wiring, switches, office appliances, and plant machinery. For example, an electrical contractor could assist with updating your lighting, installing a new security system, or replacing a malfunctioning heating system. Electrical maintenance can include preventative measures, as well as general repairs and maintenance.

 

SCHEDULED ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES?

 

Scheduled electrical maintenance is an important part of managing work health and safety risks, but it can also lead to benefits like energy efficiency and lower power bills.

• Downtime Well-planned scheduled electrical maintenance is key to smooth-running businesses because it could lower the risk of your electrical system and electricity-powered appliances experiencing glitches. Everything from your surveillance cameras and security systems, to your smart lighting and computer servers rely on electricity. Your electrician could prevent or minimise downtime, data loss, and lost revenue by ensuring your electrical infrastructure and assets are well maintained.
• Costly repairs Regular maintenance raises the chances you'll be able to catch any electrical issues before they turn into major problems and end up damaging equipment and appliances. This could allow you to avoid costly repairs.
• Time and money Appropriate scheduled maintenance could save your business time and money by minimising interruptions, eliminating energy wastage, and making sure equipment operates smoothly.
• Equipment lifecycle Well-maintained equipment supported by an optimised electrical system tends to have a longer life cycle, helping you save on both replacement and repair costs.
• Productivity and morale By eliminating frustrating downtime and interruptions, you can drive stronger productivity and higher morale in your workplace. Optimised equipment and appliances also support higher productivity in your teams.
• Energy efficiency Regular electrical maintenance can address energy drains like that from outdated or faulty equipment. By replacing old components and tuning up equipment, your business can become more energy efficient and reduce its overheads.
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THE DANGERS AND RISKS OF POORLY PLANNED ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE

Irregular, inadequate electrical maintenance can pose a range of risks and dangers for businesses and employees. Electrical incidents like electrocution, electric shocks, and even fires and explosions can threaten the safety and health of your staff, clients, and visitors to your site. In severe situations, the consequences of electrical incidents can even be fatal. At the same time, scheduled maintenance could enable managers or controllers of workplaces to discharge their duty of care over the health and safety of employees and others at the workplace.

Exposed live parts can cause electrical shocks and burns, while electrical faults can lead to fires or explosions. What's more, if your electrical system is poorly maintained, your business won't be able to respond well during emergencies. For example, your fire alarms and security systems could fail, leading to slow evacuations, losses from theft, and other risks.

Extreme environments like mining sites, dust-prone work areas, and spaces with harsh operating temperatures could have a heightened risk of electrical incidents. A scheduled maintenance program could help manage associated dangers from electrical equipment damage, which can also result from wet conditions, radiation, and proximity to chemicals.

By optimising your electrical system, as well as your electrical equipment and appliances, you can set up your premises to better deal with emergencies. For example, your business might need to use standby generators during extreme weather events or a power blackout. If these are faulty, you could be exposing your employees to a safety hazard.

HOW TO BUDGET FOR ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE

Regular electrical maintenance should be viewed as a critical part of your business's risk management and operations strategies. To set a realistic budget, consider the potential losses from electrical risks and hazards, as well as the types of equipment and appliances you have on your premises. These could include generators, electrical machines, hydraulics, HVAC systems, lighting, and more. The age of your building and its electrical infrastructure, your working environment, and intensity of use could also be relevant.

Take into account relevant laws and regulations in your state/territory. Compliance could be more onerous depending on your sector, working environment, and the types of equipment you use, meaning your electrician might need to do more complex maintenance work as a result. 

 

SCHEDULED ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE SUPPORTS YOUR BUSINESS GOALS

An appropriate plan for scheduled electrical maintenance specific to your office or worksite's requirements can drive your business forward. You could avoid or minimise the risk of costly breakdowns and business interruptions while protecting your staff from serious hazards like electric shock and fires. The best maintenance schedules incorporate preventative measures to optimise electrical components and equipment, as well as timely repairs where necessary. By working with a reputable provider for ongoing maintenance, you can manage potential work health and safety risks and fulfil your duty of care relating to the safety and health of your employees and others.

Contact our friendly team today for more information about how we can assist with your Scheduled Maintenance  -  1300 944 022