15 Common Mistakes in Hospital Electrical
Maintaining the electrical systems in hospitals is critical for ensuring the safety, reliability and efficiency of their operations. Yet, mistakes can still occur, often due to oversight or lack of proper procedures. Lets discuss fifteen common mistakes identified during our study in hospital electrical maintenance that can lead to serious consequences:
- Adhoc Expansions Leading to Non-Standard Electrical Installations
- Adhoc expansions without proper planning often result in non-standard electrical installations. This can lead to a lack of coherence in the system and potential safety hazards. It's essential to follow standardized procedures and guidelines during expansions to ensure the integrity of the electrical system. Electrical scheme must be approved by the state electrical inspector and the project must be carried out by a competent electrical contractor.
- Bypassing Safety Systems
- Safety systems are in place for a reason, yet sometimes they are bypassed to save time or reduce inconvenience. This practice can be extremely dangerous and can lead to severe accidents and injuries. It is crucial to adhere to all safety protocols to prevent such incidents. Bypassing RCCBs are common and often it is not known to the Management.
- Always on Fire Fighting Mode, No Time for Maintenance, No Maintenance Schedule
- Reactive maintenance, or constantly being in "firefighting" mode, means there is no time for preventive maintenance. Without a proper maintenance schedule, small issues can escalate into major problems. Regularly scheduled maintenance ensures the system runs smoothly and safely. Maintenance team must have preventive maintenance plan and it must be ensured through systems.
- Anybody Can Do Electrical Maintenance
- Allowing unqualified personnel to perform electrical maintenance is a recipe for disaster. Only trained and certified professionals should be entrusted with such critical tasks to avoid accidents and ensure compliance with safety standards. HVAC technicians, Plumbers and other helpers may not be used for electrical maintenance considering its safety risks.
- PPEs are Optional
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for the safety of maintenance personnel. Treating PPE as optional can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Proper use of PPE should be mandatory and strictly enforced. Safety shoes are a must for all technicians and they must wear helmets, goggles, gloves,safety belts etc at appropriate locations.
- Will Do Audits and Inspection After Expansion Projects
- Delaying audits and inspections until after expansion projects are completed can overlook immediate risks and non-compliance issues. Regular audits and inspections should be part of the project timeline to ensure ongoing safety and compliance. In most of the hospitals expansion jobs are part of their continuous activities and often it never ends.
- Only Contractor or Senior Electrician Knows Everything
- Relying solely on the contractor or a senior electrician's knowledge can be limiting. Effective documentation should be available and must be known to all relevant personnel to ensure the entire team is informed and capable.
- Guidelines from OEM is Final
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines are important, but they should be complemented with industry standards and best practices. Over-reliance on OEM guidelines alone may result in overlooked safety measures or innovative solutions. Often earth pits are keeping separated as guided by some OEMs which increases the earthing effectiveness.
- Anybody Can Connect Their Equipment to Electrical System
- Allowing anyone to connect their equipment to the hospital's electrical system can result in overloading circuits or introducing unsafe devices. Only authorized personnel should manage connections to ensure the system's integrity and safety. Vendors are Contract workmen often connects their faulty equipment like Welding machine and other Power tools to the system which affects safety and reliability
- L1 is the Only Choice
- Choosing the lowest bid (L1) for electrical maintenance services may compromise quality and safety. It's essential to consider the expertise, experience, and reliability of the service provider, not just the cost. Competency of the vendors must be evaluated before awarding any contract instead of mere price advantage.
- Lockout and Tagout is Not Required
- Ignoring lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures can lead to accidental energization of equipment, causing severe injuries. LOTO should always be implemented to ensure the safe maintenance and repair of electrical systems. Also there must be proper systems to perform LOTO and it must be ensured throughout.
- Namesake Electrician is Sufficient in Shifts
- Having an underqualified or namesake electrician during shifts can jeopardize the safety and efficiency of the hospital's electrical system. Adequate staffing with qualified personnel is necessary for proper maintenance. Maintenance technicians must work only for max 8 hours and if they continuously work for more than 12 or 24 hours it affects their performance and often leads to mistakes.
- Training and Development is Luxury
- Viewing training and development as a luxury rather than a necessity can result in outdated practices and unsafe conditions. Continuous education and training are vital for keeping up with advancements and safety standards. Most of the hospitals fails to provide training for their engineering team members which affects the performance of the facility.
- Server room / UPS Requires Over Cooling
- Overcooling the Servers / Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system can lead to inefficiencies and unnecessary costs. Proper temperature management is crucial for the optimal performance and longevity of the UPS. Many hospitals keep such critical equipment in a very cool environment sometimes below 20degree Celsius leading to increased energy losses and poor reliability.
- Never Touch UPS Output Panel and DBs and Hence No Maintenance
- Avoiding maintenance of the UPS output panel and Distribution Boards (DBs) due to fear of causing issues can lead to undetected problems and potential failures. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure their reliability and functionality. Most of the UPS DBs and Panel kept untouched for years and often breakdown maintenance is being performed.
Avoiding these mistakes by implementing proper procedures, training, and regular maintenance can significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of hospital electrical systems. Remember, proactive measures and adherence to safety standards are key to preventing accidents and ensuring a safe environment for everyone.
For more information or audits
Call 8075168075 contact@sustenergyfoundation.org
Courtesy: Enhancing Electrical Safety in Indian Hospitals: A Comprehensive Study of Private Healthcare Facilities - White paper prepared and published by M/s Sustenergy Foundation (Sep 2024) under the guidance of Mr. Jayakumar Nair, Ms. Sreelakshmi.S, Dr. Bincy K Jose, and Dr. Bindu Nambiar.
