Page 42 - OHS, April/May 2024

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
grids and IoT systems are using different technologies that help improve electrical safety. Some of these are listed below.
■ Smart Sensors: These are usually installed throughout the electrical system and can quickly detect unusual conditions like overloads, overheating, and short cir- cuits. Once these sensors detect an issue, the safety personnel can act quickly to solve the issue before it gets worse.
■ Automated Shut-offs: Circuit break- ers with IoT technology can automatically disconnect power once there’s a detected
electrical fault. These automated shut-offs make sure that potential accidents are pre- vented by fully cutting off energy.
■ Remote Monitoring & Control: This enables safety managers and engineers to monitor the whole system from any place and in real-time. This technology allows them to address potential issues even when they are not in the area and mitigate risks before they can pose any real issues to the workplace.
■ Advanced Data Analytics for Equipment Performance: Using this tech-
nology will allow smart grids to predict when a machine or equipment is likely to fail or need maintenance. With this, po- tential safety hazards related to equipment failure and malfunction can be avoided.
■ Renewable Energy: Implementing renewable energy technology with smart grids is a good way to make sure that the power supply remains stable and reliable. It also reduces the chances of power outages, which means that related safety incidents can also be prevented.
Future Directions
With smart grids and IoT, the future of electrical safety looks more promising - but this is just the beginning. Integrating more advanced technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and even quantum computing into smart grids and IoT technology will more likely happen and when it does, it will further change the way we manage, distrib- ute, and even use electricity.
For instance, AI algorithms can learn and improve from vast data inputs and if this is leveraged to improve the predictive analytics capabilities of smart grids, then the system can easily adapt to the changing energy demands in real-time.
Moreover, the industry also expects the continued expansion of IoT technology in a way that the number and variety of devices that can be connected to the grid will greatly increase. When this happens, it could result in more interactive, respon- sive, and even self-healing grids that can automatically reroute power from potential electrical faults or outages. One benefit of this development could be a safer work- place environment.
Overall, innovations in the electrical industry are expected to continue in a fast- paced manner. Although this might sound good at first, this also means that electrical systems can become more complex to man- age in the long run. Still, the most impor- tant thing is that with these advancements, workplace safety should always be one of the most prioritized factors to consider.
Herbert Post is the Vice President of Safety and Health at TRADESAFE. Born in the Philadel- phia area and raised in Houston in a fam- ily who was predominately employed in heavy manufacturing, Post took a liking to factory processes and later safety compliance, where he has spent the last 13 years facilitating best prac- tices and teaching updated regulations.
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42 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL/MAY 2024
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