When it comes to electrical rooms, your church may be fortunate that they are not governed by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), but I suggest you should adopt the same standards of care.
To ensure safety in an electrical closet, here are some basic rules to follow:
-
Keep Clearances:
Maintain a minimum of 3 feet of clearance in all directions around fuse boxes, breaker panels, and other electrical equipment.
-
No Storage:
Avoid storing any items, especially combustibles, within the 3-foot clearance zone.
-
Ventilation:
Ensure proper ventilation and that vents and openings are not obstructed.
-
Dedicated Space:
If possible, designate the electrical closet as a dedicated space for electrical equipment only.
-
Locked Enclosures:
Entrances to enclosures containing exposed high-voltage energized parts should be kept locked unless under the observation of a qualified attendant.
Often overlooked but one of the best methods you can implement in your church is to place electrical panel boundaries with floor tape. It’s recommended that you select colors that indicate a hazard is present. Striped black and yellow, or white and red floor marking tape often serve this purpose. Enhance that with floor signs that convey similar information. Both can be easily found on Amazon or possibly supplied by those who service your electrical needs.
Educate your staff and volunteers on the proper use of these rooms. If this will be a new practice for you, know that it will take some time to change habits and to prevent stuff from seemingly appearing overnight, but continually keep these restricted areas clear and continually educate and in time, you will create the safe environment needed and desired.
See also our prior article – Does Your Electrical Room Double As A Storage Closet?
