What Happens When You Do Not Use Electrical Switchboard Matting?

 

Are you skipping safety measures in your workplace? 

How about the zones having high-voltage machines and intricate circuits? 

Do you know what dangers prevail due to your neglect?

Within a fraction of a second, your "healthy workplace" can be filled with injured workers. Ambulance, emergency situations, reporting, documentation, and legal issues. Who would want to face that?

This is why industries mandate the use of safety equipment like electrical switchboard matting to ensure the electrical safety of the workers. The switchboard matting rubber adheres to the ASTM D178 standard and is widely used across the world for optimizing safety in high voltage areas. Here are the topics we are going to discuss:

• Quick Overview: Electrical Insulating Matting
• Not Using Electrical Switchboard Matting? Look What You Have to Face
• Things to Keep in Mind While Using Electrical Switchboard Matting
• Summary

Quick Overview: Electrical Insulating Matting

Electrical insulating matting is protective equipment. They adhere to the industrial safety standards such as the IEC 61111:2009, ASTM D178, IS 15652:2006, and others. However, the electrical switchboard matting refers to the mats that adhere to the ASTM D178 standard. People install them in different industries, including the power, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and other industries.

Their primary purpose is to protect people from electrical accidents. People install the electrical insulating matting in all areas with high-voltage risks. Thus, each class is suitable for different high-voltage applications and has different thicknesses.

Not Using Electrical Switchboard Matting? Look What You Have to Face

1) No electrical insulating matting means more electrical hazards

Maintenance workers, technicians, and engineers deal with faulty electrical systems or circuits during maintenance. These are danger zones for any operator. They can stem various electrical accidents such as short circuits, current leakage, arc flash, and others. Hence, it is mandatory to use a safety measure like electrical insulating matting.

They provide a non-conductive barrier between the high voltage source and the ground. As a result, during an electrical accident, the excessive current flow does not occur through the body of the operator. The insulating rubber matting has a high dielectric strength and can endure high voltages without breaking down.

2) No electrical switchboard matting means more physical accidents

Whenever you feel the surface of the electrical switchboard matting, do you feel the corrugated surface texture? Why do you think they have a corrugated surface instead of just a smooth finish?

They have a ribbed surface texture. These corrugated rubber matting for electrical increases the grip of the feet of the workers who are moving on the mat. Thus, due to the increase in friction, they do not slip or fall down while moving. The corrugated switchboard mats minimize physical accidents.

3) No electrical insulating matting means more penalties

The increasing awareness of workplace safety and routine safety equipment has made adopting safety equipment mandatory. As a result, not installing electrical insulating matting may bring in different issues. You might have to pay fines and can be subjected to lawsuits and other legal issues.

4) No electrical switchboard matting means more worries

Without the installation of protective equipment like an electrical switchboard matting, the workers might spend a huge time worrying about their electrical safety. They can be electrocuted and get severe burns, injuries, paralysis, or even immediate death. 

Hence, they will not be able to work properly. This will create a gap in the productivity of the industries.

5) No electrical insulating matting means more discomfort

Insulating rubber matting is installed as flooring. As a result, it gives padding to the floors. Workers stand for prolonged hours while operating or maintaining high-voltage systems. They tend to develop fatigue and joint issues. 

Hence, electrical insulating matting offers a cushioning effect on the feed of the workers. They feel comfortable and relaxed. Besides, these mats are also known as "anti-fatigue mats" for enhancing their comfort. This, in turn, increases the overall efficiency of the workers.

6) No electrical switchboard matting means more downtime

If you do not install electrical switchboard matting, there will be increasing risks of electrical and physical accidents. Hence, there will be an increasing number of medical emergencies and associated costs. 

There will also be a lack of manpower available for work. Using switchboard rubber matting will increase the operational uptime.

Things to Keep in Mind While Using Electrical Switchboard Matting

• The ASTM D178 matting or switchboard mats are available in different classes from 0 to 4. You ask experts to recommend a suitable class for your high-voltage application.

• When you are installing them, you should avoid creases. You should see if they are giving complete coverage on the high-voltage application area and use a compatible adhesive (if required for thinner mats).

• You should take care of the switchboard matting. Hence, you should regularly clean them.

• When you are storing electrical mats, make sure to either fold them or stack them properly above one another. You can fold the thin mats and stack the thicker mats. Do not forget to use protective covers and store them in a clean and dry place.

• If you want the insulating rubber matting to be as per your required dimensions, then ask your supplier to customize your mats.

• You should keep routine check ups every now and them. As a result, you will be able to track their specifications and performance after using them.

• Make sure to avoid huge physical stress, harsh chemicals, using it for higher voltage applications than their ratings, and others.

• You should immediately repair or replace your switchboard matting rubber if you spot any signs of damage.

• Always abide by the manufacturer's guidelines, and you should directly contact them if you have any doubts or queries.

Summary

Not installing switchboard matting will increase the risks of electrical and physical accidents. You can be subjected to fines and legal issues. This will increase the discomfort and insecurity of the workers operating high-voltage equipment.

Besides, this will decrease their efficiency while working and increase the operational downtime. Thus, make sure to install one in your high-voltage application areas to avoid such complications. Make sure to source your safety mats from reputed manufacturers for reliable safety mats!