When it comes to working with industrial transformers, personal safety is essential. One mistake can have devastating consequences. Not only do you need to take steps to make sure you avoid mistakes, but also it's essential that you ensure that your equipment is operating properly. Not only that, but you also need to take care with the transformers themselves. Here are four steps that will ensure your safety around the transformers that you'll be working with.

Know What the Voltage Is

This might seem like common knowledge, but when you're working with transformers, the most important thing you should know is the voltage of each transformer you'll be coming in contact with. Knowing the voltage will ensure that you don't do anything that might overload the transformers. Not only that, but also you'll know how to make sure your transformers work together to offset the danger of overloads by balancing out the electrical load requirements.

Conduct Weekly Inspections

Your transformers are going to require routine maintenance to ensure that they're capable of maintaining their load requirements. However, in addition to the routine maintenance, they'll also require routine inspections. The inspections will allow you to catch issues that could lead to breakdowns, power outages, and electrical shorts. To maximize the benefit, it's best to schedule weekly inspections of your transformers. During the inspections, you should look for loose connections, damaged wiring, and scorch marks. You should also pay attention to the odors around you, particularly the smell of burning wires. Any problems that you identify during the inspections should be addressed immediately.

Maintain a Waterproof Work Area

When you're working with electricity, you must maintain a waterproof work area. Working with transformers is no exception. While you're working, you'll need to make sure that the area remains dry at all times. If you notice any type of water or moisture in the area of the transformer, you should power down until the area can be properly dried. It's also important that you place signs around your transformers that remind everyone of the need to maintain a dry work area.

Keep the Hardware Away

Metal hardware is something else that can pose a serious risk to you while you're working with industrial transformers. While you're working, be sure to keep all your metal hardware at a safe distance away from the transformers. This includes your metal tools, nails, screws, bolts and brackets. Those objects should never come in contact with your transformers, especially when they're powered up.