Fault Finding: Electrical Maintenance Incident Investigation
We work with all kinds of plant operators and machinery manufacturers to enable and ensure electrical safety in their workplaces.
They trust us to address issues and improve systems and processes, avoiding issues wherever possible. And because we are also experts in electrical maintenance incident investigation, we’ve been able to help industrial and commercial clients to report on incidents they’ve experienced, and then partnering with them to ensure they operate more safely going forward.
As a busy professional or business owner, you might see Safety & Compliance as another box to tick. But it’s not just about giving you more paperwork: it’s critical to safety, minimising risk and meeting your responsibilities as an employer.
For us, it’s our area of expertise and just one of the ways we add value as an industrial electrical contractor: we’re here to give you the right advice and look after not just your plant and machinery, but the paperwork too.
Whatever your industry, we’re the industrial electrical experts.
So, if you’re getting bogged down in compliance paperwork or worried about the safety of your workforce, ask us. We’re up-to-date and expert in local, national and international regulations.
- Expert in all industrial electrical systems and specific sector regulations
- Knowledgeable of the Health & Safety at Work Act
- Can help to ensure your people are properly trained and qualified
- Regular inspection and testing of electrical systems to ensure you are compliant with regulations and insurance requirements.
What is Electrical Maintenance Incident Investigation?
In short, if you’ve had an incident or accident with your plant or machinery, we can work to uncover the root causes and contributing factors to help to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
This process is essential if you’ve had an incident of electrical shock, an electrical fire, equipment damage or any other hazardous electrical incident during maintenance activities.
In fact, it’s necessary to your continued operation and the future of your business.
By thoroughly identifying and addressing the underlying issues, we can prevent similar incidents – and accidents – from happening in the future.
What does an Electrical Maintenance Incident Investigation typically involve?
If you’ve had an industrial incident or accident, an electrical inspection is essential.
In every case, our fault finding team will carry out an electrical safety inspection, though the specifics of that process will vary from industry to industry and according to your particular plant and machinery.
Our thorough and detailed electrical maintenance incident investigations typically include:
Incident & Accident Reporting
Accurate and detailed reporting is crucial for a thorough investigation. So, our first step is always to ensure that the incident is reported promptly and to the relevant authorities within your organisation, such as your safety officers or supervisors.
If you’re not sure about this part of the process, get in touch!
We can answer your questions and help you to ensure these compliance structures are in place.
Site Visits and Inspections
A critical part of any investigation is getting our experts on site to inspect the scene of the incident. Not only is it critical to examine the electrical equipment, damaged components and wiring – and carry out fixed wire testing if needed – to identify and gather physical evidence, but also to quickly identify further potential hazards.
Taking Immediate Safety Precautions
To prevent further incidents or injuries, our team can visit your site to ensure the affected area is safe and secure. If necessary, we will also isolate the electrical system and/or the equipment involved to minimise further risks.
Forming an Investigation Team
In most cases, we aim to quickly set up an investigation team. Our qualified, experienced electrical engineers have in-depth knowledge of all safety requirements and the relevant regulations. We also take a collaborative approach to consulting widely with industry partners, safety officers, maintenance personnel and your management or board representatives.
Managing safety and enabling efficient operations are our guiding principles throughout every investigation.
Gathering Information
Our expert electrical engineers take a thorough approach to and use a structured process to collecting all available and relevant information. In most cases this includes:
Taking witness statements
Our team will take the time to carefully interview individuals involved in or witnesses to the incident. We know what questions to ask to get a comprehensive understanding of what happened, the sequence of events, and any potential contributing factors.
Gathering photographic evidence or video footage where available
If you have a CCTV system that may have captured the incident, this will be important to any investigation. In the absence of available video footage, our electrical engineers will take photographs of the relevant machinery and damaged components.
Reviewing maintenance records, examining equipment manuals and exploring all other relevant documentation.
Our expert electrical engineers will evaluate the maintenance procedures and work permits that were in place during the maintenance activities. Ensure that all safety protocols and best practices were followed.
Documentation and Technical Analysis
We then carefully collate and document all findings, analysing the data to identify the root causes of the incident.
This can involve technical analysis of the electrical system, such as checking for faults or defects, and assessing the competence of the maintenance personnel involved.
Perhaps most importantly, we can verify that all activities related to the incident were in compliance with relevant electrical safety regulations, codes, and standards.
In every case, you can be assured that we work efficiently and effectively to minimise both risk and downtime.
Electrical Incident or accident? Randoll can help with your fault finding, investigation & reporting.
Differentiating between an incident and an accident is paramount in every industrial environment.
While both can be disruptive, understanding their nuances helps in implementing swift, effective remedial actions.
The Randoll Industrial team are experienced and expert in fault finding and navigating complex systems. We know the challenges our clients face and so we act as their industry partner, carrying out thorough investigative work, examining every circuit and wire to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Our methodical approach to fault-finding, investigation and reporting isn’t just about ticking off a checklist; it’s about a commitment to safeguarding what’s invaluable – your people.
“By partnering with us, you’re not merely getting solutions, you’re investing in peace of mind and a future where your people operate in safety and your company remains compliant. We can help to ensure that your operations continue to tick over smoothly without interruption or risk.
Our approach to safety & compliance is not just a box ticking exercise. We take our role seriously, giving you the right advice and looking after not just your machinery, but the paperwork too.”
Joel Randoll, Advanced Electrical Engineer, Director Randoll Industrial
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Incidents and Accidents:
We don’t need to tell you that your plant and machinery is complex kit that requires periodical inspection and testing.
Periodic electrical inspection is not only important from a safety point of view, but there’s also your capital investment to consider.
Looking after your plant or machinery is infinitely more cost effective than having to replace it prematurely.
Ensuring it all works together is more efficient. And making sure it all works together, all the time, is essential to efficient operations.
We make all that simple. Give us a call to find out how. 0800 433 2019
What could go wrong?
There are many reasons why you need a team of reliable industrial electrical engineers on your side.
Incidents are events that don’t necessarily result in injury but do need to be investigated.
Let’s take a look at the risks that can result in damage to people, plant or your production:
Overloaded Circuits
A circuit can show signs of overload without causing a fire or electrocution. This is the kind of thing we can identify easily during routine checks or when equipment malfunctions but doesn’t lead to immediate harm.
Exposed Wiring
Routine checks can also identify broken insulation or exposed wires: an easy fix and preventing what could be extensive damage if left unattended. Fixed wire testing can minimise the risk of electrocution or fire.
Improper Grounding
Our fault finding processes include inspecting systems, machines and plant to check that they are properly grounded. Improperly grounded electrical machinery may not have caused a problem by the time it is inspected, but it is a clear hazard. As ever with everything electrical, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Arc Flash Near Miss
Even if an arc flash occurs and doesn’t cause injury, it’s a sign of a problem. the arc flash can damage equipment or be the sign of an unsafe working environment.
Faulty Safety Equipment
Safety equipment like residual-current devices (RCDs) or circuit breakers can be found to be malfunctioning during a routine test, even if they haven’t caused a failure in service.
Find out more about how we can keep your people safe and your business compliant.
Accidents are events that result in injury or damage and these need to be addressed with an electrical maintenance incident investigation.
Electrocution: Faulty wiring, equipment, or unsafe working practices can lead to someone receiving an electric shock.
Electrical Fires: Fires can be caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or malfunctioning equipment leads.
Burns from Arc Flash: An arc flash, a sudden and intense burst of heat and light caused by an electrical fault, occurs that results in someone getting burned.
Equipment Damage: If a piece of machinery malfunctions due to an electrical fault, this can cause damage to the machine itself or other nearby equipment.
Injuries from Electrical Explosions: In rare cases, certain electrical faults can cause explosions, leading to injuries from flying debris or the explosion itself.
How we put it right.
Our team is made up of advanced, qualified and experienced electrical engineers. Our specialist area is the industrial commercial sector where we have lot of experience of partnering clients to minimise downtime and optimise operations.
Our process includes making recommendations, providing reporting, dealing with communications and putting in place corrective actions that instil confidence and peace of mind.
Recommendations
Using the investigative findings, our expert team will formulate recommendations for corrective actions. These may include changes to maintenance procedures, safety training, equipment upgrades or replacements, and any other preventive measures as required. We know every business is different and requires a tailored approach.
Reporting and communication
We prepare a comprehensive report, summarising the investigation’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations. This report is typically shared with relevant stakeholders, including management, regulatory authorities (if required), and the maintenance team.
Implementation of corrective actions
We can partner with you, your management team and responsible stakeholders to implement the recommended corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
We also put strong emphasis on periodic monitoring and follow-up – these are essential to ensuring that the corrective actions are effective and that safety standards continue to be upheld.
Electrical Maintenance Incident Investigation: The Ultimate Goal
The goal of an electrical maintenance incident investigation is not only to determine what went wrong but also to improve safety practices, prevent recurrence, and promote a culture of safety within your organisation.
It helps to protect personnel, equipment, and the overall integrity of the electrical systems in industrial and commercial settings.
If you’re not sure where to start, ask us! We’re the electrical maintenance incident experts.
