Proper Generator Handling – Precautions in an Operation Site
Based on the theoretical assumption made by Herbert William Heinrich, pioneer of industry safety in the United States; 88% of accidents are caused by “unsafe acts of persons”.* Most have failed to apprehend that the majority of accidents are forecasted before it happens – we have had opportunities to correct the hazards, but we did not.
Precautions in an operating site are utmost importance for safety and fully bringing out the performance of a generator. Before using a generator, be sure to abide by the correct handling. Here are 5 safety precautions to take note of in an operation site.
Stable and Horizontal Operation Site
During an event, the performances or the emcee should take centrestage – not the sound of a generator. As a rule of thumb, your generator set should not be louder than a normal conversation (65 dB(A))* because if any louder, vocals will be drowned. Ultra-silent generators typically have a noise rating of approximately 50 dB(A) to 60 dB(A)*, depending on the size of the engine. With that, you can be sure that every lyric and musical note gets heard without compromising on power requirements.
Unlike conventional generators, ultra-silent generators are designed to overcome this pain point. By employing low noise engine, advanced mufflers, silencers and sound insulation panels to enclose the generator, the operation is quiet enough that it would not disturb your comfort or that of the attendees.
Ample Space For Generator inspection and Maintenance
When two or more units are installed for operation, an ample space between generators should be arranged for providing the ease of inspection and maintenance. This way, operators can perform their duties in an efficient and orderly manner – avoiding collision and injuries.
Choosing a Suitable Deployment Environment
There are environments to avoid when planning for operation location. It is important to choose an environment with less humidity and dust because generators exposed to high humidity climatic conditions could adversely affect the performance and drastically reduce the generator’s designed lifespans. Operation in a corrosive gas atmosphere should be avoided as corrosive action will occur to vital components and damage the generator, resulting in reduced lifecycles and unscheduled downtime.
Avoid Flammables or Flammable Substances around the Generator
Fire and explosion can result in catastrophic consequences, causing serious injuries or death of workers and others, as well as significant damage to property. It is of utmost importance to avoid any flammables or flammable substances near the generator to prevent accidents from happening.
Ensure Generator is Adequately Ventilated
Since a generator produces electricity with an internal combustion engine that is run on a fuel source, it produces emissions that is undesirable to people. Carbon monoxide (CO), in particular, is colourless and odourless – making it extremely difficult to detect. Most people suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning without even realising and this occurs mainly because the generator has not been properly ventilated.
Always ensure a generator is adequately ventilated by never running it indoors or in enclosed space, including tunnels or caves. If operating in a chamber, the exhaust pipe must be extended to a ventilated place where emissions can be completely emitted to increase ventilation and prevent CO build up.
If you need assistance with geerator handling, or if you have any operation related questions, feel free to contact us.
*Source: (2016) Comparing the Heinrich Triangle Theory to Real World Data of a Modern Drilling Contractor. Retrieved from Oil & Gas Safety and Health Conference 2016