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thermography inspection

IR and OSHA: How Infrared Testing Improves Worker Safety

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The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was adopted to keep employees safe at work, especially those working in manufacturing plants or with high voltage electrical equipment. Many companies use infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns and to prevent equipment from becoming faulty, but in some cases, IR testing is also a standard for OSHA. Infrared inspections and OSHA are both designed with worker safety in mind. Plus, infrared inspections are beneficial to companies from a cost standpoint. Check out these ways a thermography inspection can keep your employees safe and costs low:

Prevents Dangerous Problems

Infrared problem prevention is only possible with regular IR testing. Many times, a maintenance professional can’t detect certain issues before they become big and potentially dangerous problems. When it comes to electrical equipment, a small failure may produce devastating results, whether it’s from a business or personal injury standpoint.

There are no benefits to what happens with an electric systems failure, so why wouldn’t companies be proactive in preventing problems from happening? OSHA requires regular maintenance to be performed to keep workers safe, and infrared testing plays a big role in this maintenance.

High Safety and Health Standards

The safety and health standards developed by OSHA are only intended to protect employees while they work. When companies hire certified thermographers to conduct regular thermal inspections, the necessary safety guidelines set forth in OSHA are being satisfied.

But simply conducting an IR thermography inspection isn’t the only thing companies have to do. They also have to act on any issues found during the testing. If there is a faulty plug in an electrical system, then the plug has to be replaced before a worker gets injured. Some machines may show signs of wear and tear that could eventually be problematic. Instead of waiting until the machine completely malfunctions and or a worker is hurt, employers have to act quickly to prevent problems.

Requires Continuous Maintenance

OSHA requires continuous maintenance in any company. It’s not required to get an infrared thermography inspection every week, or even every month, but setting a regular schedule is recommended. Not only will these regular inspections detect problems before they occur, but they will prevent serious injuries to employees.

When machinery isn’t working like it’s designed to, employees will use different methods to work efficiently and make production goals. Sometimes, these methods can be dangerous, which is why OSHA requires maintenance like infrared testing. When a potential problem is detected, employers have to act swiftly to correct the issue to prevent injury. Liability here rests with the company, not with the employee, and OSHA fines are steep.

It’s in every company’s best interest to take all the necessary steps and precautions to keep worker safety a priority. If a company takes these steps to become OSHA compliant, then they will at least be covered from a liability standpoint.

 

To learn more about OSHA and how it relates to infrared testing, contact us today.

Save money and energy with an electrical infrared survey.

How Can an Electrical Infrared Survey Save Money and Energy?

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Businesses nowadays are looking for ways to save a dollar any chance they get. However, some companies are unwilling to spend even a little bit of money upfront to prevent a larger issue from potentially happening down the road. When it comes to electrical inspections, the expenses a business pays upfront are well worth the cost when compared to a major repair to systems and equipment. So how can you save money and energy by getting routine electrical inspections? Let’s dive into the details.

Inspections Detect Hot Spots Before They Cause Problems

With the help of electrical thermal imaging, an operator can actually see problems in equipment before they escalate. The main reason equipment fails is because there is an electrical issue, including overloaded circuits, bad fuses, loose connections or even defective breakers.

When something isn’t working properly, chances are the temperature will be higher than it would be during normal operation. That’s when the thermographic imaging equipment will detect the bad spot and prompt the operator to evaluate the problem.

Saving Money and Energy

You will pay a little bit to get preventive maintenance inspections, but think about how much you’re saving in the long run. If you have faulty equipment running at a higher temperature than it should, it’s using a lot more energy to operate normally. As a result, you will be spending more money in energy costs, which can quickly add up.

Also, if you don’t have routine maintenance done by way of an electrical infrared survey, you are putting your company at risk of paying a significant amount of money to replace a completely defective piece of equipment. When you’re talking about systems that make your company operate smoothly, you may end up losing more than money, depending on the severity of the issue.

Are Electrical Inspections Worth It?

If you’re interested in making sure the normal day-to-day business operations run without a hitch, it’s worth it to complete an electrical infrared survey periodically. You would likely only need to have the inspection completed two or three times each year, but the long-term benefits speak for themselves.

Contact us with any questions you may have about the thermographic imaging process and how we can help keep your business functioning in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible!

Make necessary repairs with the help of electrical thermal imaging.

Top Reasons You Need an Electrical Thermography Inspection

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identify issues early with electrical thermography.

Electrical thermography can identify issues.

Make necessary repairs with the help of electrical thermal imaging.

Electrical thermal imaging helps you find issues early.

If you own or work in a plant that runs with the help of electronic equipment, you’ve heard of electrical thermography to some degree. However, many facility managers don’t quite realize the value in electrical thermography. Too often, equipment is allowed to run until it malfunctions and needs either serious repairs or replacement, which can cost thousands of dollars. This shouldn’t have to happen, and there are ways you can prevent this costly ordeal. Organizing an electrical inspection is the best way to keep your equipment and pocketbook out of harm’s way. Here are some important reasons to seek an electrical inspection as soon as possible.

Your Equipment’s Overall Status

Think about your equipment from a technical standpoint. How well does it run? Don’t take seemingly great operation as a sign all is well! There could be problems lying below the surface, undetectable to human perception. Parts can always fail quietly, either through simply stopping or becoming misplaced through prolonged use or human error. If you can visibly tell your equipment is missing any components, you want to schedule an electrical infrared survey in the near future.

Maintenance

The safety requirements issued by the National Fire Protection Association change on a regular basis and must be checked frequently to ensure facilities are conforming to these incredibly important precautionary standards. However, despite this information, many don’t follow the NFPA’s maintenance suggestions to the letter. This is understandable because work easily captures your full attention and in the midst of trying to keep productivity flowing, it can be difficult to stop and tend to maintenance procedures. However, it is a highly important element of upkeep for your facility. Have your electrical equipment tested frequently by way of electrical thermography to make sure it’s still operating according to standards.

Electrical Malfunction

Equipment that isn’t working as it should, that fails on a regular basis and interrupts your workflow, deserves immediate inspection at your earliest convenience. This is one of the first and biggest signs your equipment is in serious trouble! The issue could be any number of things, such as resistance- or connection-related. However, you cannot trust your own perceptions when it comes to figuring out the issue. Rather, it’s best to call on a professional. Electrical thermal imaging is the only thing that can take care of this problem—namely, by finding the root of it. A specialist can not only pinpoint the source of the problem but speak with you on the best ways to take care of it before it escalates into something much worse.

We hope this list will help you learn how to discern the best times to call upon the help of an electrical thermography specialist. Doing so can save you hours of productivity, as well as thousands in cash, which can be allocated elsewhere in your budget in even more productive ways. To learn more about electrical thermal imaging and request a consultation, contact us!

Reveal problems with a thermal imaging survey.

Why Do I Need Infrared Testing for My Manufacturing Facility?

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Manufacturing plants need infrared testing.

Infrared testing can help manufacturing plants.

Reveal problems with a thermal imaging survey.

A thermal imaging survey can reveal problems.

If you’re in the manufacturing business, you may have heard of infrared testing, but haven’t used it for a number of reasons. Maybe you aren’t sure of all the benefits, or you haven’t had time to make the change from traditional inspections to infrared testing. Whatever your reasons, there are many more benefits to consider when hiring an infrared testing service for your commercial facility.

What Does Infrared Testing Do?

Certified Thermographers conduct a thermal imaging survey on your equipment to scan it for any potential problems. They will use their own equipment to record yours photographically. This photograph is monochromatic, and the intensity of the shades correspond with the specific temperatures of your equipment. When a piece of equipment begins to malfunction, the first sign is usually a spike in temperature that is often undetectable otherwise. This sudden and severe rise in temperature can signal any number of problems, including:

  • Faulty components
  • Poor internal connectivity
  • Imbalances
  • Exposed circuitry
  • Energy overload

No matter the source of a problem, too much heat coming from a device is often the first and biggest sign complete failure looms in the future. This can occur in any piece of equipment, regardless of age.

How Does Infrared Testing Solve My Problems?

  1. Problems are Identified Early – By hiring an inspection professional to take a look at your equipment, they can easily pinpoint problems you may be experiencing. Best of all, these inspections can detect problems before they truly start, making them an excellent preventive tool. This allows you to catch problems before they can unfold into something more severe, which can save you lost productivity and costly repairs down the road.
  2. Machinery is Maintained More Efficiently – By allowing you to take care of the problem early, you will be eliminating the steep costs associated with repairs, which can add up to thousands of dollars. You will also be avoiding downtime within your facility, which means you won’t be losing valuable productivity. Also, your machinery will last much longer.
  3. Production Won’t be Halted – Another benefit comes in the form of how these inspections are performed. Electrical thermal imaging is not invasive. Traditional methods may halt your production for several hours but your team will be able to carry on a normal work day while the infrared testing takes place. This means there will be no interruption in workflow for your daily operations and you will be able to review the results at your convenience.

For an easier and more cost-efficient option for your commercial inspection, infrared testing could be the best choice for your manufacturing company. For more information on how this important preventive testing measure can ensure maximum productivity, contact us.

Electrical Thermal Imaging Boosts Electrical Functionality

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If you work in a commercial facility that depends on the functioning of electrical equipment, you know the importance of keeping everything in working order. Something can go wrong too easily and quietly, leaving you with a major loss of productivity to deal with, as well as hundreds or thousands of dollars in  repair costs. Did you know there’s an easy way to prevent this kind of catastrophe in your workplace? It comes in the form of electrical thermal imaging and can save you and your facility hundreds thousands of dollars potentially spent on repairs.

How Do Infrared Scans Work?

Infrared scanning, otherwise known as thermographic imaging, is meant to help detect problems in electrical equipment and other components and areas of a building that are otherwise undetectable by the average human senses. When you request an infrared scan, you’ll be hiring someone to take thermal imagery of your machinery for the sake of spotting any potential issues within them. These pictures are monochromatic and are meant to read the temperature given off by the depicted equipment. The hotter an object is, the stronger the variance from dark to light will be. This will be yours and your inspector’s first clue to any signs of trouble.

What Can Thermographic Imaging Tell Me About My Equipment?

All functioning electrical equipment conducts heat as it operates. However, it is beyond our senses to determine how much or how little heat a piece of equipment is giving off. This is where electrical testing and inspection comes in. The first sign of trouble in any electrical device is giving off far more heat than it should. If your equipment is escalating to much higher temperatures than normal, you likely have a serious problem waiting in the wings. The devices used during an infrared scan will be able to easily detect how high a temperature your facility’s equipment is reaching and provide you with a thermogram. The professional in charge of administering your scan will also be able to give you advice on the next steps you should take to resolve the problem.

Why Is This Important?

It’s always better to solve problems before they start, especially when you work in a commercial facility where valuable production time and funds are on the line. With the help of electrical thermal imaging, you have the ability to take care of any issues with your equipment before they escalate into something worse. This will also help to keep your facility as stable as possible by making sure everything is in working order and enabling you to take action with malfunctioning equipment early. If you decide to take up having routine inspections performed, you will then have a method of normal maintenance that will allow you to take care of problems even more easily.

We hope you will consider taking up this valuable preventive measure. If you have any questions or concerns about infrared inspections, feel free to contact us for more information.