Hospital electrical safety audits are not new to Indian healthcare facilities, but still, why are hospital electrical hazards unavoidable? When we have a very limited number of healthcare facilities in India—yet one of the largest healthcare infrastructures in the globe—as compared with our growing population, it is our responsibility to ensure electrical safety in Indian hospitals to cater to the demands of the Indian population.

Concerns in Ensuring Electrical Safety

• Many started with small hospital facilities and grew exponentially within no time, except for electrical infrastructure.
• Electrical installations are carried out by non-qualified persons without following standards.
• Lack of periodic upgradation and modifications as per standards like NEC 2023 / NBC / IS standards.
• Unqualified persons involved or engaged in maintenance management.
• Unprofessional cost-reduction programs impacting maintenance and upgradation jobs.
• Lack of training and development programs in engineering.

Why Such Issues Still Exist

• Electrical safety standards are available in the country, but law enforcement is still incomplete. We have sufficient standards, rules, and regulations in place, and they must be followed to ensure electrical safety in Indian hospitals.
• Training and development are essential for every professional to perform their duties and responsibilities with ease.
• Judicious investment and allocation of funds are essential for maintaining hospital facilities in a safe and reliable manner. Do not compromise on safety standards for the sake of adding profits.
• Electrical safety audits must be conducted through qualified professionals only, and their recommendations must be implemented to ensure safe and reliable hospital operations.

How to Ensure Safe and Reliable Hospital Operations?

• Conduct electrical safety audits once a year to ascertain safety and ensure compliance through a competent and experienced electrical safety audit firm.
• Provide training to all team members on electrical safety, maintenance, and energy conservation in healthcare facilities.
• Upgrade electrical installations as per NEC 2023 standards to ensure continual improvement in safety and reliability, especially standards related to hospitals.

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Note: All blogs are prepared by Sustenergy Foundation based on our research in the respective sector/industry and on factual audits conducted by us, drawing from our expertise in the field through electrical safety audits, energy audits, or other related studies. These blogs are published with the purpose of creating awareness and sharing technical expertise with employees at various levels — from laypersons to experts — and are prepared in accordance with the blog policy of Sustenergy Foundation.

Prepared by Sreelakshmi. S Head – Engineering
Reviewed and approved by Jayakumar Nair, Managing Director