How a Non-Compliant Electrical Insulating Rubber Mat Weakens Your Legal Defence

Legal Risk Of Insulating Mats

Double-check your electrical insulating rubber mats. Not seeing any markings? Does the label mention anything about their compliance? 

Did you purchase them from an unreliable source?

Using a non-compliant electrical insulating rubber mat can have dangerous consequences. Not only will it put your workers' lives in danger, but you can also face a lot of legal issues with this.  

lot of legal issues with this.  

Legal Risks of Using Non-Compliant Electrical Insulating Rubber Mats in Workplaces

Legal Penalties

Some employers still choose cheaper electrical insulating rubber mats over quality-assured ones. Hence, they do not comply with the industrial safety standards such as IEC 61111:2009, ASTM D178, IS 15652:20006, BS EN 61111, and others. Their mats are not tested and certified. As a result, the electrical insulating rubber mats are not safe or reliable for high-voltage risk zones in the industries.

The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) focuses on workplace safety regulations. If your electrical insulating rubber mat does not comply with the OSHA guidelines, they will penalize you. The penalty depends on the severity and type of violation that occurred. Willful or repeated violation can cost you $165,514.

Lawsuits

Non-compliant electrical insulating rubber mats mean that you are putting your workers' lives at risk. Electrical accidents can cause severe burns, paralysis, and even death. The primary reason to use an electrical insulating rubber mat is to ensure workplace safety. The electrical insulating rubber mats protect the workers from electric shock, electrocution, short circuits, current leakage, arc flashes, and others.

If there are any serious accidents, the employers can face lawsuits. The victim's family can sue the employer for not using compliant safety gears (electrical insulating rubber mats, protective gloves, boots, etc.). The law will not be in your favor if you willingly ignore adopting compliant safety gears.

Denied Insurance Claims

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) outlines standards for protective equipment. On the other hand, the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) sets criteria for the manufacturing and performance of protective equipment. Hence, your electrical insulating rubber mat should be compliant with these standards to guarantee protection from electrical hazards.

Often, after an electrical accident, the employers tend to claim for insurance. If there are non-compliant electrical insulating rubber mats, the insurers deny their insurance claim. With repetitive occurrences of such accidents, they even terminate the coverage.

Legal Notices

After an electrical accident, there is a thorough checking and detailed documentation of the accident. There are safety audits in the industries at least once a year. Here, the safety audit officers check is the electrical insulating rubber mats are compliant, certified, and in proper condition. If you are using non-compliant electrical rubber mats, you will not pass the safety audit.

As a result, they conclude that your workplace is not safe or secure enough for the workers. You will get legal notices to shut down your workplace immediately. Just a non-compliant electrical insulating rubber mat can hamper your reputation in the market.

To conclude,

You should make sure to purchase from a reliable electrical rubber mat manufacturer. They offer certified and compliant mats. As a result, you will be able to pass the safety audits without any worry. 

Legal issues for using non-compliant electrical insulating rubber mats can hamper your market reputation, networks, vendor relationship, and business growth. Choose Duratuf electrical rubber mat and keep yourself away from legal issues!

Here are some interesting FAQs for you!

What are the different classes of IEC 61111 rubber mat rolls?

Ans: IEC 61111 high voltage rubber mat rolls come in five different classes. They come in classes 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Here are their working voltage limits and standard thicknesses:

Class 0: 1 kV (2 mm to 6 mm)

Class 1: 7.5 kV (2 mm to 6 mm)

Class 2: 17 kV (3 mm to 8 mm)

Class 3: 26.5 kV (4 mm to 11 mm)

Class 4: 36 kV (5 mm to 14 mm)

Each class also has different dielectric strength and AC-proof voltage. Make sure to ask for the technical data sheet before purchasing! 

How to know if the electrical panel rubber mat is reliable?

Ans: The rubber mats for electrical safety should come from a reputable source. Besides, they should be tested and certified. Besides, they have proper marking and labeling. These electrical mats are compliant with the industrial safety standards and have good reviews in the market.

What if we need different dimensions for an electric rubber mat?

Ans: If you require different dimensions (length and width) for your rubber mat for electrical room, you can go for customization. Reputed suppliers offer this option to you. As a result, you can get tailor-made mats appropriate to your application area.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What are the Guidelines You Should Follow While Storing Electrical Mats?

Is Rubber Insulating Mat Business Profitable: What Do Experts Say?

When does an Electrical Insulating Mat Start Conducting Electricity?