In the evolving landscape of facility management and safety, staying ahead of potential hazards and inefficiencies is crucial. With the advent of infrared thermography, a proactive approach to facility maintenance and safety is now at your fingertips. But what makes infrared scans so beneficial, and why should they be a key component of your facility's preventive maintenance strategy? Let's uncover ten surprising facts about infrared scans that might change the way you view electrical system maintenance.
Infrared inspections do NOT cause any business interruptions. They are completely non-invasive, allowing your operations to continue seamlessly without downtime. This means that you can ensure safety and efficiency without sacrificing productivity—a win-win for any business.
By conducting regular infrared thermography inspections, you can identify problems before they arise. This proactive measure means no unexpected outages, which could otherwise disrupt business operations. Staying ahead of issues helps maintain operational flow and avoid costly emergencies.
Did you know that infrared scans can help prolong the lifespans of electrical equipment? By catching issues early, you can prevent unnecessary wear and tear, extending the life of your machinery and systems. This not only saves money but also ensures your equipment is always running at its best.
Many insurance companies recognize the value of regular infrared scan inspections. By demonstrating a commitment to safety and prevention, you may even qualify for discounts on your premiums. Investing in infrared scans could lead to significant savings on insurance costs.
Maintaining compliance with industry standards is crucial. Regular inspections are mandated in accordance with NFPA 70B and OSHA Regulations, ensuring that your facility meets all necessary safety requirements. This compliance not only protects your workforce but also minimizes potential liabilities.
Infrared scan inspections are a proactive approach to protecting your workforce. By identifying potential hazards before they become serious, you demonstrate a commitment to employee safety and well-being. This proactive stance helps to minimize liability and fosters a positive workplace environment.
Only licensed electricians and at least a Level 1 Certified Thermographer can perform an inspection. This ensures that your facility is getting expert attention from professionals who understand the complexities of electrical safety and maintenance.
Regular inspections demonstrate a safety-forward mindset and reflect a strong commitment to employee well-being. This dedication can enhance your company’s reputation, making it a more attractive place for both employees and clients.
Infrared scans can significantly increase energy efficiency. By identifying where systems waste energy, you can optimize usage, reduce costs, and improve your environmental footprint. This aligns your business operations with sustainable practices, which are increasingly important in today’s world.
Both new and existing electrical equipment should be scanned annually. This helps detect issues as they arise over time, ensuring comprehensive coverage of your facility’s electrical systems. Regular scans are essential for a robust preventive maintenance strategy.
Infrared thermography offers a multitude of benefits for facility managers and safety-focused businesses. By incorporating infrared scanning into your regular maintenance routine, you not only safeguard your equipment and workforce but also enhance efficiency and compliance.Contact us today to schedule a consultation! Ensure your facility is running safely, efficiently, and in compliance with industry standards. Don't wait for a problem to arise; take a proactive step towards excellence in facility management.
In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have surged in popularity, reshaping transportation and sparking transformations across various sectors, including educational institutions. Colleges and universities are now recognizing the importance of accommodating electric vehicle charging on campus, not only to meet the growing needs of EV users but also to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Introducing electric vehicle charging stations on campuses significantly contributes to a university’s sustainability goals. By providing infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, institutions showcase their dedication to reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner energy alternatives. This move supports broader environmental objectives and positions educational institutions as leaders in sustainability.
Today's students are increasingly eco-conscious, seeking educational environments that reflect their values. By installing electric vehicle charging stations, colleges can attract and retain students who prioritize environmental responsibility. The presence of these facilities demonstrates the institution's commitment to sustainable practices, enhancing its appeal to prospective students who drive EVs or intend to purchase one.
Electric vehicle charging stations on campus offer significant benefits to faculty and staff. By accommodating their charging needs, universities foster a supportive work environment that acknowledges the growing shift toward sustainable transportation. Such provisions can improve employee satisfaction, reduce commuting costs, and encourage more staff members to transition to electric vehicles.
The installation of electric vehicle charging stations creates unique educational opportunities. Institutions can incorporate EV technology into their curricula, offering courses and workshops on sustainable transportation, renewable energy, and the mechanics of electric vehicles. Hands-on learning experiences with EV charging infrastructure can prepare students for careers in emerging green industries.
Beyond benefiting the campus community, electric vehicle charging stations can serve as a catalyst for community engagement. Universities can partner with local governments and organizations to promote EV adoption and sustainable transportation solutions. By becoming community leaders in clean energy initiatives, institutions enhance their reputation and influence in the broader community.
While the installation of electric vehicle charging stations involves upfront costs, there are various funding opportunities available. Educational institutions can explore grants, incentives, and partnerships with electrical vehicle charging station contractors to offset expenses. Additionally, offering charging services can create potential revenue streams, contributing to the long-term financial sustainability of the initiative.
Investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a forward-thinking strategy to future-proof campus facilities. As the demand for EVs continues to grow, universities with established charging stations will be better equipped to accommodate evolving transportation trends. By planning for the future, institutions ensure they remain competitive and relevant in an increasingly electric future.
Electric vehicle charging stations are transforming educational institutions, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative future. Whether you're a facility manager, safety manager, or simply interested in this exciting evolution, consider the benefits and possibilities that electric vehicle charging brings to your campus. Contact us today to learn more about how your institution can lead the charge toward a greener tomorrow!
For those managing facilities, safety, or maintenance, understanding and implementing the NFPA 70E standard is crucial for ensuring workplace safety. This valuable standard offers guidelines to protect workers from electrical hazards, such as arc flash and shock, while working on or near electrical equipment. Let's explore ten key aspects of NFPA 70E that you might not know about and their significance in your operations.
NFPA 70E is primarily concerned with protecting workers from electrical hazards. This includes risks such as arc flash and shock, which are prevalent in environments where electrical equipment is present. By adhering to the standards, you can significantly reduce the chances of accidents and injuries.
Introduced in 1979, NFPA 70E was developed to provide a comprehensive set of requirements for electrical safety practices in the workplace. Its inception marked a significant shift towards prioritizing worker safety in the electrical services industry.
The standard is updated every three years to align with evolving technologies, industry practices, and ongoing safety research. This ensures that your facility maintenance practices remain relevant and compliant with the latest safety standards.
One of the pivotal elements of NFPA 70E is the Arc Flash Boundary. This boundary defines the distance at which a worker could be injured by an arc flash. Understanding and implementing the Arc Flash Boundary is critical to safeguarding the health and safety of your workers.
NFPA 70E outlines specific PPE requirements for electrical workers. These include the need for arc-rated clothing and face shields, which are essential for minimizing the risk of injury during electrical work.
The standard requires employers to perform an Electrical Hazard Risk Assessment before employees can work on or near exposed electrical conductors or circuit parts. This proactive approach helps identify potential hazards and implement preventive maintenance measures.
NFPA 70E emphasizes eliminating electrical hazards first, before resorting to protective measures like PPE. This fundamental principle encourages a more effective and sustainable approach to managing electrical risks.
All employees working with electrical equipment must receive proper safety training. This includes recognizing hazards and understanding how to mitigate them, ensuring that everyone on your team is equipped to handle potential dangers safely.
Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures are integral to NFPA 70E. These procedures ensure that equipment is de-energized before workers perform maintenance or service tasks. Proper implementation of LOTO is vital for preventing accidents during facility maintenance.
NFPA 70E introduced Incident Energy Analysis, a method to calculate the amount of energy an arc flash might release. This analysis determines the necessary protective measures to reduce the risk of injury, making it a critical component of arc flash analysis.
Understanding NFPA 70E and its comprehensive guidelines is vital for maintaining a safe workplace. By prioritizing electrical safety and compliance, you can protect your team and operations from the risks associated with electrical construction and equipment.
Contact us today to schedule your training and ensure your team is prepared to handle electrical hazards safely.
By implementing NFPA 70E, you're not just complying with industry standards—you're committing to a safer, more efficient workplace.
At Henderson Services, we take pride in being a leading provider of electrical services, preventive maintenance, and safety education and training. We include safety education and training as one of our main services because we recognize just how important it is to every business. In our 100+ years of serving our customers, we’ve seen companies with great safety training systems in place and ones with no system in place. This means we know that the results of the latter can be disastrous. In the dynamic field of electrical construction and maintenance, prioritizing safety is not just a requirement, it's a core value that guides our every action.
Safety is not just a box to check for us—it’s foundational to every service that we offer. At Henderson Services, we adhere to a rigorous safety standard that goes above and beyond industry norms. Our safety protocols are designed to protect our team, your facility, and everyone involved in our electrical services. We focus on 3 core trainings that we bring to every job: NFPA-70E, Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO), and First Aid, CPR, and AED.
Ensuring the safety of our team members is not just about having robust protocols—it's also about empowering our employees with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the dangers of electrical services. In 2020 alone, 2,380 workers suffered nonfatal injuries caused by exposure to electricity. We prioritize ongoing training to keep our team up-to-date on the latest industry standards and best practices and to keep them and their co-workers as safe as possible.
Our commitment to safety aligns with the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) standards, specifically NFPA 70E. This standard outlines safety requirements for electrical work, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe work practices, and the importance of thorough training. OSHA is using NFPA 70E as a national consensus standard, so it is vital that your team understands all the requirements. Per NFPA, anyone working on or around energized equipment needs training on electrical safe work practices. By adhering to this standard, we ensure that our team is well-prepared and our services meet the highest safety standards.
One of the most significant of our safety practices is the implementation of Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures. LOTO is a systematic method to ensure that equipment is de-energized and cannot be started up again while maintenance or service work is being performed. This crucial step prevents accidental energization, protecting our technicians and creating a safer working environment. Just one mental lapse that causes LOTO not to be completed can result in disaster for your business. At best, the mistake could be discovered before anything happens, at worst, someone could lose their life.
Is your team ready for unforeseen emergencies on-site? Anything can happen when we work near dangerous equipment. The lives of your team matter to us. That is why we train teams just like yours to be prepared for any outcome that may occur. We have certified First Aid, CPR, and AED instructors who can provide the necessary training so your employees know how to respond. Participants will receive manuals and even a certification card when the training is complete!
You may be tempted to look at this training like it’s a nice thing to have but not a priority. However, if something were to happen in your facility, and you didn’t have someone properly trained onsite, someone could lose their life. You would not only face the guilt of not having someone trained on standby, but you would ultimately face the legal consequences of not having the proper safety measures in place.
Safety is a collective responsibility that extends beyond our team to include you, our valued clients, and anyone present at the job site. We actively encourage open communication and collaboration to create a safe working environment for everyone involved. It’s about more than numbers on a page to meet an impressive metric; it’s about lives at stake and families having everyone come home at the end of the day.
At Henderson Services, we believe that it is essential for every business to prioritize safety, especially during electrical service. We understand that the success of our services is inseparable from the safety of our team and the environments we work in. By upholding the highest safety standards, investing in continuous training, and leveraging advanced preventive maintenance techniques, we not only deliver top-notch electrical solutions but also ensure the well-being of everyone involved.
Choose Henderson Services for electrical services that prioritize safety, reliability, and excellence. Your safety is our priority, and our commitment to delivering superior service is unwavering. Contact us today to help make your facility a safer place.
When considering how companies are using EV charging stations to grow business, one of the most common ways is as an incentive to increase sales. With customers 43% more likely to return weekly to retail locations with EV chargers, this is one of the most obvious draws for a business to have charging stations in their parking lots.
In addition to this strategy, there are still other factors worth considering when deciding whether your business should invest in electric vehicle charge stations. Here are a few other ways to leverage a Henderson Services installed charging station for your business growth.
As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), homeowners and business owners are entitled to certain tax breaks when installing EV charging stations. They can receive incentives for 30%, up to 100,000 dollars, of the total cost of the equipment and installation if completed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032. Though for businesses, certain labor requirements must be met to qualify for the tax break. If you decide to claim the federal tax credit for your EV charger, you’ll fill out Form 8911 when filing your taxes.
In addition, the recent National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program has received billions of dollars to install charging stations across US highways. If your business is within 1 mile of a major highway, you may be eligible to receive equipment and installation from this program.
In a 2018 study on the effect that time spent in a store has on dollars spent, it was determined that: “...the longer the shoppers stay in a fashion store, the more they will be exposed to in-store stimuli and higher will be the chances that they will buy more products, which supports previous research.”
EV charging stations don’t instantaneously charge a vehicle to full, meaning that people who choose to charge at your place of business will spend more time occupying themselves while waiting.By increasing their time in your store they are likely to spend more money, thus tying your charging stations effectively to increasing your sales.
Electric vehicles are becoming more affordable. However, the average price of an EV is still over 60,000 dollars. This means that people with higher incomes often drive them. So if your business is using EV charging stations to bring in more customers, extend the time they spend in your business, and bring in customers who can spend more money, you are creating the potential for an incredible financial growth opportunity.
Some EV companies have created chargers that can only be used for their vehicles. Drivers of these vehicles enjoy this exclusivity and the feeling that comes with a product built just for you. However, to reach as wide an audience as possible, you’ll want to be sure that you install chargers that can be used for multiple vehicles. That way, whether they are driving a Tesla or a Toyota, they can charge their vehicle.
Installing EV charging stations at your business is an incredible opportunity to grow your business and delight your customers. Henderson Services is the leading electric vehicle charging station contractor in the state of Kentucky. We’ve worked with clients like LG&E and Kroger to install chargers in numerous cities. We can discuss what options will best fit your space and help give your business an exciting new boost.
So if you think installing a charging station at your business is a step you’d like to take, contact us today to get started!
The upkeep of our most valuable belongings is a natural part of life. Whether it’s your vehicle, home, or physical health, it’s vital to take steps to keep everything functioning properly. Anyone who has ignored the upkeep of these things can attest to the feeling of devastation when something goes wrong. A failed transmission, a pipe that bursts, a chest pain that you don’t get checked out becomes something more; the list of things that can happen is endless.
The same can be said for the electrical equipment in your business. Preventive maintenance is a necessary step in ensuring the longevity of your operations. At Henderson, we perform preventive maintenance such as evaluating your equipment in both energized and de-energized states to ensure you have the proper standards in place for each piece of equipment. But what could happen if you decline preventive maintenance for your equipment?
“Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” - Murphy’s Law
Whether or not you agree with the old adage in general, the saying couldn’t be more true regarding preventive maintenance. Electrical equipment functionality is not the type of thing you want to leave up to chance. If something on your equipment has been left without the proper maintenance, it will eventually cause a major issue. Unfortunately, we have encountered multiple businesses who hear our concerns about some of their equipment and choose to do nothing.
Let’s say that Henderson Services offers to perform a preventive maintenance check on your equipment to determine whether you have aged breakers that need to be replaced. You decline that offer, only to have your breaker short circuit two months later causing an entire factory shutdown. You quickly have to call on our emergency services to repair the breaker and get everything up and running as soon as possible. It ultimately takes 48 hours or longer to get everything back up to proper functionality and safety standards. The time lost is only the tip of the iceberg in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.
Who was in charge? Why did this happen? Could this have been avoided?
These are the kind of questions that will be asked of the Facility Manager or Maintenance Manager in this situation. One of the key components offered by our Preventive Maintenance services is the peace of mind it provides to those managers who already have a lot on their plate. However, because they chose not to accept the services that could have protected their facility, chances are that they’ll be the ones to face the consequences.
The cost of preventive maintenance and the cost of performing emergency servicing due to the lack of preventive maintenance can be vastly different numbers. Though the upfront price of servicing the unsafe containers may have felt costly, that number pales in comparison to the eventual cost of a minimum two-day shutdown. In other situations, we have witnessed companies lose over 600x what they would have paid if they had undergone the initial suggested Preventive Maintenance services.
No one wants to pay for exorbitant and unexpected repairs, especially to fix damage that could have been easily avoided. At Henderson Services, we understand how difficult it is to keep all the balls in the air when juggling the upkeep of a large facility. That is why we offer our Preventive Maintenance services. To give you peace of mind knowing that your equipment is safe and functioning properly so that you can focus on other parts of your job.
So don’t wait! Contact us today to discuss your preventive maintenance needs.
Proper training on electrical safety can simultaneously be the most important and challenging thing to accomplish. We understand that this training is no laughing matter and that your team wants to feel prepared for any event. Henderson Services’ expertise in electrical services and preventive maintenance is a result of our team practicing vital safety and training regularly. We are dedicated to the safety of our team and clients. That dedication has led us to offer three critical electrical safety trainings to our employees and yours.
The first step in safety training is being prepared for anything. We care about the lives of your team, which is why we train teams like yours to be ready for any possible outcome.
On-site emergencies can happen at any time. When working near dangerous equipment, it’s impossible to know when an accident may occur. In those unexpected moments, you need people who can administer first aid, perform CPR, and even operate a defibrillator if necessary. Henderson knows this best after working in electrical services for over 100 years.
Our certified First Aid, CPR, and AED instructor can provide the necessary training, so your employees know how to respond. Anyone participating in this training will receive a certification card when the training is complete!
NFPA 70E training is required for any company with people working on or around energized equipment. Since NFPA 70E is the standard used by OSHA, your team must understand all the requirements. This training helps companies and employees avoid injuries caused by arc flash, arc blast, electrocution, or shock.
If you want to learn how to protect yourself and others from potential electrical accidents, we offer training seminars to help get you caught up to speed on NFPA 70E requirements. We can even come to your facility to provide the training. All employees attending the course will receive a training manual for use during the training session and for future reference. Additionally, each trainee will receive a certificate of completion for the class attended.
All class instructors are certified to offer CEUs through the Commonwealth of Kentucky and have received certification through NFPA.
Lock out tag out (LOTO) is a procedure required by OSHA. According to OSHA, “lock out tag out” (LOTO) protocols are specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.”
Electricity or anything that can injure someone is referred to as hazardous energy. LOTO exists to control that energy by having safeguards in place before a machine is repaired. Anytime a machine needs to be accessed, the LOTO procedure must be completed.
There are eight steps to completing the LOTO procedure according to OSHA’s site:
LOTO training is vital for your employees because of the high-risk danger involved. Henderson services has professionals who can educate and train your employees to follow OSHA’s LOTO steps perfectly and consistently.
Here at Henderson Services, we are dedicated to the safety of our employees. Safety Training keeps everyone protected and allows us to consistently serve our customers’ electrical and preventative maintenance needs. Contact Henderson Services today to find the next offered training near you.
