As electric vehicles gain popularity, employers may be thinking of making the switch. If your facility is considering installing EV charging stations, the Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends a site assessment conducted by a trained and qualified electrician. The electrician who assesses your site should:
- Check that your site has the right electrical capacity to charge EVs.
- Ensure you have enough space for an EV charger.
- Make sure the charger and charging cords you plan to use are certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
- See if you have adequate ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection to avoid electric shocks.
After you’re given the go-ahead and your charger has been installed, keep these ESFI safety tips top of mind:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when charging EVs.
- Properly store charging cables to avoid damage that could lead to electric shocks and fires.
- Cover EV charging stations to avoid water damage. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for more information.
- Properly maintain EV chargers, and never use one that’s damaged.
- Avoid vehicle contact with chargers.
