The Electrical Council of Florida






Powering Down on Electrical Fire Risks at your Workplace 


Could your company survive if an electrical failure sparked a fire at your business? Approximately 7,400 non-residential building fires occur each year due to electrical malfunctions.1 Fortunately, many risks can be prevented by adopting a proactive approach to electrical maintenance.

Hidden Electrical Dangers Are Everywhere

Faulty electrical distribution systems are a primary culprit for structure fires in commercial buildings.2 Heat builds up in loose connections or overloaded circuits, and can ignite surrounding materials. Old electrical equipment, aging wiring, or outdated panels can also increase the risk of ignition inside your building.

Advanced Technology Can Help

Using infrared thermography, professionals can see “hot spots,” or heat patterns invisible to the naked eye. In addition to thermal imaging, smart sensors and real-time monitoring systems can track electrical performance and alert you to unusual changes or faults. Plan routine maintenance checks and make necessary updates to help mitigate these dangers before they start a fire.

Additional Electrical Fire Prevention Tactics to Consider:

  • Train employees to identify common hazards, like flickering lights, frayed cords, or warm switches.
  • Test safety systems frequently and ensure your employees know what to do if a fire sparks up.
  • Schedule routine inspections with a licensed electrician.
  • Manage electrical loads to help prevent tripping breakers or overloading circuits.
  • Turn off non-essential appliances when they are not in use (e.g., space heaters, coffee pots).
  • Keep electrical panels accessible.

Federated Insurance® offers a range of fire prevention materials and training program options. Access these resources and more on the Training & Resources page of mySHIELD®.

  1. U.S. Fire Administration. Nonresidential Building Electrical Malfunction Fire Trends (2014-2023). https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/nonresidential-fires/electrical.html. Accessed January 5, 2025.
  2. NFPA. Fire in Industrial or Manufacturing Properties. 2023. https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/fires-in-us-industrial-or-manufacturing-properties. Accessed January 5, 2025.    

Powering Down on Electrical Fire Risks at Your Workplace PDF
Powering Down on Electrical Fire Risks at Your Workplace JPG

This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate, any or all risk of loss. Examples shown are for illustrative purposes only. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for, any laws or regulations that may apply. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. ©2026 Federated Mutual Insurance Company. 

Published Date: February 17, 2026


     The Risk Management Corner is made possible by ECF's Premier Corporate Sponsor 
Federated Insurance


Check out our upcoming events below happening all around Florida!

We invite you to attend any of the events below, regardless of
the chapter. These are great opportunities to network
with other ECF members.

HR Question of the Month

Dating Policies

Question

Our workplace now has two employee couples; these individuals met each other at work and started dating. So far, there have not been any issues in the workplace, but we want to plan for potential issues in the future. Are we allowed to have employee dating policies? If so, what should we consider in such a policy? We do not want to infringe on employees’ privacy outside of work, but we want to make sure we maintain a professional work environment.

Answer

Employers may elect to devise an employee dating policy to help prevent issues in the future and maintain a professional environment. Employers may wish to consider the following points when enacting a policy:

  • Establish guidelines on paper in an employee handbook or memo distributed throughout the company.
  • Specify the preference for dating: not tolerated at all, not tolerated among subordinates and managers, or no preference.
  • Consider requiring subordinates and managers who are permitted to date to sign a contract outlining that the relationship is consensual. This may help protect against future sexual harassment claims.
  • Ask employees to be professional during the relationship and if the relationship ends.
  • Ask that other employees refrain from gossip as a way of respecting the daters’ privacy and maintaining a professional environment.
  • Request that dating employees be discreet and maintain a sense of professionalism in the workplace. Make clear that the relationship must not interfere with the employees’ duties and responsibilities.

Although drafting a policy regarding intra-office dating may be a wise decision, employers should be cautious that policies do not infringe on employees’ right to privacy outside of work. Employers are strongly advised to have legal counsel review any such policy before implementing it in the workplace.

  

Published Date: February 17, 2026


The HR Question of the Month is provided by Zywave®, a company wholly independent from Federated Insurance. Federated provides its clients access to this information through the Federated Employment Practices Network with the understanding that neither Federated nor its employees provide legal or employment advice. As such, Federated does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of the information herein. This information may be subject to restrictions and regulation in your state. Consult with your own qualified legal counsel regarding your specific facts and circumstances.



ECF • P.O. Box 457 Land O' Lakes, FL  34639 • Email: staff@ecf-fl.org • Phone: 813-885-9605 
Cecily Millan 813-918-1624  - Executive Director  Casey Landry  352-586-8286 - Education Director
 Copyright 2026  All Rights Reserved. The Electrical Council of Florida is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.    

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software