Critical safety protocols for international data centre operations
Data centres in the news
It seems that China's DeepSeek AI (Artificial Intelligence) app has recently rattled the USA’s tech industry, causing, for one, chip-designer Nvidia to lose nearly $600bn in market value - the biggest drop in US stock market history.
AI is helping drive the importance of, and investment in, data centres worldwide, so perhaps it’s time for Arinite to consider the health & safety implications?
Have You assessed the risks?
Data centres are essentially rooms packed with racks of computer/server equipment, with copious heat removed by air-conditioning systems. Connecting cables and fibre optic links are routed through false floors underneath the hall(s).
Power is supplied via distribution systems with back-up normally supplied from UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) batteries and onsite diesel generators which fire up during any power outages. Larger, so-called hyperscale data centres can consume as much power as a small town.
Hopefully as an operator, you will have assessed the risks and identified five key categories of hazards as outlined below:
Electrical Hazards:
- High voltage exposure risk from power distribution units
- Static electricity discharge that could damage equipment or cause injury
- Risk of electric shock during maintenance work
- Arc flash hazards from electrical failures leading to fires.
Physical Hazards:
- Heavy equipment handling risks during server installation/removal
- Trip hazards from extensive cable runs and raised floor systems
- False floor tiles removed with no protection around opening
- Potential for falling objects during rack maintenance
- Risk of cuts from sharp metal edges on racks and equipment
- Manual handling injuries from moving heavy servers and equipment
- Eyesight damage from fibre optic lasers.
Environmental Hazards:
- High noise levels from servers and cooling systems that could damage hearing
- Very cold temperatures in certain areas due to intensive cooling
- Poor air quality if ventilation systems are inadequate
- Exposure to dust and particulates from equipment and building systems
- “Hypoxic ventilation” enriches some data hall atmospheres with nitrogen, making fires harder to start – but harder to breathe in.
Chemical Hazards:
- Potential exposure to battery acids from UPS systems
- Fire suppression chemicals dispersing oxygen in the event of system discharge
- Cleaning solvents used for equipment maintenance
- Refrigerant gas escapes from cooling systems if leaks occur.
Ergonomic Hazards:
- Awkward postures when working in restricted spaces
- Repetitive motions during equipment installation/maintenance
- Extended periods of standing on hard surfaces
- Eye strain from working in low-light conditions or at computer workstations.
Key preventive measures:
- Proper PPE including ear protection, safety shoes, and anti-static equipment
- Regular safety training and certification
- Strict access control and work permit systems
- Ergonomic equipment and proper manual handling techniques
- Regular maintenance and inspection of safety systems
- Clear emergency procedures and evacuation routes
- Contact Arinite – some of our consultants have previously worked in data centres!
We now have in 32 counties 32 Locally based Arinite Health and Safety / Fire Safety Consultants that could work with you and your data centres to ensure you are meeting local country health and safety regulations.
Contact us
Arinite clients appreciate we provide practical, no-nonsense advice about what you need to do to establish and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
Our team of health and safety consultants take pride in keeping health and safety simple.
If you need to call upon our expert assistance, or just for an informal chat, please call our office +44 (0) 207 947 9581, or type an enquiry to: https://www.arinite.co.uk/contact-us/.
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