Setting up or refurbishing an industrial or laboratory facility could require making hundreds of decisions.
For busy laboratory or facilities managers tasked with outfitting a workspace with new industrial or laboratory furniture, the buying decision for these workhorses may come down to cost.
The last 15 years has seen a huge influx of cheaper furniture manufactured by overseas companies, particularly from China and Mexico. It is very tempting to purchase lower-cost lab or industrial furniture to save money.
Let’s face it, in the mind of the average purchasing agent, a table is a table, and a workbench is a workbench.
When it comes to safety, nothing could be further from the truth. This is especially the case when electrical components are involved.
If you’re simply looking at the cost and not checking to see whether the industrial benches you’re buying are UL Listed, you could be putting your employees and business at risk. Here’s why.
Not All Products Are Equal
Most labs house sophisticated and expensive equipment. Electrical safety is very important to protect that investment.
When purchasing an industrial workbench, you may focus your budget on features like laboratory work surfaces or storage. It’s critical not to skimp on electrical safety.
When your lab works with sophisticated testing equipment or hazardous chemicals, electrical safety is important. Many workstations and workbenches are outfitted with plugs, data ports, switches and other electrical components. Some of these components will be tested for safety, while others will not.
The last thing you want is for that expensive equipment to become damaged or ruined because of electrical components that short out. Otherwise, all of that expensive equipment could literally go up in smoke.
What Is UL?
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) has been testing products in the United States for decades, and companies must go through a rigorous testing process to be approved.
Products that bear the UL mark have been evaluated for factors like potential fire hazards, electric shock risks and other safety concerns.
When it comes to electrical safety in North America, UL is the Gold Standard. UL is a global independent safety science
company with more than a century of expertise innovating safety solutions. One of the core business functions of UL is the UL Listing.
For manufacturers that are UL certified, they agree to a specific set of guidelines and monitoring. For a manufacturer to apply the UL Listing to their products, that company must agree to rigorous examination, testing and follow-up surveillance of their manufacturing processes, and maintain compliance with nationally recognized safety standards.
Once a company and its products have passed UL Certification, manufacturers agree to routine monitoring and follow up. On a regular basis, UL representatives inspect facilities and products to ensure that companies are not swapping inferior components or shortcutting their assembly processes.
This is your guarantee that every product has been manufactured and assembled with the highest degree of safety.
How Does A Product Get UL Listed?
The process to get UL Listed may look different depending on the industry and product. At Workstation Industries, all of the electrical components in our workbenches are UL Listed. That means:
- UL tests all electrical components for safety.
- We make sure we use all UL electrical parts in industrial workbenches and lab benches.
- UL visits our plant routinely to make sure we use only UL certified components.
- UL tests our workbenches to withstand a certain weight load to ensure they can maintain structural integrity.
- UL also tests our work surfaces to make sure they are fire rates per local codes.
When a company doesn’t pass the safety requirements to become UL certified, they must make corrections and submit a request for testing again for as many times as it takes to get approval. Most companies will spend thousands of dollars to go through the UL certification process. In the end, the UL recognized component mark means a higher level of safety for your workers.
Why You Should Buy UL Listed Products
One of the most significant indicators of safety and reliability in such products is their safety certification.
When a product bears the UL mark, it signifies that it has undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by independent experts to meet stringent safety standards. If you’re updating the industrial furniture in your workspace, opting for UL-listed products offers several key benefits:
- Compliance Assurance: Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable in industries. Choosing UL-listed lab benches or workbenches ensures you’re adhering to industry standards and regulations, mitigating the risk of non-compliance penalties or legal liabilities.
- Enhanced Safety: Employee safety should always be a top priority. UL-certified products undergo comprehensive testing for factors such as structural integrity, electrical safety and chemical resistance, minimizing the risk of accidents, injuries or workplace hazards.
- Reliability and Durability: Investing in UL-listed lab benches or workbenches translates to investing in quality and durability. These products are designed and manufactured to withstand rigorous use in demanding environments, offering long-term reliability and performance.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that the lab benches or workbenches meet stringent safety and quality standards can provide you with peace of mind. It instills confidence in the workplace environment, fostering productivity and morale.
Ultimately, investing in UL-listed lab benches or workbenches is not just about purchasing furniture. It's about prioritizing safety, compliance and peace of mind in the workplace. By choosing products with the UL mark, companies like yours can demonstrate your commitment to the well-being of their employees and the integrity of your operations.
