Safety and compliance gaps persist in 98% of sites, Schneider Electric warns
Iain Hoey
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Schneider Electric warns of hidden risks to safety and compliance
Schneider Electric has called on organisations to take immediate action against what it describes as the “Silent Saboteur” – a set of overlooked operational risks that quietly undermine safety, compliance and efficiency.
According to the company, findings from audits of more than 400 customer sites worldwide show that most organisations face vulnerabilities that could lead to serious financial and reputational damage.
The data forms part of Schneider Electric’s latest Industry Insight Report, which outlines common safety and operational weaknesses identified across global facilities.
Report finds widespread electrical safety gaps
Schneider Electric said that 98% of audited sites showed electrical safety risks, while 93% had not completed a recent protection coordination study.
The company explained that these lapses could leave organisations open to electrical incidents and breaches of regulatory compliance.
The report also found that 79% of sites were operating with obsolete electrical equipment, increasing the likelihood of unplanned downtime and expensive repair cycles.
According to Schneider Electric, 71% of facilities lacked access to essential spare parts, raising concerns about resilience during failures or maintenance periods.
Maintenance and visibility issues compound risk
The company noted that nearly a third of audited sites had damaged or poorly maintained capacitor banks.
These conditions can lead to unstable power quality and performance issues that further erode system reliability.
Schneider Electric said that many organisations still rely on manual monitoring and disconnected data systems, limiting their ability to detect faults before they escalate.
Kas Mohammed, Vice President for Services UK&I at Schneider Electric, said: “Too often, organisations focus on headline investments while overlooking the operational fundamentals that keep their business running.
“The real risk lies in the hidden faults – those silent saboteurs – that quietly erode efficiency and resilience.
“The good news is increased monitoring and digitalisation of assets stops the saboteur lurking in the shadows, and organisations can be on the front foot when it comes to managing their operations.”
Digital tools key to preventing compliance failures
Schneider Electric stated that increased use of digital asset management and condition monitoring can help businesses reduce unplanned downtime and prevent safety incidents.
The company said that by modernising electrical infrastructure and improving visibility of equipment health, operators can reduce exposure to compliance breaches and operational losses.
It added that the findings underline the value of proactive maintenance strategies and data integration across industrial systems.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
For electrical engineers, facility managers and compliance officers, the findings highlight how deficiencies in equipment maintenance and protection studies can directly affect workplace safety.
Fire-safety professionals responsible for industrial or commercial sites may find the data relevant when assessing electrical fire risk linked to outdated or poorly maintained systems.
The report’s evidence on missing spare parts and limited operational monitoring is also pertinent for those managing business continuity and emergency response planning.
Increased asset digitalisation and predictive maintenance may support improved resilience, ensuring that faults are detected before they lead to electrical failures or safety incidents.
