Thursday, February 24, 2011

ELETRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR SUPERVSORS

1. Develop a zero-tolerance policy toward energized work. Get serious about "no hot work." This includes conducting an electrical hazard analysis for energized work.
2. Get out and see what your workers are doing – in the shop or field).
3. Develop checklists or other ways to track who's qualified to perform which tasks (e.g. job-task analyses to provide a blueprint of employees' activities).
4. Train your employees–to be qualified to perform tasks. They must know the construction, operation, and hazards associated with the equipment they're using. Supervisors should be responsible for knowing what employees can do safely.
5. Develop safe work practices and procedures. Practices like energized electrical work permits, clearance procedures, & switching orders can help prevent accidents & can help document that right steps were taken. (Especially important in case of an accident.)
6. Perform periodic safety audits. When workers know they’ll be subject to random audits, they’ll try to maintain safe work procedures & practices.
7. Conduct job briefings any time the scope of the work changes significantly & when new or different hazards occur.
8. Be cautious about implementing safety awards programs, especially if they may discourage accident reporting.
9. Become familiar with NFPA 70E and the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations.
10. Document everything. Show a good-faith effort; OSHA will notice. "If it’s not in writing, you never did it."

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