Poor communication on the job is one of the major contributing factors attributed to workplace safety incidents. In fact, the safety professionals tell us poor job panning and job briefings are contributing factors to as many as 80% of workplace accidents!
OSHA requires all jobs, including electrical, to be assessed for any hazards that might be present. Many employers already use documentation, such as the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to assess the hazards. However, because of the uniqueness of the electrical hazards, electrical job safety planning is a requirement and must be documented.
In this EC&M Tech Talk Randy Barnett breaks down the requirements and walks through a typical electrical job of replacing a breaker in a panelboard. The demonstration makes it obvious a written plan is needed if dangerous errors are to be avoided.
The Tech Talk is broken down into four topics:
- Compliance issues
- The Job Safety Plan
- The Job Briefing
- Tie it All Together – a walkthrough
Streamlining electrical job safety planning, and carrying out effective job briefings, (even if you work alone!) can significantly reduce the chance of an incident.
About the Author
Randy Barnett
CESCP
Randy Barnett is a master electrician, ICC Commercial Electrical Inspector, NFPA-certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional and has worked as an electrician and technician in nuclear and coal-fired power plants, government nuclear research facilities, and in industrial maintenance and construction. He is the author of Commercial and Industrial Wiring – American Technical Publishers, numerous articles, and the producer of a monthly Tech Talk video series for EC&M Magazine. Randy provides training and program development services for clients such as, NTT Training, ABB, American Polywater, Socomec, and Schneider Electric. Randy can be reached at www.randybarnett.net.