Various polls have found that the vast majority of workers are “disengaged” — that is, instead of bringing their A game, they do about the minimum it takes to get by. Since NFPA 70E is more about personal responsibility than it is about mere compliance, this kind of mentality greatly reduces the effectiveness of NFPA 70E implementation. Workers become disengaged for many reasons. Here are some:

• The annual performance appraisal. If your company has this process, exactly how beneficial is it? Does it really make sense that you guide an employee only once a year? Various studies show most employees are demotivated by this process. Consider replacing it with something that is more helpful and less stressful.
• Work that seems trivial or useless. In electrical work, this issue is less common than it is in many other fields. But be on the lookout for tasks that don't serve a real purpose or that the typical electrician doesn't find appealing. Automate, eliminate, or delegate such tasks as much as possible.
• Disregard for worker input. Bill found a problem that is costing the company money. He has told his supervisor six times. Nothing has been done. Jim devised a way to make the maintenance “crash carts” more efficient and useful, but can't get the green light to make the modifications.
• Poor technical support. You have old test equipment, raggedy blast suits, old batteries that don't hold a charge, and company vehicles with nearly bald tires. Any time the employees don't have what they need or what they do have isn't right, you are going to cause disengagement.
• Low standards of decorum. If your shop and offices are dirty, disorganized, or in some other way not “military spic and span” you send a clear message. And it's not a positive one. Dress code, same thing. Create an environment in which people are proud to be part of the company and it shows in how they dress, act, and speak.

For NFPA 70E in particular, treat the standard with as much respect as possible. A safety meeting in which someone says grudgingly, “We have to comply with this” generates one kind of energy. A safety meeting in which someone enthusiastically says, “Let's see how this will help us go home to our families when the work day is done” generates another.