Preventing electrical accidents by following best practices for safe work environments will help everyone get home at the end of the day.
Now is a good time to review some of the best practices. In this overview, we discuss why electrical safety is so important, common causes of electrical injuries, the best ways to prevent electrical injuries, the role of quality workwear in injury prevention, and creating an overall safety culture in the workplace.
The critical importance of electrical safety
The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI) notes that contact with or exposure to electricity is a leading cause of workplace deaths and injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported 1,322 workplace deaths related to electricity between 2011 and 2022.
Focusing on electrical safety in the work environment directly impacts the success and safety of projects. We all want everyone to get home safely at the end of the day. This means recognizing how important electrical safety is.
Security is not an afterthought. Especially when working with the tremendous power of electricity. Serious injuries and fatal accidents can occur when working with or near live lines or parts. There is a very real risk associated with arc flash, missing/removed lockout/tagout (LOTO) safety devices, and contact with power lines.
There is a long history in the industry of exposing individuals to hazards resulting in burns, electrocution, electrocution, and explosions/fires. Electrical safety keeps people healthy and happy at work. Implementing and adhering to best practices and standards helps keep everyone safe.
Common Causes of Electrical Injuries in the Workplace
According to a recent NFPA report, U.S. workers in private industry and public administration suffered 2,380 non-fatal electrical injuries in 2020. Electrical injuries and deaths can be attributed to any of the following common causes:
● Unsafe equipment or installation,
● Unsafe environment and/or
● Unsafe work practices.
This suggests that most (if not all) electrical injuries are preventable. Eliminating the risks that lead to electrical injuries is critical by creating a culture of safety and following best practices for safe work environments. This includes an emphasis on proper insulation, grounding, guards and electrical protection devices, as well as quality work clothing.
Best practices prevent electrical injuries
What are the best methods for preventing electrical damage? Let’s dive into some of them next.
Safety education and training
To create a safety culture from the top down, you need to focus on safety education and training in the workplace. It begins with developing and adhering to an electrical safety program. This includes establishing written safety procedures to help prevent electrical injuries.
Establish policies and provide training for qualified and unqualified personnel. This includes an emergency plan, training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
When working in live environments where there are risks to all components involved in that environment, personnel must be trained to assess and plan appropriate safety practices, equipment and supplies. Safe work practices can be implemented to assist staff in using proper insulation, grounding, guards and electrical protection devices, as well as good quality work clothing
The electrical safety program book based on NFPA 70 (OSHA standards and requirements). These are great resources to help develop a safety program as well as education and training.
Compliance with NFPA 70E
Creating a safe work environment has a direct impact on saving lives and preventing injuries. It also prevents business interruptions, protecting investments and uptime.
The NFPA 70E, Standard for electrical safety in the workplaceDeveloped by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), helps companies and individuals prevent workplace injuries and deaths caused by electrocution, electric shock, arc flash and explosions.
NFPA 70E is a detailed resource to help organizations develop their own security programs and procedures as described above.
Plan for security
Before any work is carried out, advance planning with customers to better understand the environment and working conditions will help develop the safest approach.
By planning ahead, the risk of injury can be avoided. In this way, the devices and conductors can be placed in an electrically safe working condition, requirements can be met at an early stage and the entire team can approach the project in a targeted manner.
Risk assessments
Hazards such as exposed electrical wiring, overloaded circuits, faulty equipment, inadequate grounding, and damaged infrastructure pose risks.
Conduct thorough assessments of the work environment to ensure conditions and situations that may pose a risk are identified.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Special equipment and equipment, or PPE, creates a safe work environment when it comes to electricity.
When working with electricians, workers wear insulated gloves, safety glasses, arc flash suits, and face shields. This personal protective equipment protects against electric shock, arc flash, and more.
For a safe approach, use voltage-resistant tools such as insulated screwdrivers. Insulating protective equipment (IEP) also plays a role in efforts to protect workers from electrical hazards in the workplace.
How high-quality work clothing prevents injuries
When working with or near electrical hazards, PPE specifically designed for electrical safety is the last line of defense against potential injury. OSHA-compliant work clothing is critical to injury prevention. American manufacturers are the safest way to meet these standards.
The most important electrical protective equipment includes:
● Insulated gloves and sleeves
● Clothing with arc protection
● Face shields and hoods
● Dielectric footwear
● Safety glasses
High-quality PPE is customized and available in a variety of sizes so everyone gets the right fit. When it comes to quality workwear that prevents injuries, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Here are three ways to use electrical PPE in the workplace:
- Carry out risk assessments: Identify the specific electrical hazards present to determine the appropriate level of PPE required.
- Training and education: Ensure workers know how to properly use, maintain and inspect their protective equipment.
- accessibility: Provide easy access to necessary PPE for all employees involved in electrical work, highlighting its importance in daily operations.
Creating a culture of safety in the workplace
Everything we have discussed here is about creating a culture of safety in the workplace. Nothing stands alone – all best practices and approaches work together. When safety is a core value of a company, it is normal for every employee to recognize the importance of safety for themselves and everyone around them.
Create a culture of safety in the workplace by:
- Development a security program and its compliance;
- provision of training;
- Inclusion of all employees, both qualified and unqualified;
- Consistent communication and access to operational/security reports;
- And create awareness by celebrating successes.