Electrical Safety Programs - Creating A Safe Workplace

Electrical Safety programs are designed to establish minimum electrical workplace standards that will lead to the prevention of hazardous electrical exposures to electrical workers. Also, electrical safety programs are designed to ensure compliance with Federal, State, Provincial and local occupational health and electrical safety regulatory requirements applicable to all electrical systems. The best electrical safety program allows workers to work on de-energized electrical equipment, unless de-energizing introduces an increased electrical hazard or is not practical. Electrical Safety programs are designed to make sure energized electrical work is carried out safely by qualified electrical workers who are properly trained and provided with all appropriate safe work procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE). Electrical Safety programs are intended to protect electrical workers from electrical shock, arc flash burns and other electrical safety hazards.

Electrical Safety programs:

• Establish the safety of electrical workers who may work on or in proximity to electrical equipment
• Make sure that electrical workers understand and comply with all safety standards
• Ensure that electrical workers follow uniform work practices during the progress of their electrical work

Comply with all OSHA Standards according to the following six points:

• Provide and demonstrate they understand electrical safety programs with defined responsibilities
• Determine the degree of arc flash hazard by qualified electrical personnel
• Attach arc flash warning labels on potentially hazardous electrical equipment
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for electrical workers
• Create documented training for electrical workers on Lockout Tagout procedures and the hazards of arc flash
• Arrange appropriate tools for safe electrical work.

Electrical Safety programs state the requirements necessary to develop and develop a solid electrical safety program within their organization. Companies must develop Electrical Safety Programs that incorporate Arc Flash Protection, and the Control of Hazardous Energy and the full range of operational and administrative topics, including regulations, codes, and standards; hazard and task analysis; lockout tagout; personal protective equipment; electrical safety training; auditing; recordkeeping; budgeting; and implementation. In order to make sure electrical Safety programs are effective, the employee and the employer must have a thorough understanding of the electrical safety regulations and how they impact the day to day operations and maintenance activities of the workplace. Each of these regulations, although provided by different authorities, have the same goals in mind; protection of electrical workers and the workplace.

Components of Electrical Safety Programs
Benefits of an electrically safe workplace include fewer arc flash and shock injuries, lower worker compensation costs to the company, reduced equipment interruption, greater protection of equipment and asset investment, and increased productivity. This section will provide you with a detailed blueprint to help you create Electrical Safety Programs that maximize electrical safety and all the benefits they generate.

The Electrical Safety Culture Includes:

• Operational and administrative responsibilties
• Regulations, codes, and standards
• Hazard and task analysis
• Lockout tagout
• Personal protective equipment
• Electrical safety training
• Reporting and Auditing
• Recordkeeping
• Budgeting
• Implementation