Exposing Electrical Safety Myths

September 23, 2016

Resource: Blog Industry: AEC

Tags: Architecture and Design, Online Training

Electrical issues present inherent risk, and consequently, are among the most common safety challenges for AEC and industrial organizations. Companies can’t afford to cut corners when it comes to electrical safety and must look past longstanding myths that come with the topic.

Moving past myths
A study from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) found that many myths pervade when it comes to electrical system safety, and companies must carefully consider the reality of safety best practices to avoid problems. Issues brought up by the study included:

• Neglecting to train everyone who may interact with electrical systems. It isn’t enough to just train electricians and electrical engineers and hope you’ll be covered.
• Assuming that years of experience ensure that a professional understands how to stay safe. Changes in electrical equipment, technology, best practices and codes and standards make continued training essential.
• Thinking that OSHA will only pursue litigation against an organization when a safety problem arises. Instead, OSHA will recognize when an individual bears some personal responsibility for a safety incident and respond accordingly.
• Considering a facility safe and up to standards because it complied with older regulations and has not been changed. Some past regulations have allowed for being grandfathered into compliance in this way, but this is not true in many cases as regulators handle newer standard enforcement differently.

These myths themselves are important, but perhaps more notable is a common theme – continual improvement is needed.

Electrical safety training key as standards constantly evolve
New technologies, improved materials, changes to labeling practices and similar developments can all put a strain on your staff, regardless of their experience. Protecting against risk requires continual improvement.

For more information on electrical safety training, preview RedVector’s 2015 NFPA 70E – Significant Changes course.

Source

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261041260_Electrical_safety_myths_and_facts