My neighbor asked me to install a new electrical outlet in his master bathroom. He was eventually shocked to learn that I’m not a licensed electrician! OK, that’s an old—and terrible—joke, but it does underscore the importance of safety when it comes to working with electrical current.
In the modern industrial workplace, there are a whole host of skills that workers need to know. No matter how highly skilled a worker might be, however, nothing will matter if the fundamental basics of safety aren’t mastered.
When it comes to safety, one of the most important skills that workers must learn is how to work safely with electricity. According to a FacilitiesNet article by Ashley Beebe, “[w]hen working with electrical distribution systems and components, frontline maintenance technicians and engineers often face the potential for serious injury or death from electrocution or arc flashes, but knowledge of safety tips, procedures, codes and regulations can help technicians and engineers lessen the risk and potential for serious injury or death.”
That’s why, “[a]ccording to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employees must not work near an electric current, any equipment, or a part they may come in contact with while on the job, unless it has been de-energized. If an electric current has not been de-energized, employees must be protected by isolation, insulation, warning signs or other methods.”
In safety training, the control of hazardous energy is often known by its more popular moniker “lock-out/tag-out or LOTO.” According to OSHA, “[p]roper lock-out/tag-out practices and procedures safeguard workers from hazardous energy releases.” Teaching workers hands-on LOTO skills will help them to understand how to properly control hazardous energy and maintain a safe work environment.
For companies looking to improve their safety training, a thorough review of current training materials is a great place to start. Do employees have access to hands-on training with actual components they’ll encounter on the job? If not, partnering with established companies to provide industrial-quality training systems that will stand the test of time will help ensure the continued safety of the workforce.
For example, DAC Worldwide offers a safety training system specifically designed to give employees the hands-on experience they need to master lock-out/tag-out skills. Be sure to check out DAC Worldwide’s Lock-Out/Tag-Out Training System and contact a DAC Worldwide representative to learn how you can improve your training today!
