Electricians deal with potentially hazardous materials every day, which is why they receive extensive safety training on the proper precautions to take. Here are some tips to help protect you and your work facilities when electrical hazards are present.

3 Safety Training Tips for Working Around Electrical Hazards

1. Electrical Education

Everyone in the workplace should be educated about the risks of electrical hazards on the site, including the latest electrical and safety standards from OSHA, which change frequently. For example, employees must be taught emergency protocols such as pole-top and manhole rescue and be able to distinguish exposed live parts on electric equipment. All electricians should also undergo safety training through supervised scenarios and be licensed to perform tasks before being given access to electrical equipment.

2. Protective Gear

OSHA training for the electric power industry includes access to the personal protective gear workers must wear when handling power sources. This equipment consists of hard hats, face shields, safety glasses, insulating gloves with leather protectors, and flame-resistant clothing. Different workplaces might also require respirators, chaps, and insulating live-line tools such as hotsticks. All electricians must be taught how to don protective gear and use tools. Equipment such as hotsticks should be available near electrical hazards and clearly labeled. Signs should also be posted warning bystanders of electrical equipment and protective barriers built around control panels and power generators.

3. Preventative Maintenance

Trained and experienced personnel should perform frequent visual inspections and testing of electrical systems in the workplace. They should look for warning signs like exposed wires, bent cables, and loose connections while avoiding touching hot conductors or coming into contact with voltage. Keep a log of examination and test results, and any damage found should be reported immediately to management. Preventative maintenance should also include routine inspection and testing of protective gear and equipment.

If your workplace needs safety training for workers around electrical equipment, the specialists at iOn Reliability Training & Consulting in Ewa Beach, HI, offer electrical education and OSHA training. Their team stays up-to-date on the latest OSHA-mandated electrical safety procedures to help companies reduce their risk and liabilities. Call (808) 312-9924 or visit the veteran-owned company online to learn more about their training opportunities.