How to Implement an Electrical Safety Program: A Step-by-Step Guide for Your Team

The Implementation Plan:

The following steps outline a process for implementing the Electrical SAFE Program. These steps are based on implementing a program in an organization with some form of existing electrical safety program. The actual steps, order, and effort will vary based on the organization and experience of the workforce.

Step 1: Identify and assign resources for the training and program management functions.
- The trainer(s) should have a strong trade background in a variety of electrical work.

Step 2: Determine a list of personnel whose duties will routinely be exposed to energized electrical circuits. Use first-line supervision to assist in the development of this list.

Step 3: Develop a budget framework addressing the elements included in this document.

Step 4: Determine a plan for procuring the PPE and equipment. A combination of open purchases and contracts to obtain the PPE and equipment may be required.

Step 5: Procure the PPE and equipment for the identified personnel. Note that all people who are trained will not necessarily receive all the equipment and/or PPE. For instance, an Electrical Engineering Technician will receive the training but may not require a LOTO kit.

Step 6: Stand up or modify a Rubber Goods program based on the written documentation and assign an Electrical PPE Coordinator.

Step 7: Conduct training on all SOPs.

Step 8: Issue PPE/Equipment.

Step 9: Stand up OC and support activities related to LOTO (logbooks, etc.).

Step 10: Identify an on-site source for follow-on training and new-employee training.

Step 11: Continuously update training and reviews of the Electrical SAFE Program.

Step 12: Follow up on the planned reviews.

Dear Raghu, Thanks for the inputs on the electrical safety program. Can you please let us know the source of the information? I am missing the initial steps like:

1. Identifying the existing control measures/Opportunities for Improvement (OFIs) through a detailed Electrical Safety Audit.
2. Setting up all the infrastructure requirements needed for implementing the program effectively.

Nice thread started. We can go for a detailed discussion on the entire electrical safety program development for any company in this. Requesting interested forum members to come forward with their inputs/concerns on electrical safety at your workplace.

Regards,

Dear Dipil, it's not copyrighted material, but it's confidential material. I have extracted and posted only a single page. However, I will forward the same to you. You're right; it's one of the valuable documents on the mentioned subject.

One more thing - you can also get the ESAMS link/details on that document. It's worth knowing. In the future, sometimes it will help you.

Regards,

Electrical Safety Audit and Program Implementation

1. Identifying the existing control measures/OFIs through a detailed Electrical Safety Audit.

Who is the competent person to conduct the Electrical Safety Audit? Do they need any verifiable credentials to perform the Electrical Audit as per the Factory Act or any IS standards?

The reason I asked this question is, in OSHA 1910 and 1926, it doesn't require any credentials to perform work in electrical (construction) or inspections. However, in EM 385-1-1, it clearly states the credentials requirements.

For example, if we are doing an electrical inspection in a panel board, what do we need to consider during our inspection, such as circuit drawings?

Is a disconnect switch required for split A/C units during our electrical inspection? If yes, why? If no, what is the other option?

2. Setting up all the infrastructure requirements needed for implementing the program effectively.

Infrastructure is supposed to be a part of all our training programs.

I have a lot of questions on this topic and will update them one by one.

Team, awaiting your inputs.

Request for Information Source

Dear Raghu, thanks for the inputs on the electrical safety program. Can you please let us know the source of the information? I am missing the initial steps like:

1. Identifying the existing control measures/OFIs through a detailed Electrical Safety Audit.

2. Setting up all the infrastructure requirements needed for implementing the program effectively.

Nice thread started. We can go for a detailed discussion on the entire electrical safety program development for any company in this. Requesting interested forum members to come forward with their inputs/concerns on electrical safety at your workplace.

The required PPE and guidelines for safe work should also be included in the SOPs for the tasks to be carried out.

Nice to see your inputs... Let's make it forward...

Inputs on Electrical Safety Questions

1. Competency for Conducting Electrical Safety Audits

Who is the competent person to conduct the Electrical Safety Audits? Do they need any verifiable credentials to perform the Electrical Audit as per the Factory Act or any IS standards?

According to me, a person who has enough expertise in Electrical Systems can conduct the audit. Even if the person does not have an Electrical Diploma or Degree, they can perform the audit if they have good knowledge and experience regarding electrical safety. The Factories Act or IE Rules do not specify any requirements for the auditor.

2. Credentials in OSHA and EM 385-1-1

Reason I asked this question: In OSHA 1910 and 1926, it does not require any credentials to perform work in electrical (construction) or inspections. However, in EM 385-1-1, it clearly states the credentials requirements.

For example, if we are conducting an electrical inspection in a panel board, what do we need to consider during our inspection? E.g., Circuit drawing...

For working on Electrical Installations, certain qualifications are required. As per IE Rules, one needs to obtain an Electrician certificate from the Electrical Inspector of a particular state.

3. Disconnect Switch for Split A/Cs

Split A/C is part of our electrical inspection. Do they require a disconnect switch for Split A/Cs? If yes, why? If no, what is the other option?

During inspection, a disconnect switch is not needed if it is only a visual inspection. However, during maintenance or cleaning, it is crucial to ensure that the power supply is switched off. Typically, the outdoor unit of an AC is on the outer wall of the building while the ON/OFF switch is indoors. Hence, when performing maintenance on the outdoor unit, one must ensure that there is no unauthorized energization. The best option is to switch off the AC, use a lockout on the switch (available in the market), or have a standby person nearby the switch.

4. Infrastructure in Training Programs

Infrastructure is supposed to be a part of all our training programs.

By infrastructure, I mean the protective devices for electrical safety such as RCCB, Relays, Rubber Mats, Non-contact type voltage detector, and many more things that should be incorporated into the existing system to ensure our electrical system is safe.

@Brinda Sherman, Thanks for showing interest in the discussion and sharing your thoughts. Please provide more inputs.

@ All: Please share your thoughts. Let's have a great discussion on Electrical Safety.

I invite everyone to provide their inputs on the questions raised by Raghu. Once discussed, we can move on to other questions. Like Raghu, I also have many concerns about Electricity on my mind. Please share your thoughts.

Regards.