Electrical Safety Success
I want to discuss the number one difference between safety success – and those that are not. See if you are patterning your safety after the former or the latter.
Successful safety both off the job and on the job all have one thing in common – they all have systems, or sets of procedures that they implement on a consistent basis.
McDonalds is probably the best example of this: every McDonalds franchise you walk into does everything the same way. They hire and train their employees the same way, the food is prepared safely in the exact same way, when they serve food is done the same way.
They have developed safety management systems for every aspect of their business – and when a McDonalds franchise follows the systems that are in place – they make money. There is nothing willy-nilly about what they do.
When it comes to systems there are two important aspects:
- A systemized safety approach and methodology
- Implementation of the safety system
You see you could have all the best systems in the world – but if they are not implemented – they do not work – 100% of the time.
Where most safety in businesses fail is that they are ran using the “seat of the pants” method. Where there is no set system and/or they might have a system but they fail to implement it.
1. A systemized safety approach and methodology
Is having a safety management system with a step by step approach and methodology.
THE FOUR SIMPLE SAFETY PROCEDURES ARE:
1. Hazard Identification Methods
We identify hazards using the following methods:
- Previous experience of formal inspections
- Random observations
- Review of injury statistics
- Review of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s)
2. Site Risk Management
To enable all risks to be eliminated or reduce to an acceptable level, work must not begin until all those involved are familiar with:
- The hazards associated with each task;
- The risk exposure involved; and
- The control measures to be adopted
A job briefing (Toolbox Talk) shall be performed prior to any work being commenced to ensure that all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities.
3. Specific Safe Work Methods
- We identify the following tasks / activities with potential high risks that require specific safe work methods:
- Working with Existing Electrical Systems
- Trenching and Excavation (Road Crossings)
- Trenching and Excavation
- Installing Underground Conduits and Pits
- Installing Cable Support Systems
- Installing Cables
- Installing Switchboards and Heavy Electrical Equipment
- Installing Lights
- Installing Electrical Accessories
- Testing and Commissioning
4. Electrical Safe Work Procedures
We identify the electrical safe work procedure that is suitable for the task and meets local legislation and regulations and carry out the lock out / tag out procedure suitable for the task.
2. Implementation of the safety system
Is to have an action plan with weekly safety meetings, weekly safety inspections and monthly safety audits.
Ensure all aspects of safety are repeatedly addressed over several months such as:
THE FOUR SIMPLE SAFETY PROCEDURES ABOVE.
What is great about systems however is that they are very duplicate-able if you follow a system and implement the system – your chances of success are greatly increased and the business makes money.