Many places today use electricity power for operations. However, this power has proved how extremely hazardous it can be when people fail to handle it properly. Many electrical workers understand the daily risks of shocks, burns, electrocution, and arc flash.
Every year, there are 30,000 reported cases of shock incidents. Proper electrical safety training is essential for anyone working on or around electrical systems to reduce this number. Follow these four essential guidelines to ensure your training program is effective.
1. Cover All Relevant Safety Standards
Thorough electrical safety training must align with all applicable regulations, codes, and standards. The standards are OSHA, NFPA 70E, and any state or local requirements. The training should cover electrical hazards, safe work practices, maintenance procedures, use of PPE, and all guidelines within these standards.
Make sure also to include any industry-specific regulations for electrical safety. Don’t settle for anyone calling themselves a trainer. Work with a qualified instructor to ensure the training encompasses the full scope of relevant safety standards for your electrical workers.
The reason? The standards reflect new technology, equipment, and knowledge, while non-adherence results in fines.
2. Tailor Training to the Audience
Not all electrical workers require the same level of training. What are the learners’ knowledge, duties, and hazard exposure? Consider this when developing training programs. But ensure qualified electrical workers, such as licensed electricians, receive advanced training on troubleshooting, lockout, and arc flash protection.
Less experienced workers may still need training to recognize primary electrical hazards and follow safe procedures. Continually assess your workers’ skills and duties first when designing electrical safety training.
3. Include Hands-On Exercises
The most effective electrical safety training balances classroom learning with hands-on skills practice. Use practical exercises to apply key learnings like inspecting PPE and tools.
Hands-on practice allows workers to learn techniques like lockout/tagout, proper PPE inspection, arc flash gear use, voltage testing, etc. This builds muscle memory and skills competency.
Moreover, allowing workers to get comfortable with safety procedures and equipment through practice instills confidence in their abilities. This makes them more likely to follow the proper protocols on the job.
Hands-on application reinforces topics and allows workers to develop vital electrical safety skills. Provide exercises relevant to their daily responsibilities to emphasize safety training.
4. Conduct Regular Refreshers
Electrical safety training for your team shouldn’t be a one-time event but an ongoing program. With technology and electrical safety procedures constantly evolving, workers need continuous training. Continued training ensures workers are up-to-date on the latest regulations and best practices.
Refreshers are critical to keep safety in mind and update workers on new equipment, procedures, or regulations. An annual refresher training is a minimum recommendation for all electrical workers. But for higher-risk environments like Arc Flash level 4 sites, conduct refresher training at least every six months. Make training a continual culture of safety, not just a checkbox.
Following Electrical Safety Training Best Practices
Provide engaging electrical safety training to give your team the knowledge and skills to work safely with electricity daily. Prioritizing electrical safety training demonstrates your commitment to their health and safety. Ensure that you partner with a qualified training program that will ensure you tick both boxes: compliance and safety.
