Electrical safety terminology 2==due in 3 hours

9/6/2016

1

Creating a Safe Workplace

It’s a People issue

• From 2003-2007, worker contact with electric current in some form resulted in 1,213 fatal workplace accidents…nearly 5% of all workplace fatalities.

• Approximately one person is electrocuted at the workplace every day.

• 2009 EHS Today article based on Electrical Safety Foundation

International (ESFI) study.

It’s a People issue

• Most injuries occur when things are not normal.

• Contact with an electrical energy source is likely to be either a “non-injury” or a fatality.

• Fourth leading cause of industrial fatalities.

Creating a Safe Workplace

1. Electrical Safety Program

– Part of a comprehensive safety program

– Emphasize specific areas of concern

– Developed by safety professionals, technical professionals, and practitioners

– Training and recordkeeping

Creating a Safe Workplace

1. Electrical Safety Program

2. Responsibility and Accountability

– High-level management can either encourage or discourage employees

– Action speaks louder than words

– True accountability must be accepted and embraced – cannot be assigned.

Creating a Safe Workplace

1. Electrical Safety Program

2. Responsibility and Accountability

3. Recognition of Factors of Influence – Electrical safety program only exists if it is written

and available to all employees

– Employee involvement (from all levels within the organization) in the development of the program is important.

– Reviewed regularly and when changes occur.

9/6/2016

2

Creating a Safe Workplace

1. Electrical Safety Program

2. Responsibility and Accountability

3. Recognition of Factors of Influence

4. Measurement Systems

– Measuring injuries is only a reflection of failures, but is commonly used.

Why is a Safe Workplace Needed?

• The Right Thing to Do

– No injuries, lost equipment or production.

– If employers and employees were concerned enough about a safe workplace, we would not need any laws.

– Relationship between employer and employee based on the value of human life.

Why is a Safe Workplace Needed?

• The Right Thing to Do

• Required by Law

– OSHA’s reason for being.

Why is a Safe Workplace Needed?

• The Right Thing to Do

• Required by Law

• Economics

– Increased insurance rates

– Accident investigations

– Ineffective work, worker attitudes

– Legal and medical expenses.

– Doughty, Epperly, & Jones (1991) - Money invested in a safety program was reported to returns 400 percent.

Influencing the Safety Culture

• Culture can often inhibit the acceptance of new ideas or work practices.

• Culture is one of the hardest things to change.

Online Assignment

• D2L – Week 3 – Terminology

• Don’t forget to include a brief citation indicating where you found the definition…that’s half the battle (and credit).