Many businesses are not aware that OSHA requires a written Lockout/Tagout Program for electrical safety, which is why the absence of this program continues to be one of the OSHA most frequently cited standards.
May is recognized as National Electrical Safety Month by ESFI - Electrical Safety Foundation International. Now is an excellent time to review your workplace Electrical Safety Plan and your Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO) Program to confirm they are current, comprehensive, and effectively protecting your team. However, the month of May is not the only time to act on this.
Many general industry businesses may overlook this requirement because they are not traditionally viewed as high-hazard workplaces. As a result, they may not fully recognize the critical connection between day-to-day maintenance and repair activities and the potential for serious injury from hazardous energy sources. When OSHA evaluates a program, the agency looks for all required elements defined in the applicable OSHA standards and expects that the program has been developed specifically for your operations - not a generic template.
Electrical Safety Policy
All electrical work for a business should be conducted in a manner consistent with existing regulations and with good standard practices. A business’ Electrical Safety Policy establishes standards for most operations. More involved and hazardous operations should have separate Standard Operating Procedures written for their specific situation which could include work that is performed by contractors.
The employer’s responsibilities in the Electrical Safety Policy should include:
º Assessing all work hazards and monitoring that all safeguards are being utilized.
º Ensuring that all employees are properly trained and instructed in the safe operation of electrical equipment and are aware of all hazards associated with the use of these electrical devices.
º Making sure assistance is given for equipment and devices that require unique safety practice instructions.
º Providing any necessary administrative action required to enforce safety practices.
º Defining hazardous operations, designating safe practices and selecting proper application of devices.
º Establishing standard operating procedures for electrical equipment and devices in use.
º Evaluating potential electrical hazards during facility inspections to insure compliance with existing policies and other safety guidelines.
º Supporting hardware and equipment testing, tagging out of unserviceable equipment, and taking corrective action where necessary.
The employee’s responsibilities in the Electrical Safety Policy should include:
º Following the employer’s electrical safety policies and procedures and instructions of responsible supervisor and/or Safety Coordinator.
º Bringing to the attention of the supervisor and/or Safety Coordinator potential hazardous situations such as discrepancies between instruction, procedures, policies and manual, faulty equipment, misapplication of device, etc.
º Reporting electrical equipment known to be malfunctioning and refraining from using this equipment until it is repaired or replaced.
º Safe workplace practices that must be followed by all employees should be detailed in the Electrical Safety Policy, as well as, emergency procedures, emergency removal of tag and lock, reporting requirements for damaged or defective electrical equipment or equipment not operating properly or equipment in wet environments.
Lockout / Tagout (LO/TO) Program
The purpose of LO/TO is to de-energize the equipment, therefore, the employer must assess hazardous energy sources and develop procedures to control the hazardous energy. The employer must recognize that during servicing and/or maintenance of equipment, employees have the potential to be involved in a serious or fatal accident caused by the unexpected start-up of equipment or the release of stored energy.
According to OSHA’s 1910.147 requirement, if you have any employees who perform repairs or preventive maintenance on equipment in your business, then you must develop, document and utilize the control of potentially hazardous energy otherwise known as lockout/tagout.
Read our upcoming blog to learn the key components that your written Lockout/Tagout policy should contain.
Contact SafeLink for assistance in meeting OSHA’s electrical safety requirements.
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