The Power of Safety: Electrical Safety for Engineers

Being an Engineer (whether Electrical, Mechanical or Project based), you and I work with electrical equipment either in specification, design and/or hands on. While it's easy to focus on the technical aspects of the task at hand, it's important not to forget the level of danger electricity poses. Electrical accidents can be very deadly, and it's crucial that our teams take steps to protect themselves injury.

Risks In The Know

Before we focus on the safety tips, let's take a second to see the risks of working with electricity. Electrical incidences can cause severe burns, shocks, and even death in some circumstances. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical malfunctions resulted in ~47k home fires each year between 2015-2019, resulting in ~390 civilian deaths and ~1,330 injuries each year. Resulting in a average of $1.5 Billion in property damages annually. It's clear that electrical safety is not something to be swept under the rug. (If your curious, Saturday is the day of the week where the most fires attributed to electrical malfunctions resulted between 2015-2018 : NFPA Research)

Safety First Prize

Safety has to be top priority. Most firms have a Safety Program in place, as part of OSHA compliance, with basic training on electrical safety. All team member should be involved and be familiar with the program and have rigorously follow through. PPE, such as gloves and goggles, and using lockout/tagout procedures when working on electrical equipment is a no brainer to safety protocols.

I Know My Equipment

“Yah gotta know your equipment” said every electrical professional everywhere. Before you start working on a power system, time needs to be taken to familiarize yourself with the components and any potential hazard concerns. Make sure you understand how to safely operate the equipment, especially the emergency shutdowns, and what to do in case of an general emergency.

A Safe Workplace, Is a Safe Back Home Workplace

Besides knowing the project electrical equipment, it's important to keep the work site safe for all team members. This includes keeping the area clean and organized, as well as identifying and labeling potential hazards. Standardized programs like “5S” exist to support your efforts. All panels and equipment must be properly labeled design that there is enough clearance around them for safe operation. Consult both NFPA70 (NEC) and NFPA70E (Electrical Workplace Safety Code) (CEC – Canada) for clearance considerations.

What I Know Today, Is Different Than Yesterday

Finally, keeping up-to-date on the latest electrical safety practices and standards is important. Make sure you're familiar with NFPA70 (National Electrical Code), and NFPA70E (Electrical Workplace Safety Code) (CEC – Canada) and any relevant State or Provincial regulations. Attend training sessions and conferences to stay informed about new developments in the field.

Electrical safety is a critical part of your assignment as an Engineer. By understanding the risks, making safety the focus, knowing the equipment, and making sure the work site is clean, staying abreast on the best practices, you can help prevent electrical incidents and protect yourself and your team.

Remember, Safety First Makes It Real!

References:

• National Fire Protection Association: “Home Fires Caused By Electrical Failure or Malfunction” Campbell (2021)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA Electrical Safety
• National Electrical Code NFPA 70 (NEC)
• Electrical Workplace Safety Code (NFPA70E)
• Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)

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