Page 39 - OHS, September 2021

with the proper hard hat and face shield. When considering the right face shield to use, workers should opt for selections that ensure reliable visibility even in poorly lit rooms and anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings to guarantee lens longevity. For all arc flflash PPE, workers should check their gear to make sure it meets required calories per centimeter squared ratings for their environments.
Creating a Safety-First Culture
Across industries that work with electric power, the ultimate goal for electrical safety PPE adoption is to meet 100 percent compliance among workers. To reach this goal and increase use, workers who use PPE daily need to have confidence that their equipment will protect them all shift long without causing discomfort throughout the day. By creating a safety-first culture, employers can instill the confidence needed to better prepare workers to prevent workplace injuries.
The first step in reaching higher adoption rates of electrical safety PPE is making sure workers know how and when to use different tools. Engaging workers in hands-on training sessions about how to ensure their equipment fits and is used properly can promote positive results and a safer working environment.
Knowing which PPE is right for different settings and how to wear it properly is necessary for increased electrical worker safety, but it is not the only way to prevent incidents from workplace hazards. Another necessary component of worker training should focus on how to take care of workers’ gear. To ensure functionality and extend the life span of critical electric safety PPE, daily inspection and regular cleaning is recommended.
For all electrical safety PPE, cleanliness matters to make sure equipment works the way it was intended. Dirt and grease can lower the effectiveness in preventing against electric shock for rubber and protective clothing, so it’s important that excessive dirt and grease do not build up. Electrical workers are also often in environments where they encounter rocks or stones while tending to electrical issues, so PPE should be checked before each use for rips or tears that could hinder performance or render the PPE ineffective.
Lastly, electrical safety PPE only works to its fullest potential when it fits and functions properly. Historically, electrical safety PPE has been bulky, heavy and limits workers’ mobility. To make sure electrical safety workers do not compromise their safety for productivity, more employers are investing in equipment that is designed with the end user top of mind. Manufacturers today are making improvements to the design of their electrical PPE products across the board, from gloves that offer increased agility to perform tasks to clothing that is produced with materials that enhance dry moisture wicking to allow better breathability in the fabric.
As industries move towards electrification for their power sources, electrical workers will be on the front lines to strengthen America’s electrical grid and install and maintain the necessary infrastructure. In doing so, we know that more workers will rely on personal protective equipment geared towards electrical safety, so it is important that they know the proper equipment to turn to in order to help keep them safe.
Kevin Pietras is the Director of Offering Management at Honeywell Electrical Safety Solutions.
www.ohsonline.com
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Circle 6 on card.