Electrical Safety Risk Assessment (Page 6 of 6) in pdf

Protective Measures

The appropriate protective measures include the following:

(1) Elimination

(2) Substitution

(3) Engineering controls

(4) Awareness

(5) Administrative controls (Procedures)

(6) Training

(7) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

(8) Mitigation

Examples:

Elimination: Eliminate the hazard. Turn the equipment off and verify a safe work condition.

Substitution: Think through the entire procedure and substitute methods and procedures that constitute lower risk.

Engineering Controls: Engineering controls can have a substantial impact on risk. They should, where practicable, be

considered and analyzed. Typically, engineering controls take the form of barriers and other safeguarding devices such as

GFCI protection, zone selective interlocking, differential relaying, energy reducing maintenance switches, high resistive

grounding and current limiting devices.

Awareness: Awareness means can be used to complement the effects of engineering controls with regard to risk

reduction. They should be chosen based on the design configuration for each specific application and their potential

effectiveness during foreseen interaction. Each design and configuration can require unique awareness devices in order to

have the desired impact on risk. Typically, awareness means take the form of signs, visual alarms, audible alarms, and so

forth.

Administrative Controls (Procedures): Procedures and instructions that are required for individuals to safely interact

with the electrical system should be identified. The procedures and instruction should include descriptions of the hazards,

the possible hazardous events, hazardous situations, and the protective measures that need to be implemented. Procedures

and instructions should also be used to communicate foreseeable misuse of the system that could contribute to an

increased level of risk. Typically, formal procedures are provided in written form; however, in some cases, verbal

instruction can be provided. Care should be taken in the latter case to ensure that the verbal instructions will have the

desired impact on risk.

Training: Training, with regard to the proper interaction and for foreseeable inappropriate interaction with the electrical

system, must be completed. The intent of the training is to ensure that all affected personnel are able to understand when

and how hazardous situations can arise and how to best reduce the risk associated with those situations. Typically, training

for individuals interacting with electrical systems will include technical information regarding hazards, hazardous

situations, or both as well as information related to potential failure modes that could affect risk. This type of training

generally will be provided by a trainer who has an in-depth understanding of electrical system design, as well as

experience in the field of adult education. Less technical training content could be appropriate in situations in which only

awareness of electrical hazards is needed to ensure that unqualified personnel do not interact with the electrical system.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The electrical system must be analyzed in order to determine the appropriate

PPE. Once the appropriate PPE has been determined, personnel must maintain and use it as required in order to ensure

that residual risk remains at the desired level. PPE is the last line of defense.

Mitigation – Emergency procedures. Identify who is going to provide assistance and summon help if needed.

Electrical Safety Risk Assessment Page 6