What kind of Training Program Improves Electrical Safety in the Workplace?

The potential hazards of electricity can sometimes be overlooked which is a crucial error, especially in workplaces which can be home to a vast amount of electrical equipment. A comprehensive electrical safety training course should be a key foundation of training programs within an organization, ensuring that employees working with or around electrical equipment can do so safely in line with regulation. In this article, we discuss some of the key things which should be covered within an electrical safety training program, adaptable to many different business types.

The basics

To ensure everyone within the business has the basis of electrical safety covered, it is always a good idea to refresh on the main basic electrical hazards that are present and what action should be taken. From exposure to electrical shocks from live electrics to the risk of damaged or trailing wiring, enforcing basic maintenance and safety protocols is a necessity within a business.

Case studies

Educating employees on real-life incidents which have occurred in the past is a powerful way to show the consequences of not following safety protocols, utilizing the shock factor. Discussing case studies allows participants to analyze what could have been done differently and take notice of the preventive practices which could help avoid future issues.

Visual demonstrations

To make learning more visual, it is effective to carry out practical demonstrations so participants can see the processes carried out with their own eyes and see their new knowledge visually. The demonstrations may consist of things like ensuring PPE fits correctly, carrying out the lockout/tagout process, or teaching how to use certain equipment. The hands-on experience is proven to stick in the memory better and provides valuable insight into how safety measures can be applied into their workplace.

Workshops

To encourage everyone to get involved, incorporating a hands-on approach helps participants put their new skills to use and boost their confidence. An example of a workshop could be to split the participants into groups and present them with example situations, tasking them to identify the potential hazards and then how this should be resolved. By encouraging them to brainstorm and problem solve, the information from the day is more likely to stick and be brought back into the workplace.

Refresher courses

Continuing to reinforce the contents of the training program over time is a powerful approach which helps to ensure that employees retain and apply their knowledge, keeping up with good practices instead of letting them slip. Electrical safety should be a daily practice so in order to create a safer workplace, all employees must remain proactive and vigilant, taking ownership of their equipment and reporting any issues they may spot. This can be implemented through regular electrical safety refresher courses and the addition of signage throughout the workplace.