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Electric Power >> Hazard Assessment and Job Briefing
Hazard Assessment and Job Briefing
Hazard assessments are required to identify and address existing conditions that
pose actual or potential safety hazards. Once identified, hazards can be
eliminated or otherwise addressed by using (1) engineered design changes, (2)
procedural/administrative controls (such as lockout/tagout (LOTO)), (3) personal
protective equipment (PPE), (4) insulating protective equipment (IPE), or (5)
other appropriate means or a combination of methods to protect workers from
safety hazards. (See also: Hazardous Energy Control.
OSHA's hazard assessment requirements that affect electric power workers
include:
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See: 1910.269(a)(3) on existing conditions that must be communicated to
workers |
- The "269" standard, which requires that before any work begins, current
worksite conditions that could affect safety be identified. This includes
potential hazards associated with a task, such as electrically-related exposures
(for example, contact and flash), as well as anything occurring or present in
the general area that could present a hazard. Other typical hazards that need to
be addressed include hot or cold pipes, nearby work done by others, moving
traffic, weather conditions, confined/enclosed spaces, falls, trench cave-ins,
pole-top and manhole rescue needs, and other activities or conditions that could
present a hazard. (See 1910.269(a)(3))
- And 1910.132, which requires that employers complete a hazard assessment to
identify the potential hazards to eyes, face, head, feet, and hands and the
personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for a task. Most utilities have
already addressed this requirement and implemented general policies and
procedures for wearing hard hats, safety shoes, safety glasses, gloves, hearing
protection, etc. (See 1910.132(d) and (g))
Job Briefings. Once the hazards have been identified through a hazard
assessment, workers must be made aware of such hazards and how they will be
addressed. (See 1910.269(c).) This hazard information is
provided to workers through required job briefings, which supplement any
employer-provided training. Job briefings, also known as "tailboards" or "toolbox talks," communicate any existing or potential hazards to workers
before a job begins or if hazards or potential hazards are discovered while
working. If unanticipated hazards are discovered, work must stop, a new hazard
assessment must be conducted, and a new job briefing held before work resumes.
Job Briefings and Best Practices
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Insulating Protective Equipment (IPE)
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