Are Technician Certification Programs a Worthwhile Investment?
OSHA has provided the industry with mandated requirements for the training and qualification of employees. Besides OSHA mandates, there are also many other benefits to having well- trained and qualified employees. It has been proven that the most effective training programs include a combination of lecture and hands-on instruction.

Electrical Hazards Analysis
As the awareness of electrical hazards increase many are puzzled by phrases like "Limited", "Restricted", "Prohibited Approach Boundary", and "Flash Protection Boundary". This article will address the requirements to perform the "Shock Hazard Analysis" and the "Flash Hazard Analysis" required by the NFPA 70E-2004, Section 110.8(B)(1), "Electrical Hazard Analysis" as well as the "Blast Hazard Analysis" and personal protective equipment requirements.

Electrical PPE 101
Do you need to protect your workers from electrical hazards while working on energized equipment? How do you figure out what you need? The National Electrical Safety Code (for utilities) and the NFPA 70E (for industry) try to make selection easier. But, in the end, virtually every facility needs an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis done there is no way around it. BUT, if you have not completed your Arc Flash Hazard Analysis yet, what do you do? In this short document, we try to give you some guidance on how to select PPE in the meantime.

Electrical Safety and Maintenance Training
There is nothing more important to an electrical safety program than to have a staff of technicians who have been properly trained and who are qualified to do their jobs efficiently and safely.

Electrical Safety in Battery Maintenance and Testing
There are specific hazards associated with working on or near batteries and associated equipment. This article addresses the most common issues associated with performing maintenance and testing on various types of batteries, battery rooms and service areas.

Electrical Safety in Motor Maintenance and Testing
Working on motors has the same requirements as any other work that involves working on or near exposed energized and deenergized parts of electrical equipment operating at 50 volts or more. Learn what they are and how they affect motor maintenance and testing!

Electrical Safety in the Mining Industry
In resolving the issues in electrical safety in the mining industry, a path must be followed that will lead to a comprehensive analysis of the problems and hazards that exist or may exist and provide a quantified value to ensure the selection of appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing as well as safe work practices and procedures. Analysis of all three hazards: electrical shock, electrical arc flash, and electrical arc blast must be completed and steps taken to prevent injuries and fatalities.

Electricity - The Silent Killer
Electricity is often referred to as a "silent killer" because it cannot be tasted, seen, heard, or smelled. It is essentially invisible. Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to electrical shock, which can result in electrocution, serious burns, or falls that result in other injuries or even death.

Establishing an Electrical Safety Program
Establishing an effective electrical safety program is vital to the safety of employees. The employer is required to develop and implement an electrical safety program that addresses employee exposure to each specific hazard that exists. This program and the related training must be appropriate for all existing conditions and is required to be written, published and available to all employees who might be exposed to the hazards.

How to Develop an Effective Training Program
The typical method utilized for developing an effective training program is the "Systematic Approach to Training" or SAT, which utilizes the "Instructional Design System" or ISD methodology for performing the analysis, design development, implementation and evaluation for a training program in order to meet the specific needs of a company. The ISD provides a systematic procedure for identifying the job-related skills and knowledge necessary for performance-based training.

Protective Devices Maintenance and Arc Flash Hazard Implications
Preventative electrical maintenance is not only important for the reliability and integrity of electrical distribution systems, but also for the safety and protection of people. This paper addresses: Guides for maintenance and testing of circuit breakers and protective relays, failure statistics, and flash hazard implications.

Rail Transit Systems and Arc Flash
As population centers grow and expand into the suburbs these systems are experiencing pressures to expand. System operators have long been keenly aware of the need to keep the trains moving and the role reliable electricity plays in that mission. Trains that fail, in-transit,present significant safety and rider convenience issues, as well as expensive recovery efforts. This critical emphasis provides incentive for management to perform electrical procedures and repairs without taking down the power (de-energizing).

The Hazards of Electricity - Do You Know What They Are?
Electrical accidents are largely preventable through safe work practices. But, you must know the three hazards of electricity and their characteristics. If you can't STAY OUT OF THE CIRCUIT, know how to properly protect yourself!