But it’s not exactly an easy fireside chat document to read. We must, by design, use certain terms, constructs, and language to maintain consistency and enforceability of the standard. Because of that, it can sometimes be misunderstood or difficult to retain some of the basic beneficial aspects of the standard.
Because we all struggle with the same issue – a shortage of qualified workers in a labor-constrained market- it’s important to remember and not lose sight of the most basic fundamentals of electrical safety, especially the requirements of NFPA 70E. Training and educating our workforce to understand key elements of the 70E is critical to their success and ability to perform their task safely.
But overcoming learning barriers when diving into electrical safety as a technician who often has limited time for training) can be challenging, but entirely achievable, with the right approach. So how does one learn those basic, core aspects of the 70E, especially if you are new to the electrical services industry?
It seems logical that you should follow a process that best suits your learning style, or your employee’s learning style, to maximize your retention of the facts. Here are a few suggestions to make the journey a little more straightforward.
Let’s start with an eight-item list… your learning dashboard, if you will:
1. Commit to a 100% Safety Mindset
2. Prioritize Foundational Knowledge
3. Understand the Available Safety Standards and Regulations
4. Get Practical, Hands-On Experience
5. Figure Out the Best Learning Resources for You
6. Connect with a Mentor
7. Be Consistent in Your Actions and Attitude
8. Read No. 1 Again
No. 1
Commit to a 100% Safety Mindset
They say attitude is everything, and if you don’t have the right attitude when it comes to the hazards of electricity, then we might as well stop right here. Electricity will kill you. Hurt you. Maim you. Remember that each and every day, no matter how complicated or important, how simple the task.
If you understand and commit to a role that places the responsibilities of electrical safety knowledge and understanding on you, then your personal accountability, effort, and willingness to learn should all be in sync with each other. Don’t discount this aspect – it’s on you. It’s just too important not to completely understand this.
Lastly, foster a safety-first mindset. Treat every task involving electricity with respect and caution. Embrace a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating potential hazards before they escalate.
Here’s a good one to learn for an electrical safety mindset: Turn it off!
Article 120.6, Process for Establishing and Verifying an Electrically Safe Work Condition, tells you exactly how to do that. If you don’t learn anything else in the 70E, start and learn this part. It’s that important.
No. 2
Prioritize Foundational Knowledge
You have to know the basics if you are to understand how to deal with them, and it starts with foundational knowledge. You need to understand basic electrical principles and terminology, as this forms the backbone of safety protocols and procedures. Concepts like voltage, current, resistance, and circuit construction are fundamental requirements.
If you don’t know the foundational aspects of electrical safety, the activities you perform throughout the day can cascade into a significant injury event. Here’s a good basic aspect of electrical work to understand, lockout/tagout:
Lockout/Tagout Principles (Article 120):
Before performing maintenance or repairs on electrical equipment, you have to make sure proper lockout/tagout procedures are followed to de-energize the equipment and prevent unexpected energization. As mentioned earlier, article 120 speaks to establishing an electrically-safe work condition, and sections 120.2 through 120.5 detail the principles for the lockout/tagout process and how to safely isolate electrical sources.
3. Understand the Available Safety Standards, Regulations, and Policies
Next, focus on safety standards, regulations, and policies. In addition to NFPA 70E, familiarize yourself with OSHA guidelines, company policies, and local codes. These provide an essential framework and supplemental data for safe work practices in your specific field or job description. While it might seem overwhelming, don’t ever hesitate to reach out to your work peers or supervisors for guidance or clarification on these standards. Also, see Item 6 below, connecting with a mentor.
A good section to understand is the one covering risk assessment and job planning, which can be found in Article 110.
Risk Assessment (110.3(H) and Job Planning (110.3(I)):
Before starting any electrical work, you must assess the risks involved and plan the job accordingly. This includes identifying potential hazards, selecting appropriate tools and equipment, and implementing necessary safety measures.
Article 110.3(H) Risk Assessment Procedure and 110.3(I) Job Safety Planning and Job Briefing provides guidelines for conducting risk assessment and developing a job plan and procedures based on the specific task and environment.
4. Get Practical, Hands-On Experience
Practical experience is invaluable. Whenever possible, observe experienced technicians during your day-to-day activities. How are the good ones doing it? What are their actions and attitudes? Be observant, ask questions, and take notes on their safety practices. Hands-on learning reinforces theoretical knowledge and builds confidence in applying the right safety procedures… ultimately making it better for everyone. The best way to learn is to actually do it.
In concert with hands-on experience, you need to have elements of training. And regardless of your experience level or years of service, you will (or should) never stop learning. Besides practical, hands-on experience, the 70E provides guidance on training requirements in Article 110.4 Training Requirements.
If you go through the various sections of 100.4, you will gain an understanding of the electrical safety training, what it means to be qualified (and importantly when unqualified), the types of training, and what documentation you should keep up with.
Grab a meter, get out in the field, and keep up with your training. You know what you are trained to know.
5. Figure Out the Best Learning Resources for You
Make use of available resources efficiently, and use the resources that are best suited for your learning style. Read that sentence again. Only you know what works best for you, and make sure you gravitate to that learning resource.
It might be an online platform that offers interactive modules or virtual simulations tailored to electrical safety training. It might be books and instruction manuals. Or maybe it is instructor-led training. Whichever method works for you, try to participate as much as you can to expand your knowledge. Many of these can be accessed at your own pace, fitting into your schedule without disrupting work commitments. Management will notice people who take initiative and learn on their own – do that, and you will go far in your career.
6. Connect with a Mentor
For those who have been around a while – you can likely relate to this. Remember that one person in your life who gave you good advice, showed you the ropes and a few “tricks of the trade,” and made you better at what you do? If you were lucky enough to experience this, then pay it forward to a younger person in your organization and give them those same mentorship opportunities.
If you are a younger person starting out, look around you. Who is the person who is a leader, a seasoned professional, someone who does things the right way, management respects, and is a valuable member of your team? Talk to that person, get to know them, help them out without asking, and become a student of their craft. There is no better way to learn how to do things the right way by sharing real-world insights and lessons from an experienced mentor.
An experienced electrical worker can provide great guidance on how to approach energized conductors or circuit parts, and, importantly, what the shock and arc flash protection boundaries are. Become familiar with Article 130.4 Electric Shock Risk Assessment and 130.5 Arc Flash Risk Assessment. These two sections are a treasure trove of important electrical safety information. Take the time to discuss these with your mentor.
7. Be Consistent in Your Actions and Attitude
Consistency is key! You should allocate small, dedicated time slots each week for learning electrical safety topics. Even spending just 15-30 minutes a day can accumulate significant knowledge over time. Read articles, do online research, watch YouTube videos, set achievable goals, and track your progress to stay motivated.
A basic requirement for the electrical worker is to always wear the appropriate PPE based on the hazards you are exposed to. The nominal voltage level of the equipment or surrounding environment, the incident energy level of the equipment you are working on, and other hazards that might be non-electrical all require you to wear the appropriate PPE.
Be consistent in wearing the proper PPE. Don’t leave it in the truck or don't wear it because it’s too hot. Remember, PPE is your last line of defense – don’t be caught without it.
8. Read No. 1 Again
None of the above really works if you don’t remember the first point we talked about – you have to have a 100% safety mindset, all day, every day.
By combining these strategies – building foundational knowledge, understanding the standards and policies, getting practical hands-on experience, figuring out the best way to learn, seeking mentorship, maintaining consistency, and fostering a 100% safety mindset – you can systematically overcome learning barriers and develop the electrical safety skills you need.
Remember: continuous learning and being able to recognize and adapt to changing environments are essential in a field as dynamic as electrical safety.
And also, before working on it – turn it off.