A number of years ago I was introduced to the Burn Foundation
(http://www.burnfoundation.org/ )
through the Hospital Fire Marshal’s Association (http://hfma-safety.org/specialprograms.html
) As Director, Facility Management my responsibilities at the time included not
only fire safety and life safety system for the facility, but also to provide
fire safety training for seniors in a CCRC.
While working with the Burn Foundation on some senior fire safety training initiatives I learned at the time they just completed a Contractor Safety DVD, Contractor Safety Preventing Electrical Injuries in conjunction with PECO Energy an Exelon Company. The DVD is a 20 minute presentation that primarily addresses electrical safety for all trades which I highly recommend.
The reason I find the video extremely useful is that it also
chronicles the story of an electrical utility company employee, who is
an electrical burn survivor and the consequences of not following the basic safety
rule “Test before Touch”. He came in
contact with an energized 7,000 volt utility line, subsequently tripping a 140
amp fuse.
I use this video as an annual in-house electrical training refresher
and in all of the various HVAC / Electric training programs I am associated
with. All training programs should
include relevant safety training. No matter how many times I watch this video,
when it gets to this portion I find it hard to watch. His unfortunate experiences
really drive home the importance of electrical safety.
Electrical Safety Month
May is Electrical Safety Month; I highly recommend
incorporating the Burn Foundation’s Contractor Safety Preventing Electrical
Injuries into electrical safety training programs. May is a good month for
electrical safety awareness since summer is approaching. Plans for IR scans of
electrical distribution systems and panels should be formulated now. In theory,
in a few short weeks depending on location, systems will be experiencing higher
electrical loads. When loads are lower, problems are harder to detect.
Bus Duct Fault @ 800 Amp Bus Plug
