May is National Electrical Safety Month and it’s just about here. Last year, Safety Director Mike Anderson wrote a series of guest blog posts covering a wide range of safety topics such as near-misses, safety committees, and avoiding electrical hazards. This month is a great time to increase electrical safety awareness and even review some of your safety practices. Education and awareness are two principles that reduce hazards and prevent injury.
Anderson will again write weekly posts throughout the month to celebrate and educate about electrical safety. Let’s take a look at some of last year’s themes.
Do’s and Don’ts. Mike covered generic tips for avoiding electrical hazards. In the United States, electricity is the cause of more than 140,000 fires each year, resulting in 400 deaths, 4,000 injuries, and $1.6 billion in property damage. Total economic losses due to electrical hazards are estimated to exceed $4 billion annually. Following his 10 safety tips could save your life.
Behavior-Based Safety. This applies the science of behavioral changes to real world problems. It focuses on what people do, why they do it, and a research-supported strategy is applied to improve what people do. Nickle implemented a BBS program last year and it has been a major contribution to safety excellence.
Benefits of a Safety Committee. Mike covered five elements of creating a successful safety committee within your organization. It covers setting goals, appointing a leader, and including a diverse group of members.
Don’t Ignore Near-Misses. According to the National Safety Council, 75% of all accidents are preceded by one or more near-misses, minor incidents, or close calls. With effective training, these behaviors and near-misses can be diminished.
Are there any safety topics you hope Mike discusses in the coming weeks?
