Every year, the company continues to sharpen its focus on all safety-related policies and procedures, ensuring each employee is sent home unharmed at the end of the day. Initiatives like the Behavioral-Based Safety Program, Safety Shadow Program, Safety Committee, and others are key components to reaching this goal every year.

Additionally, 2016 marked a year of more safety-related videos. From ladder safety, to smoke detectors, to temporary power, and lock-out/tag-out, our YouTube page contains resources for staying safe in both your home and workplace. Check it out here.

Safety runs through the veins of Nickle employees. They live and breathe it on the job sites every day. Their dedication and commitment cannot be disputed. We’re looking forward to another safe year.

For more information about Nickle’s safety principles, processes, and training, please visit the Safety tab on our website.

The post Nickle employees mark 7 years without a lost-time accident appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

The post Smoke Detector Safety appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

1. 2014 Year in Review – Published December 31, 2014

Our recap of last year was super popular, claiming the top spot. Readers caught up on Nickle’s events, accomplishments, and other news for the entire year. Stay tuned, we’ll published one that covers 2015 next week.

2. 6 characteristics of a productive toolbox talk – Published December 19, 2014

Coming in at No. 2 is a another 2014 post about making the most out of your regular toolbox talk meetings. Managers at Nickle hold toolbox talks every week to keep safety top of mind. But sometimes these regular meetings can get stale. This post gives advice on making them more engaging.

3. Don’t ignore near misses – Published May 28, 2014

This was part of our Electrical Safety Month Series in May 2014. Safety Director Mike Anderson did a great job of highlighting the importance of paying attention to those near misses and how you can learn from them to improve safety.

4. Nickle Elite honored for longtime dedication – Published November 13, 2015

In November, 65 Elite members were recognized for their commitment to Nickle Electrical. The Elite are employees who have been with the company for five years or more. A celebration was held at Dover Downs. This post includes a video of the event!

5. OSHA standards & NFPA 70e regulation changes – Published May 13, 2015

This went along with our Electrical Safety Month Series in May of this year. Many changes were made to standards and regulations. In this post, Safety Director Mike Anderson outlines some of the major changes.

6. Yes, electrical wire colors do matter – Published June 11, 2015

Who would have thought all those colors actually meant something?! Here you’ll learn exactly what each color of that wire rainbow means.

7. Nickle shines at local excellence awards dinners – Published November 24, 2015

Typically one of our most popular posts every year, we highlight the projects that were given Excellence in Construction awards. The list for 2015 includes Ocean City Convention Center, Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, and DSU OSCAR Lab.

8. How does your electrical panel work – Published June 5, 2015

For most homeowners, that panel in your basement, garage, or utility closet means absolutely nothing. It’s a confusing yet essential part of your home. This post gives you a basic understanding of what the panel contains.

9. Skills reinforced at continuing education class – Published October 4, 2013

Nickle management hosts a number of continuing education classes each year, giving employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the industry. This post about conduit bending is still popular, though the class took place two years ago.

10. 15 ways to boost employee morale and one way not to – Published September 10, 2015

It’s likely that the “one way not to” pulled most readers in, as this post came in at No. 10 on our list of top blog posts.

Of course, we will continue to update the Nickle blog every week (or almost every week) in 2016, so keep visiting for more information, news, and fun events.

The post Top Nickle blog posts of 2015 appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

The NFPA 70E is a national consensus safety standard published by the NFPA primarily to assist OSHA in preparing electrical safety standards. Federal OSHA has not incorporated it into the Code of Federal Regulations.

OSHA bases its electrical safety standards on the comprehensive information found in NFPA 70E. It focuses on protecting people and identifies requirements that are considered necessary to provide a workplace free of electrical hazards. The OSHA regulations and NFPA standards work so well together it’s been said that OSHA provides the “shall” while NFPA provides the “how.”

For example, OSHA mandates that all services to electrical equipment be done in a de-energized state. Working live (or working in an energized state) can only be done under special circumstances. NFPA 70E defines those special circumstances and sets rigid electrical safety limits on voltage exposures, work zone boundary requirements, and necessary personal protective equipment.

In 2015, the NFPA released the tenth edition of the 70E standard for electrical safety in the workplace based on the 2014 NFPA 70 (NEC) Code. The previous edition was published in 2012 and there are significant differences between the two.

The 2015 edition reflects a major shift in how electrical risk is evaluated. In previous editions, risk was established by performing a shock and arc flash analysis that would quantify the risk. Moving forward, the new edition streamlines the requirements for arc and shock protection and outlines revised program requirements with emphasis on risk assessment—now called a flash risk assessment. This means the potential for harm is now based on the combination of severity and the likelihood of failure. The flash risk assessment addresses hierarchy of controls, such as electrical installation (engineering controls) and work practices.

Below are highlights of the remaining changes from the 2012 to the 2015 edition.

1. Safety-related maintenance requirements were added to clarify that training and auditing are equally important.

2. All references to bare-hand work were removed.

3. A new definition of “energized electrical work permit” was added and the definition of “qualified person” was revised.

4. Prohibited approach boundary was deleted.

5. An electrical safety program must now include elements that consider condition of maintenance.

6. Audits of field work must be performed at intervals not to exceed one year.

7. The location, sizing, and application of temporary protective grounding equipment must be identified.

8. New requirements clarifying where normal operation of electric equipment is permitted were added.

9. Clarification was added that either the incident energy analysis method or arc flash PPE category method be used on the same piece of equipment for the selection of PPE, but not both.

10. Labels must be updated when the arc flash hazard risk assessment identifies a change that renders the existing label inaccurate.

11. Additional text now provides the user with a boundary to the existing requirements in 130.6(D).

12. A new “yes or no” format task-based table was added to determine when arc flash PPE is required.*

13. A new arc flash PPE category/equipment-based table was added for determining the arc flash PPE category.

14. Hazard/risk category 0 from Table 130.7(C)(16) will now be referred to as PPE category.

15. The criterion for employees to use insulated tools or handling equipment has been changed from the limited approach boundary to restricted approach boundary.

16. Barricades cannot be placed closer than the limited approach boundary.

17. An electrician must perform a risk assessment if the likelihood of contacting energized electrical lines or parts exists.

18. There are clarifications that the equipment owner or designated representative is responsible for maintenance of the electrical equipment and documentation.

19. New maintenance program for test instruments must include functional verification.

20. Risk assessment must be performed prior to any work on a battery system.

*NFPA added the new task-based table (referenced in #12 above) to utilize a simple yes-or-no format to determine if arc flash PPE is required. If yes, the new equipment-based table (referenced in #13 above) is then used to determine the flash PPE category (previously known as hazard risk category) and arc flash boundary. Finally, to determine PPE needed, the newly modified category table referenced in #14 above is used.

Nickle Safety – It’s How We’re Wired

Mike Anderson, CHST

Safety Director

The post OSHA Standards & NFPA 70E Regulation Changes appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

• First, create a fire escape plan and a designated meeting place outside. Then practice that plan. You can even keep a ladder on the upper floor of your home in you case you need to exit from that level.
• You should have smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom. Make sure you test them on a regular basis and change the batteries twice per year.
• Have a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach spot in the kitchen and learn how to use it.
• Child-safety wallplates and tamper-proof outlets will keep tiny fingers out of empty outlets. There are also plastic outlet caps you can place in empty receptacles.
• Switch locks can be installed to prevent children from accidentally turning appliances and lights on and off.
• All cords should be kept out of reach to the best of your ability. Children tend to chew on just about anything they can get their hands on.
• Electronic toys should be checked frequently for damage.
• Nightlights will help your child feel safe at night but should be kept far from fabrics like bedspreads or curtains.
• Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, radiators, and baseboard heaters can be blocked off to prevent burns.
• Matches, lighters, and lit candles should be kept out of children’s reach.
• Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in any room with a water source within six feet of an outlet as they protect against shock or electrocution.

Even after following these guidelines, try getting down on your hands and knees and looking around to get an idea of what the world looks like to your child. They may see things from their perspective that you can’t see from yours. Make sure your little one is able to explore the house safely.

The post How to childproof your home: steps to prevent fire/electrical injuries appeared first on Nickle Electrical Companies.

   First, test all smoke alarms. They can save your life if anything goes wrong.

To avoid open flame hazards, try using battery-powered candles. If you choose traditional candles, make sure they’re never left unattended or placed in an area where they may be knocked over.

Live trees embody the spirit of Christmas, but they can pose fire hazards. Make sure you purchase a fresh one and keep the stand filled with water to prevent it from drying out. And find a place to recycle your tree right after the holidays as it will dry out more and more the longer it’s up.

If you decide to buy an artificial tree, make sure it’s labeled “fire-resistant.”

Keep all decorations, especially trees, at least three feet away from heat sources.

Not only are LED lights energy-efficient, but they’re also cool to the touch, unlike incandescent bulbs. They’re also more durable, making them much safer to use for decoration.

When decorating the outside of your home, make sure all decorations and extension cords are marked for outdoor use.

Before and after hanging lights, make sure none have been damaged either in storage or while they were out. If so, toss them so you don’t accidentally use them next year.

Turn off all lights when leaving the house or going to sleep. This will prevent overheating.

Overheating can also occur if you overload an electrical outlet, so keep in mind how much you’ll be plugging in and be sure to purchase a surge protector.

We all love the holiday season, but try not to keep your decorations up for too long. They’re typically meant for temporary use and aren’t made to withstand extended periods of time exposed to weather and other damaging elements.

All light strings and extension cords should be kept dry, both while they’re out and in storage.

If you need to use a ladder, make sure it’s wooden or fiberglass as metal ones conduct electricity.

No wires or cords should be pinched in doors or windows or run under heavy furniture and rugs.

And many decorations can be harmful to young children:

          ◊ Light strings and garland are strangulation hazards

          ◊ Avoid using sharp or breakable decorations and ornaments in case a child gets hold of one

          ◊ Make sure any small (“mouth-sized”) decorations are kept out of reach

Visit Electrical Safety Foundation International‘s page on holiday safety for additional information, infographics, pictures, videos, and more.

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