Electrical safety work control process and ISM

Abstract

Electrical Safety is imperative and a safety management system is a means to implement it. The safety management system, Integrated Safety Management (ISM) is a formal and proven system for the safe execution of work activities. ISM can be implemented into a work control process and can structure an electrical safety program through its Guiding Principles and Core Functions. An electrical safety work control process has two components which need to be implemented for success, an NFPA 70E based electrical safety program and ISM based work control process. An electrical safety program which implements the ISM seven Guiding Principles and five Core Functions gives a well-defined and document supported process to keep workers safe. The Guiding Principles are: 1. Line Management Responsibility for Safety, 2. Clear Roles and Responsibilities, 3. Competence commensurate with Responsibilities, 4.Balanced Priorities, 5. Identification of Safety Standards and Requirements, 6. Hazard Controls Tailored to Work Being Performed 7.Operations Authorization. The core functions are: 1. Define the Scope of Work, 2. Analyze the Hazards, 3. Develop and Implement Hazard Controls, 4. Perform Work within Controls, 5. Provide Feedback and Continuous Improvement. An electrical safety program which implements a work control process based on ISM endorses the employees as active participates in the process and gives the workers ownership in their safety.