Importance of Job Briefings in the Utility Industry
Job briefings are a critical component of employee safety. This applies to every industry, but none more so than the utility industry.
Why Job Briefings Matter
It has been proven time and time again, across the many utilities that my company EPP has partnered with over the past 20-plus years, that job briefings matter because they serve as a reminder to employees of the proper way to do things. I know it sounds basic, but that little reminder can go a long way toward ensuring that employees comply with safety guidelines.
The requirements or guidelines associated with safety briefings are put forth by OSHA. These requirements focus on two standards: (1) the Code of Federal Regulations 1910.269, which applies generally, and (2) 1926 Subpart V, which applies specifically to the construction industry.
Ideally, the briefings should be conducted whenever a new employee or crew reports to duty, prior to any work beginning. And depending on the nature of the work, additional job briefings might be appropriate beyond just the initial one.
The objectives of the briefings are to communicate any safety-related information to the onboarding employees or crews, including but not limited to any hazards associated with the job, specific work procedures, any necessary precautions, energy-source controls, and PPE guidelines. The duration of each briefing depends on the hazards associated with the work – dangerous situations typically warrant something more than just a pre-start briefing.
Since you are reading this, I am confident that you are aware of, and are committed to, your company’s safety practices. But for everyone like you out there, there are many more employees that don’t get it or take safety for granted. Obviously, this is a big mistake. Job briefings are absolutely critical – and it is critical to ensure that others in the organization do not feel differently. Good luck!
