Tips to Optimize an Electric Utility PPE Program

Image courtesy of Suzanne Carey under Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic License, resized to 700 x 391 pixels.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is obviously a critical element of worker safety across a plethora of industries, including the electric utility industry.  Unfortunately, the framework and philosophy around what exactly makes a good PPE program often varies from company to company.  Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to take step back and review the basics as it relates to PPE in the electric utility industry.

Elements of a Good PPE Program

The first step is developing any PPE program is identifying the hazards.  For utilities, these hazards would typically include electrocution, trips & falls, confined spaces, fires, explosions, sprains, strains, fractures, etc.

Once the ‘hazard inventory’ has been compiled, risk levels must be assessed in order to implement the optimal control protocols, including PPE.  Generally speaking, PPE rules must factor in the work to be done and the potential hazard exposure resulting from this work.  Based on this information, a PPE program can be developed, including training so employees understand the proper selection, use, and maintenance of PPE to promote safety.

Common PPE in the utility industry includes, but is not limited to, safety goggles, hard hats, insulating gloves, steel-tipped work boots, and fire-resistant clothing.  Much of this is dictated by OSHA, which mandates that PPE be selected based on 2 criteria – protection level required based on each job-specific hazard assessment, and comfort and fit.  This second criterion is important because ill-fitting PPE is a safety hazard, and also serves as a disincentive for employees to follow the PPE program.

Other recommendations for developing successful PPE rules:

• Employees must be trained on how to properly store and clean each piece of PPE.
• Employees should be taught to inspect PPE for damage prior to use.
• Regular audits of the PPE program should be undertaken to make sure the recommendations always mirror best practices.
• Ensure employees are included in the PPE decision-making process.

In the final analysis, a best-in-class PPE program is of critical importance to utilities ? both in terms of day-to-day activities and emergency preparedness ? and must always remain at the forefront of organizational health and safety policies.