BY MIKE DOHERTY

& ANDY KERR

Electrical supervisors in the role of safety

HIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE

T due diligence and accountability

requirements for electrical su-
pervisors who must execute
electrical tasks in a practical and effective
manner. In the opinions of the authors,
these important concepts can be

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  MAY j JUNE 2012  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

used for all stakeholder working
groups, such as transmission
and distribution; power
generation; industrial, com-
mercial, and residential; and
everyone in between.

Electrical Supervisors
The goals for electrical supervisors are
very clear. No one gets injured or sick, no
one gets killed. Electrical work should be exe-
cuted safely and done on schedule. It is felt that
awareness, knowledge, training, and experience in
© ISTOCK PHOTO/KALI9
the trade are the required skill sets of a competent and
qualified electrical supervisor regarding safe electrical work must be established. This article references the concepts
planning. The extent, rigor, and depth to which each sector that an electrical supervisor must understand: zero illness,
mandates electrical work performance must be determined zero injury, and jobs executed on schedule. Most impor-
and defined by the individual business unit. Once those tantly, the priorities must always be in that order. Schedule
accountabilities are defined, a very clear document path execution is always secondary to the safe execution of work.
A simple and effective documentation structure should be
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MIAS.2012.2185995
used to ensure that professional electrical supervisors work 23
Date of publication: 6 March 2012

1077-2618/12/$31.00©2012 IEEE
 at the highest levels of safety and Job planning documents shall have
schedule execution. Most importantly, a clear scope of the work to be per-
due diligence documentation (D3) pro- IN TODAY’S formed. The complexity will depend
cedures help to reduce the risk of MODERN largely on the organization’s health
electrical incidents to workers. These and safety management system. The
requirements also protect supervisors SOCIETY, THE scope defines the need for the work,
in investigations and owners of the the actual work that needs to be per-
business where the incident occurred. SUPERVISOR’S formed, and the impacts of the work
Good safety is good business, and it is such as affected work groups or
just common sense. ROLE HAS impacted areas as a result of the work.
In today’s modern society, the The scope captures an overview picture
supervisor’s role has become more BECOME MORE of the work that needs to be executed;
important than ever. The role and IMPORTANT when a supervisor has a clear picture of
responsibilities of the supervisor must the work, the supervisor can plan the
be understood by all parties involved THAN EVER. strategies to assess, perform, execute,
in the work, from the worker to the and audit the work.
most senior manager of all levels of an The scope will also aid the supervisor
organization. The legal duties that workers and supervisors and the work group in understanding the equipment, tools,
must adhere to have evolved and been referenced in regula- procedures, and any special processes that are unique in rela-
tory bodies for many years. The challenge for workers and tion to the work required to be performed. When the supervi-
supervisors is to understand their roles and responsibilities sor clearly understands the scope of the work, he can then
and interpret them in their day-to-day activities. The role identify the actual and potential hazards associated with the
of supervisors is important as they are responsible for the electrical work.
safe execution and performance of electrical work and also
for the changes that have taken place in the electrical Hazard Identification
community over a short period of time. The hazard identification process is directly related to the
Many factors have influenced the role of electrical work: scope of the work to be performed, the scope overviews,
rules and regulation changes, the implementation of and the nature of the work. The associated hazards must be
standards and practices for electrical work, new awareness identified in the job planning process, and the supervisor
of electrical work, and the understanding of electrical haz- must be made aware and must understand the hazards in
ards such as electrical contact and arc-flash hazards is the work. Breaking the work down into smaller tasks or
changing the landscape of electrical work. steps often makes it easier for the supervisor to identify and
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The relationship between electrical trades training assess the hazards associated with the work.
against industry standards, rules and regulations As the supervisor identifies and lists the work hazards,
changes, and the evolution and continual improvement he will discover controls, measures, or processes to protect
related to electrical safety have driven the need for all the workers from the identified hazards. Elimination or
supervisors to continually improve their safety manage- engineering the hazards out of the work would always be
ment systems. Today, electrical safety programs have the first choice; however, it is not always the most practical
driven the need for quality job planning, comprehensive or feasible. The measures and controls that the supervisor
risk assessments, and thorough documented workplace implements must be supported by legal duties, recognized
inspections to ensure all aspects of worker, public, and trade practices, current industry standards, and corporate
environmental safety. policies and procedures.
The supervisor must be familiar with his legal duties
Job Planning and responsibilities as they relate to the hazards that his
Job planning is a critical process in the execution and workers are exposed to. The job planning document shall
performance of electrical work. A supervisor’s ability to identify the tasks to be performed, the workers’ responsi-
plan and execute the work in a systematic approach is one bility to that task, and the safety measures and controls to
of the keys to success. Electrical job planning has many ele- protect the workers from potential hazards. The document
ments to be considered, and how the supervisor addresses must be communicated to all affected workers, and in
each of the elements in job planning is critical to success. many cases the document may be signed by members of
Job planning can be as simple as a single-documented the work group. The workers must clearly understand the
assessment or a complex job planning folder with dia- scope of the work, the various tasks, and the responsibil-
grams, maps, drawings, locates schedules, permits, and ities of each worker. Workers must understand what to do
other related documents. in the case of an emergency and what to do if the conditions
Job planning has some critical components including change as well.
electrical safety hazards that are clearly identified and As the supervisor identifies and documents the various
understood by the work group, hazards that are eliminated hazards, job planning evolves into a document that con-
where possible, and approved and adequate barriers to pro- tains critical information for the protection of all workers
tect workers. These approved procedures must be under- involved and the safe execution of the work. Many electri-
stood and communicated based on competencies, training, cal industries require documented procedures for the pro-
experience, and knowledge, and expectations clearly de- tection of workers that are expected to perform electrical
24
fined with accountabilities. work. The job planning process assists in closing the loop
between complex explanatory proce- work. As job planning evolves and is
dures and the specific work that is exe- complete, it provides the employer and
cuted in the field. AFTER THE supervisor with documented history of
HAZARD/RISK electrical work that is performed on
Safe Electrical their behalf.
Work Plan Overview ASSESSMENT IS Job planning feeds into the
Job planning procedures and process additional documented elements
not only include the process of risk COMPLETED, THE such as
assessments but also assess the impor- n hazard identification
tance of electrical hazards that is a key STRATEGIES FOR n risk assessments
element to the success of safe electrical n strategies
work. The supervisor and workers EXECUTION OF n lockout tagout/utility work pro-
must have a comprehensive under- THE WORK MUST tection code
standing of the hazards, controls, and n energized work permits
measures that will be implemented to BE DETERMINED. n safe work practice methods
protect them. The process of docu- n quality tailboards
menting these controls and measures n observation and coaching (O&C)
is one of the fundamental philosophies of electrical safety n supervisor safety logbooks
and job planning. The supervisor shall document the n corrective action plans (CAPs).
responsibility of each worker as it relates to the work to A visual representation of the flow for electrical
be performed; the document shall also identify the safe work planning is described in Figure 1 to facilitate
controls and measures to be implemented for the perform- the understanding of D 3 requirements for electrical
ance of the electrical tasks. Finally, the workers must sign supervisors.
off as understanding of the job plan, the tasks to be per- The basic building blocks include job planning folders,
formed, and the controls and measures to be taken to pro- hazard identification, hazard risk assessment, work protec-
tect the workers. tion documentation, energized work permits, safe work
The document job plan provides a written document practice methods, quality tailboards, O&C, supervisor
for the worker and the supervisor to assist in the communi- safety logbooks, and CAPs.
cation between the two parties to understand expectations The authors understand that there are many differences
and accountabilities. and complexities between different electrical stakeholder
The job plan process provides an opportunity for work- groups. All of the hazard/risk assessment forms are here
ers to be involved in the planning and execution of the for reference only. They must be adapted and changed by

IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  MAY j JUNE 2012  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

electrical work. It aids in the demonstration of due dili- the users to suit the requirements of individual business
gence of the supervisor so that he can demonstrate the units. This can be used as a starting point to improve the
scope, the plan, and responsibility of each workers and the documentation requirements of their electrical supervi-
controls and measures that are to be in place for the per- sors or the person in charge. The forms are examples of
formance of the tasks. what could be done and in no way should they be used
The completion of document job plans serves as an aid without the full approvals and sign off of your accounta-
in the investigation of events that result in undesired inci- ble managers.
dents. It provides a document that
describes the elements of the work to
be performed and the controls that are
in place. The documented job plan
can also aid the supervisor to plan Job Planning Folder
future jobs of similar nature and the
continual improvement of risk assess-
Other Hazards Electrical
ments when compared with docu-
mented job plans.
Job planning provides an overview Hazard Risk Assessment
and aids the supervisor and manage-
ment in the post job briefing, es- Strategies Quality Tailboards
sentially how well the job was
performed, what went well, and what
can or could be improved. Lockout/Tagout or
Utility Work Protection Supervisor Safety Logbook
Many organizations use job plan-
ning aids in their review of compre-
Energized Work Permit Task Observation and Coaching
hensive tasks and assist the employer
and any additional agencies in the Safe Work Practice
improvement of work process, safety Methods Corrective Action Plan
barriers, and control measures. Job
planning also provides an avenue for 1
25
auditing the performance of the A visual representation of the flow for electrical safe work planning.
 Due Diligence members to continually challenge and
Due diligence is the level of judgment, to evaluate quantified levels of risk that
care, prudence, determination, and JOB PLANNING IS workers are exposed. They provide
activity that a person would reason- opportunity for strategic goal and
ably be expected to do under particu- A CRITICAL objectives setting for reducing risks
lar circumstances. associated with hazards and provide a
In occupational health and safety, PROCESS IN THE systematic approach to the quantified
due diligence means those employers EXECUTION AND hazards. The assessments aid in the
shall take all reasonable precautions, investigations of near-miss events or
under the particular circumstances, PERFORMANCE incidents that result in undesired out-
to prevent injuries or accidents in comes, prolonged power outage, and
the workplace. OF ELECTRICAL electrical injuries. The hazard assess-
This duty also applies to situations ments/registries also provide training
that are not addressed elsewhere in the WORK. aids for awareness, proficiency, or
occupational health and safety legisla- refresher training for apprentices and
tion. To exercise due diligence, an experienced trades personnel.
employer must implement a plan to Organizations must foster an envi-
identify possible workplace hazards and carry out appropri- ronment for continually improving safety programs and
ate corrective actions to prevent accidents or injuries aris- evaluating the hazards to which workers are exposed. For
ing from these hazards. many electrical trade workers, although they became
journeymen ten, 20, or 30 years ago, the evolution of the
Job Planning Folder health and safety changes should never go undetected.
The comprehensive usage of job planning folders (Figure 2) Involving trades personnel in the risk assessment process is
helps to ensure the safety of workers for any electrical task. critical to the success and acceptance of the program.
All hazards must be identified before starting work, such Supervisors and workers must understand regulation
as mechanical, driving, chemical, falling, working at changes, policy and procedural changes, development and
heights, falling objects, and electrical. The objective of this evolution of industry standards to promote continual
article is to ensure that once any electrical hazard is identi- improvements to the establishment of rock solid work pro-
fied and documented in the job planning folder, then a spe- cedures and practices.
cific set of documentation would be executed to ensure the Job planning procedures and process may not always
safety of any workers performing that task. All of the other include the process of risk assessments; however, the
hazards need to be dealt with comprehensively as well with importance of assessing electrical hazards is key to the suc-
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whatever due diligence they require. cess of the electrical work that is to be performed or exe-
cuted (Figure 3). The supervisor and workers must have a
Hazard/Risk Assessments comprehensive understanding of the hazards, controls, and
Hazard risk assessments are fundamental to an organiza- measures that will be implemented to protect them. The
tion’s occupational health and safety management system process of documenting these controls and measures is one
as the process represents a systematic approach to assess of the fundamental philosophies of electrical safety and job
the hazards that the organization exposes its workers to. To planning. The supervisor shall document the responsibility
implement successful risk assessments, it is imperative that of each worker as it relates to work to be performed, and
the organization sets clear expectations and accountabil- the document shall also identify the controls and measures
ities for managers and supervisors in the involvement of to be implemented for the performance of the electrical
risk assessments. Some organizations will have hazard tasks. Finally, the workers must sign off as understanding
registries or centralized locations where completed risk of the job plan, the tasks to be performed, and the controls
assessments are stored or kept. The relationship between and measures to be taken to protect the workers.
job planning process and the risk assessments documents The document job plan provides a written document
will provide tools and resources for the supervisors, manag- for the worker and the supervisor to assist in the communi-
ers, and Joint Health Safety Committee (JHSC) members cation between the two parties regarding expectations and
to validate and compare measures and controls to ensure accountabilities. The job plan process provided an oppor-
that the job plan contains all the necessary measures and tunity for workers to be involved in the planning and exe-
controls to check the electrical work is performed with the cution of the electrical work. It aids in the demonstration
lowest recognized level of risk to the worker performing of supervisor diligence in that he can demonstrate the
the tasks. scope, the plan, the responsibility of each worker, and
Organizations that have implemented comprehensive the controls and measures that are to be in place for the
risk assessments have an advantage over organizations that performance of the tasks. The completion of a document
have not implemented risk assessments process or estab- job plan serves as an aid in the investigation of events that
lished hazard registries. However, it is important that such result in undesired incidents. It provides a document that
risk assessments and hazard registries must be continually describes the elements of the work to be performed and the
reviewed and updated, and rules, regulations, standards, controls that are in place. The documented job plan can
and industry trades practices evolve. also aid the supervisor in planning future jobs of a similar
Completed risk assessments and hazard registries nature and the continual improvement of risk assessments
26
provide opportunities for managers, supervisors, and JHSC when compared with documented job plans.
 Work Order Number Location
Accountable Date
Supervisor
Requestor Date Completed
Safety Basics
1. Identify Hazards
2. Eliminate the Hazard When Possible
3. Control the Hazard if Not Eliminated
4. Protect Against Injuries if the Hazard Gets Out of Control
5. Minimize the Severity of an Injury if an Incident Occurs
Hazard Identification
Body—MSDs Electrical
Body—Cuts, Sharp Edges Chemical
Body—Repetitive Motion Mechanical
Body—Pinch Point Fire
Body—Awkward Position Explosion
Body—Overexertion Flammables
Body—Vibration Heat Stress
Eyes—Particle in Eye Cold Stress
Ears—Loud Noise Confined Space
Elevation—Working at Heights Weather
Elevation—Working Aloft in Bucket Radiation
Elevation—Overhead Work Vehicle Traffic
Excavations Rigging and Hoisting
Welding Underground Work
Spills Driving
Identification of Any of These Hazards Requires a Comprehensive Hazard/Risk Assessment
All Applicable Regulations and Laws Must Be Understood and Adhered to
Emergency Plan
Documented Plan Posted Local Plan Posted
Entire Crew Trained in First Aid Emergency Equipment Available
Emergency Numbers as Follows:
Hospital _________________
Ambulance ______________
Fire ____________________
Police __________________
Work Center _____________
Accountable Manager _________________
Incident Reporting:
Superintendent _________________
Safety Contact _________________
Joint Health and Safety Committee Contact _________________

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Hazards Control
Eyes—Nearest Eyewash Station Ears—Hearing PPE
Eyes—Face Shield Body—Hard Hat
Eyes—Welding Hood Body—Traffic Vest
Respiratory System—Current Fit Test Body—Gloves
Respiratory System—Respirator Body—Foot Protection
Respiratory System—Proper Cartridge Elevation—Fall Protection
Respiratory System—Dust Mask or Other Elevation—Guard Rails
Environment—Lines Drained Elevation—Scaffold c/w Toe Boards
Environment—Spill Containment Housekeeping—Access Way Clear
Environment—Line Identification Housekeeping—Clean Work Area
Signage Engineering Controls
Locates Proper Tools
Work Practice Procedures Book 7 Traffic Control
Steps, Hazards, and Barriers Job Steps / Record of Changes
Job Step/Work Operation Hazards
(List Job Step/Work Operation or Changes (Associated with Each Step/ Barriers
Followed by the Related Hazards and Barriers) Work Operation/Change) (to Eliminate/Control the Hazards)

Barrier Effectiveness Chart

Control Barriers
Safety Barriers (1)
Safety Barriers (2)
Most Effective
1) Eliminate the Hazard
2) Minimize to Safe Levels
3) Install Barriers
4) Wear PPE
5) Install Warning Devices
6) Minimize Error Potential
7) Use Written Procedures
8) Provide Training
9) Provide Supervision
Least Effective
Examples
Isolation
Minimize Traffic Speeds
Rubber Blankets
Rubber Gloves, Arc-Rated PPE
Signal Truck
Equipment Inspections and Mtce.
Switching Orders, Standards
Formal or on the Job
Qualified and Competent

2
27
Job planning folder.
 Electrical Hazard Identification

Touch Potential—Low Voltage Step Potential

Touch Potential—Medium Voltage Induced Potential
Touch Potential—High Voltage Flashover
Arc Flash/Blast—Heat Arc Flash/Blast—IR and UV Light
Arc Flash/Blast—Db to Ears Arc Flash/Blast—Pressure
Arc Flash/Blast—Shrapnel Arc Flash/Blast—Molten Copper
Arc Flash/Blast—Noxious Hot Metal Vapor Other

Risk Assessment Form

Completed By: Date: mm dd yy Department:

Step 1: Record the Reason for the Risk Assessment:
Corrective Action Annual Risk Review
Preventive Action Public Safety
Initial Other
Step 2: Describe the Hazard – Task – or Change That Has Taken Place:

Step 3: Answer the Following Questions:

Yes No
Is this a periodic risk assessment of an activity/task or site?
Will the action change the severity of a hazard or task?
Will the action change the probability or likelihood of a hazard or task?
Will the action require a change to the existing control measures?
Will the action introduce any new hazard to the site?
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If the answer to any of these questions is Yes, go to Step 4. If all answers are No, go to Step 9.

Step 4:
Assess Initial Risk Frequency of Task / Activity
(Before Control Measures)

Less Than Yearly Few Per Year Every 2–3 Monthly Weekly Daily Continuous
Yearly Months

Minimal No injury or loss 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Minor No injury; loss
up to US$5,000 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
First aid injury—
Medium immediate return 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
to work. Loss
Severity

US$5,000–10,000
Important Medical aid or loss 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
US$10,000–50,000
Serious Lost time incident
or loss US$50,000– 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
100,000
Critical injury or
Critical fatality. Loss over 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
US$100,000
Severity × Frequency = initial risk
Step 5: Classify the Risk:
Tolerable 1–6 Risk reduction efforts and measures are not necessary; risk is acceptable.
Low 7–16 Implement risk reduction efforts if practical and resources are feasible; risk is acceptable
Implement risk reduction measures to reduce risk to acceptable levels. Risks in this category
Medium 17–29 will be considered acceptable only if risk reduction is impractical, or if costs are grossly
disproportionate to the improvement gained.
This risk is not acceptable and cannot be justified on any grounds. The activity must be stopped
High 30–48
immediately until effective control measures are put in place to reduce the risk.

3
28
Electrical hazard identification and risk assessment form.
 Step 6: Reduce the Risk (by Improving Control Measures):
Hazard/Task Barrier/Control Measure(s)

Step 7: Assess Residual Risk (After Control Measures Have Been Implemented, Added, or Improved):
Level Control Measure or Action Risk Reduction (%)
Zero No barriers/control or inadequate measures and controls. 0

Low-level barriers/controls such as PPE (last line of defense, control at the

Low worker). Proper use of warning signs, signals, devices, and labeling to warn 25
workers and/or public of a particular hazard(s).

Hazard(s) enclosed or guarded at the source to protect the workers (guard or

Moderate guard rails): hazard periodically monitored (air quality testing); operational 50
limits are known and documented in procedures (e.g., safe limits of approach).

Hazard(s) minimized by use of less hazardous materials or process;

High High-level barriers such as structural barriers are in place (floor coverings 75
over openings). Hazard exposure is continuously monitored.

Hazard(s) eliminated at the source through engineering, design changes, or

Total 100
substitution.

Initial Risk Risk Reduction = Residual Risk

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Step 8: Is the Residual Risk Acceptable? (See Step 5):
Yes No
1) Is the residual risk less than 6?
If Yes, Go to Step 9 If No, Complete Questions 2–5
2) To the best of your knowledge, have applicable legal requirements been satisfied?
3) To the best of your knowledge, have the applicable XXX utilities' policies and
procedures, practices, standards, and work methods been satisfied?
4) From a due diligence perspective, when either assigning or undertaking the task
where this hazard is present, are you satisfied that the hazard is unlikely to result in
high or critical injury or illness?
5) Are all reasonable and practicable control measures in place?
If Yes to questions 2–5, the risk is Acceptable, Go to Step 9
If No to any of the questions, the control measures must be improved and the risk assessment remeasured.

Step 9: Forward a Copy of the Completed Risk Assessment to:

1. Accountable Manager 2. HSMR Team
Step 10: Update the Appropriate Functional Area Hazard Registry:
Completed

3
Electrical hazard identification and risk assessment form (continued).

Job planning process feeds into the additional elements
such as risk assessments, hazard identification, tailboards,
lockout tag out/utility work protection code, energized
work permits, task observation, CAPs, coaching and men-
toring, and action planning.
It is no coincidence that often the companies with the
best safe electrical work planning are most often the most
profitable and sustainable. Importantly, all hazards must
be identified and documented in a separate folder.
This will allow an accountable supervisor or person in
charge to report all safety concerns. If an electrical task is
identified, a comprehensive hazard/risk assessment needs
to be carried out, one that is intensive and encompassing.
The consequences of poorly planned electrical work can be
devastating as it influences the moral, social, and economic
values of the workers involved in an incident.
The very best electrical supervisors always execute work
29
at this level and never compromise. These supervisors
 become proficient at planning their need to use those of their client or estab-
electrical work at a high level and still lish and use their own. The work pro-
manage to complete their tasks on time SAFE ELECTRICAL tection documents need to be audited at
and budget. Crews who work at this WORK PLANNING least once per year to ensure compliance.
level are often the best of the best and Canadian (CAN)/CSA Z460, control of
are true professionals. IS ABSOLUTELY hazardous energy, lockout, and other
After the hazard/risk assessment is methods, is a national standard of
completed, the strategies for execution CRITICAL TO THE Canada that can be used to do a gap
of the work must be determined. The analysis to best case practice standards.
best strategy without question is to SAFETY OF THE In the transmission and distribution
always work deenergized. stakeholders work groups, many tasks
Lockout/tagout or application of WORKERS are done in the energized state by compe-
the utility work protection code con- tent, knowledgeable, and trained staff.
cepts can be used as required. If ener-
INVOLVED. It should be no surprise that the job
gized work can be justified due to solid planning folder method of safe electri-
reasoning such as troubleshooting or cal work planning is a recognized and
testing for example, then an energized work permit con- accepted method for the execution of tasks. It was pio-
cept per Annex J in Canadian Standards Association (CSA) neered and perfected within these works groups.
Z462 or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E Safe work methods or written procedures are man-
can be used. datory documentation requirements at a high level. These
This energized work permit is one of the very best strategies must be determined at this stage and decisions made.
electrical safe work planning due diligence documents. If
properly filled out, it truly covers all the bases. It is impor- Quality Tailboards
tant to use the work protection procedures and documents A “quality” tailboard is next before the task starts. Good
that currently exist in your business units. Contractors examples are in Annex I of CSA Z462 and NFPA 70E. The

Observation and Coaching Number:

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Work Order Number:

Observed Task Location:
Date:
Time:
Observations
Qualified Staff PPE Appropriate in the Circumstances
Comprehensive Procedures in Place Fall Protection in Place
Job Planning Completed Quality Tailboard Completed
Work Protection in Place as Required Housekeeping Good
Traffic Control in Place Tools and Equipment to Best Case Practices

Detailed Observations of the Above Work:

Detailed Description of Any on the Spot Coaching if Any:

Comments:

Completed by:

Title:

CAP Number or N/A :

Once the work is complete forward this form to the safety department for review and retention.

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30
Electrical observation and coaching.
key word here is the word quality. Even supervisors have carried out their due
within stakeholder groups that cur- diligence. This practice is similar to
rently use this technique, the challenge JOB PLANNING police officers who all use a PNB (or
is to do a quality tailboard. This is police notebook) to officially record
where an outstanding supervisor can DOCUMENTS details and incidents while on work.
make a difference. If the supervisors are Its use is controlled by a number of
engaging and well prepared, the qual- SHALL HAVE A guidelines, as information entered into
ity will show through. If they are just an officer’s PNB is admissible in court
going through the motions that will CLEAR SCOPE OF and the officer will use it to refresh his
be obvious as well, at this point the THE WORK TO BE or her memory while giving evidence
actual task can be started. and to support his statements. A police
PERFORMED. officer will use his or her notebook any
Supervisors Safety Logbook number of times in court during his or
One of the most important and over- her career. It is quite evident that in
looked documents that every supervi- court it is extremely useful for the
sor needs to ensure they fill out would be the usage of a police officer to ensure he can state the facts and to also pro-
supervisor’s safety logbook. Every time they engage their tect themselves from litigation.
workers with safety chalk talks, toolbox talks, mentoring, Most electrical supervisors will never go to court for a
O&Cs, and workplace safety interventions, the supervisor serious incident but the chance does exist. A wise and
needs to write down what they did. Many good supervisors thoughtful supervisor would fill out his supervisor’s safety
do these things but never document their due diligence. logbook daily. This would ensure that he is looking out for
Using a supervisor’s logbook will help to ensure the safety his staff at a high level. If an incident ever occurs on their
of their staff and will be instrumental if evidence is ever crew, they will be able to demonstrate to a judge that they
needed in a court of law. Judges need to see evidence that have executed their due diligence for many years. Going to

Work Order Number:

Observation and Coaching Number:

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Observed Task Location:
Date:
Time:

Detailed Description of the Observed Problem or Finding:

Detailed Description of a Comprehensive Solution:

Names of Accountable Staff to Complete the CAP:

_______________________ ______________________ Date: _________________

Name of Accountable Manager to Ensure Resources are Available to Complete the CAP:

_______________________ Date: _____________________

CAP Manger Sign Off as Completed:

CAP Number

Manager _______________________ Date: _____________________

Once the work is complete forward this form to the safety department for review and retention.
5
31
Corrective action plan.
 court with 12 years of dusty logbooks CAP is required. The bottom line is
proving that you have always done the that someone needs to decide on the
right thing is far stronger than your SUPERVISORS ARE importance of work place electrical
opinions in a court of law. According IN THE BUSINESS safety observations and get them fixed
to many regulators and supervisors, as appropriate.
first-line managers are almost always OF SAFETY AS
the ones who are in the line of fire in a Plan Your Work and Work
serious electrical incident. Most often THEIR NUMBER Your Plan
the upper echelons of the business Safe electrical work planning is abso-
units have their D3 in place. The same ONE GOAL. lutely critical to the safety of the work-
cannot be said in many cases for hard- ers involved. A safe work plan is of very
working supervisors. Quite simply, a little practical use if it is not docu-
supervisor’s safety logbook can consist of the following con- mented. The document needs to be as simple as possible,
cepts. Use a hardcover robust book with numbered pages but the key is that it needs to be effective. If too simple,
so it is evident if they have been tampered with. Always they are of no value. If too complicated, they are also of
use an ink pen. It should be ensured that the completed no value. The challenge is to use good safe work planning
lines are run through till the end of each line, and all empty documents for electrical work that ensure the safety of
sections at the bottom pages should have a Z run through workers as the primary goal, protect supervisors who
them as well. have done outstanding work for their crews, and to also
Police officers are given the pneumonic ELBOWS protect the business units when everything that could
to use: have been done was really done. Plan your work and work
n E: no erasures your plan.
n L: no leaves torn out
n B: no blank spaces Conclusions
n O: no overwriting Supervisors are in the business of safety as their number
n W: no writing between the lines one goal. Completing the task on time is the second goal.
n S: statements to be in direct speech. Both can be accomplished in that order in a positive and
A few minutes each day is all it takes. The time spent proactive manner using documentation in their everyday
by a professional supervisor will not only be to his benefit tasks. The D3 or due diligence documentation concept for
in court but also to the business owners and upper electrical supervisors is a tool that, when used correctly, can
managers whose jobs may also depend on his notes. The not only help to reduce the risks to their workers but also
bottom line is that the workers are safer, a huge benefit speed up timely completion of work. Many of the planned
IEEE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS MAGAZINE  MAY j JUNE 2012  WWW.IEEE.ORG/IAS

based on a supervisor doing the right thing for all electrical work documents can be used over and over again
concerned. for tasks that have no changes. This makes things very safe
There are many opportunities for improvement while and efficient. Good safety is good business.
they spend their time working on the task. Opportunities
for improvement are a critical concept with a world-class Acknowledgments
health and safety managed system. Auditing of electrical The hazard/risk assessment forms used as an example in
work is integral to continual improvement. These audits this article were developed by Andy Kerr from Horizon
can be very formal or quite informal. A mixture of both Utilities Corporation in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
over time going forward is always best.
References
Observation and Coaching Program [1] Workplace Electrical Safety, Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga,
One good method for auditing or self-assessment is the [2] ON, Canada, CAN/CSA Z462, 2008.
“Control of Hazardous Energy—Lockout & Other Methods,” Canadian
concept of using an O&C program (Figure 4). All supervi- Standards Association, Mississauga, ON, Canada, CAN/CSA Z460,
sors and every manager within the organization are given a 2005.
mandatory number of O&Cs to complete every month. [3] “Electrical utility safety rules (E&USR),” Infrastructure Health and
These workplace observations get the facts back to the Safety Association, 2009.
[4] Standard on Electrical Utility Workplace Electrical Safety for Generation,
business unit to improve safety. Opinions, while sometimes Transmission, and Distribution, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada,
interesting, are just opinions. A well done O&C report is CAN/ULC S801-10, 2010.
factual and a good use of time. Facts as documented in an [5] Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, National Fire Protection
O&C can be used to drive improvements using a CAP. Agency, Quincy, MA, NFPA 70E, 2009.
[6] National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), ANSI/IEEE C2–2007.
Corrective Action Plan
The CAP (Figure 5) is the documentation of an observation
(in this case a safety observation) of a problem that needs to Mike Doherty (mdoherty@ihsa.ca) is with Infrastructure
be fixed. The problem is stated, a solution proposed, and a Health and Safety Association in Mississauga, Ontario,
specific person is made accountable with a time line to get Canada. Andy Kerr is with Horizon Utilities Corporation in
it done. That person must have the time and resources to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Doherty is a Senior Member of
get it completed on time. Sometimes a CAP needs to be the IEEE. This article first appeared as “D3—Due Dilligence
done right away with extreme urgency based on impor- Documentation for Electrical Supervisors” at the IEEE IAS
32
tance. At other times, a trend may need to develop before a Electrical Safety Workshop in 2011.