PVDs, or personal voltage detectors, are saving lives. While individuals working in the power and electrical sector don’t have to be convinced about the importance of electrical safety and why PPE is so essential, other industries may need a friendly reminder. Here are a few reasons why electrical safety should be a priority in a broad cross-section of businesses.
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The Construction Industry Places Workers at Risk
The coronavirus relief package and other events of the pandemic caused a boom in infrastructure spending and other development, and as a result, the construction industry experienced explosive growth. The sudden increase in job sites has meant more opportunities for workers to be exposed to hazardous situations.
OSHA found that electrical injuries account for nearly 9% of fatalities on construction sites in the United States. Considered one of OSHA’s “fatal four,” electrical accidents are a significant risk to any worker who works around electricity, whether that includes generators, power tools, or utility installations. While even seasoned professionals are at risk from live wires, rookies are especially vulnerable to electrocution. Rapid growth in the construction industry requires a large labor force, meaning more green workers will be working on job sites.
Personal devices for voltage monitoring (personal voltage detectors, or PVDs) can prevent construction site electrocutions. Safeguard Equipment® is proud to offer COMPASSTM PVDs as a safety option for workers of all experience levels. COMPASS devices mount securely on workers’ hardhats or can be clipped on a shirt to provide a 360º range of voltage and current detection, ensuring workers are aware of their proximity to electricity at all times, even if lines may be underground.
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Expansion of Manufacturing Industries Dependent on Powered Machinery
The supply chain problems highlighted during the pandemic have made many domestic businesses wary of depending upon other nations for production, and numerous companies are introducing or expanding manufacturing within the United States. These industries cut across all fields: automotive, electronics, transportation, power generation, and so on. These industries rely heavily on extensive electrical systems in order to operate, using robots, conveyors, and heavy equipment. These machines depend on complex utility networks to carry power wherever it is needed. Electricians are needed to keep these systems running, and the potential for exposure to electrical dangers is evident.
Providing employees with innovative safety gear should be the norm. PVDs are just one part of an overall safety protocol that includes warning signs, safety training, and best practices. PVDs can provide a crucial element of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that gives workers a sixth sense that can detect electrical hazards before they cause harm. In industrial environments with high noise levels and a lot of activity, the early warning alerts provided by the COMPASSTM PVD enable workers to remove themselves from dangerous situations and make critical repairs that can save lives.
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Demand Is Increasing for Electrical Safety Solutions
Over the past years, OSHA and worker unions have implemented safety protocols to minimize workplace accidents. As more enterprises realize their money is better spent preventing accidents than addressing issues after the fact, there’s an increased desire for electrical safety measures that extend beyond the standard.
Being proactive instead of reactive saves companies money, allowing them to avoid project slowdowns, shop shutdowns, lost time, insurance costs, and low morale associated with workplace accidents. Electrical safety certainly matters to employees, but employers also demand cutting-edge safety solutions that protect their workers and their bottom line.
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Electrical Currents Can Kill and Maim
Unlike many job dangers, dangers that involve electricity are especially prone to be lethal. The human body is, unfortunately, a good conductor of electricity. A current of as little as 50 milli-amperes (mA) that reaches your heart can cause cardiac arrest. To put this in perspective, a standard outlet will put out about 15 to 20 amperes – up to 20,000 mA. In addition to heart failure, electrical shocks can cause severe burns, both externally and to internal tissue. Shocks can cause spasms that tear muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Electric shocks can also disrupt and damage the nervous system.
PVDs Protect Workers From Shocks and Electrocution
Safeguard Equipment’s CompassTM PVDs should be a key component of safety protocols for any workers who work around energized lines and equipment. Their detection capabilities offer workers an added level of protection to reduce the risk of contact with energized sources. To learn more about how COMPASS PVDs are preventing workplace injuries and fatalities, contact Safeguard Equipment® today. Our experienced team members are ready to provide a demonstration of our products and to answer your questions.