Don't Rush Safety: Maintain Focus During the Holidays

As November settles in, our focus will naturally begin to shift.

We start planning for vacations, gatherings, and the end-of-year holidays. This change of season can unintentionally lead to lapses in judgment and reduced safety—especially around electrical equipment.

For those working with or near high-risk electrical equipment, a momentary loss of focus/complacency can have devastating, life-altering consequences, such as arc flash incidents.

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Why staying focused this time of year is even more important.

• The drive to complete projects before the holidays/vacation often introduces pressure and rushed work, increasing the chance of overlooking critical safety procedures.
• We may be distracted with travel plans, family visits, or holiday shopping, rather than the detail required for electrical safety.
• With some employees taking vacation, teams may be short-handed or include workers performing tasks they don't do regularly. Ensure all personnel are properly trained for the work being performed.
• Stress: the holidays can also be stressful on your budget, mind and body. Do your best to leave that at home when focused on dangerous work.

Your commitment to safety must remain in place year round:

• Do not let urgency override your Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Maintain all necessary Arc Flash PPE requirements for any task where energized work is a possibility.
• Make sure every pre-job brief includes a specific discussion on potential distractions and the importance of 100% focus on the task at hand.
• Ensure all tools, testing equipment, and especially personal protective equipment (PPE) are inspected and in top working order.

Let's finish the year strong and ensure everyone can safely enjoy their holidays by keeping electrical safety top of mind throughout November and December.

• Category:
• Arc Flash Study
• Training