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Safety First
Leviton’s safety training sessions help industry professionals protect themselves from the dangers of electrical hazards in the workplace
Did You Know?
- According to OSHA, as many as 10 individuals are injured or killed every day in the U.S. as a result of arc flash incidents, which involve intense light, heat, and explosions generated by an electrical fault.
The above is a grim reality which Leviton has been dedicated to preventing for decades through both its high-quality, safety-focused products as well as through its efforts to promote awareness of this hazard through the electrical safety training sessions the company runs regularly. “Based on the dangers of electrical hazards and the real-world issues we’ve seen out in the field, these informative training programs are for all professionals working with electricity in the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors,” said Jason Schicker, Leviton’s Commercial & Industrial Sales Specialist for the Midwest. |
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| “We run virtual electrical safety training sessions for anyone in the industry who’s exposed to the hazards of electricity in their daily work to help protect them from the likelihood of shock or arc flash,” agreed Brian Hall, Lead Electrical Safety Trainer for Ocala, FL-based Rozel, an expert provider of electrical safety compliance training that’s been collaborating with Leviton for the last several years. “OSHA Standard 1910 Subpart S requires electrical safety training for anyone working with or exposed to the hazards of electricity, and this is typically accomplished by complying with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 70E.” |
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According to Hall, Leviton’s two-hour training sessions provide a general overview of NFPA 70E, including the hazards of shock and arc flash, the personal protective equipment (PPE) required to keep people safe, and the specific individuals who are required to undergo electrical safety training per OSHA and the NEC. “The training is a beneficial overview of important concepts for safety professionals and plant/facility managers as well as anyone working directly with or close to electricity,” Hall said.
“Leviton has taken great pride in hosting these trainings for many years and has continued to refine and promote them to help ensure the broadest possible access throughout the industry,” Schicker said.
Common Code Violations
Hall said that code violations which undermine the creation of electrically safe work conditions happen frequently.
“Some of the most common OSHA safety violations we see relate to improper ‘lockout/tagout,’ a critical procedure which is designed to verify that the power is turned off before someone touches a wire,” Hall said. “Other common violations include improper PPE for the job at hand -- safety glasses, rubber insulated gloves, and other specialized equipment are all key to protecting against the extreme heat and current generated by an electrical hazard.” Among NEC violations, “people working with electricity often overlook extension cords,” Schicker noted. “Extension cords with ground pins missing, damages, electrical tape around them, etc. are all leaking electricity and stand as code violations.” |
For these applications, “Leviton cord sets with GFI protection, especially for power tools, are a great way to meet code requirements and minimize the risk of a safety incident or violation,” Schicker said. “Other NEC code violations we see frequently include incorrect plugs and connectors used outdoors; Leviton’s water-tight plugs and connectors made for the outdoors will help ensure safe applications in mud, rain, and other challenging weather conditions.”
“Leviton’s informative sessions are designed to promote awareness of the dangers electricity can present and the need for training to protect yourself and prevent an |
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incident,” Hall said. “We’ll help attendees understand the situations that can put them at risk of an arc flash or shock/electrocution event and the measures and PPE they need to employ to keep themselves safe from these hazards.”
“A lot of people working with or around electricity get too comfortable and that’s when injuries can result,” agreed Schicker, who encourages industry professionals to attend any of Leviton’s Electrical Safety Training sessions (the 2025 schedule for which will be published early in the new year). “It’s about being aware of your space, keeping it clean, having the proper tools and PPE readily available, having a plan that everyone on the team understands and follows, and using cord sets, breakers, disconnects, and other products that incorporate GFI protection.”
Click here for more information about Leviton’s Safety Training programs.
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| Leviton Mfg. Company Inc. |
201 North Service Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
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