Contact with or exposure to electrical energy is a leading cause of occupational fatalities. Yet lost time electrical injuries are among the rarest injuries in the workplace, contributing less than 0.2% (or 1 in 500) of all workplace injuries.

These two attributes, low frequency and severe consequence, create a serious challenge in measuring an electrical safety program’s effectiveness. The traditional measurement, i.e., of injury rates, is a lagging indicator and may blind an organization to future potential for an electrical injury, since the low frequency of electrical injuries may mean not having sufficient data points for statistical validity.

This webcast explores opportunities to complement traditional methods of measuring safety performance by using leading indicators to drive continual improvement in reducing electrical injury risk. It incorporates recent advances in regulatory guidance and voluntary standards in safety performance measurement.

Use of metrics to monitor electrical safety program effectiveness is not addressed in NFPA70E or in OSHA Subpart S regulations on electrical safety. In recent years, however, leading organizations, including OSHA, the National Safety Council, the American Society of Safety Professionals and Work Safe Alberta have brought attention to the importance of leading indicators for safety management.

Learning objectives:

• Familiarize attendees with advances in applying leading indicators to the specifics of electrical safety
• Increase awareness of the importance of leading indicators for safety management

Review recent advances in regulatory guidance and voluntary standards in safety performance measurement