What are effective strategies for prioritizing electrical safety in new infrastructure?

Sizing of the wiring should be the first priority. 1. Assess the current in each circuit under maximum load condition and then make sure that all conductors sizes are good for the maximum load. 2. Then check the maximum environment temperature in the location and add to it the assessed Temperature Rise due to flow of current. Then add 10 Deg C over that temperature and then make sure that the wiring insulation is at least suitable for that calculated temperature.

Here are some effective strategies for prioritising electrical safety in new infrastructure, as per my knowledge: 1. Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment 2. Adhering to safety standards and codes 3. Providing adequate training and education 4. Conducting regular inspections and maintenance 5. Implementing effective communication and collaboration 6. Using advanced technologies 7. Conducting regular emergency response drills 8. Conducting regular safety audits

- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments: Identify electrical hazards like arc flash, shock, overloads, faults etc. and quantify risks considering probability and consequence severity. Use checklists, simulations, and data from similar installations. - Incorporate safety hierarchy controls: First emphasize engineered solutions like designing hazards out through lower voltages, physical guarding, isolation/lockouts. Then apply warnings, procedures, PPE. This follows safety best practice.

Planning and Design: 1- Risk assessment. 2- Code compliance. 3- Involve qualified electrical engineers and installers throughout the design and construction process. 4- Equipment selection. Construction and Installation: 1. Permits and inspections. 2. Safe work practices. 3. Wiring and grounding. 4. Labeling and documentation. 5. Training and awareness. 6. Maintenance and Operations

Risk Assessment and Hazard Analysis Proper Equipment Selection and Installation Grounding and Bonding Emergency Response Planning Regular Inspections and Maintenance Monitoring and Remote Diagnostics Collaboration with Experts

- Install safety-rated equipment like arc resistant switchgear, fuses, circuit breakers, and control gear tested to contain hazards. Specify components meeting UL, NFPA, IEEE standards. - Incorporate physical safety barriers like flash shields, blast walls, and flame retardant materials to contain potential emergency events. Automatically activated shutters are an option too.

In my experience, developing and implementing emergency shutdown procedures for electrical systems is a crucial step toward safety. we must clearly define protocols for responding to electrical emergencies, including electrical fires, electrical shocks, or equipment failures. it is imperative to clearly document electrical systems, including circuit diagrams, schematics, and equipment specifications. Implement comprehensive labeling for electrical panels, circuits, and equipment to facilitate easy identification and troubleshooting. We must also ensure that individuals understand electrical safety procedures, emergency response plans, and the importance of adherence to safety protocols.

Install circuit protection measures such short circuit protection & different types of fuses.. also, share leason learned near miss and hazards.

Use of proper interlocked LOTO systems for remote clearing EHV cables outages, etc - In the design stage cover / counter check step & touch potential calculation. Take proper care in hi soil resistivity areas (in spite of multi level grid), through use of insulated hand gloves while operating the isolators, keeping the switchyard locked etc.

Prepare SOP for all jobs. Train your team on each activity. All jobs must be done with positive isolation. Use proper PPE. Use proper tools and tackle.

- Track key metrics like arc flash incidents, near misses, shocks, overload trips, ground fault events, etc. Analyze trends and address emerging risk areas. - Perform periodic thermographic inspections to identify hot spots indicative of loose connections, underrated cables, or deteriorated insulation needing replacement. - Conduct annual safety audits and inspection testing of protective equipment like grounding systems, surge arrestors, relays, and circuit breakers to verify functional integrity.

In my experience, implementing remote monitoring and control systems does enhance safety. Remote monitoring allows for real-time visibility into the status of electrical systems, enabling prompt responses to anomalies or faults. Safety leaders must establish a continuous improvement process for electrical safety. we must encourage feedback from personnel, conduct regular safety reviews, and incorporate lessons learned into future designs and safety protocols. I believe that collecting data on near-miss event is key to incident prevention.

-some times the practices differ with in the same organisation. A committee of experienced personnel can visit and check the past outages, filled up checklists and take corrective measures if needed. -An yearly check on the correctness of the relay settings adopted as per the current operating conditions needs check by a testing person. - All alarms , trips need check at teh end of major outage (after the work is complete)

Communication is must but that communication is perceived will impact the effectiveness. Over that it is also matter of Attitude n if that doesn't change in individuals nothing else can help. It is said ' if you want to see the world changed, first change yourself '. Have a safe n blessed time..

This is a big question when it comes to electrical safety. Over 30years of my industry exposure, I have keenly observed the dynamics of design and implementation of electrical distribution system. Inspite of many catastrophic accidents because of failure of electrical safety, system has not generated enough awareness about it. In my opinion - We need to come out of a mindset chalta hai. - It is very critical as any compromise will lead to compromise with safety of human lives - Buyers must verify the products compliance with relevant national/international standards - Digitisation of the system to continuously monitor system health - Periodic preventative maintenance without fail. - Stop compromising quality with low price

communication about safety goals and implementation of safety protocols is not a one time task - it is a real time, in line, on line, continuous part of any activity in implementation of any electrical project . . each and every stakeholder must be involved in the communication as a receiver and carrier and promoter . . . the communication must include (a) knowledge about identification of potential hazards, (b) action plans for what to do in the event of a accident, (c) who to contact and how to communicate need for assistance, (d) how to manage after effects of any injury or damage caused . . .

- All frivolous works, multitasking of operating personnel need to be avoided. - Some troublesome low quality equipment including spurious alarms generated need to be evaluated and corrective measures taken. -The condition (all energized points- electrical, mechanical (spring), hydraulic, pneumatic and chemical in nature must be briefed in vernacular language to the workmen and supervisors orally and through network diagrams at the start of every shift during outages. - proper cordoning of the areas shall be done - the condition of chain blocks, pulleys, sheaves, hooks, slings (metallic and polyester), EoT crane, Jacks, pressure vessels, etc need to be certified by a competent level III inspector as per the required cycle.

Promoting a culture of "safety in design" ensures that everyone involved in the design phase has knowledge of the risks and consequences involved with their decisions. Often ignorance and complacency can creep in and not be realized until later on. It is therefore paramount to educate non-electrical people of the inherent risks of electrical systems to avoid ignorance and rotate employees amoung different projects to avoid complacency.

Be in touch with the best of the suppliers also. Some times the cost economics in a regulatory controlled field can be overcome through collaborative effort

- Maintain memberships in key professional organizations like NFPA, IEEE, IEC, ASSE to receive regular code update notices, technical journals and access training. Attend annual conferences. - Frequently check national code issuing panel websites including OSHA, NEC, NEMA for new code editions, amendments, or request for comments on proposed changes that impact safety programs.

Electrical Engineering projects often require specialized knowledge in diverse areas, such as power systems, electronics, control systems, and telecommunications. Collaborating with experts in these fields ensures that safety benefits from the most up-to-date and accurate information. Collaboration helps in identifying and mitigating risks early in the project lifecycle. A diverse team can foresee potential challenges from different perspectives, allowing for proactive risk management and contingency planning.

- Perform post-incident reviews after any electrical safety incident no matter how small to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Seek input from affected personnel." - Conduct regular safety culture surveys to assess behaviors and attitudes of electrical workers towards risks, policies, execution in the workplace. Guarantee anonymity. Creating on-going touchpoints through surveys, interviews, third party reviews and workplace observation systems allows the identification of risks before incidents. This proactive mindset strengthens electrical safety leadership over the long term.

1. Through Risk assessment is necessary. 2. Effective grounding and bonding minimise the risk of electrical shocks and fires. 3. Preventive maintenance to identify any potential issues in the system. 4. Ensure the local, national, and international electrical codes and standards for the installations. 5. Qualified engineers and trained electricians present in the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems. 6. Etc..

1. Make sure the last lead person physically confirms - only Approved & Standard materials & equipment are installed. 2. Proper method statements are followed. 3. During testing with power- qualified personnel are involved and risk review committee statement limitations are to be followed.

Make safety as a culture of organization rather imposing too many rules n instructions. Most of accidents take place lack of Common sense rather missing the rules. While induction point itself, individual should get transformed due to the safety culture.

Come up with clear key performance indicators (KPIs) to allow for proactive monitoring of safety risk criteria. For example, cutting corners and not following best practices could be a KPI that may lead to major risks, and therefore should be monitored and eliminated.

Cultivate a zero trust policy. If you must perform any work on equipment that you were not present when it was isolated, then, you must test and confirm dead on all exposed parts before commencing work. Even if a LOTO is in place, you must test dead with a certified proving unit or witness someone testing dead before applying your own personal lock as the person in charge to the safety lock away box. Ensuring that during your work, no other person has the capability to tag your equipment back in until you are satisfied that your work is done.