SAFETY
TIPS

1.0 Area Awareness… Stop, Look, Listen. See what is happening in your work area. Is there anything which appears to be a potential safety hazard which sends up a red flag? A ladder stationed in a blind corner. An extension cord placed in a dangerous position. Water laying on the floor. Stay alert. But keep in mind there is no list of potential safety hazards which can substitute for heads up situational awareness. 1.0 Removing load as part of a plant shutdown. The first step in a plant shutdown procedure is to remove all possible load before opening the main disconnect switch. As a routine procedure it can easily lull the responsible party into a false sense of confidence that all possible load has been isolated. Perhaps new equipment added to the system has not been taken into account or equipment operating at a remote location has been overlooked. It is important, in the beat to de-energize, to step back and take a moment to review the plant power distribution system one more time before proceeding ahead. 2.0 Grounding Out. Workers not wearing arc flash protection should keep a safe distance from the grounding termination location. The safe distance is determined not just by voltage, but now also by the size of the possible arc blast At MIDWEST workers not suited up and not directly involved in the grounding out procedure remain out of the area until grounds have been safely installed.