Electrical hazards pose dangerous risks to employees in the workplace. Our main objective is keeping our team and others safe during work activity and when the job is complete. Evidence of this commitment is the fact that over 90% of our field personnel have OSHA 30 certifications, a credential that encompasses electrical and general construction safety.
OSHA 30 Hour
Construction Safety Training
Our goal at DeRock is to set an example of safe work habits for all contractors working on a job site. To help meet that goal, over 90% of our field workers have completed the OSHA 30 Hour Construction Safety course.
OSHA 30 is a comprehensive safety program designed for anyone involved in the construction industry. In order to receive an official US Department of Labor OSHA 30 card, participants must pass segment quizzes and a final test with a 70% or higher grade.
Our Safety Protocol
The safety protocol at DeRock Electric establishes standards to prevent hazardous electrical exposures to personnel and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to electrical systems. Working on the equipment in a de-energized state is required unless de-energizing introduces an increased hazard or is infeasible. DeRock Electric helps to ensure that energized high voltage electrical work is performed safely by authorized employees, who are trained with the appropriate safe work procedures, protective equipment, and other controls. The safety program at DeRock is intended to ensure the employees are protected against electrical shock, burns, and other potential electrical safety hazards, as well as comply with all regulatory requirements.
Ground Fault
The most common electrical hazard is the 120-volt systems involved on a construction site. OSHA standard 29CFR 1926, Subpart K, requires ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to be used in these applications. The purpose of a GFCI is to almost instantly interrupt an electrical circuit if current is leaking to ground potential, the zero-reference level used to measure voltages. This not only prevents electrocution, but also prevents fires and overheating of equipment. Our electricians are trained in how and where these devices need to be installed.
Lockout/Tagout
Electrical safety lockout, or tagout, is the process of ensuring that a piece of machinery cannot be energized during maintenance, repair or anytime the equipment is determined to be unsafe to operate Facilities must have a procedure in place that includes turning off the equipment and isolating the power source. A lockout or tagout is generally accomplished by locking the circuit breaker in the “open” position with a padlock. Only the responsible party or supervisor should have a key to this lock. All DeRock mechanics are issued a lockout tagout kit and have been trained in its use.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) are items either worn or utilized to prevent or minimize electrical injuries. These devices include rubber insulated gloves and tools, and non-conductive matting. Training employees how to properly adjust and wear PPEs, as well as proper use and maintenance of these items, is conducted by qualified instructors according to OSHA publication 3077. Employees must demonstrate this knowledge before they are allowed to work in an electrical hazard area.
Our COVID Protocol
DeRock strives to protect our employees, our customers, and our community from COVID-19.
We are focused on the electric construction workplace we see every day, and provide specific guidelines to our field staff so they can safely go about working during this difficult time.
A Summary of Guidelines and Procedures Include:
- Completing an online COVID-19 Questionnaire before working each day to ensure proper record keeping.
- Masks or other PPE cannot be shared. If an employee does not have their
PPE, they cannot work that day. - Wearing face masks while working, and only removing them when eating or
drinking, while maintaining social distancing. - Sick employees must contact their supervisor, stay home, and seek
professional medical care if necessary - Conducting work while maintaining social distance except in the case where
personal safety is at risk (e.g., lifting objects, spotting a ladder). - DeRock will follow up on any illness to identify other workers contacted
within 48 hours prior to feeling ill. - Employees are discouraged from sharing tools. If lending a tool, it should be treated as if it were handled by an infected person and cleaned thoroughly
- On site meetings are held in groups of less than 10 people and with a
minimum of 6 feet of separation between all participants. - Shop towels and disinfectant spray are used on all high-traffic equipment;
ladders, lifts, panels, etc.