Preparing for Absence of Voltage Testing

Above anything else, safety in-home or workplace has to be a priority. According to OSHA and NFPA 70E, to ensure safety especially in a workplace, workers must de-energize all energized parts to which they will be exposed unless required for troubleshooting.

It may seem easy to place electrical equipment in an electrically-safe work condition but actually there’s more to it than just that, there are several factors you need to consider.

Planning

Proper planning is safety’s friend. A rigid and detailed plan before diving into the process makes everything easier and you will be freed from any harm. In this case, it will make testing simpler and safer.

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment has to be done. This is required by NFPA 70E 110.1(G) Electrical Safety Program, 130.1 Working While Exposed to Electrical Hazards, 130.4 (A) Shock Risk Assessment and 130.5 Arc Flash Risk Assessment.

Free from distractions

Before going into the process, workers must be fully prepped with tools and equipment and must be secured to their body to avoid falling off or any other possible distractions that might destroy the focus and might lead on to possible accidents.

Traffic in the area

Anything that isn’t necessary in the workplace must be put somewhere safe or things like barricades or barriers, vehicles or forklifts must be strategically positioned to exact places so it wouldn’t cause traffic. This is because these are factors that cause substantial hazards and if not attended to readily may pose threats or accidents.

Secure Work Permit

A secured Energized Electrical Work Permit is also required by NFPA 70E Section 130.2 (B). In this section, it indicates the assessments that are needed to be done, required PPE and precautionary measures in the work zone.

Given these factors to ensure safety in the workplace, workers must also remember these things before taking a single measurement.

• Is this troubleshooting for the absence of voltage?
• What required test instruments are needed?
• Is a safety backup required? Do workers need training for CPR/use of an AED?
• Where will the safe work zone be established?
• What personal protective instruments are needed?

In testing for the absence of voltage which will verify if the voltage isn’t present before the beginning of work, you might also need to consider a non-contact proximity tester.

Running around the business in the vicinity of an electrically-active workplace, precautionary measures are absolutely needed. But before you go into the process of testing, be sure to be equipped with the right tools and equipment like professional digital meters to keep you away from harm or possible accidents. Visit us at www.presidium.ph to get the best and quality-assured digital multimeter for your business.