How to protect workers with an occupational health and safety management  system

BY IVANA STRGACIC, Strategies for the Environment Inc.

Reliability (that is, keeping the lights on) is at the forefront of electric utility business plans. Another important item that takes priority in these plans is electrical safety. Linemen are part of the overall equation when power outages occur, so implementing the most efficient business safety practices possible is paramount. One way that utilities can achieve zero injuries in the workplace is by implementing an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS).

OHSMS systems are part of a company’s overall management system that manages the risks related to an organization’s activities: a set of interrelated processes that are managed with policies, procedures, defined responsibilities, training, and appropriate equipment. This type of management system is how utility executives operate their business.