7.3 HEALTH AND SAFETY Safety is a primary focal point for all utilities and other entities that make up the Canadian electricity industry. Introduction to Health and Safety Electricity is essential to daily life, but it is also dangerous and can injure or kill. Safety is therefore deeply embedded in the design and maintenance of the electrical system and in every facet of how industry jobs are performed.
Employee Safety Strategies The following are key components of the safety strategies typically followed by utilities. Tracking and Analysis Utilities consistently track, report, and analyze key safety metrics—such as near miss incidents, injuries requiring medical treatments, injuries resulting in time away from work, and the severity of injuries—as a basis for continuous improvement. Targeted Safety Plans Utilities typically have specific annual plans—targeting factors that have been identified as contributing to injuries and setting out specific and trackable corrective actions. Oversight and Enforcement Provincial regulators and safety authorities monitor utility safety performance and intervene with site visits and enforcement actions as needed. Audits and Certifications Utilities routinely perform comprehensive audits on their safety systems and practices, often as a means of acquiring or maintaining International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification or other independent certifications.
Electricity Canada | Electricity Fundamental in Canada: Student Handbook
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