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Life Saving Rule: Never Work on Energized Equipment Unless Specifically Authorized and Controlled
The image shows a worker performing work on electrical switchgear while wearing arc-flash PPE, with the area barricaded to prevent unauthorized entry. While PPE provides a last line of defence, the most effective protection is ensuring the equipment is properly isolated, locked out, tagged out, tested, and verified dead before any work begins.
Why This Matters
Electrical energy is often invisible, but the consequences can be catastrophic. Contact with live parts or exposure to an arc flash can result in severe burns, permanent injury, fatalities, equipment damage, and business interruption. No task is so urgent that it cannot be performed safely.
ABB HSE Expectations
• Follow the ABB Life Saving Rule for Electrical Safety.
• Apply Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) before maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting, or replacement activities.
• Test Before Touch - always verify absence of voltage using approved test equipment.
• Use an approved Permit to Work (PTW) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)/Risk Assessment before starting work.
• Establish barricades and exclusion zones to prevent unauthorized access.
• Wear the required arc-rated PPE based on the electrical hazard assessment.
• Ensure only competent and authorized personnel perform electrical work.
• Stop work immediately if conditions change or hazards are not fully controlled.
Discussion Points
1. Have all energy sources been identified and isolated?
2. Has zero energy been verified before work begins?
3. Is the correct arc-flash PPE available and inspected?
4. How are we preventing others from entering the work area?
5. What is the emergency response plan if an electrical incident occurs?
Take Away Message
PPE may reduce the severity of an incident, but only proper isolation prevents it. Every time you work on electrical equipment: Isolate, Lock, Tag, Test, Verify, and then Proceed.
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