ECN Forum Forums Safety Discussion and News Occupational Safety Discussion Electrical Safety Boards

It generally comes down to:
- Someone you're afraid of (the boss) told you to
- Everybody else does...and you don't want to look 'chicken'
- You need to do something quickly and want to be the hero
- You think you're invulnerable
- You think it makes you look 'mucho macho'

I agree...there's rarely a good reason to do this work alone. Forget the electrical hazard for a second and ask what happens if you fall off the ladder or trip into a hole full of sharp and scary things. I'd much rather have a helper, even if their only job is calling the ambulance after I get hurt.

I'd add AED to this list, too. Government regulations (for government work) require a CPR-certified safety observer wherever hot work is being done. A lot of the point of a safety board is just to make sure this equipment is readily accessible so people use it instead of just saying "%$&# it!" after a brief failed search and doing it anyhow.