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5 WHITE PAPER – VeriSafe Absence of Voltage Tester–Improving Eciency and Reducing Costs

Electrical Safety

A disadvantage of implementing a voltage veriﬁcation test with a

hand-held tester is that the person performing it may be exposed to

electrical hazards while verifying that the tester is working prior to and

after the test, and during the test if the equipment was not de-energized.

With such a signiﬁcant emphasis on performing work only on

de-energized equipment, it is ironic that best practice relies on PPE and

exposure to hazards before de-energized work begins. The need for PPE

is a signiﬁcant contributor to the overall time to carry out this process

because the worker must ﬁrst determine the required PPE, then obtain,

inspect, dress, and properly store it after use. Additionally, PPE can be

misused or not used at all, especially when there are time constraints.

When processes are overly complex or time-consuming, workers tend to

become complacent and develop shortcuts as practices become routine.

A normalization of deviance—small, gradual deviations from an established

practice—may occur over time. With the lack of negative consequences,

the lower standard eventually becomes the norm

8,9

Even when hazards are part of the everyday routine, deviations from a

safety procedure can slowly become accepted practice. These deviations

are particularly evident when there are time pressures, which is often

the case when electrical maintenance causes unplanned or excessive

downtime. If either training or enforcement of administrative procedures

is lacking, the eectiveness of the procedures will diminish.

Risky Business: Potential Electrical

Hazards Exist When Performing

Absence of Voltage Testing

TEST THE TESTER

CHECK THE VOLTAGE

RE-TEST THE TESTER

TRADITIONAL METHOD

Determining absence of voltage with

hand-held testers presents a risk of