Storms sweep through midwest, one event attendee killed when tent collapses

Wood Dale, Illinois - Sunday, August 2, 2015, about 2:40PM - Like many summer storms, this one popped-up quick, dumped rain and hail, and blew hard.  Unfortunately, the city of Wood Dale didn't learn any lessons from the numerous storm-related disasters over the past few years, and completely failed to evacuate the Prairie Fest site before the weather hit.  There was a Junior High School immediately adjacent to the event site that could have been used as a durable shelter.  A tent structure on the site was filled with about 100 festival goers seeking cover from the onslaught of hail, and then the wind up-ended the tent tearing it from it's anchors.  One of the main tent support poles fell and struck 35 year old Steven Nincic in the head and killed him.  He is survived by his wife of three years and two daughters.

Other events in the region had watched the weather front more closely and had evacuation plans prepared and in effect.  Winds of up to 60mph were reported in the area.  The festival site is very close to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, so presumably excellent weather radar feeds were available for monitoring had the city elected to do so.  The city claims to have had an emergency plan, but no sign of it being implemented was visible.

First Responders had to cut through the tent to get to people trapped under the wreckage.  The remainder of the festival was cancelled after the weather passed, as police and ambulances came to treat the numerous injuries.

Lawyers for the family of Steven Nincic are filing an injunction to keep the tent site intact until a complete investigation can be completed, but many vendors and carnival ride owners have already packed-up and left.  An attorney representing the family released a statement contending that “the true tragedy” is that incidents such as the tent upheaval “are not only potentially predictable,” but “preventable with prudent caution and control of events in the face of available meteorological information.”  Attorney Louis C. Cairo said the weather and “the propriety of the tent materials and its installation” will be “litigated extensively.”

The city said that the tent was supplied by a vendor, and it had been inspected for electrical compliance, but not structural integrity.  This blogger finds this information to be more of a smoke screen to deflect attention away from the lack of weather monitoring and assigning someone the authority to close-down the event and evacuate people to hard shelters.  A safety plan, when implemented, reduces the need to rely on an emergency plan.  Safety plans address issues before they get to the point of being an emergency.

Eye on Safety: Bubbly Foam Injures party-goers' eyes

Foam Party (not subject incident)

On May 26, 2012, the Collier County Health Department was notified by law enforcement and hospital personnel that approximately 40 persons had sought care at local emergency departments because of severe eye irritation and pain. Patients reported that they had attended a foam party at a local nightclub the night before. Syndromic surveillance activities carried out by the Florida Department of Health identified 35 patients who had visited an emergency department in Collier County on May 26 with a chief complaint related to eye injuries.

Foam Party (not subject incident)

At foam parties, soapy foam is sprayed onto the dance floor while participants dance. The foam is distributed from blowers on the ground or attached to the ceiling, and several feet of foam can accumulate. Foam parties can last for several hours while foam is dispersed intermittently throughout the night. Products used at these events to produce foam contain ingredients similar to those in soaps and shampoos, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Some formulations used at foam parties are proprietary, and chemicals, chemical compositions, and concentrations are unknown. For use at a foam party, the product is purchased in a highly concentrated form and diluted with water before use. This was the third foam party of the year at this nightclub.

An investigation was initiated by the Florida Department of Health to determine the extent and severity of the injuries. Using contact information obtained from medical records, patients were contacted and interviewed over the telephone. An incident-specific questionnaire was developed to obtain information on demographics, foam party attendance, foam exposures, potential risk factors, symptoms and injuries, medical care received, and previous foam party experiences. Additional attendees were identified by asking interviewees if they had attended the party with another person, and if so, were they willing to provide the contact information for them.

Foam Party (not subject incident)

Medical record abstractions in Collier County hospitals identified 30 cases of injury related to the foam party. Interviews, contacts provided by local law offices, and additional medical record abstractions from ophthalmology clinics, urgent-care centers, and neighboring county hospitals led to the identification of an additional 26 cases. A total of 56 persons meeting the case definition were identified during the investigation out of approximately 350 persons thought to have attended the party. Thus, an estimated 16% of attendees suffered eye injuries as a result of this event, and 43 (76.8%) of them received medical care.

In all cases, injured persons reported getting foam in their face, with 44 (96%) of interviewed persons reporting eye exposure. Almost 90% of interviewed persons reported rubbing their eyes after exposure to the foam. Eye irritation (94.6%), severe eye pain (91.1%), pink eye/redness (87.5%), decreased visual acuity (81.3%), and conjunctivitis (76.8%) were the most common injuries (Table). Of note, half of the cases (38) were diagnosed with abrasions of the cornea. For those persons who sought medical care, the average number of visits was 3.2. In 11 cases, patient's visual acuity could not be tested in at least one eye during their initial medical-care visit because they were unable to open their eye or read the first letter of the chart. Among persons interviewed, the average duration of symptoms was 7 days, ranging from less than 1 hour to more than one month. In seven cases, symptoms had not completely resolved at the time of the interview (i.e., more than one month after the injury).

Although some persons experienced minor eye irritations related to foam exposure, many experienced more serious eye injuries, such as decreased visual acuity (39), conjunctivitis (43), and corneal abrasions (28). This investigation highlights the range and potential seriousness of eye injuries that can result from exposure to foamed atmospheric effects used in the entertainment industry.

The entire report can be found at:  www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6233a5.htm

Not discussed by the CDC, but equally important, is the likelihood of slip and fall injuries.  The foam can conceal trip hazards, and persons falling-over can strike hard edges or sharp corners of railings, tables, and chairs, and fall down stairways.  Additionally, someone that falls down may not be seen by other participants or Crowd Managers, and cold be trampled or create additional trip hazards.

Remember what your momma used to say:  It's all fun and games until someone gets their eye poked-out!

Event Planner fails to recognise crowd motivation risks - 20 injured in mele.

Friday, August 9, 2013 - Event Planners for Korean cell phone manufacturer LG Electronics failed to do a thorough risk analysis for a promotional stunt and twenty people ended-up injured, with seven being sent to the hospital.

It idea was to release helium-filled balloons in an open park, and each balloon would have a voucher that could be redeemed for a new smart phone that was valued at KRW 950,000 Korean Won (~$851 US).  Enthusiastic attendees planned their assaults on the balloons in advance and arrived at the event with sharp sticks, BB Guns, and knives on poles.  The ensuing melee after 100 balloons were launched was a disaster when greed over-took common sense.

"LG Electronics deeply regrets that a number of Korean participants were injured during an outdoor promotional event in Seoul, [South] Korea," a statement from the firm said.

"We can confirm that seven participants were hospitalised and, although none of the injuries were serious, LG takes full responsibility for the unfortunate situation and has offered to cover all related medical expenses.

"LG is investigating the incident to ensure that such an occurrence can be avoided in the future."

The company added that other planned events had been called-off because of concerns for attendees safety.

One regional TV channel has dubbed the event "World War G" - a comparison to the film World War Z in which zombies scramble over each other to climb over a wall.  The new phone is a model G2.

Phone:  Smart.
Event Planner:  Not so smart.

Never underestimate the motivational power of of greed.

Another gust of wind up-ends a portable stage

2013-08-12 ~6:00PM - In Germany on the Island of Sylt, a mobile stage with a fold-out apron and pop-up canopy was caught by high winds and flipped on it's side.  No injuries were reported.  It is apparent from the video that there were no anchors employed to keep the stage secured to the ground - the staging company was relying on dumb-luck and gravity to do the job.

Video text translates as:
"On Sunday, about 18 O'clock, a strong gust of wind was recorded at the big event stage the Super Sail event, and it turned-over.  The stage was lying on it's back, there were no casualties. The Westerländer firefighters secured the structure, and salvaged the stage in the hours that followed."

Ocean + Wind-powered Boats = HIGH LIKELIHOOD FOR WIND.  This was foreseeable.

UK Purple Guide Revision Draft Open for Comment

The UK's guide to event operations and safety, also known as HSG195, has been under revision for the past half year, and the committee's work is now available for public input.  The open comment period will last until the end of October 2013, after which all comments received will be reviewed for integration.

Covering both legislation and good practice, this new guide has been designed to alert and inform both event organizers and suppliers to the practices and issues that need to be considered when events are being organized. The contents are not designed to be prescriptive, and those using this guide should undertake risk assessments and evaluations that are appropriate to evaluate the specific requirements of the unique events they are planning.

The Purple Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Music and Other Events (Draft) can be found here:

www.thepurpleguide.co.uk

Have we learned nothing?

The festival season starts early in the south, and Mardi Gras is one of the first events we see set-up for numerous stages and shows.  Outdoor festival stage canopies have proven to present opportunities for accidents because they have large surfaces that can be caught by side winds and uplifting plow winds.  To counter-act the forces developed by gale-force winds, event riggers rely heavily on large ballast weights to tie-off canopy structures in an attempt to anchor the framework to the ground.

These ballast weights work well if they are massive enough for the predicted winds and effective 'sail area' presented by the canopy roof and side walls.  If they are too light, the ballast weights will just be dragged across the ground and bulldoze a path of their own.  Slippery grass, or dirt that turns to mud, just act as a lubricant to free the ballast weights up for sliding in the event of a downpour, so anchoring or pinning the ballast weights to keep them from moving is also part of a good rigging plan.  (The ballast weights shown above were not pinned or anchored to prevent sliding)

Wind is not a steady-state event.  You know that.  It gusts.  It starts and stops.  It changes direction.  It generally whips everything around a bit as it works it mayhem.  For this reason, we need to use secure connections on the guy wires for the ballast weights and stabilizing X's that are used to stiffen the structures against parallelogram movements.  If you don't, a gust of wind can slack the line, unhook the conenction(s), and you loose all anchoring in the blink of an eye.

As you can see above, the anchor ties used in the blocks in the first picture are common ratcheting tie-downs in the trucking industry, and they only have a open hook at the load securing end.  This may be de rigueur for the transport industry, but it's a no-go for event safety.  If the wind gets to blowin' and this bad boy comes loose, it could rip the flesh right off of someone unlucky enough to get in it's flailing path.

So, it was bad enough to see the above tie-down terminations at almost every corner of the stage, but then I looked further up the anchor line and found this:

Each anchor line had two possible points of failure.  Three stages and a major cable bridge over the street, all in close proximity, four to eight anchor blocks secured in this manner for each one, and two possible failure points per securement.  All of this within a city block of a major open waterway (read: obstruction-free wind-path).  Personally, I don't like those odds.

The City is relying on the Event Producers to Employ Staging Subcontractors that will erect facilities that will be safe for the (possibly highly intoxicated) general public to hang-out around and potentially be leaning-on, climbing on, or even messing with.  Plan for the worst, and you may have a chance of having an incident-free event, but if you leave opportunities for failures in the system like are shown above, be ready to pay the piper (or at least the plaintiffs).

Follow-up to commenter:
If you are going to use ratchet-straps to secure anything (subject to load rating), then utilizing products that have a self-closing clip is highly recommended.  Here is a picture of that type of ratchet and clip:

 

Deist   http://www.deist.com/inline-ratchet-tiedown-p-258.html

It is also recommended to have a wire rope safety cable that runs in parallel with this, preferably one that is only slightly longer than the final tensioned length of the ratchet strap.  This can prevent a total release of the system should the ratchet strap fail.  Fabric based straps and slings are subject to weakening due to abrasion, minor cuts, and rot.  Straps exposed to sunlight have shortened lifespans due to the exposure to UV light which weakens the fibers.

SchoolDude & Facility Masters Team-up with Theatre Safety Blog for Free Webinar

Register Now – Free Webcast – Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 12:00pm EST Improving Auditorium and Theatre Safety: Tips for Reducing Risk More than 250 of your peers have already signed up for this can’t miss seminar!  Register today to join them, and please forward this invitation to colleagues who might be interested. If you’re not able to attend, register anyway – we’ll email you a link to the recorded webcast to view at your convenience! Properly maintaining and inspecting auditoriums / theatres is a critical component of a proactive safety plan that minimizes potential hazards, reduces risk and safeguards event participants. Join a FREE, interactive 75-minute webcast to hear industry experts discuss how preventive inspections and regular maintenance of auditorium / theatre facilities and equipment protect you from liability issues while also providing a safe environment that protects students, teachers, staff and the community from injury.  Improving Auditorium and Theatre Safety: Tips for Reducing Risk Wednesday, November 28, 2012 12:00pm-1:15pm Eastern Standard Time (11:00AM CST, 10:00AM MST, 9:00AM PST) Register Now! You will learn safety tips and PM checks for auditoriums and theatres that will help you:  Protect occupant safety, reduce risk and liability Develop a regular theatre and auditorium inspection process Document inspections, maintenance and repairs Establish policies for facility access, supervision and use Develop a method for reporting problems with these facilities Train staff and students on proper use of these facilities Achieve a safe and well maintained environment Register now for this free webcast: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ddwzo3zjjq5 Presenters are: Tom Watkins:  Fine Arts Director     –    Van Buren School District, AR Erich Friend:   Theatre Consultant    –    Teqniqal Systems Roger Young: Executive Director     –     Facility Masters  Justin Turner:  Applications Specialist – SchoolDude.com Click or copy and paste the below link into your internet browser to register: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ddwzo3zjjq5   This Facility Masters webcast is sponsored by your friends at SchoolDude! For additional resources on improving safety, PM and the learning environment, visit the Facility Masters Resource Library and the SchoolDude Resource Library. Roger Young Facility Masters 1-978-886-6093 roger (at) facilitymastersonline (dot) com Visit my Blog:  www.facilitymastersonline.com/blog/ Facebook:       www.facebook.com/facilitymasters Twitter:            www.twitter.com/facilitymasters LinkedIn:         www.linkedin.com/company/facility-masters

Protecting Performers AND the Audience

Unruly spectators can pose a risk to themselves, those around them, crew, and performers.  In rowdy rock concerts with drugs and/or alcohol added to the mix, it can be even more unpredictable.  On May 24, 2010, the lead singer for the heavy metal band Lamb of God, was performing in Abaton, a nightclub in Prague, Czech Republic.

In the course of the show, fans were allegedly enticed to come onstage and dive into the audience for a little body surfing.  Things got out of control and one patron went off of the stage backwards and was not caught by the crowd.  He supposedly struck his head on the floor, but was able to get-up and walk out of the club.  He later collapsed, was taken to the hospital, and remained in a comma for several weeks before dying.

The band's promoter said that they had not heard anything about the pending arrest and had booked dates without any knowledge that the performer might be held accountable for the incident.  The lead singer, Blythe, was arrested June 27th, 2012 as he entered the country to promote the bands newest album.  Blythe has been held by the Czech Republic police awaiting a bail bond hearing since entering the country.  He has been charged with manslaughter.  Several web sites have followed the incident and some have posted cell-phone videos from that night's concert.  Depending who you believe, it may have been an accident, or there may have been other people involved or responsible for the circumstances.

It is important that performers can work safely on stage and not worry about being assaulted by guests, and it is incumbent upon venue managers to see that proper controls are placed between artists and fans.

 ---------------------------------

However, it is not just artists and fans that require protection, either -- on October 30th, 2004 there was an incident in a Dallas, Texas nightclub where the lead guitarist Vince Neil (formerly with the rock band MÖTLEY CRÜE was unhappy with the stage monitor mix operator.
After motioning for for more guitar volume during his headlining set at Gilley's Dallas, Neil ran across the stage, leaped onto the monitor mix sound board and swung a leg at sound man Michael Talbert, but missed; then Neil struck him with a "closed fist."

Talbert, who was looking down, saw only the monitor mixing console and Neil's foot next to him before losing consciousness for about 45 seconds after Neil's punch knocked him to the ground.  He said a CT scan revealed that he had suffered a mild concussion. "He tried to kick me and missed, took a swing and connected.  He clocked me pretty good on my eyeball," said Talbert, who works at Gilley's. "He just went cuckoo nutso."  An arrest warrant was later issued for Neil

More information can be found at:

www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lamb-of-god-singer-still-imprisoned-in-czech-republic-20120705

www.randyblythe.posterous.com

www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=176308

Related Blog Post:

theatresafetyblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/performers-need-some-limits-and.html

Industry Professionals Form Event Safety Alliance Organization

The creation of the Event Safety Alliance was announced to the public at the TourLink 2012 conference in Phoenix, Arizona during the open panel “Outdoor Show Safety Solutions” on January 28, 2012. This panel was moderated by Jim Digby and featured founding members of the Event Safety Alliance who represented all areas of our industry, from insurance coverage to structure fabrication.

The Event Safety Alliance is a group of entertainment industry leaders that have come together to address the immediate need for universal safety standards for the production of live events.  The newly formed group is based out of Austin, Texas and has posted a web site with more information.

Check them out and sign-up for their newsletter at: http://eventsafetyalliance.org/

They are also hooked-up with Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The groups is so new they don't even have a logo yet [updated: see above!], the ink is still drying on the bits, but they are tackling event safety head-on and plan to publish a Best Practices Guide in the near future.

Audience Platform Collapse Injures 30

Stockholm, Sweden - Friday, March 2nd, 2012 — A section of a VIP platform collapsed during a performance by Swedish disc jockey Avicii at the Globe Arena.  About 30 people fell some 4 meters (~13 feet) when the floor of the structure caved in.  Police spokeswoman Inger Qvennerstedt says about 20 concertgoers age between 15 and 17 were taken to hospital.  She says most of the injuries were minor, but one was "very serious."

Organizers say a second performance by Avicii scheduled for Friday was canceled.  The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear.

The video posted on YouTube shows a very enthusiastic crowd jumping up and down in sync to the beat of the music, which can create tremendous live loading on a structure.  The camera finally pans down to show the gaping hole in the platform at around the 1:20 marker.  Note how visibly the security staff is dressed!

More information can be found at: http://www.beatmyday.com/2012/03/03/platform-collapse-during-avicii-gig-at-globe-arena-stockholm/

Yeah, they have an app for that, too.

The iAuditor application for the iPad provides a convenient way to deploy checklists to all of your department heads and workers.  This customizable tool allows you to set-up check-lists, take photos, sign the document, and e-mail it so you have a clear record of inspections.

This app replaces paper-based reporting and allows the user to enhance reports with photographs showing compliance issues.  It also greatly reduces the likelihood of late submissions and falsified time-stamping.

With a smart interface to build forms, iAuditor allows for forms to be created on-the-fly from within the app, a form can be created and modified to suit departmental needs throughout the theatre plant.  By giving users the power to create their own audits, iAuditor can be applied to thousands of situations. This level of customization in auditing has never been seen before in the safety industry.


The iAuditor app has full GPS integration, too, so it can identify reports applicable to specific venues for large areas like theme parks, or be used on tour venue-to-venue.

An unlimited number of forms and checklists can be created using the form building screen, and templates can be shared between users. Ready-to-use audit forms are also available for free download from the SafetyCulture Secure Online Cloud.

Upon completion of an audit or checklist, the form can be quickly e-mailed as a PDF, which is compatible with almost any computer, smartphone, or tablet with a PDF reader application.

An audit checklist can be used by workers to ensure they are meeting their reporting and record-keeping requirements. Uses include:

• Life Safety Code Inspections
• Occupational Heath and Safety Codes
• Governmental Reporting Requirements
• Fire Prevention Checklists
• Building Safety Checklists
• Electrical Safety Checklists
• Ladder Safety Checklists
• Pre-Show, Intermission, and Post-Show Checklists for both FOH and Backstage
• Shop, Storage, and Loading Dock Safety Audits
• Vehicle Inspections
• Emergency Lighting & Exit Sign Inspections
• Fire Extinguisher Inspections
• Fire Door Inspections

“Businesses all over the world are using technology to work smarter, not harder. We’ve listened to the people who are out in the field every day, and we’re committed to helping them work safer by using technology. With iAuditor, we’ve shown another example of this commitment; an incredibly versatile auditing and checklist app that is free to use and free to download.” Said Luke Anear, Managing Director of SafetyCulture Australia (www.safetyculture.com.au).

More information about the iAuditor app can be found at: www.safetyculture.com.au/iauditor/

Sulleberger on Safety

"Management at every level is responsible for safety. Safety should be a core business function because it is too important to be managed by exception."   Sullenberger writes on the Sustainable Business Forum.  Chesley Sullenberger knows just a thing or two about Safety and Leadership - he's the guy that landed a passenger jet in the Hudson River just moments after encountering a flock of birds that killed the engines on take-off.  Everyone got home OK that day.

How is Safety a 'sustainable' element for show business?  Sustainability is the act of keeping both the environment around you alive and healthy - and yourself alive and healthy.  The 'yourself' can be individuals, groups, businesses, or entire planets.  Green initiatives are all about a sustainable world in both the business sense and the human survivability sense.

It is essential that you get Sully's point across to the management of your venue or production company.  Without the survival of the workers, performers, and the audience - there will be no show.  We all need to be healthy and well-functioning to be effective at our jobs and in the enjoyment of the shows we attend.

Check-out Sully's words at: Values Start at the Top http://sustainablebusinessforum.com/node/55730

Also check-out the link at the bottom of the article to another writing of his "Aviation Safety is a Team Sport"

Electrical Safety in the Theatre

Electricity can pose a serious hazard in the workplace, however, it is unlikely that we’ll be doing much without it in the foreseeable future.  Lighting, sound, rigging, projection, and tools all require it.  A 12-year study by the National Instituteof Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified 244 workplace deaths thatwere the direct result of an electrical accident.  Misuse or neglect of electrical equipment puts employees at risk of electrical shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions.  Making your crew / staff / guests / employees aware of the risks and teaching them to following basic safety principles will help reduce the chance of electrical-related accidents at your venue.

Basic Electrical Safety Principles

It is important for employers to be aware of the risks associated with electrical equipment. When planning or performing work on or near electrical equipment or machinery, the safety tips that follow will reduce the risk of an accident:

• Plan ahead; consider possible problems that may occur and how to prevent them.
• Use the right tools for the job including procedures, drawings, and other documents.
• Identify all potential hazards in the work space, including the risk of electrical shock.
• Test every circuit and every conductor; every time, to ensure that they are powered-down before service.
• Train workers to ensure that they have the skills and experience required to perform work around electrical equipment.
• De-energize all electrical equipment and conductors before beginning work.
• Treat electrical equipment and conductors as energized until lockout / tagout (LOTO) and grounding procedures have been implemented.
• Wear protective clothing, including hard hats, insulated clothing, and gloves.
• Only use insulated tools.
• Determine approach boundaries and comply with suggested minimum clearances for power lines or exposed conductors.

Electrical Safety Regulations and Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a number of regulations relating to workplace electrical safety. Some important regulations include 29 CFR 1910: Subpart Electrical:

• 1910, Subpart I – Personal Protective Equipment
  1910.137Electrical Protective Devices
• 1910 Subpart S – Electrical
  1910.301 thru 308 Design Safety Standards for Electrical Systems
• 1910.331 thru 335 Electrical Safety Related Work Practices

 The following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards cover electrical safety:

• NFPA70 National Electrical Code addresses electrical systems and equipment installed and used within the workplace.
• NFPA 70EStandard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace discusses protection from electrical hazards such as shock, arc blasts, and explosions initiated by electricity.
• NFPA 79Electrical Standard for Industry Machinery covers fire safety and electrical specifications for industry machinery and manufacturing systems.

Checklist of Workplace Electrical Safety Practices

• Require employees to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working on or near electrical equipment.  Depending upon the Arc Flash Hazard present, this may involve donning special clothing, gloves, hoods, and face shields.
• Inform employees as to the location of potential electrical safety hazards.  Inform them before they enter the work area AND mark the specific hazards with signage, barrier tape, etc.
• Establish an effective lockout / tagout (LOTO) procedure for working on electrical circuits and equipment.
• Use safe work practices to prevent shock or other injuries.  De-energize live equipment, discharge capacitors, use lockout / tagout (LOTO) procedures, wear the appropriate level of PPE, and never work alone.
• Only permit trained or approved personnel to perform maintenance or work on electrical equipment.  Thinking you know what you are doing is not the same as being trained and certified.  Have a second person check you work afterwards to ensure that wiring connections are the proper polarity (Hot, Neutral, Ground), and that covers are re-installed after work as is completed.
• Ensure that all portable electrical tools are grounded or insulated properly.  Use Portable Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) if the power source is not already protected.  Inspect all cords and devices to ensure that cord strain reliefs are properly clamped to the cable casing.
• Install and cover electrical boxes and fittings in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and other regulations.  When removing covers, make sure that screws are not lost (use magnetic holders to retain loose parts where practical).  When working at height, secure covers with safety lanyards before removing the final attachment fasteners.
• Have someone who is trained and certified in the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) inspect the electrical system regularly.  This includes cleaning-out the dust and dirt from inside Dimmer Cabinets, Floor Pockets, and Circuit Breaker Panels; Replacing / Repairing broken switches & receptacles; Repairing / Replacing broken or overheated lamp holders; and checking the wiring lugs in feeder panels with an infrared thermometer to ensure that they are tight and not overheating.
• Train appropriate individuals in the use of fire protection equipment and emergency response procedures.  Know the difference between a Safety Program and an Emergency Preparedness Plan.  A Safety Program, if well implemented, may save you from ever needing to implement your Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• Develop procedures to replace and dispose of damaged or defective electrical cords, circuits, or other electrical equipment.  Implement a ‘Tag and Bag’ process to identify and mark equipment that must be repaired or replaced.  Do not store defective equipment where it may be accessible to the casual user so that it is not inadvertently utilized.  Assigning Inventory Numbers to equipment can help to log and track items in the repair process, and also may help you to track repair expenses.

More Information:

NIOSH web site:  www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/electrical/

OSHA web site:  www.osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/index.html

ESFi web site:  http://esfi.org/

Electrical Construction and Maintenance Magazine:  http://ecmweb.com/

Mike Holt web site:  www.MikeHolt.com