After installing and using this device over the past several weeks, all I can say is that this device is exponentially worth every cent, just in time savings alone! No more running back to the locker, getting geared up, power down and verify no power, remove gear, repair affected device, close up and power up; the time savings by not having to gear up also helps with our production which is time-critical. DEFINITELY a must-have.
–Tracy “TJ” Sessions, Electrical Maintenance Mechanic, Furmanos Foods
Furmanos Foods is a family-owned company founded on religious principles 100 Seasons ago and is the largest supplier of dried beans in the US. Learn how they were able to incorporate a Voltage Test Station into their Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures to reduce exposure to energy and efficiently test for absence of voltage with complete confidence in their safety.
In a food and beverage industry LOTO study conducted by the CDC in 2014, they reported that “due to the fast-paced nature with which employees are required to work, injuries are more likely to occur. When machines go down, the primary goal is to get them back up and running as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this often means maintenance workers don’t take proper steps to de-energize the equipment first.”
All leads point to the fast-paced nature and high demand for uptime as a determining factor for electrical incidents incurred during LOTO procedures. In fast-paced work environments, reactive maintenance is often performed while equipment is in an energized state, drastically raising the risk of energy exposure, direct contact, as well as the likelihood of OSHA citations and hefty fines. Organizations must foster a culture that prioritizes the health of safety of their employees over the speed at which they perform to churn a profit.
OSHA’s Regulatory Analysis has proven that for every $1 invested in health and safety, employers can expect a return of $4-$6. In the case of Furmanos Foods investing in a Voltage Test Station, not only do their personnel feel safer, but they are also more productive due to the efficiency of this presence of voltage indication and absence of voltage testing device.
An organization that is highly productive and efficient must have a culture where employees feel safe, secure, and cared for. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a safe and healthy workplace not only protects workers from injury and illness, but can also lower injury/illness costs, reduce absenteeism and turnover, increase productivity and quality, and raise overall employee morale. In other words, fostering a safety culture is not just good practice, it’s good for business.
About the Voltage Test Station: The Voltage Test Station combines our Safe-Test Point™ with a GracePESDs® voltage indicator conveniently placed within a protective housing. The test point jacks allow qualified personnel to test for absence of voltage by taking a measurement of AC/DC voltages either phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground.
The R-3W Series voltage indicators with either flashing or non-flashing LEDs visually represent the presence of voltage. Following facility safety procedures, insert the insulated multimeter probes with .080” tips into any two test point jacks to take a voltage reading and test for the absence of voltage with properly rated test equipment.
