Security Sales & Integration August 2021 - 22

SMARTS & PARTS
Tech Talk by Bob Dolph
The Most Important
Skill of All
TOOL OF THE MONTH
Why reinvent the wheel
when you can get great free
custom safety material from
OSHA for your safety training
program? That is why this
month's tool is the safety
manual program from OSHA.
▶ CONTINUING THIS MONTH with our
" Best Practices " series, we will take a look at the
most important best practices skill of all. You
might think it would be super technical, but it is
not. However, it has to do with most important
technician, and that is you. Th is important best
practice is personal safety. After all, if you do unfortunately
have an accident, it could aff ect you,
or your fellow workers, for the rest of their careers
or even lives.
We often take everyday daily tasks as technicians
for granted. It is easy to take that one brief
moment in the hast of work and a possible serious
accident occurs. Practicing good safety habits
are exactly that, habits. It will initially take some
extra focus and concentration on safety skills,
however they will shortly become good habits
that can save both yourself, co-workers and even
customers from danger.
First, let's take a look at safely selecting the propBob
Dolph has served
in various technical
management and advisory
positions in the security
industry for 30+ years. To
share tips and installation
questions, email Bob at
bdolph.ssi@gmail.com. Access
content from his 15+ years as
Tech Talk columnist by going
online at securitysales.com/
author/bdolph.
22
er tools. I still have the scar on my fi nger from my
early tech days when I used the wrong sized screwdriver
for the application - a lifetime reminder.
In many cases techs have to provide their own
tools. I often feel sorry for the newbie techs
that have a limited selection of tools, which in
turn can be a safety hazard. While considerate
employers can work out programs to supply the
correct tools, did you know that the government
has tax incentives for tool allowance programs.
Check out IRS Employee Tool & Equipment
Plans website (irs.gov) and view Section 62(a)[2)
(A). § 1.62- 2(b). $1.132-5(a)(l)(v) and 81.622(c)
(1) of the Income Tax Regulations.
Make sure to always use sharp tools, as dull
tools can be a cause for accidents. Sharp drill bits
are a must. Make sure techs are supplied with
sharp drill bits for every job. You can set up programs
with a local or regional drill bit sharpening
service, or sharpen your own with tools such as
those from Drill Doctor (drilldoctor.com).
During the past 10 years the number of ladder-related
injuries has increased 50%. Th e
amazing thing is that the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) stance is
Security Sales & Integration AUGUST 2021
bdolph.ssi@gmail.com
that 100% of all ladder accidents could be prevented
if proper attention to equipment and
climber training were provided. Make sure to
check out training resources such as the free program
from the American Ladder Institute (laddersafetytraining.org).
Even
though we typically work in the low-voltage
workspace, there are times when we may
come in proximity with high-voltage. It is important
that we not only have the correct tools,
but that they keep us safe from various voltage
levels. Use a noncontact sensor wand to identify
the voltage you are about to test. Make sure that
your DMM has a category rating for the work
you are doing.
You may notice a pattern here when it comes
to electrical safety. Even though your work is
dedicated to low voltage, your overall work environment
puts you often in proximity to higher
voltages. Always remember to be aware of your
surroundings. If you are not sure, then de-energize
equipment close to you and use safety lockout
devices so equipment cannot be accidentally
turned on. Make sure you have properly electrically
insulated your ladders and hand tools.
It can be challenging for a company to keep
track of all the nuances for good safety practices.
Th at is why a company, no matter their size,
should have a dedicated safety offi cer. Documented
and regular safety training sessions, customized
to your trade, should be conducted. If
you need guidance on your particular safety program,
one can look at the free safety manual for
OSHA (safetymanualosha.com). Another free
safety training resource is the CDC " Electrical
Safety for the Electrical Trades " student manual
(search " electrical safety " on cdc.gov).
Set aside a short period of time (15-30 minutes)
each week to present a particular safety
subject. Make sure the sessions are documented.
Th is should include a brief quiz administered by
the safety manager, the technician's name and
score recorded, and time stamped.
Why all the fuss? First, you want to make all
understand the safety practices. Second, you may
fi nd yourself and company ready to propose a big
security equipment project only to fi nd out your
company must show proof that you ALREADY
HAVE IN PLACE a recorded safety training
program. It would be sad to lose a big proposal
opportunity just because you didn't already have
a safety training program.
securitysales.com
COURTESY OF OSHA
http://www.dersafetytraining.org http://www.safetymanualosha.com http://www.cdc.gov http://www.irs.gov http://www.drilldoctor.com http://www.securitysales.com/ http://www.securitysales.com
Security Sales & Integration August 2021

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