One of the areas that require extensive safety measures and precautions is the field of electricity. The authorities always need to be extremely vigilant and take all necessary steps required to protect the normal public, vehicles and everyone from all types of dangers and accidents that can happen due to electrical lines and equipment.
ESV is the authority in Australia which is responsible for ensuring the safety of people from hazards due to electricity, gas and pipelines. They also act as the approving authority for all agencies who provide support and assistance of spotters for different requirements and projects.
Spotters are staff personnel whose services are sought to keep people safe, reduce risk to equipment and vehicles at different worksites and locations. The spotters obtain necessary knowledge upfront, are trained by organizations that employ them and are ultimately deputed at various places from where ongoing electrical and other types of projects can cause harm by unexpected accidents and other problems.
The trained and experienced electrical spotters are in a way responsible for saving lives of people who are employed in different professions and worksites wherein there are chances of accidents due to electrical lines and other reasons. Proactive monitoring and vigilant observation are carried out by the spotters to ensure that people, machines and vehicles do not come in contact with any kind of electrical equipment or wires. Accidents can happen due to several reasons like
- People getting in contact unknowingly with unattended electrical wires and equipment
- Big vehicles and equipment like trucks and cranes touching electrical lines during work
- Mobile plant operators getting electric shocks when touching electrical stuff by mistake
Electric spotters who are often deputed at such worksites raise the alarm upfront and warn the workers using different ways like signboards, whistles, alarms and other safety equipment. A lot of damage, injury, accidents and harm is prevented due to the vigilant and professional work done by the spotters in these types of workplaces.
A spotter is required at all plants and work locations where there is a chance of the work equipment getting in contact with overhead electrical lines and other equipment. The electric spotter requirements include
- Ability to guide a person who is operating a crane or other kind of equipment to ensure that there is no contact with overhead electrical lines
- Training on how to provide first aid to affected people in the scenario of an accident
- Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in case of an unfortunate incident to one of the staff or other people
- Should have obtained necessary training from a recognized institute and also obtained the card or certificate that authorizes to perform the responsibilities of a spotter.
People willing to work as electrical spotters can enroll themselves for spotters course in one of the institutes and complete an appropriate course which gives them job opportunities in companies that provide staff services of spotters to other clients and organizations.
The role of the electric spotter in preventing damage to people, equipment, machines and vehicles is of great significance considering that it involves saving precious lives and expensive equipment.
Many companies that are authorized by energy safe victoria provide electrical spotter services based on demands from clients and organizations executing big infrastructure projects. The presence and need of spotters at necessary worksites is also a mandatory requirement as part of safety regulations and norms created by the responsible authorities.
The safety of people is paramount in any work environment and carries the highest priority. The principle holds utmost importance in the field of electricity and hence the role played by spotters is critical in the larger perspective of life.
