Safe Work Practices

Course Description

ETP1100C – Safe Work Practices is a 3-credit combined lecture and laboratory course within the Engineering Technologies / Energy Power Technology taxonomy. The course introduces students to the occupational safety and health standards, regulations, and practices essential for working safely in energy, power, and utility environments. Emphasis is placed on OSHA regulations, hazard recognition and control, personal protective equipment, electrical safety, and emergency response procedures. Students apply safe work concepts through hands-on laboratory activities aligned to industry standards including OSHA 29 CFR 1910, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and NFPA 70E.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss and describe the function and mission of OSHA and an employer's safety organization.
• Research, interpret, and apply sections of an industry Safe Work Practice manual to realistic job scenarios.
• Identify, select, and properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to energy and power work environments.
• Explain and apply lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures to control hazardous energy sources per 29 CFR 1910.147.
• Identify electrical hazards and apply electrically safe work conditions in accordance with NFPA 70E and OSHA 1910 Subpart S.
• Describe safe practices for trenching, excavation, shoring, and confined space entry per applicable OSHA standards.
• Demonstrate CPR, rescue, and life-saving strategies particularly related to energy industry hazards, including OSHA-required rescue training for line workers.
• Explain arc flash hazard risk assessment, approach boundaries, and the selection of arc-rated PPE.
• Apply OSHA General Industry (29 CFR 1910) and Construction (29 CFR 1926) standards relevant to energy and power work.
• Complete and interpret workplace hazard communication (HazCom) documentation including Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and GHS labeling.

Optional Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes may be addressed depending on institutional program focus and available laboratory resources:

• Discuss safe truck driving, pole, and equipment trailer practices applicable to utility line work.
• Understand the process of obtaining the State of Florida CDL-A Permit License as required for utility vehicle operation.
• Evaluate potential hazards and conduct tailboard (job briefing) sessions for rescue planning.
• Identify and apply environmental compliance requirements related to hazardous material handling and spill response.
• Demonstrate proficiency in fall protection systems and equipment inspection per OSHA 1926 Subpart M.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• OSHA Overview: History, mission, structure, and employer/employee rights and responsibilities; OSHA 10-hour General Industry and Construction orientation.
• Hazard Recognition and Control: Hierarchy of controls, job hazard analysis (JHA), hazard identification in energy and utility work environments.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Selection, inspection, care, and use of PPE including arc-rated clothing, insulated gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, and respiratory protection.
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Energy control program development, de-energization and verification procedures, group LOTO, and 29 CFR 1910.147 compliance.
• Electrical Safety: NFPA 70E electrically safe work conditions, arc flash boundaries (limited, restricted, prohibited), incident energy analysis, and 29 CFR 1910.331–1910.335.
• Trenching, Excavation, Shoring, and Confined Space: OSHA excavation safety (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P), soil classification, permit-required confined space entry (29 CFR 1910.146).
• Safe Work Practice Manuals: Reading, interpreting, and applying employer and utility-industry safe work practice manuals in scenario-based exercises.
• Emergency Response and CPR/First Aid: OSHA-required rescue training for line workers, CPR/AED certification, first aid procedures for electrical contact and other energy-industry injuries.
• Hazard Communication (HazCom/GHS): SDS content and use, GHS labeling, chemical hazard identification, and 29 CFR 1910.1200 compliance.
• Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping: OSHA 300 logs, near-miss reporting, root cause analysis, and employer recordkeeping obligations.

Optional Topics

• Fall Protection: Harness inspection and use, anchor points, self-retracting lifelines, and OSHA 1926 Subpart M requirements for elevated energy work.
• Utility Vehicle and Trailer Safety: Safe driving practices for utility trucks, pole trailers, and aerial lift equipment; pre-trip inspections.
• Florida CDL-A Permit Process: Overview of requirements and procedures for obtaining a Florida Commercial Driver's License Class A permit for utility vehicle operation.
• Environmental Compliance: Hazardous waste handling, spill prevention and response, RCRA basics applicable to energy sector operations.
• Tailboard (Job Briefing) Sessions: Industry practice for pre-job safety briefings; hazard identification, task assignment, and rescue planning discussions.
• Fire Safety and Suppression: Classes of fire, fire extinguisher selection and use, fire prevention in electrical environments.

Resources & Tools

• OSHA Publications: 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) and 29 CFR 1926 (Construction) standards; OSHA 10-Hour General Industry/Construction outreach materials.
• NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (current edition) — primary reference for arc flash and electrically safe work conditions.
• NFPA 70 (NEC): National Electrical Code, referenced for electrical installation safety context.
• Florida DOE Energy Curriculum Framework: State-published competency standards for Energy Power Technology programs (flrules.elaws.us).
• PPE and LOTO Lab Equipment: Arc-rated PPE ensembles, insulated tools, lockout stations, hasp sets, and safety tags for hands-on laboratory exercises.
• CPR/AED Training Equipment: Mannequins, AED trainers; course may qualify students for American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR/First Aid certification.
• Learning Management System (LMS): Canvas or Blackboard for coursework, OSHA digital resources, and scenario-based assessments.
• Recommended Textbook: Electrical Safety Handbook (Cadick, Capelli-Schellpfeffer, Neitzel) or equivalent OSHA/NFPA 70E-aligned safety text adopted by the institution.

Career Pathways

Completion of ETP1100C supports entry-level employment and advancement in the following fields:

• Electric Utility Line Worker / Apprentice Lineworker – investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and municipal utilities in Florida.
• Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer (SOC 49-9051) – transmission, distribution, and substation construction and maintenance.
• Industrial Electrician / Maintenance Technician – manufacturing, water treatment, and facilities with high-voltage systems.
• Wind Turbine Service Technician (SOC 49-9081) – one of the fastest-growing occupations requiring comprehensive electrical and fall-protection safe work training.
• Solar Photovoltaic Installer (SOC 47-2231) – residential and commercial solar installations with OSHA electrical and fall protection compliance requirements.
• Safety Technician / Safety Coordinator – entry pathway toward occupational health and safety roles in energy and construction industries.

This course is commonly part of the Energy Power Technology A.S. degree or Lineworker Certificate programs at Florida colleges. Credits earned in ETP1100C may articulate toward additional energy technology credentials.

Special Information

• OSHA 10-Hour Card: Many Florida college offerings of this course or its companion program components are structured to qualify students to receive the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry or Construction outreach card, a widely recognized industry credential.
• CPR/First Aid Certification: The emergency response laboratory component may qualify students for industry-standard CPR/AED and First Aid certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• "C" Lab Indicator: The "C" suffix in ETP1100C denotes a combined lecture and laboratory course meeting in the same location, consistent with Florida SCNS taxonomy rules. Students should expect both classroom instruction and hands-on safety lab activities each week.
• Industry Alignment: Course competencies align with the Florida DOE Curriculum Framework for Energy Power Technology and the workforce needs of Florida's investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, and independent power producers.
• Safety Attire: Students are required to wear appropriate PPE during laboratory sessions, which may include arc-rated clothing, safety-toed footwear, hard hats, and safety glasses. Consult your institution's course syllabus for specific requirements.