Section

Safety

Articles and resources on safety practices and equipment for trades and DIY work.

An electrical worker in protective gear stands ready near a control panel during a controlled arc flash demonstration, emphasizing safety protocols.

What are arc flash hazards and how can electrical workers prevent them?

At the source of an arc flash, temperatures can instantly reach 20,000 °C, hotter than the surface of the sun, according to elecsafety .

Ben Foster· Apr 18· 3 min
Close-up view of a complex electrical grounding system, emphasizing safety wires and grounding rods, with a subtle visual cue indicating potential electrical hazards.

How Do Electrical Grounding Principles Ensure Safety and Maintenance?

Without proper electrical grounding, a simple electrical fault can create lethal 'step and touch potentials' in the ground, turning a routine interaction into a deadly hazard.

Ben Foster· Apr 17· 3 min
Homeowner inspecting electrical panel with a visible spark from a wire, illustrating the importance of electrical wiring safety fundamentals.

What Are Electrical Wiring Safety Fundamentals for Homeowners?

Home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 incidents each year, resulting in nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.

Ben Foster· Apr 16· 3 min
Industrial electrical panel with warning labels, illustrating the potential dangers of arc flash and the importance of NFPA 70E compliance.

How to Achieve Arc Flash Protection and NFPA 70E Compliance in 2024

Despite clear industry standards, an incident energy analysis, critical for worker safety, can become dangerously outdated if not reviewed every five years or updated after system changes.

Ben Foster· Apr 12· 4 min
A lone construction worker on a high beam at dusk, head in hands, looking overwhelmed amidst an unfinished city skyline, symbolizing the mental health crisis in skilled trades.

Skilled trades face mental health crisis. Safety efforts fall short in 2026.

A significant percentage of skilled trades workers are actively considering leaving their jobs, a trend directly threatening the future productivity and sustainability of vital industries.

Ben Foster· Apr 24· 2 min
Diverse construction workers participating in a hands-on safety training simulation, emphasizing preparedness and skill development in a controlled environment.

Safety training in skilled trades boosts well-being and viability.

New York State saw a staggering 48% increase in construction worker deaths from 2022 to 2023, according to Long Island Business News .

Ben Foster· Apr 23· 2 min
Construction workers participating in a hands-on first aid training session, highlighting safety and teamwork.

Safety Training Isn't Just Compliance; It's Key to Worker Wellbeing and Retention.

Businesses with robust safety cultures, bolstered by initiatives like first aid training, consistently achieve lower absence rates and significantly higher employee retention, according to London Busi

Ben Foster· Apr 22· 2 min
A focused welder working in a dimly lit industrial environment, with sparks flying, highlighting the inherent dangers and need for safety precautions.

Essential Welding Safety Precautions and Risks

In 2003, a 44-year-old farmer died from electrocution while welding with a very old, disrepaired SMAW-type Hobart welder, according to stacks .

Ben Foster· Apr 26· 2 min