For workers, safety needs to come first

the specific electrical systems they are dealing with.

For example, one has to ask if it is necessary to work on a system while it is dangerously energized, or if that is an oversight because it is easier than turning it off. Also, not all electrical systems are equal, which is why electrical workers need to recognize different hazard classes of electrical work. The same goes for any other work, whether it is public utility work, heavy equipment operation or even office work.

A hazard and control plan entailing a multistep process is required: Define the work; identify the hazards; rank the hazards by lethality; create hazard controls; and implement the control plan before doing the work. Finally, review the safety plan after the work is done and correct any oversight. Above all, empower any worker to stop the work at any point, without fear of retaliation, if an unanticipated danger appears that threatens worker safety.

It’s not clear that Santa Fe is faithfully performing these crucial workplace safety steps. I think, as apparently the state Construction Industries Division has thought, that it is time to stop electrical work in Santa Fe until the city figures out how to do it safely. I would go further and examine all of our potentially hazardous work.

As a taxpayer, and as someone who has supervised others in potentially hazardous work and who, for over 40 years, has seen my colleagues go home safely, I can accept no less a burden on my city government in order to protect the folks who keep my city functioning.