Safety, quality, and productivity are closely interconnected in the manufacturing, construction, and electrical services industries. Sacrificing one of these elements inevitably impacts the others. When organizations prioritize maintaining safety, quality, and productivity, they enhance their ability to serve customers effectively and protect their employees and customers. Let’s examine the relationship between these three essential pillars of a strong, sustainable business.
Businesses often perceive safety, quality, and productivity as conflicting elements; however, they work together. Organizations should view safety not as a nuisance but as a crucial element of business success.
SAFETY
Safety enhances both quality and productivity within an organization. Unsafe operations tend to be poorly managed, leading to a lack of motivation and mindfulness among employees. Quality and productivity decline when employees are stressed, dissatisfied, or unable to fulfill their responsibilities, which can result in higher turnover rates. Conversely, a safe work environment allows employees to concentrate on their tasks, improving their performance. The safer an organization is, the less likely it is to experience large-scale disruptions.
In electrical safety, NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, is a document from the National Fire Protection Association that establishes safety guidelines for employees working with electricity. It aims to create a safe working environment by addressing employees’ electrical safety requirements. The standard emphasizes practical safeguards that enable workers to remain productive in their job functions while minimizing risks.
Editor’s note: 70E® and Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
Originally developed at OSHA’s request, NFPA 70E aims to help companies and employees prevent workplace injuries and fatalities from electric shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast. It also assists in compliance with OSHA regulations, specifically 1910 Subpart S and 1926 Subpart K.
QUALITY
Quality enhances safety and productivity and reflects a company’s commitment to conscientiousness and proactiveness. Producing high-quality work results in better outcomes and superior products and services. The higher the quality of work, the fewer reworks are necessary, leading to increased overall productivity. When a business maintains high-quality standards, it can be inferred that its standards for safety equipment, software, and processes are also elevated.
Quality and safety are also enhanced when an organization develops an electrical maintenance program. NFPA 70B®, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance®, is a standard outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC) that focuses on maintaining electrical equipment. This includes inspection procedures, testing, cleaning, repairs, and safety protocols.
Editor’s note: 70B® and Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
Before 2023, NFPA 70B only offered recommendations, but the recent 2024 update has transformed these suggestions into enforceable standards. Not only does this enhance quality, but it also closely aligns with NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, which indicates that even if equipment is installed correctly, it may not be safe to work on unless it is “properly maintained” per the manufacturer’s instructions or industry consensus standards.
Various organizations, including OSHA and other governmental bodies, often require compliance with NFPA standards. The new updates to NFPA 70B are now mandatory. Key requirements outlined in NFPA 70B include:
- Components of a compliant electrical preventive maintenance (EPM) program
- Safety methods and procedures for EPM
- Testing frequencies for electrical equipment
- Guidelines for implementing an EPM program
PRODUCTIVITY
Improving productivity not only enhances safety but also improves quality. Carelessness can often lead to safety issues. By implementing effective safety processes and practices, we can promote a safer work environment and enhance the overall quality of our output. NFPA 70E provides guidance for employers to ensure safe work practices for their employees. It requires the establishment of an electrical safety program (ESP) to ensure that these practices are consistently followed. Additionally, NFPA 70E underscores the importance of properly maintaining equipment when working with electrical systems. More productive employees are less likely to compromise on safety measures, and increased productivity encourages them to focus more on the quality of their work. Establishing an electrical maintenance program improves worker safety and boosts productivity by ensuring that electrical equipment operates efficiently and reducing unscheduled downtime.
The three pillars — safety, quality, and productivity — are interdependent and crucial for improving an organization’s outcomes. If one pillar weakens, the others will likely suffer as well. Conversely, a strong pillar can enhance the entire business. Companies should assess their performance in these areas to identify shortcomings and determine where their business may be at risk of destabilization.
BARRIERS TO SAFETY, QUALITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY
It is clear that safety positively impacts business outcomes. Dangerous operations can result in lost time, injured employees, and decreased morale. However, many organizations are concerned that implementing additional safety measures will consume time and resources. While this concern is valid, it is essential to understand that investing a small amount in preventive measures is far better than incurring significant expenses during an emergency. Various industry studies indicate that the hidden, indirect costs associated with workplace injuries can be four to 10 times greater than the direct costs. In some instances, these indirect costs may be as much as 20 times higher.
The main challenge regarding quality often lies in the pressure for expediency. Companies can choose between being fast, inexpensive, or high-quality. When organizations are forced to cut costs (making it cheap) and prioritize speed (making it fast), they often sacrifice quality. Unfortunately, sacrificing quality can lead to increased time and costs, as dissatisfied customers and poor test results may require reworks that can exceed the original budget by threefold.
Lastly, productivity should never be viewed as being at odds with safety or quality. Some organizations believe that safety measures hinder productivity and that it is challenging to maintain a productive workplace amidst increased regulations and safety protocols. The opposite is true: Employees cannot remain productive in a dangerous environment.
ESTABLISHING A FOUNDATION
How can businesses establish a strong safety, quality, and productivity foundation? It all starts with company culture. Employers must cultivate a culture that prioritizes these values, beginning with safety. Safety is essential for any business. While quality and productivity can always be improved, an unsafe work environment can create an indefinite negative reputation.
In addition to fostering a positive company culture, employers should adopt new business processes and technologies. Safety management software can enhance incident reporting and provide better real-time visibility. This makes it easier for companies to ensure employees adhere to enhanced safety protocols and address any safety issues promptly and effectively.
Employers can find it challenging to improve an organization from the ground up, especially if it requires significant changes. However, prioritizing safety is critical.
BALANCING SAFETY, QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY
Finding the right balance between safety, productivity, and quality can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Companies can achieve this delicate balance by starting with the right approach. Here are some tips for each aspect of this triad. It’s important to remember that placing too much emphasis on one of these factors can hinder the business’s overall performance.
Consider safety, quality, and productivity as your company’s core principles. Here’s how to put each of these three things first without sacrificing the other two:
Putting Safety First
Many corporate representatives claim that safety is their priority, even after an injury or tragedy has occurred. For some, this may genuinely be the case. However, when you consider safety an essential component of your company’s three primary directives, it becomes evident that these elements must exist proportionally to one another.
Here are a couple of tips on how to invest in safety while balancing it with quality and productivity:
- Focus on long-term results. Do you make quick fixes to dangerous equipment, or do you invest in replacing it before it poses a risk to anyone’s safety? Investing in company assets now may lead to fewer issues down the road, including reduced hours lost and fewer workers’ compensation claims.
- Prioritize people. Numerous well-documented links exist between a safe workplace and increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and engagement. Investing in safety measures and infrastructure can foster more confident, productive, and committed employees. This, in turn, leads to higher throughput and improved profit margins.
A company can claim that safety is its top priority, but do its actions reflect that commitment? The consistent demand for health and safety engineers indicates that companies strive to align their actions with their stated priorities. Having dedicated health and safety officers involved ensures that employee well-being is consistently considered alongside other priorities, such as productivity and profit.
Putting Quality First
Organizations that build teams of invested and empowered employees succeed. Such companies experience less staff turnover. When workers are engaged, they consistently produce high-quality services safely.
Ever wonder how quality can effortlessly maintain itself when your primary objectives are on track? A strong culture focused on safety and productivity reduces turnover, ensuring that talent stays longer. This means you won’t constantly start from scratch because your skilled employees won’t leave prematurely. As a result, you benefit from consistent product quality, a solid company reputation over time, and stable and predictable workflows.
Your employees must recognize the following:
- Production goals won’t compromise essential craftsmanship. You are in field service or manufacturing because you take pride in delivering a well-done job or product. Maintaining high quality and craftsmanship is a fundamental value of your organization. Regardless of your production targets, they should never come at the expense of integrity. Ensure that employees feel supported and heard to produce their best work and address any issues swiftly.
- Employees are a long-term investment. Employees want assurance that you would prefer to retain and develop their skills rather than let them leave and replace them. Workers who feel they have long-term support are more likely to contribute significantly to improving quality and productivity. These employees can become game changers within your company.
Ultimately, product quality reflects a company’s overall stability and the work environment it fosters. Defects and service incidents often stem from a disorganized culture or leadership that struggles to balance competing priorities. Consistent, high-quality work demonstrates a harmonious balance between productivity, safety, and employee satisfaction and engagement.
Putting Productivity First
Next, we need to understand the role of productivity within the three prime directives. Today’s companies must cultivate a culture that integrates safety and thoughtfulness in employees just as strongly as it does productivity. The belief that we cannot have both is a false choice. We can achieve all of these goals if we prioritize the following:
- Build a culture with embedded values. A company must train employees to promote safety and productivity simultaneously. If a business needs to bring in new staff or implement new machinery during peak demand, it should not compromise on safety training or encourage shortcuts. Instead, the company should enhance safety measures during busy periods to ensure continued success.
- Use automation in a prosocial manner. In the manufacturing industry, automation is becoming more affordable and effective in creating safer workplaces. Simple investments, such as remote-controlled robots, can significantly reduce risks. More advanced automation systems, like robotic arms and smart conveyors, can handle heavy tasks, keeping employees out of harm’s way. In electrical maintenance, remote racking and switching devices keep workers out of harm’s way, promoting a safer work environment during maintenance.
- Preventive and predictive maintenance programs. The 2023 version of NFPA 70B has transitioned from recommendations to mandatory requirements regarding the implementation of electrical maintenance programs. Previous versions used the term “should” to describe electrical maintenance practices, while the new version uses “shall.” This change emphasizes the necessity of adhering to these practices.
Additionally, the updated standard considers the physical condition of electrical equipment, its criticality, and the operating environment when determining the frequency of maintenance. Proper maintenance is crucial, as failure to maintain equipment correctly could jeopardize personnel safety and environmental protection.
FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN THE THREE PILLARS
Whenever you hear stories about companies achieving significant milestones in their industries, their success often boils down to a few key components. These businesses have employees who prioritize quality in their work as a matter of habit, pride, and company culture.
Such organizations tend to have few incidents or accidents, maintain well-designed workflows and product development cycles that align productivity with quality, and benefit from a stable talent pool.
CONCLUSION
The holistic approach described here can help companies of all sizes balance their priorities and become transformative leaders in their respective fields.
REFERENCES
- NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, 2024 Edition. Available at https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-70e-standard-development/70e.
- OSHA 1910 Subpart S Electrical. Available at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910SubpartS.
- OSHA 1926 Subpart K Electrical. Available at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartK.
- NFPA 70B®, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance®, 2023 Edition. Available at https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-70b-standard-development/70b.
Thomas Sandri is Director of Workforce Development at Vector Power, where his responsibilities include the design and development of learning courses. He has been active in the field of electrical power and telecommunications for over 35 years. During his career, Sandri has developed numerous training aids and training courses, has been published in various industry guides, and has conducted seminars domestically and internationally. Sandri supports a wide range of electrical and telecommunication maintenance application disciplines. He has been directly involved with and supported test and measurement applications for over 25 years and is considered an authority in application disciplines including insulation system analysis, medium- and high-voltage cable, and partial discharge analysis, as well as battery and DC systems testing and maintenance. Sandri earned a BSEE from Thomas Edison University in Trenton, New Jersey. He received NETA’s Alliance Recognition Award in 2024.