Empower Answers Growing Need For Electrical Safety Training

While summer calls to mind days free of the schoolroom, the Empower Training Services team has been filling classes this summer, answering the call for expert electrical safety training with a full schedule of summer seminars.

June 2022 saw four high-profile seminars, including up-to-date training on Electrical Safety in the Workplace for 20 Verizon employees taught by VP of Technical Training & Support, Joe Gierlach, and one of two sessions for Linc Service contractor Trotter and Morton Facility Services, providing training on electrically safe work practices for HVAC technicians.

identify and mitigate risk 

Technicians whose primary focus isn't electrical maintenance still face electrical hazards in the workplace"

"Electrical risk doesn't only threaten electrical workers," said Joe DeMonte, Director of Technical Training and Support, adding "Technicians and service professionals whose primary focus isn't electrical maintenance still face electrical hazards in the workplace, and per the NFPA standards, that requires training to help them identify and mitigate that risk."  

The summer of 2022 also saw Empower seminars hosted for TEGG contractor Humphrey & Associates, in Carrollton, Texas (pictured), and a virtual seminar on NFPA 70E for ProPump and Controls, Inc. 

8-hour Empower seminars

Taught by co-lead instructors Joe Gierlach and Joe DeMonte, 8-hour Empower seminars cover vital safety content including safety-related maintenance and electrically safe work practices as outlined by NFPA 70E, the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

Feedback from participants included a consistent ranking of 'exceeding my expectations' and:

• "It helped me realize the proper safety procedures needed to make it home every night."
• "Educational to me as an electrical worker, including the labels we need to look out for."
• "It was very informative. [The instructor] discussed every scenario that might happen in the field."

Safe work practices

NFPA 70E requires retraining at least every three years, but yearly training is crucial to sustaining a strong safety culture

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that employees working around energized equipment require training in safe work practices. NFPA 70E requires retraining at least every three years, but yearly training is crucial to sustaining a strong safety culture.

TEGG and Linc Service contractors should contact Empower Training Services to discuss offering on-site or virtual safety seminars for their clients and customers.

Useful information

"The information was presented in a logically fluid format," said an attendee of the Verizon seminar. "As a licensed electrical contractor, I found the information quite useful, and I realize I've dodged a bullet over the years." 

Joe Gierlach is the co-lead instructor for Empower Training Services. He has over 30 years of industry experience, is a Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP), is an ITC Level III Certified Thermographer, and previously was an Aerospace Ground Support Equipment Technician for the U.S. Air Force.

Joseph DeMonte

Joseph DeMonte is the co-lead instructor for Empower Training Services, teaching courses in the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

He has over 22 years of industry experience in predictive maintenance, including infrared thermography, and previously designed courses and instructed Navy Special Ops and Coast Guard forces.