PtD – Mechanical-Electrical Systems – Instructor’s Manual

A strategic goal of the Prevention through Design (PtD) Plan for the National Initiative is for designers, engineers, machinery and equipment manufacturers, health and safety (H&S) professionals, business leaders, and workers to understand the PtD concept. Further, they are to apply these skills and this knowledge to the design and redesign of new and existing facilities, processes, equipment, tools, and organization of work. In accordance with the PtD Plan, this module has been developed for use by educators to disseminate the PtD concept and practice within the undergraduate engineering curricula.

The module outlines the motivations for PtD, encourages inclusion of worker health and safety considerations early in the design process, and identifies hazards associated with mechanical and electrical systems in facilities. Topics include electrical hazards and NORA goals for working with electricity. A wind farm and a research facility are provided as case studies to demonstrate effective PtD solutions for fall protection and mechanical-electrical systems safety.