As a crew leader, what is the next step to maintenance test a transformer after conducting a job safety assessment?

The next step after conducting a job safety assessment in the maintenance testing of a transformer is to de-energize the transformer. This action is critical because working on or near electrical equipment presents inherent risks, and ensuring that the transformer is not live is paramount for the safety of the crew. De-energizing involves cutting off the electrical supply to the transformer, which protects workers from electrical hazards while they conduct maintenance or testing activities.

Following the job safety assessment, which identifies potential hazards and outlines safety protocols, the crew must ensure that the work area is safe before proceeding. De-energization serves as a fundamental safety measure, as it minimizes the risk of electric shock, fire, or equipment damage during maintenance work. It is typically a part of the lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures but focuses specifically on eliminating electrical energy from the transformer prior to any further work.

Gathering the crew for a job briefing, completing another job safety assessment, or isolating via LOTO may all be important steps in the overall process, but they are secondary to the immediate need to de-energize the transformer to ensure safety before proceeding with maintenance activities.