On 5 -6 September, 2019, VZF conducted a curriculum-developing workshop with total 18 electrical inspectors and officers from 14 State/Regional offices and Naypyitaw head quarter facilitated by consultants from ARUP. The workshop defined the training needs and topics for the electrical inspection training conducted on 16 – 20 September 2019.

The five-day follow-up training for 24 electrical inspectors included two themes: sessions on fundamentals (Emergency Lighting, Earthing and Bonding, Cables and Calculations, Cable Containment and Installation, Building design such as rooms, routes and risers) and sessions on process development designed to foster a collaborative effort to define the inspection process. The training included two factory visits to practice and learn in a real working environment about each specific stage of an inspection: 1) Before the Factory Visit (preparation activities), 2) Meeting the Factory Manager, 3) During the Factory Visit (including testing), and 4) After the Factory Visit (reporting, prioritization of recommendations, and follow-up).

The concept of personal safety was explained and reinforced through the training sessions and during factory visits with consideration given to the personal directly affected who are factory workers, factory electricians and DISI inspectors. Inspectors can lead by example in the promotion of safety while conducting their inspections.

The outcome of the workshop was a context-appropriate draft checklist to guide electrical inspections in future. Next steps include the revision of competency standards in electrical functions of factory workers to ensure findings of the training are aligned with what is demanded from factory personnel. Follow-up training can also be considered to ensure inspection and factory work on electrical installations and maintenance continue to promote safer factories in Myanmar.