SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY: USE OF TIME AND SCHEME STUDY IN ENERGY SUSPENSION ACTIVITIES WITH A PRUNNING STICK

Abstract

The Brazilian electrical sector, characterized by profound transformations and the expansion of outsourcing, faces a serious situation of work-related accidents, with 781 fatalities recorded in 2023 according to Abracopel. Studies indicate that the flexibilization of labor relations and the insufficient qualification of outsourced workers are directly associated with the progressive increase in these accidents. Given this context, this article investigates the application of time and motion study (chronoanalysis) as a strategic tool to simultaneously optimize safety and productivity in a critical operation: de-energizing power lines using a hot stick. The research, experimental in nature and with a quantitative approach, conducts a time and motion study of this activity. The process was broken down into seven elements, with data collected on-site and analyzed using the MTM (Methods-Time Measurement) method, aiming to establish a reliable standard time. The analysis identified critical stages, such as tools preparation, which consumes approximately 30% of the time, and the preliminary risk analysis, an essential step for safety. It is concluded that the methodological standardization derived from chronoanalysis not only provides operational efficiency gains but also represents a concrete measure for risk mitigation, by structuring and optimizing a work method that eliminates direct contact with energized lines. Thus, the study demonstrates that rigorous process management is a fundamental element for confronting the safety challenges arising from the current working conditions in the electrical sector.