SEGURANÇA CONSTRUÍDA NO TRABALHO

Saberes de ofício e normas na atividade dos eletricistas do serviço emergencial

Abstract

Workplace safety management is still predominantly guided by formal rules and procedures, particularly in high-risk sectors such as electricity distribution. However, informal practices and workers’ tacit knowledge play a central role in accident prevention. This study investigated how emergency service electricians construct safety in their daily work by articulating prescribed rules and experiential knowledge. The qualitative research was conducted in an outsourced company in the Brazilian electric sector, focusing on field electricians in the Northeast region of Brazil. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used, with thematic analysis supported by the ATLAS.ti software. The results indicate that safety is constructed through the articulation of norms, practical knowledge, and collective dynamics, organized around three axes: (1) appropriation of formal practices; (2) informal practices; and (3) weakening of the work collective, with impacts on risk management. The findings suggest that the effectiveness of safety actions depends not only on compliance with rules but also on the recognition of workers’ knowledge and the maintenance of collectives capable of fostering cooperation and trust. The study contributes to the improvement of prevention strategies by highlighting the importance of integrating the prescribed and the real aspects of work.