The need to assist employers and employees in preventing electrical injuries and deaths has never been greater. With this need, there have been some major changes in the electrical safety standards, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforcement of these standards. Assessing electrical hazards and training workers can be a very complex task for most companies.
One of the biggest problems with electrical hazards is that electricity cannot be seen, heard, or even smelled until it's too late. It is very difficult for people to give the proper respect for arguably the most powerful hazard in a facility when it is virtually invisible. In recent years, arc flash has been given a lot of attention. Explosions and burn injuries are easy to visualize compared to the invisible hazards, such as shock and electrocution.
With the unacceptable death and injury rates caused by electrical hazards, OSHA compliance officers and safety professionals are taking another look at what can be done to protect workers and reverse years of complacency in electrical safety.
This paper will help guide employers and employees in the direction of becoming compliant with the latest standards and enforcement of these standards.