Electical Contractor

The AFL-CIO and the United Food and Commercial Workers sued the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Jan. 3, 2007, over OSHA’s failure to complete a rulemaking that would require employers to pay for personal protective equipment (PPE).

NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace defines safe work practices for electrical construction and maintenance; the primary message of NFPA 70E is to turn off the power before working on electrical equipment.

Historically, shock and electrocution have been seen as the primary electrical hazards to people, along with fires of electrical origin, but today, awareness is growing of two other electrical hazards: arc-flash and arc-blast.

By July 17, 2006, the multiyear initiative by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) had received an initial $1.25 million in contributions from the industry.

Ensure your safety with a pre-trip inspection   Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for all ages. Crashes occurring on the job have profound financial effects on employees, their families, coworkers and employers.

Subpart V revisions and line construction The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 444 serious injuries and 74 fatalities occur annually among employees involved in electric power generation, transmission and distribution work.

There are a limited number and amount of chemicals that electricians use to perform their work. Wire lubricants, contact cleaners, etc., are used in sparing quantities. However, the number and variety of substances they can be exposed to is unlimited.

As usual, there is much to report on changes involving the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). New legislation has been proposed, advances have been made on proposed regulations, and new cooperative programs and materials have been created.

When you have employees, there are definite benefits to focusing on safety in your company’s culture. If safety measures are defined and followed, employees feel more secure and are more productive.