Meeting the electrical safety challenges

Abstract

Electrical safety should be a top priority for all industrial, utility, and commercial installations. There should not be any delay in performing an electrical hazard analysis to identify the hazards that are present or likely to be present in the workplace; develop an effective electrical safety program and safe work procedures; provide the required shock and arc flash clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE); and provide the required training for both qualified and unqualified employees. Statistics provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) clearly indicate that there is a significant number of electrical injuries and fatalities occurring every year from shock and arc flash, and the longer the delay in performing these functions, the greater the number of injuries and fatalities that will occur. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">®</sup> ), have provided requirements and guidance for electrical safety for many years. If adhered to, these requirements and guidelines can help prevent most electrical injuries and fatalities. This paper addresses the electrical safety challenges, along with potential solutions that can help reduce the electrical hazards in the workplace and protect all employees who may be exposed to these hazards.