Potential impact of ANSI Z10 and CSA Z1000 on reducing electric shock and arc flash injuries

Abstract

The scopes of NFPA 70E-2009 Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, and CSA Z462–2008, Workplace Electrical Safety, currently limit these standards from addressing engineering design solutions and other aspects of safety management strategies as part of comprehensive measures necessary to effectively manage electrical safety in the workplace. If this limitation is not understood when applying these standards, an organization desiring to reduce or eliminate electrical incidents and injuries in its operations may not realize the full potential of aspiring to this goal. The 2009 revision of NFPA 70E and the 2008 first edition of CSA Z462, include reference to ANSI Z10–2005 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (in NFPA 70E) and CSA Z1000–2006 Occupational Health and Safety Management (in CSA Z462) for a comprehensive approach to managing exposure to hazards in the workplace. This is in recognition that safe work practices, which are the primary content of NFPA 70E and CSA Z462, are just one part of a comprehensive electrical safety program. In further recognition of other measures critical to optimizing electrical safety performance, CSA Z462 includes a new annex, “Annex A - Aligning Implementation of Z462 with Occupational Health and Safety Management Standards”. Additional measures to support these concepts in IEEE Standard 902, IEEE Guide for Maintenance, Operation, and Safety of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems (IEEE Yellow Book) are proposed.