OSHA has proposed revisions to its electrical installation standard based largely on the 2000 edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces (NFPA 70E), and the 2002 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Proposed changes to OSHA’s general industry electrical installation standard (1910 Subpart S) focus on safety in the design and installation of electric equipment in the workplace.

OSHA is proposing a revised standard to update the standard to reflect current practice and technology in the field and to address stakeholder requests to revise the standard so that it conforms with the most recent editions of NFPA 70E.

OSHA’s existing electrical standard (1910.302-308) is based on the 1979 edition of NFPA 70E, a national consensus standard developed by industry, labor and other allied interests. OSHA believes the 2000 edition of NFPA 70E should be the foundation of the revised standard because it provides nationally recognized safe electrical installation requirements.

The agency is also proposing to replace the reference to the 1971 National Electrical Code in the mandatory appendix to the powered platform standard with a reference to OSHA’s electrical installation standard.