OSHA cites Mass. Contractor for violations following arc blast
June 5, 2014
OSHA in 2012 cited Interstate Electrical Services, a North Billerica, Mass., electrical contractor, for alleged willful and serious violations following a November 2011 arc flash blast at an Andover jobsite. Two workers installing electrical service were seriously burned when a piece of equipment made contact with an energized part of an electrical panel, resulting in the arc flash.
National Fire Protection Association, National Safety Council, and Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate that 10 arc flash accidents happen every day in the U.S. More than 3,600 disabling electrical contact injuries happen every year. Last year in Oregon two workers were seriously burned in arc flash incidents:
Why did OSHA decide to modify its standards for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution work? OSHA last issued rules for the construction of transmission and distribution installations in 1972. Those provisions were out of date and inconsistent with the more recently promulgated general industry standard covering the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment.
It is a widely held belief that an arc flash incident is rare. Not so. Check out these statistics compiled from various sources and pertaining to arc flash incidents in the U.S.:
ESFI publication, Twitter chat help you ID, correct dangers
May 6, 2014
In addition to Building Safety Month, May is National Electrical Safety Month – an issue closely related to building safety. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is kicking off its annual effort to raise awareness of potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety.
Throughout 2014, ISHN will report in each issue on one of the 12 most frequently cited OSHA standards, for fiscal year 2013, ending September 30, 2013.ance can lead to fatalities, burns and disabling injuries
May 1, 2014
Total penalty amount proposed by OSHA for violations of the standard for electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry 1910.303 (October 2012 through September 2013).