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Indiana last week became the latest state to adopt the 2017 National Electric Code (NEC) as a reference standard to be used in the state’s Uniform Building Code, leaving Illinois, Kansas as the only two states still using a nine-year old version electrical building safety standard. Nevada and Washington, D.C. use the NEC issued in 2007.

Death on a movie set, a nanotechnology research update and prison time for a roofing contractor after an employee’s fatal fall. These were among the top occupational safety and health stories featured on ISHN.com this week.

It’s mid-shift, and your workplace is humming with activity. Suddenly, a fire breaks out. It’s relatively small – at least for the moment. Employee safety is your first priority, of course. Ordering an immediate evacuation is the obvious action to take. Or is it?

OSHA has cited Howard Industries Inc. – a manufacturer and supplier of electrical transmission and distribution equipment – for exposing employees to struck-by and fall hazards after a fatality at the company’s Laurel, Mississippi, facility. The company faces $53,040 in penalties. The employee was performing a leak test on a transformer when a drive chain supporting the equipment failed.

California Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday signed into law nearly 22 measures aimed at preventing and fighting wildfires, which have caused tremendous damage and loss of life in the state in recent years. The bills were based on key recommendations from a state task force.