SafetyCatalog
Updated from American electrical standards (USA)
Contents
Introduction
Since we work around Electricity every day, it is easy to forget how dangerous it can be.
- Over 600 people die from electrocution each year, plus 1000s in electrically caused fires.
- Over 30,000 non-fatal electrical shock accidents occur each year.
- Electrocution remains the fourth (4th) highest cause of industrial fatalities.
- Most injuries and deaths could be avoided.
Primary National Electrical Standards
- OSHA – Code of Federal Regulations.
- NEC – Standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring.
- NFPA 70E – Standard for electrical safe work practices.
History of Electrical Safety – Design (Engineering Controls)
- 1880: first electrical codes (NEC and UL), to prevent fire and protect buildings and equipment.
- 1960s: equipment ground implemented, to prevent electrocution and protect equipment.
- 1970s : Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), to prevent electrocution, mostly wet environments.
- 2002: Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI), to prevent death by fire and smoke in bedrooms.
History of Electrical Safety – Personnel Safety
- 1930s: first studies on the effects of electricity.
- 1930s: UL standards for protection of the public.
- 1970: OSHA and NIOSH created.
- 1979: NFPA 70E – focused on protection against shock.
- 1995: NFPA 70E – added protection against arc flash.
- 2009: NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
History of Electrical Safety in Research Laboratories
- 1950: Charles Dalziel stated that “electrical safety in research and university laboratories is abysmal…….this work environment has special needs”
- 1980s: began training programs for R&D workers.
- 1990s: DOE Electrical Safety Handbook.
- 1990s: in some University curricula.
- 2000s: rapid growth.
Government and National Codes and Standards for Electrical Safety
- OSHA – Title 29, parts CFR 1910 and 1926
- NEC – National Electrical Code – 2008
- NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (2009)
- DOE Electrical Safety Handbook (2004)
- ASTM, ANSI, and IEEE Standards
- NRTL Standards (e.g., UL)
- NESC – National Electrical Safety Code, IEEE C2
