Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Palmer Hickman
Director of Code and Safety Training and Curriculum Development
National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry
Agenda
A case study from NIOSHs Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program A look at a number of OSHAs provisions A look at a number of NFPA 70E provisions Final thoughts
The company's written safety program, administered by the president/CEO and the project supervisors, included disciplinary procedures specifying that three reprimands would result in termination. The county coroner reported the cause of death as cardiac arrest due to electrical shock.
What Transpired?
At approximately 3:15 p.m., the starter had been installed and all associated wiring had been completed. The victim directed a helper to turn the switch to the "on" position at the main distribution panel, approximately 6 feet away, to check the starter's operation.
What Transpired?
The helper turned the switch to the "on" position, energizing the components inside the starter control panel. The victim pushed the starter "start" button, and the starter indicator light activated, but the compressor motor did not start.
What Transpired?
When the compressor motor did not engage, the victim concluded that a problem existed inside the starter control panel. The victim directed the electrician to retrieve a voltmeter so that he could check the continuity of the wiring inside the starter control panel.
What Transpired?
In the interim, the victim opened the starter control panel door without de-energizing the unit and reached inside to trace the wiring and check the integrity of the electrical leads. In doing so, he contacted the 480-volt primary lead for the motor starter with his left hand. Current passed through the victim's left hand and body and exited through his feet to the ground.
What Transpired?
The victim yelled, and the helper immediately turned the main distribution switch to the "off" position as the victim collapsed to the floor. A plant maintenance supervisor walking by the area saw the event and called the emergency medical service (EMS).
What Transpired?
The helper checked the victim and immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The EMS arrived in 10 to 15 minutes, continued CPR, and transported the victim to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead 1 hour and 20 minutes after the incident occurred.
RECOMMENDATIONS/DISCUSSION:
Recommendation #1: Employers should stress and reinforce the importance of following established safe work procedures, with particular emphasis on de-energizing electrical systems before any work is performed.
RECOMMENDATIONS/DISCUSSION:
Recommendation #2: Employers should routinely conduct scheduled and unscheduled worksite safety inspections. Recommendation #3: Employers should encourage workers to actively participate in workplace safety.
from 110.6(A) and (B) Employees shall be trained: to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy in safety-related work practices and procedural requirements to identify and understand the relationship between hazards and injury. The degree of training provided shall be determined by the risk to the employee.
from 110.6(A) and (B) Employees shall be trained: to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy in safety-related work practices and procedural requirements to identify and understand the relationship between hazards and injury. The degree of training provided shall be determined by the risk to the employee.
Question 2 Reply
Where there is no 1910.335(a)(2)(ii) safeguard that would fully protect against the hazards, an employer is still obligated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to take reasonable steps that will protect the employee to the degree possible OSHA recommends that employers consult consensus standards such as NFPA 70E-2004 to identify safety measures that can be used to comply with or supplement the requirements of OSHA's standards for preventing or protecting against arcflash hazards
Question 2 Reply
Other NFPA 70E, Article 130 provisions, such as the justification for work through the use of an energized electrical work authorization permit, and the completion of a job briefing with employees before they start each job, additionally decrease the likelihood that exposure to electrical hazards would occur.
Question 3 Reply
OSHA has not conducted a rulemaking to adopt the requirements of the latest edition of NFPA 70E and, therefore, does not "enforce" those requirements. However, industry consensus standards, such as NFPA 70E, can be used by OSHA and employers as guides in making hazard analyses and selecting control measures. With regards to enforcing 1910.132 and the Subpart S standards, the PPE requirements contained in Subpart S would prevail over the general requirements contained in 1910.132 where both standards would apply to the same condition, practice, control method, etc. See 1910.5(c)(1).
Question 4 Reply
A violation of the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Act, exists if an employer has failed to furnish a workplace that is free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical injury. The General Duty Clause is not used to enforce the provisions of consensus standards, although such standards are sometimes used as evidence of hazard recognition and the availability of feasible means of abatement. In addition, the General Duty Clause usually should not be used if there is a standard that applies to the particular condition, practice, means, operation, or process involved. See 1910.5(f).
Final Thoughts
How many of us have received an electrical shock or know someone who has been involved in an arc flash event? Would the NIOSH recommendations, if put into practice before the work commenced, have saved the life of the 46-year-old? Does OSHA have rules in place? Does NFPA 70E require more that OSHA?
Palmer Hickman
Director of Code and Safety Training and Curriculum Development
National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry