OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the division of the U.S. Department of Labor that sets and enforces occupational health and safety rules.
Every day, workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities cause immeasurable pain and suffering to employees and their families. Recent estimates indicate that workplace injuries and illnesses cost U.S. businesses $170 billion each year in associated and often preventable expenses. Effective Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS) have proven to be decisive factors in reducing the extent and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA standards cover many electrical and other hazards in the workplace.
Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to “comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.”
OSHA's general industry electrical safety standards are published in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910.302 through 1910.308 - Design Safety Standards for Electrical Systems, and 1910.331 through 1910.335 - Electrical Safety Related Work Practices Standards.
OSHA's electrical standards are based on the National Fire Protection Association Standards NFPA 70, the National Electric Code, and NFPA 70E, Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces. OSHA also has electrical safety standards for the construction industry, in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart K.
OSHA has announced a final rule that all PPE, with a few exceptions, will be provided by the employer at no cost to the employee. This new ruling helps clarify the cost responsibility for the requirements found in OSHA 1910.132.
According to OSHA 1910.132(d)(1);
“The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:”
“Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;”
