NFPA 79 - enforced?

[smstewart]

I'm trying to find any documentation that states that the NFPA 79 standards are/will be enforced. It is difficult to request funds to implement specifications listed in the NFPA 79 without some form of document stating that these standards shall be followed. Even risk assessment / safety categories and safety related control specifications seem to be weakly documented with respect to enforcement. I am constantly told by various vendors and manufactures of "safety" products that NFPA 79 as well as control reliability and other safety related implications are enforceable by OSHA. I don't have a problem with understanding / implementing most of today's safety devices; however, implementation comes at a cost that must be backed up with enforcement documents to allow funding.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[tom baker]

The AHJ would have to adopt NFPA 79. For example Washington State Electrical AHJ adopts the NEC by rule after a public hearing.

 

[jim dungar]

Go to OSHA's web site www.osha.gov and search for NFPA 70E in one link is the recent (10/18/2006):

Because OSHA has not adopted through rulemaking the requirements of a more recent edition of NFPA 70E, those requirements have not become OSHA standards. A national consensus standard, however, can sometimes be relevant to a general duty clause citation in the sense that the consensus standard may be used as evidence of hazard recognition and the availability of feasible means of abatement. The general duty clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, is violated if an employer has failed to furnish a workplace that is free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm. The general duty clause is used where there is no standard that applies to the particular hazards involved.

It could be argued that OSHA would cite NFPA79 in a similar manner.

edit: for content