OSHA and NFPA 70E

Status
Not open for further replies.
lile001

lile001

Senior Member
Location
Midwest
I hear rumors that OSHA is cracking down on enforcing NFPA70E. Formerly, it was a recognized standard but not enforced, now it is getting more teeth. Can anyone substantiate this rumor?
 
I went to the OSHA website and entered "NFPA70E" in their search engine and got zero matches.
 
OSHA Schmosha

OSHA Schmosha

ron said:
Absolutely correct.

Check the OSHA.gov website and see the violations and fines.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if you want to read a lot of gobbledegook, then check the OSHA site. I got frustrated there, and came here because I figured someone might have the lowdown.

The best I can find is this:

OSHA may adopt new Subpart V in 2008: http://www.esci.net/NewInfo.html

This site mentions that OSHA regs may incorporate specific requirements for electrical PPE, instead of just vaguely referencing "proper PPE" without going into specifics. My clients are all quaking in their boots, wondering what is coming next.
 
Got to www.osha.gov and search for 70E only. I got 39 hits.

This is from the second reference: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24617

Question (2): I note that OSHA has not incorporated the personal protective equipment portions of NFPA 70E by reference in ?1910.132 (personal protective equipment, general requirements) or ?1910.335 (safeguards for personal protection). Does an employer have an obligation under the General Duty Clause to ensure that its own employees comply with personal protective equipment requirements in NFPA 70E?

Answer
These provisions are written in general terms, requiring, for example, that personal protective equipment be provided "where necessary by reason of hazards..." (?1910.132(a)), and requiring the employer to select equipment "that will protect the affected employee from the hazards...." (?1910.132(d)(1)). Also, ?1910.132(c) requires the equipment to "be of safe design and construction for the work performed."

Similarly, ?1910.335 contains requirements such as the provision and use of "electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and the work to be performed (?1910.335(a)(i)).

Industry consensus standards, such as NFPA 70E, can be used by employers as guides to making the assessments and equipment selections required by the standard. Similarly, in OSHA enforcement actions, they can be used as evidence of whether the employer acted reasonably.
 
My understanding is that OSHA is using and siting 70E as their guide, under the general duty clause.

I hope they start enforcing this big time. It's about time facilities have to buckle down, get one lines up to date, and maintain a consistent safe work environment.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top