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Dbearman
08-31-2007, 10:15 PM
Does anybody here have any idea when the new OSHA standards will be released ? I have been hearing some rumours about the standards including full face protection when working hot line and also about mandatory fall arrest safety straps for climbing belts . Anybody else heard anything ??

Thanks , Bear

CPOPE
09-01-2007, 06:36 AM
Follow the Link to the Docket:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/15mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/ua030503/ua030513.txt

1817. ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION; ELECTRICAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is
undetermined.

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 40 USC 333

CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1910.136; 29 CFR 1910.137; 29 CFR 1910.269; 29 CFR
1926 subpart V; 29 CFR 1926.97

Legal Deadline: None

Electrical hazards are a major cause of occupational death in the United States. The annual fatality rate for power line workers is about 50 deaths per 100,000 employees. The construction industry standard addressing the safety of these workers during the construction of electric power transmission and distribution lines is over 30 years old.

OSHA is developing a revision of this standard that will prevent many of these fatalities, add flexibility to the standard, and update and streamline the standard. OSHA also intends to amend the corresponding standard for general industry so that requirements for work performed during the maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution installations are the same as those for similar work in construction. In addition, OSHA will be revising a few miscellaneous general industry requirements primarily affecting electric transmission and distribution work, including provisions on electrical protective equipment and foot protection. This rulemaking will also address fall protection in aerial lifts for power generation, transmission and distribution work. The proposed rule is currently in the SBREFA process.

OSHA regulations and NFPA standards (OSHA 1910 and NFPA 70E) will require employers to identify and evaluate electrical hazards in the workplace, and to establish safe work practices and PPE for workers. This includes not only possible shock hazards, but also an assessment of electrical Arc-Flash hazards, as described in the 2004 edition of NFPA 70E. An Arc-Flash assessment is critical, as such events generate intense heat and arc blast pressures that can cause severe burns, concussions, falls, and associated injuries. These events are a leading cause of death among electrical workers.

Sections of 29CFR1910 relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) selection are based on industry standards such as NFPA 70E and the IEEE1584 guideline. These standards and guidelines are used to calculate heat energy associated with an Arc-Flash event based on fault current, fault clearing time, and other factors.

Because the utility has responsibility when anyone works on their T&D system (employees or third party personnel) the individuals tasked with doing the assessment must be able to gather data safely. This includes a written protection plan for gathering data while all systems are energized, and documented proof of workers’ safety training in equipment and tool usage. These plans and work practices must adhere to NFPA 70E guidelines and OSHA rules.

OSHA publication 29 CFR 1910 clearly spells out employer responsibilities in assessing the workplace to identify potential electrical hazards, and protecting workers from them with appropriate work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE). Hazard assessment and work practice errors are costly. Failure to fully comply with OSHA requirements puts workers at risk and can result in fines and exposure to multi-million dollar lawsuits. In 2005, OSHA assessed employers over $34 million in fines, 44% of which were due to electrical hazards.