Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released updated personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance to provide Americans working on energized electrical equipment proper protection from electrical arc hazards.
The new OSHA announcement provides appropriate guidance for employers and employees to ensure that arc-flash protective clothing and equipment is provided for and worn by anyone working on or near energized equipment.
According to the Partnership for Electrical Safety (PES), this action is OSHA’s first arc-flash guidance update in almost 20 years. It consists of four parts, including a detailed document for employers and three one-page documents for workers. The new guidance was primarily issued to address the two leading causes of arc flash injuries and fatalities in the U.S. today: claiming work is deenergized which does not qualify (most work fails the standard) and thus having no AR clothing or other PPE; and choosing to work energized when voltage is low (120/208, 277) despite the lack of justification and lack of PPE because of the common and dangerous myth that low voltage isn’t hazardous.
As stated in a press release by PES, the guidance makes it clear that low voltage, including 120/208, can sustain arc flash, produce molten metal, ignite flammable clothing, and cause severe or fatal injury. All energized work over 50V requires an energized work permit and almost all work requires PPE including arc rated clothing. OSHA also notes the significant majority of tasks which claim to be deenergized do not qualify as such. They do not meet either LOTO (OSHA) or ESWC (NFPA 70E), and thus require PPE, including arc rated clothing: “It is crucial to understand that deenergizing without locking/tagging out does not eliminate the electrical shock and arc flash hazards.” They further note that the steps to deenergize are energized work, as are all the steps to reenergize, and as such require PPE including arc rated clothing.
As the U.S. continues to invest in large-scale electrification projects such as electric vehicle and direct current (DC) chargers, employers will continue to hire workers with limited training and experience against arc flash hazards. The timing of OSHA’s important action better prepares these employers and their new employees to improve workplace safety and prevent avoidable injuries.
PES Chairman Scott Margolin said, “This new guidance is a game-changer and could not have come at more appropriate time. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of electricians currently being asked to work without life-saving PPE, we’re at an inflection point. Our country is investing in renewing the grid, EVs and DC chargers as the electrification of American continues. OSHA recently made NFPA 70B - maintenance of electrical gear - a standard as well. This is fantastic progress, but will expose far more American workers - many of whom will have less training, experience, and PPE - to potential arc hazards, injuries, and fatalities. OSHA’s guidance update was imperative to clarify requirements and improve safety now. PES applauds OSHA’s urgent commitment to take action.”
To view the updated OSHA guidance products, click here.
