Electrical safety for industrial and commercial power systems

There are many Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, along with industry consensus standards, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, that address the issues of electrical hazards, risk assessments, safety programs, safe work procedures, training programs, energy control programs and procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that are applicable to work on industrial and commercial power systems. The electrical hazards of shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast are universal to these systems, therefore employers, along with their employees who operate and maintain or otherwise interact with, electrical power systems and equipment, must have a clear understanding of the hazards and what they need to do for their safety. Electricity is no respecter of persons; it will injure or kill a custodian, laborer, supervisor, or office worker just as fast as it will injure or kill an electrician. All electrical power systems and equipment must be assessed to determine which of the electrical hazards exist or may exist, in order to develop an effective electrical safety program, safe work procedures, training for qualified and unqualified personnel, and PPE requirements. This paper addresses the specific safety issues associated with working on or near, interacting with, or performing maintenance, inspections, or operations of electrical equipment associated with industrial and commercial power systems.