Electrical Safety Worldwide

Over the past 130 years, electrical safety design and safe work practice standards have evolved around the world. In some instances, they are similar, and in other cases interesting variations have been observed. Numerous papers previously presented at this workshop have discussed electrical safety programs and challenges in several countries, and IEEE associated electrical safety workshops have occurred in several countries, including the U.S., Canada, India, Brazil, and Costa Rica. The IEEE IAS Electrical Safety Committee has set goals to broaden involvement in electrical safety to embrace electrical safety worldwide. In addition, recent papers and discussions have brought forth the varying cultures on implementing electrical safety and how this likely affects safety performance. Electrical safety includes design and safe work practices in utility power, facility power, utilization equipment, and specialized equipment. We are most familiar with those in the U.S. and Canada, including, respectively, NESC, NEC, NFPA 70E, UL, and DOE Guidelines. However, there are numerous equivalencies outside the U.S. including, for example, IEC, TUV, ETL, and other similar standards, including many unexplored standards in Japan, Russia, Brazil, and China. With ever more industrial globalization, the exploration and understanding of electrical safety standards around the world becomes more significant so that we can share and evaluate best practices from all countries. Some examples of global industries are wind energy, chemical, transportation. The study will also increase communication and collaboration worldwide. This paper explores and summarizes the design and safe work practices of the top leading technological countries, including, at a minimum, the U.S., Canada, European Union, Brazil, Russia, Japan, and China. It will also discuss cultural differences that may affect electrical safety. Areas covered include utility and facility power, component and equipment standards, and specialized equipment, such as R&D and energy storage. The purpose will be to stimulate international collaboration and appreciation of the diversity worldwide, in electrical safety.