Through the Lens of System Safety: The Limitations of a Compliance-Based Safety Culture and Opportunities to Reduce Electrical Injuries

Since 1970, the discussion of occupational electrical safety in the United States has primarily focused on compliance with safe work practices in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA)70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Without taking away from the importance of the requirements in the regulations and standards, this article discusses the limitations of compliance-based safety culture and a more comprehensive solution based on proven concepts derived from system safety. This article expands on the conference paper presented at the 2023 IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) Electrical Safety Workshop [1].

Since 1970, the discussion of occupational electrical safety in the United States has primarily focused on compliance with safe work practices in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA)70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Without taking away from the importance of the requirements in the regulations and standards, this article discusses the limitations of compliance-based safety culture and a more comprehensive solution based on proven concepts derived from system safety. This article expands on the conference paper presented at the 2023 IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) Electrical Safety Workshop [1].