Page 46 - OHS, June 2024

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
■ Lockout/tagout: Check for current/voltage at every work point versus a single point to establish an electrically safe work condition.
Clear and consistent language is crucial in safety standards. By refining terms and definitions, the NFPA 70E 2024 aims to reduce confusion and ensure everyone involved in electrical work under- stands the safety requirements, and has the power and responsibil- ity to take safety-supportive action.
Furthermore, the revisions directly contribute to reduced risk. Following the standard’s guidelines minimizes the likelihood of se- rious electrical accidents or injuries. As technologies have evolved, the NFPA 70E updated now provides guidance on the safe adop- tion of new electrical systems and equipment.
Overall, the 2024 update emphasizes the following goals:
■ Proactive Safety Focus: Emphasizing hazard elimination (for example, see Article 110, General Requirement for Electrical Safety- Related Work Practices) and outlining requirements for an electri- cally safe work condition promotes proactive safety practices.
■ Emergency Preparedness: Incorporating emergency re- sponse planning aligns with the need for readiness in the face of electrical hazards.
■ Personnel Qualifications: Clarifications of personnel quali- fications highlight the vital role of expertise in reducing risks.
■ Supply Source, Stored Energy Hazards: New notes address potential risks, improving the comprehensiveness of establishing a safe work environment.
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■ Safety Checks: Enhanced procedures for testing conductor parts emphasize thoroughness, aiming to minimize oversights.
■ Evolving Understanding: Adjusted shock protection boundaries, arc flash assessment updates, labeling, and PPE reflect the latest comprehension of electrical hazards.
■ Future Readiness: New protocols and the maintenance as- sessment annex focus on safety for future equipment and proce- dural needs.
Applicability
The standard defines specific areas of application including:
■ Wiring and protection systems and subsystems such as
grounded connectors, branch-circuits and feeder circuits
■ Overvoltage and over-current protection
■ Other services and related issues such as attachment points
and types, building clearances, and supporting structures
It also defines what situations the standard does and does not
apply to such as covering:
■ Both public and private settings, encompassing edifices,
constructions, mobile residences, RVs, and marine constructions. ■ Grounds, parcels, car parks, fairgrounds, and industrial fa-
cilities.
■ The setup of wiring and apparatuses that establish a connec-
tion with the electricity source.
■ Facilities utilized by the electric service provider, like office
44 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2024
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