Was this a tree trimming accident or an energized work incident?   The best contractors have better safety rules or equal safety rules.  If you are using, “when in doubt, contract it out” mentality it could come back to haunt you.  Choose your contractor wisely. Click here to read the article.

In This Issue Arc Test Dates ArcWear Featured on FOX Business News with DRIFIRE Burn Up the Myth: Poly-blends under Arc-rated? IEEE/IAS 2011 Electrical Safety Workshop FLASH Poll: Metal Snaps OSHA Fines this Month NEW Electrical Safety Articles & Video e-Hazard Classes Low Voltage Qualified Billings, MT 9/1/2010 Denver, CO 9/14/2010 Fargo, ND 9/15/10 Spokane, [...]

“OSHA’s inspection, conducted in response to employee complaints, found untrained or inadequately trained employees at the Portsmouth distribution center performing troubleshooting and voltage testing on or near live electrical equipment and wiring that had not first been de-energized. The workers also lacked personal protective equipment and were not instructed on proper electrical lockout/tagout procedures.

As a result of its inspection, OSHA has issued five willful citations to the Postal Service for the conditions at the Portsmouth facility. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.”

Most of the line workers in TN are trained by the state.  Most of these folks work for municipals rather than investor owned utilities. Click here to read the news article.

Another one falls to the OSHA crack down on USPS facilities.  Wonder if the state plans will follow suit? Click here to read the OSHA Press Release. Click here to read the Dayton WHIO TV Story.

No word on how this happened.  Usually someone THINKS the line is de-energized and it is not.  Simple work practices make electrical safety as much a habit as other types of safety. Click here to read about the electrocution in Moorehead, KY

Another in the line of fines against USPS for electrical hazards.  This puts the total over $4 Million in fines. Is the purpose to make a point since this isn’t a true stand alone business?  Probably.  Industry beware.  Electrical safety is the 4th or 5th leading cause of death and likely the same in permanent [...]

Kleen Energy explosion included “Citations …for failing to install & use electrical equipment in accordance with its listing and labeling.”  OSHA and the NEC (NFPA 70) which is law in most states require electrical equipment be used in accordance with its listing and labeling.  It is all to common to find citations on this even in new [...]

A General Electric employee and a Centerpoint Energy employee were injured in a shock incident inside their work truck.  There are rules in OSHA 1910.269 and the NESC about mobile equipment in proximity to power lines.  Many different things can happen in the work place.  Often we find human error is at play in these incidents.  We [...]

Question: Can we use metal snaps on shirts for NFPA 70E?  Our traditional shirts have snaps and we are wearing arc rated t-shirts for daily wear then putting on arc rated long sleeved shirts for energized work.  Answer:  Good question! This opens up how standards work and are often misinterpreted.  NFPA 70E says 130.6 (D) “Conductive articles [...]