Electric Power Standard Helps Prevent Deaths

Recent deaths have illustrated the dangers of working with electric power. A worker installing decorative lights on a tree was electrocuted after touching a high-powered overhead electrical line. Another worker was electrocuted after contacting an overhead high-voltage line with a portable light tower while working at a water main repair site. To help prevent such deaths, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published the "Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Standard" eTool.

“We cannot allow these tragedies to continue,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “This eTool informs employers of their obligation to protect electrical workers from serious injuries and death, and also lets workers know the preventive steps their employers must take to assure worker safety.”

The eTool addresses OSHA’s standard and explains preventive measures for protecting workers' safety and health, such as providing personal protective equipment, using lockout/tagout procedures to prevent startup of energized equipment and following safety requirements when working on or near power lines.

OSHA's eTool is a stand-alone, web-based, interactive training tool on occupational safety and health topics that include modules for answering questions and providing advice on how OSHA regulations apply to users work sites.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Source: Occupational Safety And Health Administration