Electricity Today T&D Magazine

New regulation removes “optional” to increase worker safety

BY CRAIG FIRL, Capital Safety

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published updated rules and regulations in April 2014 that impact fall protection for the electrical utility industry. These new regulations, which replace rules dating back to the 1970s, have been in development since 2005 and will replace guidelines that were both out-of-date and inconsistent. OSHA estimates the new rules will prevent an additional 118 workplace injuries and 20 fatalities each year.

Workers who operate or maintain electric power generation equipment, or transmission or distribution lines will be affected...

Struck-by, struck-against and back-over incidents are far too common:

• 421 Hudson St., Manhattan, NYC: Construction worker killed by scaffolding plank.
• Woods Hole Golf Club, Falmouth, MA: Construction worker injured in back-over accident.
• Interstate 440-East, Raleigh, NC: DOT workers seriously injured when motorist crashed into highway maintenance truck.

They can happen any place at any time, which is why they’re so difficult to prevent. Contributing factors to struck-by incidents include:

• Poor visibility when working at night or in inclement weather;
• Untrained workers using tools improperly, wearing the wrong (or no) PPE, or engaging in horseplay;
• Fatigue distracting workers or motorists in...