The Occupational Safety and Health Administration presents a series of regulations and standards to help keep workers in New Jersey and throughout the U.S. safe while on the job. OSHA’s NFPA 70E standard is meant to help both employers and workers ensure and improve workplace electrical safety. While some people do attempt to sidestep rules like this, it’s generally agreed that proper implementation of the NFPA 70E standard is the better way to go for employers and independent contractors doing electrical work.
What this OSHA standard does is organize the way electrical work is done in a way that minimizes the risk of productivity-draining injuries and fatalities. For instance, the Job Briefing and Planning Checklist in Annex I of the NFPA 70E standard provides a list of protocols and safety procedures that should be addressed before electrical work actually begins. This comprehensive checklist can also be used by an employer or electrical contractor to perform a more thorough pre-job walk-through.
One of the more common reasons for re-work to be done on a job site is because of poor pre-job planning. Having to correct issues because something was overlooked in the job prep stage also means that electrical contractors will have to once again be exposed to potential hazards. Paying attention to the NFPA 70E standard may also cut down on accidents that sometimes happen because certain pieces of equipment — e.g., ladders, testing equipment, or portable lighting — weren’t immediately available when needed.
When a workplace accident involving electrical injuries occurs, a workers’ compensation claimlawyer could look out for the best interests of the injured party. While fault does not need to be proven to obtain benefits, some companies tend to be stingy with accepting claims. Legal counsel could help appeal a denial.