How OSHA Changes Impact Your Business

OSHA strives to assure safe, healthful working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing standards, as well as by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

Within the electrical industry, OSHA requires that employees be trained to recognize and protect themselves from specific electrical hazards. For this, OSHA relies on the guidance established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — specifically, through NFPA 70E and NFPA 70B. The former focuses on decreasing workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast. As an employer, you must follow the 70E standard in order to comply with OSHA laws.

The lesser-known 70B covers preventative maintenance for electrical equipment used in industrial, institutional, commercial, and large multi-family residential dwellings, and focuses on avoiding equipment failures that could cause injuries.

Until May 2023, 70B was merely regarded as guidance. However, it’s now considered a standard your business must follow. Additionally, 70B contains new information on how frequently to perform tasks on specific equipment in order to properly maintain it. When determining frequency rates, 70B now considers the condition of the equipment, and looks at factors such as operating conditions, criticality, and operating environment. Importantly, 70B also requires businesses to develop, implement, and operate an electrical maintenance program (EMP) which includes detailed, accurate documentation and data.

Failing to follow the 70E and 70B standards could result in fines and other penalties. Even worse, it could mean greater risks or hazards for your company, potentially leading to accidents, fatalities, lawsuits, and even higher insurance rates.