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Even though they are responsible for code compliance, many building owners and managers are unaware of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) working space requirements, says NFPA's regional electrical code specialist Jeffrey Sargent. As a result, a requirement has been proposed for the 2014 edition of the NEC to better define the working space around electrical equipment that must be kept clear so that workers can safely access energized parts. Sargent explains the proposed requirement in more detail in his column "Keep It Clear" in the latest issue of NFPA Journal.
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11/28/2012
More working space, safer electrical workers, says NFPA Journal
Posted by Kathie Robinson on 11/28/2012 at 08:00 AM in Codes and standards, Electrical, NFPA 70, NFPA Journal®, Safety | Permalink
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I agree with this proposal by an electrician and instructor, and I have many images that show the problems that have been allowed to remain! I will support this comment with a few local actual field conditions I discovered during my career, such as these that have been this way for over 30 years!
http://joetedesco.org/noworkspace1.JPG
http://joetedesco.org/noworkspace2.JPG
Posted by: Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant | 11/28/2012 at 11:20 PM
Thank you. This has been a long battle (since the 2002 NEC) for me trying to get the wording just right and trying to get this requirement in the NEC. This workspace encroachment problem has been and continues to be a real threat to worker safety. While no signage is ever a guarantee for safety, if just one injury or catastrophe is prevented because somebody DID pay attention to the sign, then it is worth the time and effort to install the signage!
Check out this slideshow of photos I have taken showing several such violations!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qxsnUAO90Ek
Posted by: Russ LeBlanc | 12/03/2012 at 09:20 PM
OOPS! that last link is broken.
Try this one for the slideshow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeLOjmfiOgk&feature=player_detailpage
Posted by: Russ LeBlanc | 12/08/2012 at 08:29 PM
Long time coming, but how enforceable? Particularly in anything other than a brand new construction?
Posted by: mike detweiler | 12/09/2012 at 08:19 AM
I was just reading the ROC balloting...It's a shame that CMP-1 decided to reject the proposal during the ROC balloting(despite accepting it during ROP balloting.
This could have been a HUGE step toward increased safety.
I think my slideshow indicates the need for some signage!
This signage is no more or less "enforceable" than any other signage required in the NEC.
But it may be MORE important than some other required signage...certainly not less important.
Posted by: Russ LeBlanc | 12/09/2012 at 05:31 PM