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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E is a standard that provides guidelines and regulations for workplace safety, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as insulated gloves. This standard is widely adopted by many companies and organizations in the United States, and compliance with it is considered a best practice in electrical safety.
However, it’s important to note that the NFPA 70E is not a federal law and it is not enforced by OSHA. This standard is a voluntary consensus standard that provides guidelines for safety, but it does not have the force of law.
But, if a company is found to violate OSHA regulations, it can be fined by the agency. OSHA has the authority to inspect workplaces and enforce its regulations, including those related to electrical safety. If an OSHA inspector finds that a company is not in compliance with the agency’s regulations, the company can be cited and fined.
While the NFPA 70E is not legally binding, it is widely recognized as the standard of care for electrical safety. Therefore, if a company is found to violate the standard, it may be at greater risk of being cited and fined by OSHA.
Additionally, even though the standard is voluntary, it is often used as a benchmark in insurance claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings. If a company is found to violate the standard, it may be held liable for any accidents or injuries that occur as a result.
For example, suppose an employee is injured or killed in an electrical accident and it is found that the company did not follow the guidelines set out in the NFPA 70E. In that case, the company may be held liable for the employee’s injuries or death. This can result in significant financial losses for the company, including fines, legal fees, and settlement costs.
In order to avoid these risks, it is important for companies to take the NFPA 70E seriously and to ensure that they are in compliance with the standard. This includes regular testing and maintaining insulated gloves, providing training to employees, and conducting regular safety audits.
To ensure compliance, the company should appoint an individual or a team that is responsible for overseeing compliance with the standard, and they should have the knowledge and expertise to understand and implement the requirements of the standard. The company should also document all their testing, training, and safety audits and keep them as record.
In conclusion, while the NFPA 70E is not a legally binding standard, it is widely recognized as the standard of care for electrical safety. Companies that do not comply with the standard may be at greater risk of being cited and fined by OSHA, and may also be held liable for any accidents or injuries that occur as a result. It is important for companies to take the NFPA 70E seriously and to ensure that they are in compliance with the standard in order to protect their employees and their bottom line.
