Four new fact sheets published by OSHA late last year provide information on changes made in 2014 to OSHA’s general industry and construction standards that cover work involving electric power generation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment. The first fact sheet in the series () focuses on revisions to the rule and includes information on requirements related to information transfer, or communication between host and contract employers; minimum approach distances for work on or near energized systems; fall protection; and protecting workers from electric arcs and flames. Subsequent fact sheets further describe OSHA’s requirements for minimum approach distance (), fall protection (), and electrical protective equipment ().

OSHA’s final rule, which was published in April 2014, revised the agency’s 40-year-old construction standard for electrical power line work to make it more consistent with the corresponding general industry standard. In addition, new general industry and construction standards for electrical protective equipment replaced the previous construction standard, which OSHA says was based on out-of-date information, with a set of performance-oriented requirements consistent with the latest revisions of relevant consensus standards. The final rule included new or revised provisions for host and contract employers to share safety-related information with each other and employees; improved fall protection for employees working from aerial lifts and overhead line structures; and new requirements to protect workers from electric arcs.

For more information, see OSHA’s on its electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standard.