Standards Updates

NESC-2012 has been published and is available through the IEEE standards store. Changes require employers to determine potential electric arc exposures for employees who work on or near lines, parts or equipment 50- 1000 volts. NESC-2007 does not specifically require employers to perform an arc hazard analysis on low voltages systems so this is a major change for 2012.

NFPA 70E- 2012 has been published and is available through the NFPA standards store. The standard continues to evolve and meet the electrical safety needs of employers and employees.

IEEE 516-Guide for Maintenance Methods on Energized Power Lines was approved on May 13, 2009 and is now available for purchase. The new standard includes updates on Minimum Approach Distances (MAD) and other safe recommendations when working on energized lines. The updated standard introduces new MAD terms to include Minimum Air Insulation (MAID), Minimum Tool Insulation Distance (MTID), Minimum Approach Distance for Tools (MAD for Tools) and Minimum Helicopter Approach Distance (MHAD). MAD tables have been updated to include all of the listed MAD values measured line-to-ground and line-to-line. These updated MAD values are different than presently required by OSHA and NESC and if used as a standard will change many utilities' work processes.