OSHA Enforcement Dates for Regulations related to ARC Flash Hazards

EEI and IBEW negotiated new compliance dates into OSHA’s timeline for enforcement of its updated standard. Among other areas, electric arc protection and FR clothing compliance dates have changed as outlined in EEI’s Exhibit C: 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V–Enforcement dates:

1. Estimates of Available Heat Energy (Hazard Assessment)
   Now: March 31, 2015 (was January 1, 2015)
   
   “Until March 31, 2015, no citations will be issued under 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8)(ii) or 29 CFR 1926.960(g)(2), which require the employer to make a reasonable estimate of the incident heat energy exposures faced by each employee exposed to electric arc hazards.
   

2. Flame Resistant Clothing
   Now: April 1, 2015 (was July 10, 2014)
   
   “Under 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8)(iv)(A) through (l)(8)(iv)(C) and 29 CFR 1926.960(g)(4)(i) through (g)(4)(iii), employers generally must ensure that the outer layer of clothing worn by an employee is flame resistant under certain conditions. Before April 1, 2015, no citations will be issued under 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8)(iv)(A) through (l)(8)(iv)(C) or 29 CFR 1926.960(g)(4)(i) through (g)(4)(iii) for a failure to wear flame-resistant pants when employees are wearing 11- ounce or heavier weight cotton pants.”
   

3. Arc-rated Protection Matched to the Hazard
   Now: August 31, 2015 (was April 1, 2015)
   
   “The standards give employers until April 1, 2015, to comply with 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8)(v) or 29 CFR 1926.960(g)(5), which generally require employers to ensure that each employee exposed to hazards from electric arcs wears protective clothing and other protective equipment with an arc rating greater than or equal to the estimated heat energy to which he or she would be exposed. Until August 31, 2015, no citations will be issued under 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8)(v) or 29 CFR 1926.960(g)(5) because an employer failed to provide protective clothing or equipment rated higher than 8 cal/cm2.”

Please reference www.OSHA.gov for more information regarding its update to the compliance timeline for standard 1910.269. You can also visit www.EEI.org to use their “Compliance Dashboard” intended to help members easily reference the relevant compliance guidelines and updated deadlines for such key issues as flame resistant (FR)/arc-rated PPE.

For other enforcement dates, please see here.