OSHA states that only a “Qualified Person” is permitted to work on or near exposed energized parts and that a “Qualified Person” is “one who has received training in and has demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of electric equipment and installations and the hazards involved.”

To be qualified to work on or near exposed, energized parts; a person must be trained and familiar with the skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electrical equipment, know how to determine voltage of a live part and know exposure clearance distances.

NFPA 70E defines a qualified person as one who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installation and has received safety training on the hazards involved.

According to subsection 1910.332(a), employees who face a risk of electric shock or other electrical hazards that are not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation requirements of sections 1910.303 through 1910.308, must be trained in electrical safety- related work practices as required by sections …

Lockout/Tagout, Electrical Wiring Methods, and Electrical General Requirements are Three of the Most Violated Standards.

In FY 2020, the most frequently cited OSHA standards were:

• Fall Protection—General Requirements (§1926.501): 5,424 violations;
• Hazard Communication (§1910.1200): 3,199 violations;
• Respiratory Protection (§1910.134): 2,649 violations;
• Scaffolding (§1926.451): 2,538 violations;
• Ladders (§1926.1053): 2,129 violations;

What are the four basic elements for correcting unsafe conditions?

• Management Commitment and Employee Involvement.
• Worksite Analysis.
• Hazard Prevention and Control.
• Training for Employees, Supervisors, and Managers.

OSHA standards are rules that describe the methods that employers must use to protect their employees from hazards. There are four groups of OSHA standards: General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture. (General Industry is the set that applies to the largest number of workers and worksites).

OSHA Releases Information on Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for FY 2020

• Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,424 violations.
• Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 3,199.
• Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,649.
• Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,538.
• Ladders (1926.1053): 2,129.
• Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,065.

Who is not covered by the OSH Act: Self employed; Immediate family members of farm employers that do not employ outside employees; and. Workers who are protected by another Federal agency (for example the Mine Safety and Health Administration, FAA, Coast Guard).

OSHA officials can order work to stop if they find a severe risk on-site, but contrary to popular belief, they don’t have the authority to shut down a business entirely. Only a court order can do that.

Federal law clearly recognizes that it is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee for reporting employer OSHA violations.

In reality, OSHA doesn’t shut down job sites. Only a court order can, and that’s an extreme situation, says Simplified Safety. If there’s an immediate risk on-site, the inspector can ask that you halt operation until the situation is resolved.

OSHA inspections are generally unannounced. In fact, except in four exceptional circumstances when advance notice may be given, it is a criminal offense for any person to give unauthorized advance notice of an OSHA inspection.

Cal/OSHA inspectors make unannounced visits to make sure that the UCM campus and associated facilities are safe and healthy. What triggers an inspection? They will also conduct an inspection in response to employee complaints about any situation that may pose an imminent danger to workers.