1977-02 February IBEW Journal.pdf - International Brotherhood of ...

Safety Tips
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of requiring, as an alternative to
GFCI'" a scheduled and recorded
equipment grounding conductor inspection
and maintenance program.
The successful preventive maintenance
programs reported by several sources
led OSHA to conclude that a thorough
program that involves regular checking
and testing of the equipment
grounding conductor can work as well
as GFCrs to avert nearly all 1200volt,
ground-fault accidents.
- The appropriate clements of an
assured equipment grounding conductor
program. Witnesses and OSHA
generally agreed that assured equipment
grounding conductor programs
should involve certa in tests, visual inspections,
and administrative requirements.
-Whether it is feasible 10 implement
an assu red equipment groundi ng
cond uctor program on construction
sites. Evidence indicated overwhelmingly
that such a program is feasible
on construction siles.
- The estimated COSt of implementing
an assured equipment grounding
conductor program. OSHA concluded
that the total first-yea r cost of testing
and test equipment. could range from
$36 to $43.8 mill ion.
lJased on its consideration of the
issues nnd the public record, OSHA
concluded Ihal both protective methods
arc effective, and therefore OSHA
will allow employers 10 choose the
alternati ve which best suits their operating
conditions. Thus, employers
must provide eit her (a) ground-fault
circuit interrupters on construction
siles, or (b) a scheduled and recorded,
assured equipment grounding conductor
program covering receptacles, cord
sets, and cord_ and plug-connected
equipment used on construction sites.
Employers will provide one of these
prOlection methods in addition to
complying with the applicable ground.
ing requireme nt contained in the
OSHA regulations.
In order to hclp employees and em·
ployers understand and comply with
the new sta ndards, OSHA plans to
publish a train ing pamphlet entitled,
"Eliminating Electrical Hazards in the
Workplace." The pamphlet will explain
how GFCl's work and describes
the steps that should be taken to implement
an assured equipment grounding
conductor program. The pamphlet
will be available from OSHA area and
regional oOkes. To obtain the pamphlet,
contact your nea rest OSHA
representative by consulting the U.S.
Government, Dcpurtmcnt of Labor
list ing in your te lephone directory.
"
Local 1379 Receives Safety Award
IBEW Loca l 1379, Davenport, Iowa , was presented the National Safety Coun
cil's Harry Read Memorial Award of Honor. It was presented at the 1976
National Safety Congress and Exposition in Chicago by Joe M. Short, chai rman
of the NSC Labor Conference and Safety Director of the Laborers International
Union. Shown accepting the Award is Don Shaw, Jr .. vice president of Local
1379, Charles H. Tupper, director, Safety Department, IBEW: Melvin Boyle,
assistant to International Secretary Leigon ; and Bob Fritz, safety cha irman,
Local 1379.
The presentation of the Harry Read Memorial Award of Honor marked the
fourth consecutive year the local was cited for their safety efforts.
The award emphasizes the overall safety activities of the union , and It
accentuates the impressive safety record of the electrical maintenance group
at Alcoa's Davenport Works. After previously recording over 3,000,000 safe
work hours, the union is again headed toward 2,000,000 hOu rs without a
disabling injury. The recent fi gu re has been compiled over a five·year period
Duri ng this time the members have also been involved in many "off the job'·
safety projects.
IIEW Jou, .... 1
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