Osha announces Change to 1910 Subpart S

[BobLfoot]

I just came across OSHA Final Rule 72:7135-7221 which makes several changes to the electrical standards for General Industry. If I read the new 1910.304 (b)(3) correctly GFCI's are now required for "maintenance" of "equipment" activities. Anyone else heard anything about this.

[Ken Moore]

I was aware of this, we have been using GFCI's for all our hand tools for about two years. Rather than reworking the entire plant, we purchased a bunch of "pigtail" type GFCI's. One of the checks on our safe work permit is for GFCI's to be used for all portable electrical devices.

[OIDMBTRTECH]

Many plants I have been into the last few years want GFCI on all electrical apparatus you plug into their outlet. Imagine you have the polarized power pack for your O'scope and you have to use a GFCI with it. Even though grounded outlets have been in use for many years, I see 2 conductor extension cords used with grounded tools plugged into them. Of course the ground pin is missing. I try to keep my distance from those folks. It amazes me that they always legislate rules to "protect" us from ourselves.

[Crossbow]

In the last 5 years almost every PLC panel I've been involved with has an auxiliary outlet inside for my laptop. And I've used GFCIs for most. A couple of my panel shop guys didn't like it because there were simple DIN rail mount options for a simple outlet, but not many DIN rail options (and none we sold) for GFCI. They had to mount a metal box. Oh well...