In 2007, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in reaction to pressures from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), other associations, workmen groups and others within the industry, issued several mandates requiring that employers protect their personnel and others who may be on site from arc flashes and other electrical blasts.

The mission for OSHA, part of the Department of Human and Health Services, is “to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.” This makes OSHA the nation’s preeminent enforcer of workplace safety regulations.

On February 14, 2007, the agency published a final ruling in the Federal Register that mandated new guidelines for equipment design, equipment classification, electrical system installation and electrical maintenance practices.

OSHA says, “Thou Shall”

According to OSHA  rulings, employers must follow these critical ‘Thou Shall’ requirements:

1. Shall PROTECT all of the following from electrical hazards:

Employer's employees

Employees from a different employer

Employers/personnel brought in to correct hazard

Employees/personnel supervising worksite

2. Shall PREVENT workers from working on live equipment except when:

De-energizing introduces additional hazards

Infeasible due to equipment design / limitations

NFPA Regulations

Besides having to follow OSHA rulings, organizations must also adhere to the electrical codes established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the world's leading advocate of fire prevention.

NFPA's 300 codes and standards influence every building, process, service, design, and installation in the United States, as well as many of those used in other countries. NFPA publishes both the NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplaces (NFPA 70E).

According to NFPA 70E regulation, employers SHALL ensure that:

All electrical equipment be in a safe working area

PPE worn in flash protection boundary area

Flash hazard analysis before working on energized equipment