Rise of Electrification: Demand for Electrical Maintenance Requires Safety Awareness
In the first episode of Tyndale’s Rise of Electrification blog mini-series, we covered how the increased adoption of electrification is having a positive impact on the job market for electricians. The recent passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a momentous step towards a sustainable future for the United States, requiring significant improvements to the electrical infrastructure as it accelerates the adoption of electrification.
As the electrification revolution advances, the United States’ electrical infrastructure, originally designed to be powered by mostly fossil fuels, is facing challenges keeping up with growing demand. The updates require integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. New energy storage solutions also need to be developed to handle the intermittent nature of these sources.
Importance of Electrical Safety Standards in the Electrification Revolution
These initiatives have created a higher demand for electricians to support the expanding use of electricity in daily life. This means that more electricians are exposed to potential electrical hazards, posing a threat to their safety. As always, electricians need to be alert of all safety standards applicable to their job requirements. In the video below, Scott Margolin, Vice President of Technical at Tyndale, highlights the importance of NFPA 70B, the standard for electrical maintenance, which was recently promoted from a guide, or recommended practice, to a standard.
Understanding NFPA 70B is critical for anyone involved in electrical maintenance. Now a standard, with prescriptive language that mandates regular maintenance, electrical gear that has not been maintained for many years must now be brought up to standards. This increased demand for electrical maintenance due to the electrification revolution is likely to require more electricians and more frequent inspections, which may increase the risk of arc flash and injury in the near- and medium-term as deferred maintenance is addressed.
To better understand how NFPA 70B fits with NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E and to gain an understanding of what changes now that NFPA 70B is a standard, visit Tyndale’s blog series on the topic. Tyndale’s commitment to providing flame resistant clothing that complies with industry standards is an essential aspect of protecting workers in this field. With the increasing demand for electrical maintenance, Tyndale’s focus on safety continues to be of paramount importance.
