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Title: NIOSH testimony to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed rule on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution; electrical protective equipment by J. D. Millar, November 28, 1989

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5471734

The testimony concerns the support of NIOSH for the OSHA proposed rule on Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution. NIOSH in particular comments on control of hazardous energy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, line mechanics, and enclosed spaces. NIOSH estimates that 80 to 90% of the fatalities occurring in the industry occur among line mechanics. NIOSH strongly supports OSHA in applying the standard both electric utility companies and to power generation, transmission and distribution installations not under control of electric utilities. In addition to evaluating electrocutions to find effective ways for workers to avoid electrical injury or fatality, NIOSH has published recommendations for providing emergency medical care when workers do inadvertently contact electrical energy. NIOSH is not aware of any epidemiologic study which collected sufficient data to directly address the issue of successful resuscitation following contact with electrical energy. A review of pertinent epidemiologic studies and standard medical practice supports the NIOSH recommendation that workers who may contact energized electrical circuit work in pairs and that both members of the team be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
OSTI ID:
5471734
Report Number(s):
PB-91-169540/XAB
Resource Relation:
Other Information: See also PB91-152272
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English