Subpart K — Electrical

H, Materials Handling, Storage, and Disposal ). Electric utility hookups must comply with part 1926 subpart K, Electrical. Interaction with local utility companies is important because high-voltage direct current (DC) underground can interfere with cathodic protection systems and underground natural gas and water lines. 

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safely and Health Administration 29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry, Subpart S, Electrical, 1910.301 to 1910.399 including 1910.331 through 1910.335 Electrical Safely Related Woik Practices Subpart J, General Environmental Controls, 1910.147, The Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) 29 CFR Part 1926, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, Subpart K, Electrical, 1926.400 to 1926.449... 

Welding, Cutting, and Heating In Way of Preservative Coatings—1926.354(a) Subpart K Electrical... 

Normally, electrical equipment must be approved as an assembly by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory to be acceptable under the General Industry or Construction Electrical Standards (Part 1910, Subpart S and Part 1926, Subpart K, respectively). 

Subpart K deals with the means of providing electrical power, both permanent and temporary, to a jobsite. Subpart K also states that the electrical standards do not apply to existing permanent installations that were on the site before construction began. There are four major divisions of this subpart including installation safety requirements, safety-related work practices, maintenance and environmental considerations, and requirements for speciai equipment. 

Safety-Related Work Practices. Subpart K describes acceptable and non-acceptable wiring methods for both temporary and permanent electrical... 

Special Equipment. Power supplies for equipment such as elevators, escalators and moving walks are addressed under Subpart K. There are also requirements for electrical installations in hazardous environments such as where dust, fumes, and flammable vapor exist. Only equipment designed for the specific location should be used. Batteries and battery charging are regulated under this subpait Proper handling of battery acids and charging equipment is addressed. 

All electrical equipment and wiring for light and power circuits shall comply with the requirements of Subpart K of this part for use in damp, hazardous, high temperature, and compressed air environments. 

Q. 1 On a construction worksite where there are subcontractors and a general contractor, which employers are subject to an OSHA citation for electrical cords that violate subpart K standards ... 

Section 1926.449 defines acceptable as An installation or equipment is acceptable to the Assistant Secretary of Labor, and approved within the meaning of this subpart K (a) If it is accepted, or certified, or listed, or labeled, or otherwise determined to be safe by a qualified testing laboratory capable of determining the suitability of materials and equipment for installation and use in accordance with this standard or (b) With respect to an installation or equipment of a kind which no qualified testing laboratory accepts, certifies, lists, labels, or determines to be safe, if it is inspected or tested by another Federal agency, or by a State, municipal, or other local authority responsible for enforcing occupational safety provisions of the National Electrical Code, and found in compliance with those provisions or (c) With respect to custom-made equipment or related installations which are designed, fabricated for, and intended for use by a particular customer, if it is determined to be safe for its intended use by its manufacturer on the basis of test data which the employer keeps and makes available for inspection to the Assistant Secretary and his authorized representatives. ... 

CFR Part 56, Subpart K and Part 57, Subpart K address the use of electricity at surface metal and nonmetal mines and underground metal and nonmetal mines, respectively. These subparts address adequacy of cable conductors, circuit and traiUng cable overload protection, performance of work on electric equipment and electric power circuits, grounding system requirements and testing of grounding systems, handheld electric tools, fuse removal and replacement, protection of trading cables from physical damage, installation of troUey wires and track, isolation of communication circuits from power circuits, and so forth. 

OSHA rules for heavy equipment, falls, power lines, electrical equipment, tools, excavations, carbon monoxide, and asphalt fiimes are covered throughout 29 CFR1926. OSHA rules for highway construction sites (also called work zones) can be found in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart G ( 1926.200 -. 203). Unfortrmately, OSHA does not provide much in the way of protecting workers from hazards of work zone traffic. However, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) has the intention of protecting motorists and pedestrians, it also provides some protection for road workers rmder 23 CFR 630 Subpart J and K and 23 CFR 655 Subpart F. 

---