Safety is an important aspect of any job. But when it comes to the electrical industry, it’s a matter of life and death. The history of electrical safety involves all the lessons learnt through experiments, inventing and adapting to new techniques, and the evolution of an emergency electrician.
The early stages of electricity saw two giants of electrical engineering, Thomas Alva Edison and Nikola Tesla, fighting the War of Currents. Safety was an overlooked aspect then, which led to accidents often. However, things gradually changed, and safety codes and regulations were brought into operation. Keep reading to learn more about how electrical safety and emergency electricians have evolved over the years.
1895: In 1895, five different electrical installation codes were established for workers’ safety. However, it was difficult to maintain the uniformity of these codes across the country.
1897: Two years later, in 1897, a single uniform code, the National Electric Code (NEC) was published. This laid the foundation of safety codes and standards across the world and made it easy for any electrician to follow the same guidelines during electrical installations.
1911: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) became the sponsor of NEC in 1911 and further updated the safety protocols.
1956: Charles Dalziel, a professor of electrical engineering, started his research on electrical shock. However, as there were no prior existing documents on the subject, he performed this electrical testing on human volunteers. This research led to the invention of the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), which could prevent ground faults; the major reason behind electrocution in domestic and commercial places. GFCI breakers are commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms to prevent electrical shocks.
1969: Alice Stoll and Maria Chianta invented the Stoll Curve while studying the effects of heat associated with burn injuries. This curve helps to find the amount of heat energy involved in producing the start of a second-degree burn within a particular time. This is where the blisters develop, and the outer layer of the skin gets separated from the inner layer of the skin.
1970: Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970 by the United States Congress to create Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA looks after the workers by ensuring a safe and healthy working environment through education and training.
1976: At OSHA’s request, a committee was formed by NFPA to create new electrical standards. This was to promote a practical and safer working environment for employees concerning accidents arising out of electrical use. In 1979, the NPFA 70E developed the Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces. The NPFA 70E is at the core of today’s electrical safety practices.
1982: Ralph H. Lee wrote a research paper titled “The Other Electrical Hazard: Electrical Arc Blast Burns” after studying arc flashes. This paper is regarded as the beginning of modern electrical arc flash theory and the most comprehensive study on the causes and effects of arc flash accidents.
1995: NPFA 70E mentioned the arc flash electrical hazard and revised safety standards for dealing with arc flashes.
2000: NPFA 70E introduced the Hazard Risk Category Classification system in which tables were developed to select fire-resistant (FR) fabric and personal protective equipment (PPE) for protection from the thermal effects of arc flash. Techniques to calculate arc flash were also invented, which helped forecast the prospective incident energy, expressed in calories per square centimetre.
2002: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) published “Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculation”, which laid down methods to calculate the actual arching current that could pass during an arc flash. The same year, NEC first acknowledged the hazards of arc flash for the first time and demanded field marking of certain electrical equipment to warn workers of potential arc flash hazards.
2007: The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) demanded that the electric utility system that comes under this standard must carry out an arc flash assessment.
2009: NFPA 70E added another requirement for arc flash warning labels. It now requires that either the PPE level or the calculated incident energy must be mentioned on the label. This was done to make it easy for workers (who work on or near live energised systems) to choose their PPE.
2015: OSHA’s new labelling standard required that labels must mention arc flash boundary, nominal system voltage and at least one of these: corresponding working distance, available incident energy, site-specific PPE level or minimum arc rating clothing.
2018: NFPA 70E highlighted the account for human error while assessing risk to understand electrical safety further. The NFPA claimed that human error can reduce a safety program’s effectiveness, so it began testing the safety measures and protocols proactively to lessen human error.
Evolution of Emergency Electricians
The demand for an emergency electrical service has been on the rise since the advent of new and sophisticated electrical systems. As electricity reaches every nook and cranny of a country, so does the occurrence of faults and emergencies.
These events increase the risk of damage to life and property. That’s where emergency electricians (who possess all the skills and expertise to deal with such situations) come into play. Their evolution plays an important role in ensuring safety and providing quick solutions to electrical issues, whether at home or in industry.
The role of an emergency electrician has progressed beyond handling just emergencies. They now conduct regular inspections to recognise the signs of potential hazards before they escalate. The government takes an active part in providing advanced training and certificates to electricians to upgrade their skills and tackle modern technologies.
Also read: End High Energy Costs: Discover How Power Flushing Helps 80% of UK Families!
Final Thoughts
The surprising history of electrical safety reflects all the progress in the electrical industry and a strong commitment to preventing disasters. Within this journey, the role of electricians remains vital in providing a safe and secure electrical environment at all places.
If you’re in need of a 24 hour electrician or service who would turn up at the right time of emergency, RY Group has got you covered. They have a team of electricians who are highly skilled and have over 10 years of experience. They have assisted numerous homes and offices during emergencies which include overloading and short circuits. Get in touch with them for instant help to avoid situations that can escalate to bigger problems.
