This is a hot topic in the States, but anyone know if this legislation has been adopted in BC or anywhere else in Canada? thanks
I may be wrong but I thought the only NFPA publication that is used here in Canada was the one for sprinkler systems.
I see that the ESAO has it as a reference for their training material but has it actually been brought into law in Canada?
An interesting thing about Canadian Standards. Where there is no Canadian Standard existing then a foreign standard can have legislative effect. IE it is the standard which has effect in law or code.
The idea that 70E has effect here in Canada is tricky as we don't have much case law with regard to arc hazards. Bill C45 places responsibility for worker safety upon the owners and directors of a company and all you need to do to make them deal with 70E is make them aware that an arc hazard exists. WCB in BC is not mandating the requirements for 70E but it is only a matter of time. Arc flash hazards do exist and how long it takes for 70E or a Canadian standard to be written and adopted is only a matter of time. Heaven help a big company that instructs a worker to work in a high flash energy zone and ignores 70E if they are aware it exists.
This is the only document i can find on 70e that has a quick ref table.
http://esao.on.ca/alert_pdfs/electrical_hazard.pdf
CSA is writing CSA Z-462 that is scheduled to come into effect around 2008.
CEC 2-306 references Shock and Flash Hazard in the 2006 code. Appedix b refers to NFPA 70E so it is now refered in the code. Until the Canadian standard is written and adopted then 70 E has legislative force. It should be noted that many Canadian Standards are volantary and very few of them are compulsory.
There was an article in the fall 2006 Electrical Source covering CSA standard Z462.www.electricityforum.com Hope this helps
thanks for the info mikesh, I wonder if the inspection department is going to start enforcing NFPA70E now.
Well the BC adoption of the 2006 CEC is in full effect for new permits on Suday the 15th. I guess like all new rules some will get enforced right away and others will take some education time to take effect.