In 2024, the Electrical Safety Foundation and Wesco surveyed safety professionals to see how connected safety devices and the recent changes in NFPA 70B: Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance have helped increase safety and identify opportunities for improvement in their facilities.

Connected Safety Devices

Connected safety utilizes video analytics, wearable devices, robotics, environmental sensors, virtual reality, safety management software and more to better control and mitigate workplace hazards.

NFPA 70B

The 2023 edition of NFPA 70B now contains mandatory language and requirements for electrical equipment maintenance. The equipment owner is responsible for  implementing and documenting the electrical maintenance program (EMP).

Key Survey Findings

  • 81% of survey respondents stated electrical hazards are the primary concern at their workplace.
  • 95% of survey respondents noticed a reduction in workplace injuries since implementing connected safety solutions.
  • 79% of survey respondents stated that NFPA 70B significantly or very much improved electrical safety in their workplace.
  • 79% of survey respondents were considering implementing connected safety solutions.
  • 67% stated that training requirements and 22% stated that cultural adoption were the challenges to overcome when implementing connected safety solutions.
  • 78% of survey respondents stated that connected safety solutions significantly or very much improved safety in their workplace.
  • 80% of survey respondents stated they manage safety inspections for equipment and work environments manually.

 

Connected Safety Solutions & NFPA 70B Benefits

  • Improve safety in facilities.
  • Reduce potentially dangerous manual safety inspections.
  • Address the aging workforce / lack of skilled workers.