Codes and Standards

OSHA issues alert on incorrectly rebuilt circuit breakers

Sept. 8, 2011

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a hazard alert, warning workers and employers of certain Eaton/Cutler-Hammer molded-case circuit breakers that were incorrectly rebuilt. A third-party rebuilder may have altered the circuit breakers – identified by model numbers E²K and E²KM – by using incorrect parts that can cause the breakers to malfunction.
(https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=20586)

The covers do not meet manufacturer’s specifications, and may lack proper safety features such as grounding and fault protection to prevent electrical shock, burns, and fires. With the potential for worker injury from breaker failure, employers must remove this equipment from service, OSHA says. 

Sign up for Building Design+Construction Newsletters