The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), formerly the National Electrical Safety Foundation, is a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in
Rosslyn, Virginia, US dedicated exclusively to promoting
electrical
Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by ...
safety at home, school, and in the workplace. Founded in 1994 as a cooperative effort by the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA),
Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the
US Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC, CPSC, or commission) is an independent agency of the United States government. The CPSC seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing “unreasonable risks” of inj ...
(CPSC), ESFI is funded by charitable contributions from, distributors,
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory is the term used by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration to identify third-party organizations that have the necessary qualifications to perform safety testing and certification o ...
, retailers, insurers,
utilities
A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and r ...
, safety organizations, and trade and labor associations. The mission of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is to reduce electrically related injuries, deaths and fires; saving lives and property through public education and outreach.
National Electrical Safety Month
Each May ESFI commemorates National Electrical Safety Month (NESM) to raise awareness and educate the public on critical electrical safety topics. In many states, governors have issued proclamations to observe National Electrical Safety Month and the Executive Office has taken note with official Presidential recognition beginning in 2014.
Programs
ESFI supports and creates materials to raise awareness on the following consumer hazards and electrical safety technologies required by the
National Fire Protection Association's National Electrical Code
The National Electrical Code (NEC), or NFPA 70, is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States. It is part of the National Fire Code series published by the National Fire Prote ...
:
*
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
*
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters
*
Tamper Resistant Receptacles
*
Surge Protective Devices
*
Electric Shock Drowning
Electric shock drowning is a term used in the US to describe a cause of death that occurs when swimmers are exposed to electric currents in the water. In some cases the shock itself is fatal, since the person will suffocate when their diaphragm i ...
* Counterfeit Electrical Goods
*
Fire Prevention
Fire prevention is a function of many fire departments. The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public on the precautions which should be taken to prevent potentially harmful fires and how to survive these fires in the event that they do o ...
Board Members (2022)
Executive Committee
* Chair Lorraine Carli,
National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. As of 2018, the NFPA claims to have 50,000 mem ...
* Immediate Past Chair Ruppert Russoniello,
Eaton Corporation
Eaton Corporation plc is an American-Irish multinational power management company with 2021 sales of $19.63 billion, founded in the United States with global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and a secondary administrative center in Beachwood, ...
* Vice Chair Alan Manche,
Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric SE is a French multinational company that specializes in digital automation and energy management. It addresses homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries, by combining energy technologies, real-time automation ...
* Treasurer Sonia Vahedian,
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is the largest trade association of electrical equipment manufacturers in the United States. Founded in 1926, it advocates for the industry, and publishes standards for electrical product ...
* Secretary Barry Powell,
Siemens
Siemens AG ( ) is a German multinational conglomerate corporation and the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe headquartered in Munich with branch offices abroad.
The principal divisions of the corporation are ''Industry'', '' ...
* At-Large Member Debra Phillips,
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is the largest trade association of electrical equipment manufacturers in the United States. Founded in 1926, it advocates for the industry, and publishes standards for electrical product ...
Directors
* Scott Bausch,
Pass & Seymour
Legrand is a French industrial group historically based in Limoges in the Limousin region. It is one of the world leaders in electrical and digital building infrastructures and connected solutions.
Legrand is established in 90 countries and i ...
* Joy Ditto,
American Public Power Association
The American Public Power Association (APPA) is the service organization for approximately 2,000 U.S community-owned electric utilities that serve more than 49 million Americans.
APPA was created in September 1940 to represent the common intere ...
* Milan Dotlich,
UL (Underwriters Laboratories)
The UL enterprise is a global safety science company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, composed of three organizations, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL Solutions.
Established in 1894, the UL enterprise was founded as ...
* Marco Giamberadino,
National Electrical Contractors Association
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is a trade association in the United States that represents the electrical contracting industry. NECA supports the businesses that bring power, light, and communication technology to buildi ...
* Matt Hockman,
Eaton Corporation
Eaton Corporation plc is an American-Irish multinational power management company with 2021 sales of $19.63 billion, founded in the United States with global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and a secondary administrative center in Beachwood, ...
* Steve Jackson,
ILSCO
* Thayer Long,
Independent Electrical Contractors
The Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC) is a national trade association in the United States for merit shop electrical and systems contractors. IEC has about 3,500 member companies in about 52 chapters throughout the country.
Education ...
* Nelson Squires,
WESCO Distribution
* Stephanie Voyda,
Edison Electric Institute
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is an association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies.
Its members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, operate in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and directly employ ...
* Richard Weiser,
CSA Group
The CSA Group (formerly the Canadian Standards Association; CSA) is a standards organization which develops standards in 57 areas. CSA publishes standards in print and electronic form, and provides training and advisory services. CSA is composed ...
Board Liaisons
*Andrew Trotta,
US Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC, CPSC, or commission) is an independent agency of the United States government. The CPSC seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing “unreasonable risks” of inj ...
References
External links
ESFI website
electrical manufacturers
Electrical safety
Non-profit organizations based in Arlington, Virginia
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