On August 6, 1990 Federal OSHA published a new occupational safety standard for general industry (Federal Register). The Electrical Safety- Related Work Practices; Final Rule complements the existing electrical installation standards and changes regulations referring to the 1971 National Electrical Code so that they will refer instead to OSHA's electrical standards.

This new federal final rule beginning at 29 CFR 1910.331 has been adopted verbatim in North Carolina by the Commissioner of Labor. The final rule, except for 1910.332, has an effective date of February 11, 1991. Section 1910.332 becomes effective on August 6, 1991.