NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in The Workplace

OSHA mandates measures to prevent workplace injuries. While arc flash labels don’t replace work permits, training, or planning for energized equipment, DuraLabel recommends them to enhance hazard communication, safety, and efficiency.

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The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 70E is the definitive standard for electrical safety in the workplace. The standard covers everything from arc flash incident energy, lockout-tagout procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to mitigate the risk of electrical injuries. NFPA 70E specifies requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel from exposure to major electrical hazards that can result in injury or death. The standard is intended to help companies comply with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.

The 2024 edition of NFPA 70E includes major updates to standards on risk assessment, PPE, arc flash boundaries, job safety planning, as well as articles 120, 220, and 300.

Current Edition: 2024

Why NFPA 70E?

Working with electricity is dangerous and is one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities in the United States, with a high percentage occurring in nonelectrical occupations. The number of electrical fatalities has remained consistent over the years, with an 8% drop from 2021-2022.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International[1] (ESFI), there were 1,322 electrical fatalities and 2,220 non-fatal electrical injuries involving days away from work. Electricians, construction laborers, electrical power installers, and repairers are some of the top occupations involved in electrical fatalities.

NFPA 70E Standard Requirements:

• Turn off electrical power while work is being performed and verify that it stays off until the task is completed. This should be performed by individual qualified employee control; simple lockout/tagout or complex lockout/tagout.
• A live work permit that describes the work to be performed and why it must be performed should be signed by the customer, engineers or other person in charge, when working near “live” exposed energized parts.
• Three shock hazard boundaries should be determined for shock protection: limited approach, restricted, and prohibited. These boundaries help identify who should be allowed and when workers must use voltage-rated rubber gloves and fiberglass tools.
• The flash protection boundary (FPB) must be determined. Anyone working closer than 48 inches to live parts must wear PPE to protect against arc flash. This may include clothing made of material that blocks heat energy and contains non-conductive hardware.
• The Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) must adhere to the tables provided by the standard. The HRC level helps electrical workers select the type of PPE to wear based upon the task they are performing.
• Workers must wear appropriate PPE whenever they are performing tasks within the FPB.

The Role Visual Communication and Safety Labels Play in Electrical Safety

1. Arc flash labels)—Arc flash labels must be prominently displayed on electrical equipment to identify potential hazards, and include the incident energy level, arc flash boundary, and required PPE. This allows workers to quickly assess the risks associated with working on or near energized equipment.
2. Clear hazard identification —Labels, signs, and symbols must clearly communicate the nature of the hazard, whether it’s electrical shock or arc flash risks. This helps prevent accidents by alerting workers to the need for specific precautions and protective measures before engaging with electrical systems.
3. Training and awareness—Effective visual communication supports training by reinforcing safety protocols. Workers are more likely to retain critical safety information and understand the risks associated with electrical equipment when regularly exposed to well-placed and clearly designed safety signs and labels.
4. Reducing human error—Visual cues, like color-coded labels and hazard symbols, significantly reduce the likelihood of human error. Workers can quickly recognize hazards and take appropriate action when they are visually guided by consistent and standardized labeling practices.

Electrical Safety Training

Training workers on NFPA 70E standards will help workers navigate through their work environment safely, and ultimately reduce the risk of injuries. There are many training courses available for workers whose jobs require them to be in close proximity to equipment that can produce electrical hazards.  OSHA[2] offers a manual/training program entitled, “Electrical Safety in the Workplace.” It is designed to provide comprehensive on-site training to high-risk workers. Participants who complete the course will be able to:

• Identify electrical hazards
• Understand safety-related work practices
• Work on, or near, live parts safely
• List the PPE needed for tasks involving electrical hazards

[1] www.esfi.org/workplace-safety/workplace-injury-fatality-statistics/

[2] https://tinyurl.com/ywjm7vw2