11-04-2012, 03:43 PM
NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
AORCNFPA70E.ppt (Size: 1.28 MB / Downloads: 41)
What is NFPA 70E?
A document that addresses electrical safety standards for employees who install, maintain or repair electrical systems
2004 Edition has an introduction, 4 Chapters and 13 Annexes
Chapter 1 – Safety-Related Work Practices is the core of 70E
Chapters 2-4:
2 - Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements
3 - Safety Requirements for Special Equipment
4 - Installation Safety Requirements
Annexes A – M: Lots of good information and examples
NFPA 70E – A little background
OSHA bases its electrical safety mandates, found in 1910 and 1926 on the information found in NFPA 70E
NFPA 70E is recognized as the tool that illustrates how an employer might comply with OSHA standards re: electrical safe work practices
Relationship can be described as:
OSHA is the “SHALL”
NFPA 70E is the “HOW”
Is Compliance with 70E Mandatory?
Bottom line….The employer is expected to use consensus standards to help achieve compliance with OSHA regulations
In a 2003 Standards Interpretation letter, OSHA stated that 70E can be used as evidence of whether or not an employer acted reasonably
Three Step Process…
Conduct both a shock and flash hazard analysis to determine incident energy potential within the Flash Protection Boundary
Determine PPE clothing needs based upon the incident energy level associated with the task
Select PPE matching the hazard to the arc rating of the garment/equipment
In Closing, Ask Yourself:
Are my employees adequately protected when dealing with energized electrical components?
If yes, what means have you used to determine adequacy?
Do my employees have the necessary PPE available?
If yes, do they know why, when and where to use it?
If the answer to either of these questions is NO, you may want to look into NFPA 70E