NFPA 70e arc flash electrical safety standard addresses electrical safety requirements for employee workplaces that are necessary for the practical safeguarding of employees in their pursuit of gainful employment.
NFPA published its seventh edition of the “70e Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces” in February 2004.
NFPA 70e contains an introduction, four chapters, 13 annexes and has many significant changes from the sixth edition.
The comprehensive electrical safety standard covers the full range of electrical safety issues, including safety related work practices, maintenance, special equipment requirements and installation. It focuses on protecting people and identifies requirements that are considered necessary to provide a workplace that is free of electrical hazards. OSHA bases its electrical safety mandates, found in Subpart S part 1910 and Subpart K part 1926, on the comprehensive information found in the standard. NFPA 70e is recognized as the tool that illustrates how an employer might comply with these OSHA standards. The relationship between the OSHA regulations and NFPA 70e can be described as OSHA is the “shall” and the “how.”
NFPA 70e covers the installation of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors and equipment, and raceways for the following: (1) Public and private premises, including buildings, structures, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and floating buildings (2) Yards, lots, parking lots, carnivals, and industrial substations FPN: For additional information concerning such installations in an industrial or multibuilding complex, see ANSI C2-2002, National Electrical Safety Code. (3) Installations of conductors and equipment that connect to the supply of electricity (4) Installations used by the electric utility, such as office buildings, warehouses, garages, machine shops, and recreational buildings, that are not an integral part of a generating plant, substation, or control centers
How Does NFPA 70e Impact Companies?
Companies that own and operate energized electrical equipment will be affected by therequirements in several ways:
Employers must conduct both shock and flash hazard analysis to establish a flash protection boundary. Employers are responsible for the safety and training of employees
The greatest changes in work habits will relate to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from an electrical arc flash. Flame resistant (FR) clothing and PPE must be worn. The Standard dictates that employers must determine PPE clothing based on degree of hazard, then select PPE matching the arc hazard rating of the garments.
Employees who are not "qualified" electricians must now be accompanied by qualified personnel.
Resetting a circuit breaker requires safety glasses, a natural fiber shirt and pants. Gloves are not required.
Employers, not manufacturers or installers, are responsible for complying with labeling requirements. Switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels and motor control centers must be field marked. These are the most important areas of compliance.
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