NFPA 70E Electrical Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces - 2000 Edition.

Part 1 of 2.

In today’s electrical work environment, safety for employees is one of the most important objectives of any company, if not the most important objective. OSHA has incorporated many standards (by reference), including the National Electrical Code. OSHA has also used standards, such as NFPA 70E as a basis for providing electrical safety requirements for employees in the workplace.

NFPA 70E, addresses electrical safety requirements for employee workplaces that are necessary for the practical safeguarding of employees in their pursuit of gainful employment. Section 1-1.3 of the Introduction covers the arrangement of NFPA 70E. This is similar to the 1999 NEC Section 90-3. The arrangement of NFPA 70E is as follows …

Part I, Installation Safety Requirements

Part II, Safety-Related Work Practices

Part III, Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements

Part IV, Safety Requirements for Special Equipment

Appendix A, Tables, Notes, and Charts

Appendix B, Referenced Publications

It is important to know and understand definitions listed in Section I-2 of the Introduction. Definitions are often the key to resolving disputes, and answering those difficult questions that arise in the course of normal work. Within the 2000 edition of NFPA 70E, there are a number of new definitions that are very important to workplace safety. The following definitions; Limited Approach Boundary, Prohibited Approach Boundary, Restricted Approach Boundary all state that only “qualified” persons are permitted to cross those zones. In general, this means that “unqualified” persons, who have no specific training, and/or have no business being near these areas, are prohibited from entering these areas.

Part I INSTALLATION SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Part I, Section 1-1.1 states that the requirements of this section are based on the Provisions of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. The difference between this part of NFPA 70E, and NFPA 70 is the numbering system.

Essential to the proper use of Part I of this standard is the understanding that Part I is not intended to be applied as a design, installation, modification, or construction standard for an electrical installation or system. The content of Part I has been intentionally limited in comparison to the content of the NEC in order to apply to an electrical installation or system as a part of an employee’s workplace. NFPA 70E is compatible with corresponding provisions of the NEC, but is not intended to, nor can it, be used in lieu of the NEC.

Part II SAFETY-RELATED WORK PRACTICES.

Part II covers electrical safety-related work practices and procedures for employees who work on or near exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts to workplaces that are included in the scope of this standard. Electric circuits and equipment not included in the scope of this standard might present a hazard to employees not qualified to work near such facilities. Requirements have been included in Part II to protect unqualified employees from such hazards.

Section 1-5 includes safety training requirements. These requirements are very similar the training requirements found in OSHA 1910-332(a). Section 1-5.3 also requires provisions for emergencies, such as methods for release of victims from contact with exposed energized conductors or circuit parts.

Section 2-1.3.3 requires a flash hazard analysis before a person approaches any exposed electrical conductor or circuit part that has not been placed in an electrically safe condition.

Section 2-1.3.3.2 defines a flash protection boundary. There is a calculation to determine this boundary. For systems which operate at 600 volts or less, the flash protection boundary shall be 4’ – 0” based on the product of clearing times of 6 cycles (0.1 second) and an available bolted fault current of 50 kA or any combination not exceeding 300 kA cycles (5000 ampere seconds). There is also a calculation for systems which operate above 600 volts.

Section 2-1.3.3.3 requires protective clothing and personal protective equipment for application with a flash hazard analysis. This requires flame resistant clothing. Clothing made from synthetic materials such acetate, nylon, polyester, rayon, either alone or in blends with cotton, shall not be worn.

Section 3-1 General. Employees working in areas where there are electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use protective equipment that is designed and constructed for the specific part of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.

Table 3-3.9.1 Hazard Risk Category Classifications helps persons to assess risks, and determine whether or not voltage-rated gloves and tools are required. Table 3-3.9.2 Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Matrix helps persons determine which type of clothing and/or personal protective equipment is required.

Section 3-3.9.4 addresses factors in the selection of protective clothing. This section includes information for layering, outer layers, underlayers, coverage, fit and interference for protective clothing. Section 3-3.9.5 covers arc flash protective equipment, including flash suits, face protection, hand protection, and foot protection.

While still in Part II of NFPA 70E, Chapter 4 covers Use of Specific Safety-Related Equipment and Work Practices. This chapter covers test instruments, i.e., meters; energizing and deenergizing electrical power circuits, and portable electric equipment.

Chapter 5 covers Lockout/Tagout Practices and Devices.

Appendixes A – E are valuable samples and procedures which may be followed for information purposes, or to help establish guidelines for setting-up and maintaining procedures and practices.

Conclusion:

NFPA 70E is currently a 2000 edition. There is a wealth of information contained within this edition, including many changes related to boundaries, protective clothing, charts-and-examples that are essential for creating the safest possible workplaces for employees. Any person or company performing work on or near exposed energized electrical parts and circuits should obtain a copy of NFPA 70E, read it thoroughly, and follow the information provided.

Steven J. Owen, electrical consultant, has been active in the electrical industry for over 26 years. Owen is certified as a master electrician/contractor in 45 states; as a National Electric Code instructor for continuing education in 25 states; as an OSHA authorized trainer for Construction and General Industry; as an electrical inspector by BOCA, CABO, IAEI, ICBO & SBCCI; as a Chief Code Analyst by SBCCI; as a lightning protection designer, inspector, installer by LPI; as a Power Distribution Engineering Technician by NICET; Principal voting member of CMP-3 of NFPA 70 – NEC; as a member of NFPA, RSES and ASSE.