EC& EN Magazine. Monthly Article Part 2 of 2. Part 1 of 2, written in last month’s article, covered Part I and Part II of the 2000 edition of NFPA 70E.

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 other 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.

Part III Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements.

Part III requirements shall identify only that maintenance directly associated with employee safety. The requirements of Part III do not prescribe specific maintenance methods or testing procedures.

Chapter 2, Section 2-1 Qualified Persons. Only persons who are considered qualified (by meeting training requirements) shall be permitted to perform maintenance on electrical equipment.

Chapter 2, Section 2-2 Single Line Diagram. Where single line diagrams are provided, they shall be maintained. As a reminder; keep your drawings up-to-date.

The remaining requirements in Chapter 2, as well as the requirements found in Chapters 3, 4, and 6 are consistent to the requirements found in the National Electrical Code.

Chapter 11 of Part III addresses personal safety and protective equipment. Testing and visual inspections are required for protective equipment, protective tools, safety grounding equipment, and personal protective equipment. A question may be asked … which equipment does an employee or employer use on a jobsite that is not required to
be checked (at minimum), visually before use each work shift? Generally, all equipment needs to be visually checked before each use on any jobsite.

Part IV Safety Requirements for Special Equipment.

This part contains requirements for special equipment. Please be aware that specialized equipment used within industry accounts for the largest share of structural fires and associated civilian deaths and injuries.

Chapter 1, Section 1-2 Responsibility. The employer shall provide safety-related work practices and employee training. The employee shall follow the practices. This is similar to OSHA’s requirements regarding responsibilities of employers and employees. It is clear that training must be provided, and that employees must follow the practices established by the employer. Chapter 2, Section 2-2.2 Safeguarding, goes as far as requiring “consistent administrative enforcement of safe work practices”.

Cell Line Working Zones, Batteries and Battery Rooms, Lasers, and Power Electronic Equipment and covered in detail in Part IV. Chapter 2, Section 2-5.3 for Electrolytic Cells is consistent with the revisions in Chapter 3 of Part II of this standard, which also address electrical flash hazard analysis and procedures.

Chapter 5 of Part III covers high-tech equipment such as motor drives, UPS systems, and lighting controllers.

Appendix B Referenced Publications are listed for informational purposes. Where applicable, it may be very helpful to consult the appropriate referenced standard for specific technical information.

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 ABC, ASSE, IAEI, NETA, NFPA, NICET, RSES and SBCCI.