NFPA 70E

Electrical hazards can be a major concern in the industrial workplace. The NFPA 70E Standard, titled “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace”, is published by the National Fire Protection Association. The standard enforces electrical safety in the workplace. This standard creates an outline for safe practices for electrical maintenance and construction. It protects workers from electrocution, arc-flashes, and arc-blasts. OSHA does not enforce the standard on companies, but it can use the standard to support citations for violations relating to certain OSHA standards.

There is a four-step safety strategy recommended by the NFPA 70E to protects workers from electrical hazards, as follows:

1. Turn off the power source whenever feasible.

2. Use a live work permit.

3. A plan should be made on how the live work will be performed with consideration to all safety standards.

4. Appropriate PPE must be used at all times. PPE includes face shields, flash suits, flame retardant clothing, and insulated tools, among others.

Only qualified & trained personnel may work on electrical assignments. Unqualified electrical workers should be given basic electrical safety training to ensure they know safe practices if they must work near live electrical lines.