NFPA 70E Training and Compliance

NFPA 70E for Electrical Safety

NFPA 70E “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace” is designed to keep workers safe from electrical hazards NFPA 70E provides actionable steps employers should take to reduce the risk of electrical fires, explosions, and arc flash in their workplaces.

Electric hazards can cause serious problems like injuries, business interruption, and even death. Adherence to standards like NFPA 70E is critical to reducing those risks. The standard guides installation, inspection, operation, maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors and other equipment. It works in tandem with Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) electrical safety performance-based requirements, particularly OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.

NFPA 70e certification

TÜV SÜD Global Risk Consultants provides electrical hazard risk assessments to ensure your facility is compliant with NFPA 70E. Our engineers will determine over-dutied electrical devices, identify miscoordination of overcurrent protection devices, and determine personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees.

We use a variety of different tactics to ensure safety and compliance such as:

• Short-Circuit Studies to determines the thermal energy and magnetic forces which can cause melting or equipment breakdown. 
• Coordination Studies to improve the reliability of electrical systems and reduce the risk of outages.
• Arc Flash Studies to determine the safe PPE for employees to wear.
• Infrared Thermography Inspection Services for a non-destructive way of detecting hidden hazards in your electrical systems.

NFPA 70E 2021 Update

The NFPA 70E standard was updated in 2021 and includes these changes:

• Article 110 “General Requirements for Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices” has been reorganized and includes a new subsection requiring employers to include an electrically safe work condition policy in their safety plans.
• Article 360, titled “Safety-Related Requirements for Capacitors,” explains that energy storage devices must undergo risk assessments and adhere to safety procedures.
• Section 350.9 revises energy thresholds for laboratories to 50 volts and 5 milliamperes for alternating current; 100 volts and 40 milliamperes for direct current. 
• Table 130.5(C) has been revised to include more than 30 checks to determine the likelihood of an arc flash incident occurring.
• Article 130, “Work Involving Electrical Hazards,” now has more details on safety and assessments.

The next NFPA 70E update is scheduled for 2024.

NFPA 70e arc flash requirements

NFPA 70E requires an arc flash analysis to determine proper approach boundaries for electrical equipment and safe work processes. An arc flash risk assessment is part of a complete electrical assessment required by OSHA, NFPA 70E and NFPA 70. The assessment determines the incident energy in which a worker may be exposed and how to protect the worker from an arc flash hazard. The standards also require that each panel be marked with an Arc Flash Hazard Warning Label.

NFPA 70E requires an arc flash risk assessment every five years, for equipment 50 volts or more, for major facility upgrades, and in other cases.  

Arc flash assessments from TÜV SÜD Global Risk Consultants are the most thorough in the industry. We make sure all the requirements of an arc flash assessment are included in our quote, ensuring that you receive full arc flash risk assessments, comply with applicable codes, and provide an electrically safe workplace. 

NFPA 70E TRAINING

Training for employees is another key component to minimizing arc flash and other electrical risks. Employees that can benefit from this type of training include electrical and maintenance technicians, plant and facility supervisors, on-site engineers and anyone who is expected to operate or be present around electrical equipment. Our electrical safety training programs are designed to enhance worker understanding of electrical hazards, reduce accidents associated with electrical work and prevent workplace injuries.

NFPA 70e arc flash assessments help ensure safety

Arc flash hazards can occur when an electric current passes through air between conductors (or from the conductor to the ground), instead of its intended path. When such an event occurs, temperatures can reach 35,000° Fahrenheit, resulting in extreme injury and, in many cases, death. Arc flash assessments are designed to limit arc flash risks by producing a better understanding of hazards present in a facility, and what types of PPE are needed.

Components of an arc flash risk assessment include:

• Field Survey to gather data on the electrical distribution system
• Electrical One-Line Diagrams
• Short-Circuit Analysis on electrical equipment
• Protective Device Coordination Analysis on circuit breakers, fuses and relays,
• Reports and Recommendations
• Label Installation with hazard and PPE guidance

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