NFPA 70E - Electrical Safety Program

NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, is the most commonly used consensus document for determining safe work practices when working on or near exposed live (energized) circuits or parts.  In November 2011, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released the 2012 edition of the NFPA 70E.  As with any revised standard, there are a number of changes that have been incorporated.  Over the course of this year, I will detail a number of the new or changed requirements.

The focus of this segment is the requirements of the Electrical Safety Program.  The previous edition of NFPA 70E required an electrical safety program, but there are additional requirements.  The fundamental concepts that should be considered in the implementation of an Electrical Safety Program are:

1.     Electrical Safety Program Principles

a.     Scope

b.    Definitions

c.     Responsibilities

2.     Electrical Safety Program Procedures

a.     Applies to work on exposed live (energized) circuits 50 V or greater

b.    Identify procedures for working within the limited approach boundary

c.     Identify procedures for working within the arc flash boundary

3.     Electrical Safety Program Controls

a.     Shall include appropriate controls

b.    Shall include training requirements

c.     Include all appropriate precautions

4.     Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Procedure

a.     Required whenever personnel are entering the limited approach boundary or arc flash boundary

b.    Shall include potential risks and mitigation strategies

c.     Must be conducted prior within the limited approach boundary or arc flash boundary

d.    Shall be documented and filed

5.     Job Briefing

a.     Required for all personnel who will be working within the limited approach boundary or arc flash boundary

b.    Shall be documented and filed

6.     Electrical Safety Program Audit

a.     The Electrical Safety Program shall be audited at least every 3 years

b.    The audit process shall be documented

c.     The audit process should be conducted by personnel who understand electrical safety and are trained auditors

While the standard provides specific requirements of the Electrical Safety Program, it is also important that the program be designed in a manner that would allow for easy implementation.

If you would like more information on the creation, implementation, or auditing of the Electrical Safety Program, please send me an e-mail or comment on this blog.