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OSHA's NFPA 70E Requirements

OSHA has set standards to protect the safety of employees working with or around electricity. Its rules are based on the requirements of the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 70E. The standards laid down in NFPA 70E are not mandated by OSHA, but they are considered a manual of how to comply with OHSA regulations. NFPA 70E covers protective clothing, hazard labeling, training, arc flash safety and equipment requirements.

  1. Clothing Ratings

    • Electrical workers must wear protective clothing that is rated according to the amount of energy that would cause second-degree burns and the amount of protection the clothing provides against an arc flash. The clothing must maintain its rating through its life, even after repeated cleanings. Employees who work with higher energy levels must have higher-rated clothing.

    Labeling Hazards

    • Any energized panels or boards must be marked with danger or warning signs that indicate the potential hazard and how to avoid it. Affix labels to the equipment if any modifications have been made. These labels must be clearly visible and brightly colored to attract attention.

    Arc Flash Boundary

    • An arc flash happens when a circuit shorts out through the air. NFPA 70E specifies boundaries to protect employees and other materials from arc flashes. The minimum required distance is three feet at fewer than 750 volts. Voltages of 15 to 36 kilovolts require a distance of 19 feet. Voltages over this level must be calculated individually.

    Equipment Requirements

    • Certain pieces of protective equipment are required if an employee must go within an arc flash boundary. A face shield or pair of safety glasses must be worn, as well as gloves with a leather cover over a rubber interior. Leather boots are required when the arc flash energy level is high.

    Lockout/Tagout

    • A lockout or tagout program is required when work must be done on machinery. The system requires locks or tags to be placed on the energy source for the machinery while it is shut down. Each worker has a lock or tag that she places before beginning work and removes only when she is finished. The machine may be powered up only after every lock or tag is removed.

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