What is NFPA 70E?
The NFPA 70E is a consensus standard
written to help with Electrical Safety.
Whom does the NFPA 70E apply
to in the US?
The NFPA 70E Standard Applies
nationwide in all Manufacturing,
warehouse, mining, production,
industrial, and commercial
establishments. NFPA 70E also
applies to all contractors working
in these facilities.
When is an Electrical Safety
Program (ESP) Required and how
often do you update it?
An electrical safety program is required
anytime you are working on or near
electricity. The 2018 standard currently
states that facilities must perform
an updated of their Electrical Safety
Program at an interval not to exceed
three (3) years.
How often is the Electrical Safety
Training required?
The 2018 standard currently states
that facilities must train all employees
working on or near electrical equipment
at an interval not to exceed three (3)
years. Training shall include general
Awareness for those individuals not
qualified to work on or near electricity, as
well as qualified worker training which
shall include task-specific instruction.
Who is required to have an arc
flash study, and how often is
an update required?
NFPA 70E requires Arc Flash
Studies for owners and renters of all
manufacturing, warehouse, mining,
production, industrial, and commercial
establishments. The 2018 standard
currently states that facilities must
update their Arc Flash Study at an
interval not to exceed five (5) years.
How does EPSCO handle reviewing
studies previously performed by other
engineering firms?
The process for performing a 5-year
update is very similar to performing an
arc flash study for the first time, with
the added benefit of having a portion
of the facility already completed. Many
industrial and manufacturing facilities
are always changing, which then
requires on-site data collection as well
as engineering and label application.
What is the essential requirement
for Rubber Gloves(PPE)?
All electrical safety PPE should be
inspected before each use and should
be free of cuts and damage that
would hinder its performance and
effectiveness. When inspecting voltage
rated gloves, verify a test date on the
cuff of the glove that is less than six (6)
months before the time of inspection.
Also, verify that a facility has electrical
gloves rated for all voltages within the
facility and note that glove selection
shall require the use of the closest
voltage rating above the equipment
voltage to be worked on as to help
worker dexterity. Gloves must be worn
with leather protectors and stored
correctly to prevent damage.
What is the essential requirement
for Electrical Safety PPE as it relates
to Arc Flash?
The incident energy calculation shall be
used to select the proper arc flash PPE
when performing tasks. This information
shall be represented in Calories per
CM Squared and shall be posted on
equipment with a decal that includes
additional information such as approach
boundaries and date of study.
What are the best ways to perform
an audit of a facilities arc flash study,
electrical safety training, and electrical
safety program?
Generally, what is involved in
performing an audit of the above
list items is as follows:
• Arc Flash Study
Inspect for labels on equipment
with Incident Energy Calculations,
Approach Boundaries, and specific
PPE recommendations. The label
should have a date that is less than
five (5) years before the time of
inspection. If the label is more than
for (4) years old, it is recommended
to start the process for completing
the next study.
• Electrical Safety Training
Verify all staff working on or
near electrical equipment has a
certification of training with a date
that is less than three (3) years
before the time of inspection.
Also, verify awareness training
certificates for staff whom may need
to recognize and avoid electrical
hazards within their facility with a
date that is less than three (3) years
before the time of inspection.
• Electrical Safety Program
The ESP is required to be audited
at an interval not to exceed three
(3) years. It should include but is
not limited to: Task Specific Forms,
Hierarchy of Risk Control, Roles &
Responsibilities, LOTO, Safe Work
Conduct Instruction, Qualified Worker
Requirements, Managing Electrical
Hazards, Employee Audit Forms,
LOTO Documentation, Hazard Risk
Assessment Info, Energized Work
Permits, And More Found Within
NFPA 70 E.
