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In 1976, The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) appointed a committee that was responsible for developing
a set of safety protocols for electrical workers as a part of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This document is
known as NFPA 70E and goes through revisions every five years.
NFPA 70E provides the added information and guidelines that if followed will help organizations achieve compliance
with what is required as part of the OSHA 1910 Subpart S regulations. NFPA 70E provides detailed information for
how to determine the degree of the electrical hazard (arc flash and shock) and the means and methods to utilize to
protect your employees from those hazards.
a set of safety protocols for electrical workers as a part of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This document is
known as NFPA 70E and goes through revisions every five years.
NFPA 70E provides the added information and guidelines that if followed will help organizations achieve compliance
with what is required as part of the OSHA 1910 Subpart S regulations. NFPA 70E provides detailed information for
how to determine the degree of the electrical hazard (arc flash and shock) and the means and methods to utilize to
protect your employees from those hazards.
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In order to be in compliance with the OSHA 1910 Subpart S regulations; determinations must be made as to safe
work distances as well as proper PPE and tools required if persons are going to work live inside panels.
A determination must be made as to the PPE and other protections that would be appropriate per the work task,
distance from the panel, and the specific hazard the person is being exposed to. An Arc Flash Hazard Analysis in
conjunction with a Shock Hazard Analysis performed by following NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 guidelines provides this
determination.
It is important to consider that until the disconnect has been opened, voltage test performed to confirm zero volts,
and lockout lock is attached; the system is still considered a live system within the OSHA/NFPA regulations and
therefore proper tools and PPE must be utilized throughout this process. So even if your facility does not do any
physical work inside of electrical panels until the system is de-energized, the process of de-energizing and locking
out electrical systems does expose your personnel to arc flash and shock hazards and therefore the level of the
hazard needs to be determines so proper protection strategies can be implemented.
Safe work boundaries, personal protective equipment and tools specifications, employee training, permits, panel
labeling, one-line development, and electrical system improvement recommendations, are only a few of the items
that are addressed as part of this effort.
work distances as well as proper PPE and tools required if persons are going to work live inside panels.
1910.335(a)(1)(i)
Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use,
electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the
work to be performed.
1910.335(a)(1)(v)
Employees shall wear protective equipment for the eyes or face wherever there is danger of injury to the eyes or
face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.
A determination must be made as to the PPE and other protections that would be appropriate per the work task,
distance from the panel, and the specific hazard the person is being exposed to. An Arc Flash Hazard Analysis in
conjunction with a Shock Hazard Analysis performed by following NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 guidelines provides this
determination.
It is important to consider that until the disconnect has been opened, voltage test performed to confirm zero volts,
and lockout lock is attached; the system is still considered a live system within the OSHA/NFPA regulations and
therefore proper tools and PPE must be utilized throughout this process. So even if your facility does not do any
physical work inside of electrical panels until the system is de-energized, the process of de-energizing and locking
out electrical systems does expose your personnel to arc flash and shock hazards and therefore the level of the
hazard needs to be determines so proper protection strategies can be implemented.
Safe work boundaries, personal protective equipment and tools specifications, employee training, permits, panel
labeling, one-line development, and electrical system improvement recommendations, are only a few of the items
that are addressed as part of this effort.
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Sotaris and it's network of Safety Professionals and Electrical Engineers stand ready to assist you with any and all
facets of your Arc Flash program. Below is a brief listing of services we can provide:
facets of your Arc Flash program. Below is a brief listing of services we can provide:
 | Program Development and Implementation | |
| Protective Device Coordination Study | |
| Short-Circuit Analysis | |
| Electrical Specifications | |
| One-Line Drawing Creation/Updates | |
| Boundary and Approach Determinations | |
| Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis | |
| Safe Work Practices | |
| All Related Signage, Labeling and Documentation | |
| Sotaris, LLP: 2000 Auburn Drive, Suite 200 Beachwood, Ohio 44122 Ph: 216-378-7650 Fax: 866-794-5756 www.sotaris.com |
| Your Workplace Safety Partner |
| Electrical Safety (Arc Flash and Shock Hazards NFPA 70E) |
