NFPA 70E is the standard for electrical safety in the workplace, designed to protect industrial personnel from electrical hazards like arc flash and shock. It’s not a test method itself, but rather a performance standard that outlines the minimum requirements for safe work practices, maintenance, and the selection of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
NFPA 70E outlines the minimum requirements for electrical safety in the workplace, focusing on protecting personnel from electrical hazards like arc flash and shock. It establishes safe work practices, maintenance requirements, and the criteria for selecting appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
This standard emphasizes a hierarchy of controls to mitigate electrical risks, prioritizing elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and finally, PPE. It mandates a risk assessment procedure to identify hazards, assess risk, and implement control measures.
For arc flash protection, NFPA 70E details requirements for arc-rated (AR) clothing and other PPE. It does not specify a particular test method like NFPA 2112, but rather references standards that test for arc flash performance (e.g., ASTM F1506 for textile materials). The key principle for AR clothing is that it must not ignite, melt, drip, or open when exposed to an electric arc, and must provide sufficient thermal insulation to prevent second-degree burns.
- Arc Flash – Arc-rated clothing, arc flash shields, gloves, footwear
- Shock – Insulating gloves, insulating tools, proper grounding, lockout/tagout procedures
