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NFPA 70E – 2009 Edition

Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

NFPA 70E addresses electrical safety requirements for employee workplaces that are necessary for the practical safeguarding of employees during activities such as the installation, operation, maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors and equipment, and raceways.

NFPA 70E has become the de facto standard cited for electrical safety in the workplace, and companies throughout the US follow its guidelines.  OSHA generally draws from NFPA 70E in order to enforce compliance regarding electrical safety. 

OSHA also enforces compliance through the General Duty Clause.

  • The General Duty Clause requires that employers provide a safe work place for employees – including protection against arc flash hazard. 
  • It is widely estimated that 10% of the workforce is protected by NFPA 70E.  Several industries are specifically excluded from NFPA 70E.  They include:  Electric Utility Transmission, Distribution and Generation workers (covered by OSHA 1910.269), marine, railway rolling stock, and mines.  Despite the exclusion, many are protecting workers with FR clothing. 
  • NFPA 70E breaks all electrical procedures into five classes and assigns minimum flame resistant clothing layers and performance characteristics for each class based on the hazard present. 

Hazard / Risk Category

Clothing Description

Required Minimum Arc Rating of PPE

(cal/cm2)

0

Non-melting, flammable materials (i.e. untreated cotton, wool, rayon or silk, or blends of these materials) with a fabric weight of at least 4.5 ox/yd2.

N/A

1

Arc rated FR shirt and FR pants or FR coverall.

4

2

Arc rated FR shirt and FR pants or FR coverall.

8

3

Arc rated FR shirt and pants or FR coverall, and arc flash suit selected so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum.

25

4

Arc rated FR shirt and pants or FR coverall, and arc flash suit selected so that they system arc rating meets the minimum.

40

The most recent update to NFPA 70E – the 2009 edition – was published 10/1/08 and is in effect for five years from publication.  In the latest edition, changes of note related to flame resistant apparel include:

  • Only flame resistant layers with arc ratings greater than 4 can be counted as FR.  Non-flame resistant garments cannot be counted for a layered ATPV rating.
  • Face shields are required for HRC 1 (or higher) that attach to hard hats and cover the face down to the chin, or an arc-rated flash suit hood.
  • Chapter 4 has been revised.  Long term, this is expected to pave the way for eliminating the industry exclusions (see section 90.2.B of 70E) that are currently in NFPA 70E (discussed above).

Other practical recommendations made within NFPA 70E address commonly asked questions:

  • “Underlayers.  Meltable fibers such as acetate, nylon, polyester, polypropylene and spandex shall not be permitted in fabric underlayers (underwear) next to the skin.”  (NFPA 70E-2009, pp. 70E-37.)
  • “Coverage.  Clothing shall cover potentially exposed areas as completely as possible.  Shirt sleeves shall be fastened at the wrist and shirts and jackets shall be closed at the neck.”  (NFPA 70E-2009, pp. 70E-37.)
  • “Fit.  Tight-fitting clothing shall be avoided.  Loose-fitting clothing provides additional thermal insulation because of air spaces.  FR apparel shall fit properly such that it does not interfere with the work task” (NFPA 70E-2009, pp. 70E-37).

In addition, there are new requirements imposed on host companies that employ contractors and are contractors themselves.

  • Host employers are responsible to inform contract employers of known hazards.
  • Requires contractors to follow safety-related work practices required by host employer and specified in NFPA 70E. 

The standard is available to view online at no charge or to purchase a downloadable copy:  http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=70E.