Worker injuries resulting from inadequate electrical administrative controls can be debilitating and even fatal. It is the safety professional's responsibility to guide employers on their obligations to maintain a safe work environment through administrative hazard controls.
NFPA 70E electrical safety code provides guidance for workplace electrical safety program establishment and implementation. These programs are intended to reduce arc flash and shock risk to qualified persons. Outlined are practical ideas for developing and implementing programs that are organization and operation specific. Key elements from NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®) as it relates electrical safety program requirements are outlined forthcoming.
NFPA electrical safety codes including NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code®), NFPA 79 (Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery), and NFPA 70B (Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance) provide guidance for engineering controls to electrical hazards. NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace) requires the employer to implement and document an overall electrical safety program that is appropriate to the risk associated with electrical hazards and as part of EOHS Management System. The program requirements apply to situations where the worker will be exposed to energized electrical systems at some point during servicing and maintenance activities.
All too often health and safety programs are established and are filed in a binder or electronic folder and are rarely accessed for safety program guidance as intended. NFPA 70E (2015 Edition) Article 110.1 outline the required components of the electrical safety program. Outside the usual writing and filing of a safety program, the following steps outline recommendations for a proactive electrical safety program in accordance with 70E Article 110.1.
