NFPA 70E is the preeminent standard for electrical safe work practices. You likely have taken steps toward adopting the standard at your facility. Hopefully you have completed the OSHA-required arc flash hazard study, installed arc flash warning labels and provided some training for your workers.

But are your workers following the new requirements of NFPA 70E? Did they fully understand the training? Are electrical contractors in your facility following the new standard? Following the requirements of NFPA 70E requires some significant changes in how and when energized work is completed.

The following are some suggestions to ensure the answer is “YES” to the above questions:

1. Define in writing the new requirements for performing electrical work in the form of an arc flash safety policy.
2. Explain the consequences for not following the policy, i.e. possible injury or death in the event of an arc flash explosion, or disciplinary action if caught.
3. Communicate the policy to your electrical contractors.
4. Review the policy at least annually.
5. See the article “How to teach an old dog new tricks” for suggestions concerning training and how to change experienced electrical workers attitudes toward energized work.

This entry was posted in Arc Flash, Electrical Maintenance