Page 44 - OHS, June 2024

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
The Updated NFPA 70E Standard: Bridging the Gap Between
Compliance and Electrical Safety
The NFPA 70E Technical Committee has published its 2024 revisions to the standard, prioritizing safety and adaptability over mere compliance.
BY XAVIER ALCARAZ, MSPH, CIH, CSP
NFPA 70E, known as the “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace,” plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of workers handling electrical systems. While still a vol- untary standard issued by the National Fire Protection
Association, NFPA 70E helps companies and employees comply1 with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.2 It estab- lishes guidelines for safe work practices to proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with electrical hazards, such as shock, arc flash, and arc blast. The core objective of NFPA 70E is to provide a practical framework that ensures worker safety when dealing with electrical systems.3
The NFPA 70E Technical Committee has now published its 2024 revisions to the standard to focus more on hazard identification, risk assessment, and aligning with the hierarchy of controls to ensure electrically safe work conditions. Although no specific or individual market or regulatory event spurred NFPA to draft this revision, in- dustry experts note that these updates remind employees and em- ployers of best practices in the face of potential complacency.4
The theme of the 2024 revisions is proactive hazard control and mitigation. They underscore the responsibility of both the employer and employees to maintain safety. (For an example, see “Informa- tive Annex O, Employee Safety-Related Design Concepts and Facility Owner Responsibilities.”) If violations are found (through inspection or incident reporting), OSHA may issue citations referencing the NFPA 70E standard. Additionally, the code states that it can be ap- plied by other governmental entities that may have regulatory influ- ence/control over electrically-related systems. It also notes that it can be used by insurance companies that may wish to inspect facilities for coverage or liability-related issues. (See section 90.4 Enforcement.)
Updating NFPA 70E and Key Changes for Employers
Because the NFPA 70E 2024 updates prioritize safety and adapt- ability over mere compliance, these changes are expected to help reduce injuries, foster a strong safety culture, and align the stan- dard with industry advancements. The updated standard stresses the need for employers to be explicit in their policies and proce- dures. This is especially necessary as safety compliance becomes a larger regulatory emphasis. Additionally, as younger generations enter the workforce5, employers may need to adapt to the potential influence of changing employment patterns.6
Below are the key changes to the 2024 revision for employers.7
Documentation Updates:
■ Employers must have an established, documented, and im- plemented plan for achieving an Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC).
■ An emergency response plan is now mandatory within job safety planning.
■ Employers must fully audit their electrical safety programs every three years to comply with the latest NFPA 70E updates.
■ Updating the program must fill any gaps identified between the current documentation and the new standard.
Work Practice Changes:
■ Related safety practices may need updating in line with changes to the standard.
■ Employers must assess all electrical PPE, tools, and equip- ment. Items must be repaired or replaced if their condition is not suitable.
■ An internal or 3rd party audit of how the electrical safety program is applied in the field is required annually.
42 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2024
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