1. NFPA 70E: Standard for ElectricalSafety in the WorkplaceOverview of Major 2015 Changes

2. The 2015 Has Arrived! The NFPA 70E was firstpublished in 1979 at therequest of OSHA. The 2015 Edition is the tenth tobe published. Each edition is made to bringclarification and a safer workenvironment. The 2015 edition brings insome major changes. 3. Global Changes2012 Edition 2015 EditionHarm Injury or Damage to HealthProbablility LikelihoodWork Shoes FootwearArc Flash Hazard Analysis Arc Flash Risk AssessmentShock Hazard Analysis Shock Risk Assessment 4. Global ChangesThese Global Changes provideaccuracy and better harmonize withother standards addressing riskand hazards 5. DefinitionsQualified Person. One who has demonstratedskills and knowledge related to the construc- tionand operation of electrical equipment andinstallations and has received safety training toidentify and avoid the hazards involved.Risk. A combination of the likelihood of occurrenceof injury or damage to health and the severity ofinjury or damage to health that results from ahazard. 6. DefinitionsRisk Assessment. An overall process thatidentifies hazards, estimates the potential severityof injury or damage to health, estimates thelikelihood of occurrence of injury or damage tohealth, and determines if protective measures arerequired.InformationalNote: As used in this standard, arcflash risk assessment and shock risk assessmentare types of risk assessments. 7. Article 110.1(A)Electrical Safety Program.General. The employer shall implement and document an overallelectrical safety program that directs activity appropriate to the riskassociated with electrical hazards. The electrical safety programshall be implemented as part of the employers overall occupationalhealth and safety management system, when one exists.Informational Note No. 1: Safety-related work practices such asverification of proper maintenance and installation, alertingtechniques, auditing requirements, and training requirementsprovided in this standard are administrative controls and part of anoverall electrical safety program. 8. Article 110.1(B)Electrical Safety Program.Maintenance.The electrical safety program shallinclude elements that consider condition ofmaintenance of electrical equipment and systems. 9. Article 110.2(C)(1)Training RequirementsEmergency Response TrainingContact Release. Employees exposed to shockhazards shall be trained in methods of safe releaseof victims from contact with exposed energizedelectri- cal conductors or circuit parts. Refreshertraining shall occur annually. 10. Article 110.2(C)(2)Training RequirementsFirst Aid, Emergency Response, and Resuscitation(a) Employees responsible for responding to medical emergencies shallbe trained in first aid and emer- gency procedures.(b) Employees responsible for responding to medical emergencies shallbe trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Refresher training shalloccur annually.(c) Employees responsible for responding to medical emergencies shallbe trained in the use of an auto- mated external defibrilator (AED) if anemployers emergency response plan includes the use of this device.Refresher training shall occur annually.Employers shall verify at least annually that employee training required bythis section is current. 11. Article 130.2(A)(4)This was added in the 2015 Text:Normal Operation: Normal operation of electrical equipment shallbe permitted where all of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) The equipment is properly installed.(2) The equipment is properly maintained.(3) The equipment doors are closed and secured.(4) All equipment covers are in place and secured.(5) There is no evidence**This is in accordance with manufacturer and industry codes andstandards. Physical damage, arcing, deterioration, and overheatingare all signs of impending failure. 12. Article 130.2(B)(1)Energized Electrical Work PermitsWhen Required: When energized work is permitted inaccordance with 130.2(A), and energized electrical work permitshall be required under the following conditions:(1) When work is performed within the restricted approachboundary(2) When the employee interacts with the equipment whenconductors or circuit parts are not exposed but an increasedlikelihood of injury from an exposure to an arc flash hazardexists. 13. Article 130.2(B)(3)Energized Electrical Work PermitsExemptions to Work Permit: An energized work permit shall not be required if aqualified person is provided with and uses appropriate safe work practices and PPEunder any of the following conditions:(1) Testing, troubleshooting,and voltage measuring(2) Thermography and visual inspections if the restricted approach boundary is notcrossed(3) Access and egress from an area with energized electrical equipment if noelectrical work is performed and the restricted approach boundary is not crossed(4) General housekeeping and miscellaneous non-electrical tasks if the restrictedapproach boundary is not crossed. 14. Article 130.4(A)Shock Risk Assessment:A shock risk assessment shall determine thevoltage to which personnel will be exposed, theboundary requirements, and the PPE necessary inorder to minimize the possibility of electric shock topersonnel. 15. Shock Protection BoundariesProhibitedApproachBoundaryLimitedApproachBoundaryRestrictedApproachBoundary 16. Arc FlashBoundaryExposed Energized Conductoror Circuit PartLimited Approach BoundaryLimited SpaceRestricted Approach BoundaryRestricted Space2015 Boundaries 17. Table 130.4(D)(a)Approach Boundaries for Shock Protection for Alternating Current SystemsNominal SystemVoltage Range, Phaseto PhaseLimited Approach Boundary Restricted ApproachBoundary; IncludesInadvertentMovement AdderExposed MovableConductorExposed Fixed CircuitPart240 V and up to 600V Parameters: Maximum of 25 kA short-circuit current available;maximum of 0.03 sec (2 cycles) fault clearing time; working distance455 mm (18 in.)2 3 ft.600-V class motor control centers (MCCs) Parameters: Maximumof 65 kA short-circuit current available; maximum of 0.03 sec (2cycles) fault clearing time; working distance 455 mm (18 in.)2 5 ft.600-V class motor control centers (MCCs) Parameters: Maximumof 42 kA short-circuit current available; maximum of 0.33 sec (20cycles) fault clearing time; working distance 455 mm (18 in.)4 14 ft. 29. Article 130.5(D)WARNINGArc Flash and Shock HazardAppropriate PPE RequiredHazard RiskCategory @ 18#2Nominal System Voltage 480VArc Flash Boundary 38Limited Approach Boundary 42Restricted Approach Boundary 12Prohibited Approach Boundary 1PPE: Reference NFPA 70E-2012 Table 130.7 (C)(16)Equipment Bus: PAINT ROOM MCC-1Lockout Device: MDP-1 3BDate: 1/1/14Reference Document: IEEE Std 1584 through 1584b-2011 30. Article 130.7(15)(D)(2)Barricades. Barricades shall be used in conjunction withsafety signs where it is necessary to prevent or limitemployee access to work areas containing energizedconductors or circuit parts. Conductive barricades shallnot be used where it might increase the likelihood ofexposure to an electrical hazard. Barricades shall beplaced no closer than the limited approach boundarygiven in Table 130.4(D)(a) and Table 130.4(D)(b). Wherethe arc flash boundary is greater than the limitedapproach boundary, barricades shall not be placedcloser than the arc flash boundary.