NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (2024)

January 8, 2025|Compliance, Electrical, Safety

“OSHA mandates safety labels to prevent workplace injuries. While labels do not replace work permits or planning for energized equipment, DuraLabel recommends arc flash labels, PPE labels, and boundary floor tape to enhance safety and hazard communications.” DuraLabel: 1-888-326-9244 (U.S./Canada), www.duralabel.com

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The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 70E is the definitive standard for electrical safety in the workplace. The standard covers everything from arc flash incident energy, lockout-tagout procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to mitigate the risk of electrical injuries. NFPA 70E specifies requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel from exposure to major electrical hazards that can result in injury or death. The standard is intended to help companies comply with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.

The 2024 edition of NFPA 70E includes major updates to standards on risk assessment, PPE, arc flash boundaries, job safety planning, as well as articles 120, 220 and 300.

Why is NFPA 70E Important?

Working with electricity is dangerous and is one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities in the United States, with 70 percent of these fatalities occurring in non-electrical occupations according to Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).¹ In addition to electricians, electrical power installers and repairers and electrical apprentices, the occupations with the highest rate of electrical fatalities include construction and extraction occupations, installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, building and grounds cleaning, and maintenance occupations according to ESFI.

The number of electrical fatalities has remained consistent over the years, with an 8% drop from 2021-2022 according to the ESFI report. Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 1,322 workplace fatalities were reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). And based on an analysis of BLS data by the NFPA, an annual average of 2,428 exposure to electricity injuries were reported between 2011 and 2021.²

Compliance and Implementation

Key NFPA 70E requirements include:

Turn off electrical power while work is being performed and verify that it stays off until the task is completed by following a designated lockout/tagout procedure. This means a qualified employee physically disconnects the power, secures it with a lock, and attaches a tag clearly identifying the worker and the reason for the isolation. This process should be followed to verify the power remains off until the task is completely finished, and only the designated employee can release the lock to restore power.
A live work permit that describes the work to be performed and why it must be performed should be signed by the customer, engineers or other person in charge, when working near “live” exposed energized parts.
Three shock hazard boundaries should be determined for shock protection: limited approach, restricted, and prohibited. These boundaries help identify who should be allowed and when workers must use voltage-rated rubber gloves and fiberglass tools.
The flash protection boundary (FPB) must be determined. Anyone working closer than 48 inches to live parts must wear PPE to protect against arc flash. This may include clothing made of material that blocks heat energy and contains non-conductive hardware.
The Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) must adhere to the tables provided by the standard. The HRC level helps electrical workers select the type of PPE to wear based upon the task they are performing.
Workers must wear appropriate PPE whenever they are performing tasks within the FPB.

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Why are Visual Communication and Safety Labels Important?

Visual communication ensures worker safety by providing clear, accessible, and immediate hazard information. According to the 2024 NFPA 70E standards, effective safety labels can help minimize the risk of electrical injuries by enhancing hazard awareness and guiding workers to take necessary precautions. Here are four key benefits to having labels in the workplace:

Arc Flash Labels: Arc flash labels must be prominently displayed on electrical equipment to identify potential hazards, and include the incident energy level, arc flash boundary, and required PPE. This allows workers to quickly assess the risks associated with working on or near energized equipment.
Clear Hazard Identification: Labels, signs and symbols must clearly communicate the nature of the hazard, whether it’s electrical shock or arc flash risks. This helps prevent accidents by alerting workers to the need for specific precautions and protective measures before engaging with electrical systems.
Training and Awareness: Effective visual communication supports training by reinforcing safety protocols. Workers are more likely to retain critical safety information and understand the risks associated with electrical equipment when regularly exposed to well-placed and clearly designed safety signs and labels.
Reducing Human Error: Visual cues, like color-coded labels and hazard symbols, significantly reduce the likelihood of human error. Workers can quickly recognize hazards and take appropriate action when they are visually guided by consistent and standardized labeling practices.

The Importance of Electrical Safety Training

Training workers on NFPA 70E standards will help workers navigate through their work environment safely, and ultimately reduce the risk of injuries. There are many training courses available for workers whose jobs require them to be in close proximity to equipment that can produce electrical hazards. OSHA³offers a manual/training program entitled, “Electrical Safety in the Workplace.” It is designed to provide comprehensive on-site training to high-risk workers. Participants who complete the course will be able to: