In 2015, the OSHA regulations covering electric utilities were updated with more specific arc flash safety requirements. OSHA regulations, in general, have not provided detailed requirements for arc flash safety related to the general industry. So, the NFPA 70E Article 110 was developed. However, since the NEC (NFPA 70) was concerned mainly with electrical design, construction, and inspection, it could not be adopted by employers and employees to implement arc rating standards for safe work practices. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is responsible for the NEC (NFPA 70). Some additional requirements related to services have subsequently been added. This changed in 2002 when NEC technical committees included shock and arc-flash warning label requirements. Historically, the National Electric Code (NEC®) and other safety codes were primarily concerned with protection from fire, electrocution, and shock hazards arc-flash hazards were poorly understood or addressed. The requirements at the heart of NFPA 70E are suitable for use and implementation by agencies and employers charged with developing electrical safety plans and electrically safe work conditions using personal protective equipment PPE. The risk controls discussed in this standard are intended to be sound, viable, workable applications of safety procedures and policies to be implemented by both the employer and employee. The core objective is practical, accomplishable electrical safety that helps ensure the employee goes home safely at the end of the day. With the release of the latest edition, the standard clearly establishes safety processes that use policies, and how to establish a hierarchy of risk controls, procedures, and program controls to reduce these risks to an acceptable level. NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, is a critical document to help provide a working area for employees that is safe from the unacceptable risk associated with using electricity in the workplace. Many electrical incidents could have been prevented through compliance with the latest safety codes and standards and proper job safety planning. The risks of shock, electrocution, arc flash and arc blast are significant health and safety electrical hazards in the workplace. In addition, NFPA 70E and IEEE Std 1584 provide guidance on implementing appropriate electrical safety procedures and methods for performing arc flash calculations after a risk assessment, for the purpose of establishing an electrically safe work environment. NFPA 70E includes the arc flash hazard as a potential danger to workers on and near exposed energized electrical parts. The NFPA 70E standard was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 2000 for use by employers, employees, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). NFPA 70E 2021 - Electrical Safety in the Workplace standard regulates the protection of electrical workers from arc flash and shock injury.
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