NFPA 70E Arc Flash Assessments and PPE
Sorry in advanced for what might be dumb questions, my experience/expertise in NFPA 70E isn’t a lot. I know that arc flash PPE is required while working on possible energized/live electrical systems. I noticed my workplace doesn’t have any so I went to multiple panels to figure what which PPE to order and none of our panels had the arc flash assessments completed showing what PPE is required; all electrical equipment at my old employer had completed assessments. I talked to my manager about having the assessment done, and he said the main panel in the electrical room should be the only one that needs it, I believed it was also needed for sub panels.
Main questions are:
1) what equipment/panels need the arc flash assessment?
2) would PPE be needed if the maintenance worker was just “flipping” a breaker?
3) do contractors need to be held to the same arc flash PPE requirements?
Comments (8)
NFPA 70E (2024), Article 130.5(H)
"Electrical equipment such as switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control centers that are in other than dwelling units and that are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized SHALL BE MARKED WITH A LABEL containing all the following information:
(1)Nominal system voltage
(2)Arc flash boundary
(3)At least one of the following:
a.Available incident energy and the corresponding working distance, or the arc flash PPE category in Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or Table 130.7(C)(15)(b) for the equipment, but not both
b.Minimum arc rating of clothing
c. Site-specific level of PPE
Regarding needing PPE for flipping a breaker , it depends on the "condition of maintenance", but under normal conditions, typically, no. You just have to make sure it meets the criteria of "normal operating condition".
On the contractors, they absolutely need to be held to the same requirements. You're the host facility and ultimately responsible for anything that happens on your property. Refer to NFPA 70E (2024), Article 110.5 for a list of host employer and contractor responsibilities.
There is some good information in this quick tip you can refer to.
https://www.grainger.com/know-how/safety-health/quick-tips/kh-electrical-safety-summary-263-qt
1. Any equipment that has the potential to produce arcflash at or above 1.2 Cal/cm2
2. Yes
3. Yes, definitely
Bob Drane MS, CSP
Liberty University EHS