NFPA releases 2009 Edition of NFPA 70E

By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued the revised 2009 edition of NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace with an effective date of September 5, 2008. The 2009 edition of NFPA 70E® contains numerous revisions. Listed below is a summary of the major changes:
Contractor Relationships: Article 110.5 requires host employers inform contractors of known hazards covered by NFPA 70E® related to the contract employer’s work. The contract employer shall ensure that each of his/her employees is instructed in the hazards provided by the employer.
Training Requirements – Emergency Procedures: Article 110.6 requires employees exposed to shock hazards that are not reduced to a safe level by applicable electrical installation requirements be trained in approved methods of resuscitation, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The training shall be certified annually by the employer.
Electrical Safety Program Audit: Article 110.7 requires the written electrical safety program be audited on a frequency established by the employer.
Arc Flash Hazard Analysis: Article 130.3 requires the arc flash hazard analysis be updated whenever a major modification or renovation takes place. In addition, the analysis shall be reviewed periodically, not to exceed five years.
Arc Flash Protection Boundary: The criteria for the 4 feet arc flash protection boundary for voltage levels between 50 and 600 volts has been modified based on upstream protection device clearing time of maximum 2 cycles (0.033 seconds) and available bolted fault current of 50 kA or any combination not exceeding 100 kA cycles.
Equipment Labeling: Article 130.3 (C) states equipment shall be field marked with a label containing the available incident energy or required level of PPE.
Selection of Personal Protective Equipment: Article 130.7 contains several revisions with respect to arc flash PPE requirements. For example: Table 130.7 (C)(9) has been expanded to include additional job tasks such as performing infrared thermography as well as other non-contact inspections outside the restricted approach boundary. Additional categories of equipment, such as arc-resistant switchgear, have been added to the revised table. Table 130.7 (C)(10) has been revised and placed an a more user-friendly format.
Annex Revisions: The following annexes have been significantly revised – Annex F (Hazard/Risk Evaluation Procedure); Annex H (Simplified, Two-Category, Flame-Resistant [FR] Clothing System).
Please remember this article is intended as an overview and not a comprehensive summary of changes to the 2009 edition of NFPA 70E®.