These issues are part of qualified workers’ daily work and require that an assessment be done before beginning work, whether they are electricians, facilities maintenance workers, or production line workers performing electrical tests. Qualified workers must also have the skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts know the clearance distances for the various nominal voltages (i.e., NFPA restricted approach boundary) and understand several specific special precautions related to capacitors, current transformers (CTs), lighting requirements, gradient potential (medium voltage or over 600 volts (V)), PPE requirements, and emergency response related to electrical contacts. A prework personal hazard assessment, or “job briefing.”.

A general hazard assessment for PPE requirements as outlined in.There are two levels of assessment to consider, including:

Now that the definition of qualified worker is settled, here is a three-part process for using NFPA 70E to protect workers. A qualified worker is defined by OSHA in 2007 and NFPA 70E in 2015 as “One who has received training in and has demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of electric equipment and installations and the hazards involved.” The term that is critical in the development of an effective training program and that requires regular employee observation is the word “demonstrated.” OSHA will look for documentation to determine if your qualified employees have demonstrated their skills and knowledge, especially if it identified a deficiency in work practices or procedures during its annual observation. In both cases, there are minimum requirements set forth by OSHA.

Another misconception involves a maintenance person performing regular electrical testing to ensure the equipment is functioning properly-some feel this person would not be considered qualified, so rules for qualified workers related to the level of training are not required. On the flip side, a qualified electrical worker does not need to hold an electrician license or similar certification. This may be true, but more often than not, the electricians are not safety qualified. Many companies hire licensed electricians to fill their maintenance needs assuming that these workers are qualified. PPE is required to protect qualified workers from electrical hazards that have not been mitigated by elimination or engineering controls and may be effectively implemented through an effective written electrical safety program. The interpretation on the use of PPE, along with the definition of “qualified worker,” is now more clear than ever. Now, the 20 editions have made some significant changes to clarify electrical safety, with added emphasis on risk assessment, which goes beyond identifying the hazards.Ī major part of OSHA’s effort continues to focus on employee protection, first by eliminating the hazard through proper lockout/tagout and other administrative controls or barriers and second by the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for both shock and arc flash hazards. In 2009, the NFPA published a more polished, clearer 70E standard and continued with the 2012 edition, covering shock and arc flash hazards for direct current (DC) systems. On February 14, 2007, OSHA updated a portion of Subpart S (1910.302-308), and soon after, compliance officers attended training on electrical regulations and associated NFPA 70E standards. This began with the heightened interest in arc flash hazards related to the 2000 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standard and became more active after the 2004 edition was published. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased compliance activities related to electrical safety regulations and standards over the past few years.

Arc flash boundary 480v