NTT Blog

Is NFPA 70E a Law?

Think about it. Not a day goes by we don’t use electricity in a workplace setting. Some of us install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. Some of us work with energized parts for testing instruments and equipment.

NFPA 70E isn’t a law. It’s a model (“standard”) that reinforces good safety practices.

What Is NFPA 70E?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an average of 9,600 serious electrical shock and burn injuries occur annually. In addition, there is about one electrocution per day. These statistics are unacceptable. In a study of electrical accidents, it was determined that most were associated with unacceptable and unsafe work practices and were avoidable.
–Electrical Contractor magazine

Workplace safety is everyone’s priority. NFPA 70E® is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. It’s a safety policy that offers procedures and programs that lower the injury- and hazard-risk of using electricity.

Sometimes workplace safety processes seem borderline-ridiculous and doomed to fail; employees may feel the procedures are time-consuming and ineffective. NFPA 70E works to maximize safety and minimize injury or fatality. Logical, practical, and electrical safety using NFPA 70E standards protects employees and their employers. The result is you and your employees return home; every day.

NFPA 70E sets the bar for safe workplaces and is followed by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health), but it’s also an internationally accepted and recommended standard. NFPA 70E is – and should be – used in international manufacturing settings.

What’s New?

Employees for the U.S. Department of Energy are required by law to complete NFPA 70E as part of OSHA requirements for safety. Even though it’s not legally required in other workplaces, conscientious companies often mandate electrical safety seminars and classes for their employees. The NFPA 70E model is most effective.

Significant changes were made in 2018, so employers are encouraged to make sure all training meets the 2018 standards:

• Accident investigation programs should include processes and incident reporting should fall within a specific timeframe
• Arc flash/shock hazard risk assessments must factor-in “human error” (Annex Q) to identify:
  • Causes of human error
  • Human performance (mental, emotional, physical) impact on job quality
  • Job-site human performance tools used
• NFPA 70E Qualified employees must complete a Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
• Performance criteria for products and equipment should be standardized (ANSI/ISEA 125-2014 national consensus standard for conformity assessments of safety and personal protective equipment)

How Can NFPA 70E Help My Organization?

Focus on trades and skills is increasing. And today’s skilled professionals want the same thing as white-collar employees:

• Advancement opportunities within the workplace and industry
• Continuing education for personal and professional growth
• Team-oriented workplace where employees and management share common goals
• Workplace safety and wellness initiatives that demonstrate management’s commitment to their wellbeing

Your employees are the foundation for your company’s strength and success are your employees. You may find opportunities for your teams to study electrical safety, but there is only one hands-on, skill-based training program that helps workers understand and enforce 2018 NFPA 70E standards.

One-of-a-Kind 2-Day Training through NTT

The only program that factors individual decision-making and practical, hands-on guidance is NTT Training Inc. 2018 Arc Flash Electrical Safety (Based on NFPA 70E). It offers 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEU) per student.

This course does not follow the typical PowerPoint lecture with coffee and lunch-breaks curriculum. NTT 2018 Arc Flash Electrical Safety provides true hands-on experience and what-if, scenario-based exercises. Students will use decision-making skills and learn what works (and what can go wrong).

This program is structured for:

• 50V+ equipment operators/supervisors
• Building engineers
• Building managers/superintendents
• Electricians
• Energy management personnel
• Fire alarm professionals
• Health & safety management/personnel
• HVAC technicians/apprentices
• Maintenance technicians
• Management teams
• Mechanics
• Plant/facility management/maintenance workers
• Small-business owners
• Stationary engineers
• Utility workers
• Warehouse employees

Courses can be customized to work with your specific organizational needs. Please call (855) 712-7353 or Contact NTT Training to discuss pricing, availability, and your unique training needs.