advanced search

Pushing for Safer Work Practices

Jun 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief

Overview of proposed changes to the 2012 edition of NFPA 70E, “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace”

I headed out to Las Vegas recently to attend the annual NFPA Safety Conference and Expo. I added this event to my travel schedule for two reasons. First, to keep track of the actions taken on the Certified Amending Motions that had been submitted on the 2011 edition of NFPA 70, “National Electrical Code,” and second, to gain a better understanding of the proposed changes being set forth in the 2012 edition of NFPA 70E, “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.” The revision process for the NEC is in its final stages. As EC&M has done in the past, we'll present the Top 25 Code changes to you a little later in the year. But for this issue, I thought it would be worthwhile to provide you with an update on a few of the proposed changes to be made to the 2012 edition of NFPA 70E, as well as provide you with an update on some research being done in the area of arc flash (turn to page 22 and read what Staff Writer Beck Ireland learned when investigating the work currently being done by industry groups such as the NFPA and the IEEE).

The Report on Proposals for NFPA 70E was posted to the NFPA website on June 2, 2010, and includes a total of 548 proposals. The official comment closing date is Sept. 3, 2010, so head to the NFPA website and download a free copy of the 244-page document. If you're not a fast reader or just don't have the time to devote to submitting a comment, then maybe this summary of a few of the changes I found interesting might get you moving in the right direction.

• Addition of the word “inspection” to 90.2(A) expands the scope of the standard, and clarifies that those persons performing inspection duties must also be safeguarded like those performing installation, operation, maintenance, and demolition duties.

• The term “flame resistant (FR)” will be replaced by the term “arc rated (AR)”. This proposed change is meant to clarify that arc-rated clothing has been tested for exposure to electrical arcs, whereas not all FR materials have been.

• Adding a new section [110.6(D)(3)(d)] that states, “retraining shall be performed at intervals not to exceed three years.”

• Adding a new section [110.10] that focuses on the hazards associated with excavation work. This will require that a hazard analysis be performed prior to any excavation work near electrical or utility lines and equipment.

• Specific references and tables will be added to clarify this standard covers both AC and DC systems.

• Revising the current equipment labeling requirement [130.3(C)] to clearly identify the types of equipment that need to be labeled (i.e., “switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control centers that are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized”). The following information shall be included on the label: 1) available incident energy or minimum arc rating of clothing; 2) date of arc flash hazard analysis; 3) nominal system voltage; and 4) arc flash boundary.

• Adding a new section that requires employees to wear hearing protection when working in the arc flash boundary.

• Adding an “arc flash boundary” column to existing Table 130.7(C)(9)

• Including a requirement for wearing a balaclava (e.g., sock hood) when working in a Hazard/Risk Category 2 area.

The knowledge gained from the research and testing being performed by groups like the IEEE and the NFPA is invaluable. This work helps support future work practices and standards that further enhance workplace safety. Don't let it go to waste. Pay close attention to the changes being made to a document that is meant to protect you and your fellow workers.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2012 Penton Business Media, Inc.

---

Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus

Browse Back Issues Select an Issue EC&M Magazine | April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 1, 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 1, 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 1, 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 1, 2006 May 1, 2006 April 2006 March 1, 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 1, 2004 January 1, 2004 December 1, 2003 November 1, 2003 October 1, 2003 September 1, 2003 August 1, 2003 July 1, 2003 June 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 April 1, 2003 March 1, 2003 February 1, 2003 January 1, 2003 December 1, 2002 November 1, 2002 October 1, 2002 September 1, 2002 August 1, 2002 July 1, 2002 June 1, 2002 May 1, 2002 April 1, 2002 March 1, 2002 February 1, 2002 January 1, 2002 December 1, 2001 November 1, 2001 October 1, 2001 September 1, 2001 August 1, 2001 July 1, 2001 June 1, 2001 May 1, 2001 April 1, 2001 March 1, 2001 February 1, 2001 February 1, 1995 January 1, 2001 December 1, 2000 November 1, 2000 October 1, 2000 September 1, 2000 August 1, 2000 July 1, 2000 June 1, 2000 May 1, 2000 April 1, 2000 March 1, 2000 February 1, 2000 January 1, 2000 December 1, 1999 November 1, 1999 October 1, 1999 September 1, 1999 August 1, 1999 July 1, 1999 June 1, 1999 May 1, 1999 April 1, 1999 March 1, 1999 February 1, 1999 January 1, 1999 December 1, 1998 November 1, 1998 October 1, 1998 September 1, 1998 August 1, 1998 July 1, 1998 June 1, 1998 May 1, 1998 April 1, 1998 March 1, 1998 February 1, 1998 January 1, 1998 December 1, 1997 November 1, 1997 December 1, 1996 November 1, 1996 October 1, 1996 September 1, 1996 August 1, 1996 July 1, 1996 June 1, 1996 May 1, 1996 April 1, 1996 March 1, 1996 February 1, 1996 January 1, 1996 December 1, 1995 November 30, 1995 November 1, 1995 October 1, 1995 September 1, 1995 August 1, 1995 July 1, 1995 June 1, 1995 May 1, 1995 April 1, 1995 March 1, 1995

browse e-newsletters