NFPA 70E information

NFPA 70E®   INFORMATION

ALWAYS PEFORM A HAZARD ASSESSMENT

The NFPA 70E® Standard for Electrical Safety in the workplace requires employers to perform an Electrical Arc Hazard Assessment. Each situation and/or job task is unique and needs to be evaluated on its own merits. ASTM F1959 details the standardized test that must be used to determine the thermal protective value of textiles in an electric arc application.

 When unable to perform an Arc Hazard Assessment, NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(9) Hazard Risk Category Classifications and Use Of Rubber Insulating Gloves and Insulating Hand Tools may be used. This tables describes various job tasks at various voltages and puts them into Hazard Risk Categories (HRC) 0, 1, 2, 2*, 3 or 4. It also states when rubber insulating gloves and insulated hand tools must be used.

To find what protective clothing and PPE is required for each Hazard Risk Category, see NFPA 70E Table 130.7C(10) Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

To determining the minimum levels of required protection and minimum cal/cm² ratings required, refer to the NFPA 70E table below. Cal rating in ( ): 

Table 130.7(C)(11 ) Protective Clothing Characteristics.

                                                                                                            Required

                                                                                                                                Minimum Arc

Hazard / Risk                           Clothing                                                              Rating of PPE

 Category                              Description                                                        [J/cm2 (cal/cm²)]          

      0                Nonmelting, flammable, materials, (i.e. untreated                                    N/A

                        cotton, wool, rayon, or silk, or blends of these

                        materials) with a fabric weight at least 4.5oz/yd²

      1                Arc-rated FR shirt and FR pants or FR coverall                 16.74    (4)     

      2                Arc-rated FR shirt and FR pants or FR coverall                 33.47    (8)

      3                Arc-rated FR shirt and pants or FR coverall, and             104.6     (25) 

                        arc flash suit selected so that the system arc

                        rating meets the required minimum                    

      4                Arc-rated FR shirt and pants or FR coverall, and             167.36     (40)

                        arc flash suit selected so that the system arc

                        rating meets the required minimum

     Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70E®-2009, Electrical Safety in the Workplace

     Copyright  ©  2009, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02169.  This              

     reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the

     referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.                    

To obtain the complete NFPA 70E Standard and other information please visit them at:
http://www.nfpa.org

NFPA 70 is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association