Safe Electrical Work Practices

and the
2024 NFPA® 70E®
for Electrical Workers –
Concise Version

Leader’s Guide, Fact Sheet

& Quiz

Item Number: 5364

© AP Safety Training
 This easy-to-use Leader’s Guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation.

PREPARING FOR THE MEETING

Here are a few suggestions for using this program:

a) Review the contents of the Fact Sheet that immediately follows this page to familiarize yourself with the
program topic and the training points discussed in the program. The Fact Sheet also includes a list of
Program Objectives that details the information that participants should learn from watching the
program.

b) If required by your organization, make an attendance record to be signed by each participant to

document the training to be conducted.

c) Prepare the area and equipment to be used for the training. Make sure the watching environment is
comfortable and free from outside distractions. Also, ensure that participants can see and hear the TV
screen or computer monitor without obstructions.

d) Make copies of the Review Quiz included at the end of this Leader’s Guide to be completed by
participants at the conclusion of the presentation. Be aware that the page containing the answers to the
quiz comes before the quiz itself, which is on the final page.

CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION

a) Begin the meeting by welcoming the participants. Introduce yourself and give each person an
opportunity to become acquainted if there are new people joining the training session.

b) Introduce the program by its title and explain to participants what they are expected to learn as stated
in the Program Objectives of the Fact Sheet.

c) Play the program without interruption. Upon completion, lead discussions about your organization’s
specific policies regarding the subject matter. Make sure to note any unique hazards associated with
the program’s topic that participants may encounter while performing their job duties at your facility.

d) Hand out copies of the review quiz to all of the participants and make sure each one completes it
before concluding the training session.
5364 Safe Electrical Work Practices and the 2024 NFPA® 70E® for Electrical Workers - Concise
FACT SHEET

LENGTH: 18 MINUTES Production Year: 2023

PROGRAM SYNOPSIS:
This program provides electrical workers with an understanding of the requirements of the 2024 NFPA® 70E® that relate
to the safe performance of electrical work. It explains the dual hazards of electric shock and arc flash as well as the factors
that contribute to the severity of injury. Electrical workers will also learn the conditions that require an electrically safe
work condition to be established.

After viewing this program, electrical workers will have an understanding of the incident energy associated with an arc
flash, and how this is used to establish the Arc Flash Boundary distance and select proper arc-rated clothing and PPE. The
importance of wearing arc-rated clothing is visually demonstrated by example and the viewer will learn that flammable
clothing such as polyester will worsen any burn injury.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
After watching the program, the participant should be able to explain the following:
• What the requirements for a qualified person are;
• What the two hazards of electricity are and what factors contribute to the amount of damage they can cause;
• How to create and verify an electrically safe work condition;
• What the requirements for the two approach boundaries and the Arc Flash Boundary are;
• Which clothing and personal protective equipment is required for each of the four Arc Flash PPE Categories.

PROGRAM OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION
• As an electrical worker, you are asked to perform a wide variety of tasks while interacting with various types of
electrical equipment and systems. While doing so, you may be exposed to hazards presented by electricity.
• Protecting electrical workers from the hazards of electricity is the purpose of your organization’s Electrical Safety
Program and its safe work practices and procedures.
• One of the leading authorities on electrical safety is the National Fire Protection Association, the NFPA®. Their
standard for electrical safety in the workplace, “70E®”, is the established method for electrical safety compliance, and
has been incorporated by reference into many safety and health regulations.
• Chapter One of NFPA® 70E® provides the blueprint for creating an electrical safety program and is the genesis of the
safety rules and procedures you must follow while performing electrical-related work.

QUALIFIED PERSON
• One important safety principle contained in NFPA® 70E® is that an electrical worker must be “qualified” for the work
to be performed.
• A qualified person must be trained and knowledgeable in the construction and operation of equipment or a specific
work method and be trained to identify and avoid the electrical hazards that might be present with respect to that
equipment or work method.
• As an electrical worker, it’s important to understand that you may be qualified with respect to certain equipment and
tasks but remain unqualified for others.
• Do not attempt to work with electrical equipment or systems unless you have been qualified by your employer for
the work to be performed.

TWO HAZARDS OF ELECTRICITY

• As an electrical worker, it’s important to understand that there are two main hazards of electricity: an electric shock
hazard and an arc flash hazard.
• The physiological reaction to electric shock ranges from perception, muscular contraction, inability to let go,
ventricular fibrillation, tissue burns, and death.
• Another hazard associated with electricity is an arc flash hazard.
• The severity of injury or damage to health resulting from exposure to an arc flash is impacted by the amount of fault
current, the duration of the arc event, the worker’s distance from the electric arc’s source, and the protective
equipment worn by the worker.
• An arc flash event is not likely to occur under normal operating conditions. However, certain tasks and conditions will
increase the likelihood of an arc flash incident.

APPROACH BOUNDARIES
• Qualified electrical workers must be familiar with the various approach boundaries established by NFPA® 70E®.
Approach boundaries are established to keep unqualified workers and/or unprotected workers a safe distance from
energized electrical conductors or circuit parts.
• There are two approach boundaries for electric shock protection: the Limited Approach Boundary and the Restricted
Approach Boundary.
• The “Limited Approach Boundary” is the electric shock protection boundary farthest away from the exposed
energized parts. Unqualified workers may not cross the Limited Approach Boundary unless briefed on the hazards and
continuously escorted by a qualified person.
• The “Restricted Approach Boundary” is the electric shock protection boundary closest to the exposed energized parts
and may only be crossed by qualified electrical workers following safe electrical work practices, which include wearing
appropriate shock protection PPE and using insulated tools.
• Electric shock protection PPE must include voltage-rated gloves any time the nominal voltage is 50 Volts or greater.
• There are no circumstances which would allow an unqualified person to cross the Restricted Approach Boundary.
• To determine the shock protection approach boundaries, NFPA® 70E® provides Table 130.4(E)(a) for alternating
current or “AC” systems and Table 130.4(E)(b) for direct current or “DC” systems.
• Once the nominal voltage is determined, the shock protection approach boundaries may be looked up in the
appropriate table. For example, for an exposed, fixed-circuit part with a nominal voltage of 480 Volts AC, the limited
approach boundary is 3 feet 6 inches, and the restricted approach boundary is 1 foot.

ARC FLASH BOUNDARY AND PPE

• In addition to the two shock protection approach boundaries, there is also an “Arc Flash Boundary.”
• The purpose of the Arc Flash Boundary is to limit the severity of a potential burn injury to unprotected workers
should an arc flash occur.
• During an arc flash event, a large amount of thermal energy or “heat energy” is released. The amount of thermal
energy is greatest closest to the arc source and decreases with distance away from the arc source.
• The Arc Flash Boundary is placed at the distance from a potential arc source where the amount of thermal energy will
result in the onset of a second-degree burn on unprotected skin.
• Workers may not cross the Arc Flash Boundary unless they are briefed on the hazards and are wearing appropriate
arc-rated clothing and protective equipment.
• Arc-rated clothing is designed to withstand both the intense heat and force of an arc flash without breaking open or
bursting into flames. Arc-rated clothing and PPE help protect electrical workers from burn injury during an arc flash
event.
• When unprotected workers cross the Arc Flash Boundary without arc-rated clothing and protective equipment, they
place themselves at risk of serious burn injury.
• These burns are often made worse by the ignition of flammable clothing. Clothing that is not arc-rated, such as 100%
cotton or wool, can burst into flames and continue to burn even after the arc is extinguished. Other fabrics such as
polyester or nylon can also melt into the skin, making a burn even worse. These types of meltable fabrics should NOT be
worn by electrical workers.

JOB SAFETY PLAN AND JOB BRIEFING

• Prior to starting any job that involves exposure to electrical hazards, NFPA® 70E® requires that a job safety plan be
completed, and a job briefing be conducted.
• The required job safety plan must include the following: a description of the job and the individual tasks;
identification of the electrical hazards associated with each task; an Electric Shock Risk Assessment for tasks involving an
electric shock hazard; an Arc Flash Risk Assessment for tasks involving an arc flash hazard; and, the work procedures
involved, the special precautions to be taken, and the methods to be used to identify and control the sources of
hazardous energy.
• The required job briefing must be conducted with all involved employees and must include all elements of the job
safety plan as well as the information contained on an energized electrical work permit, if one is required.

SHOCK RISK ASSESSMENT / APPROACH BOUNDARIES

• If the Electric Shock Risk Assessment determines that the use of personal protective equipment or other additional
protective measures is required, then the voltage to which personnel will be exposed must be determined, the electric
shock protection approach boundaries must be determined, and the PPE and other equipment required to protect
workers from the electric shock hazard must be determined.

ARC FLASH RISK ASSESSMENT / ARC FLASH BOUNDARY / ARC FLASH PPE
• The Arc Flash Risk assessment is performed to identify arc flash hazards, estimate the likelihood of the occurrence of
injury or damage to health, estimate the potential severity of injury or damage to health, and determine if additional
protective measures are required, including the use of arc-rated clothing and PPE.
• To help determine the likelihood of an arc flash occurring, NFPA® 70E® provides Table 130.5(C).
• When it is determined that an arc flash event is likely, the appropriate safety-related work practices must be
determined, the Arc Flash Boundary must be determined, and the PPE to be used within the Arc Flash Boundary must be
determined.
• The preferred method used to determine the Arc Flash Boundary distance is to perform an “incident energy analysis”
to determine the distance from a potential arc source at which the thermal energy is calculated to be 1.2 calories per
square centimeter. This calculated distance is the Arc Flash Boundary.
• An incident energy analysis will also determine the amount of thermal energy to which a worker will be exposed
during a potential arc flash.
• The distance of a worker’s face and chest area from a potential arc source while performing a specific task is known
as the “working distance” and the thermal energy to which the worker may be exposed is known as the “incident energy
exposure level.”
• To protect against thermal burns when working inside the Arc Flash Boundary, arc-rated clothing and protective
equipment must be selected to meet or exceed the incident energy exposure level.
• Table 130.5(G) describes the required arc-rated clothing and PPE to be used when the incident energy exposure level
has been calculated to be 1.2 calories per square centimeter or greater.
• When this is the case, an arc-rated long sleeve shirt and pants, arc-rated coveralls, an arc-rated flash suit, or a tested
and verified system of layers of these items must be selected.
• To protect hands against burns, arc-rated gloves or rubber insulating gloves with protectors must be selected.
• In addition, leather footwear, hearing protection, and safety glasses or safety goggles are required.
• When incident energy exposure is calculated to exceed 12 calories per square centimeter, a hard hat combined with
an arc-rated flash suit hood must be used for head, face, and chin area protection.
• When incident energy exposure is calculated to be 12 calories per square centimeter or less, a hard hat combined
with an arc-rated face shield and arc-rated balaclava may be selected for head, face, and chin area protection in lieu of a
flash suit hood if desired.

TABLE METHOD: ARC FLASH BOUNDARY AND PPE CATEGORIES

• For certain configurations of electric equipment and circuits, NFPA® 70E® provides a series of reference tables as an
alternate method for determining the Arc Flash Boundary and selecting appropriate arc-rated clothing and PPE.
• Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) applies to certain AC systems and Table 130.7(C)(15)(b) applies to certain DC systems.
• Before using these tables, you must ensure that the circuit and equipment match all specifications listed in the
table’s notes, as well as the available fault current and fault clearing times noted in the table.
• These tables specify the required arc flash PPE by listing an “arc-flash PPE category.”
• Table 130.7(C)(15)(c) may then be consulted to determine the PPE requirements for each Arc Flash PPE Category.
• Arc Flash PPE Category One requires arc-rated clothing of at least 4 calories per square centimeter. Also required is
an arc-rated face shield or an arc-rated flash suit hood.
• Arc Flash PPE Category Two requires arc-rated clothing of at least 8 calories per square centimeter. Also required is
an arc-rated face shield combined with an arc-rated balaclava or an arc-rated flash suit hood.
• Arc Flash PPE Category Three requires a tested and verified system of arc-rated clothing of at least 25 calories per
square centimeter. Also required is an arc-rated flash suit hood.
• Arc Flash PPE Category Four requires a tested and verified system of arc-rated clothing of at least 40 calories per
square centimeter. Also required is an arc-rated flash suit hood.
• Each Arc Flash PPE Category also requires the following protective equipment: a voltage-rated hard hat; safety
glasses or safety goggles; hearing protection; leather footwear; and arc-rated gloves or voltage-rated gloves with
protectors.

EQUIPMENT LABELS
• We have now discussed two methods that can be used to determine the Arc Flash Boundary and required arc-rated
clothing and PPE: the incident energy calculation method and the PPE category method.
• Fortunately, electrical workers do not have to determine this information from scratch each time they perform work.
• Section 130.5(H) requires that the owner of electrical equipment install field-labels on equipment. These labels must
display the nominal system voltage and the Arc Flash Boundary.
• To help electrical workers select appropriate arc-rated clothing and PPE, the equipment’s field-label must also display
at least one of the following items: the available incident energy and corresponding working distance or the equipment’s
arc flash PPE category (but not both); the minimum arc-rating of clothing; or, a site-specific level of PPE.
• Electrical workers should be familiar with the labels on the equipment they plan to interact with and be able to select
arc-rated clothing and PPE based in the label’s information.

HAZARD ELIMINATION / ELECTRICALLY SAFE WORK CONDITION

• Of course, the most effective way to protect electrical workers from the hazards presented by electricity is to
eliminate the hazard completely by creating an electrically safe work condition.
• In fact, NFPA® 70E® requires that hazard elimination be the first priority in the hierarchy of risk control methods.
• An electrically safe work condition is defined as "a state in which an electrical conductor or circuit part has been
disconnected from energized parts, locked and tagged in accordance to established standards, tested for the absence of
voltage, and, if necessary, temporarily grounded for personnel protection.”
• As an electrical worker, it’s critical that you understand this key point; until the existence of an electrically safe work
condition has been verified, you must treat the equipment as if it is energized.
• This means that all safe work practices, such as shock and arc flash protection applicable to the circuit voltage and
energy level, must be used.
• However, once the electrical conductors and circuit parts are verified to be in an electrically safe work condition,
then no electrical hazards exist, and shock and arc flash protection are no longer necessary and may be removed.
• In addition, other workers who are not qualified electrical workers may enter the area as needed.

CONCLUSION
• As an electrical worker, you have a responsibility to follow your employer’s required safe electrical work practices.
• Make sure you are qualified before performing any electrical-related task.
• Participate in the required job planning and briefing.
• Understand that creating an electrically safe work condition is always the first priority.
• And treat all electrical conductors or circuit parts as energized until it is verified that an electrically safe work
condition has been established.
• Electrical workers must never let their guard down around electricity. By following the safety-related work practices
required by NFPA® 70E® and their employer, electrical workers can ensure they will return home each day safe, healthy,
and injury free.
 Safe Electrical Work Practices and the 2024 NFPA® 70E® for Electrical Workers - Concise

ANSWERS TO THE REVIEW QUIZ

1. a

2. c

3. a

4. a

5. b

6. a

7. a

8. a
 Safe Electrical Work Practices and the 2024 NFPA® 70E® for Electrical Workers - Concise
REVIEW QUIZ
Name__________________________________________Date_______________________________
The following questions are provided to determine how well you understand the information presented in this program.

1. Chapter One of NFPA® 70E® provides the blueprint for creating an electrical safety program and is the genesis of the safety rules and
procedures you must follow while performing electrical-related work.
a. True
b. False

2. The two main hazards of electricity are ________________________.

a. A spark hazard and a flame hazard
b. A blinding hazard and a burn hazard
c. An electric shock hazard and an arc flash hazard

3. There are two approach boundaries for electric shock protection: the Limited Approach Boundary and the Restricted Approach
Boundary.
a. True
b. False

4. Workers may not cross the Arc Flash Boundary unless they are briefed on the hazards and are wearing appropriate arc-rated clothing
and protective equipment.
a. True
b. False

5. The Arc Flash Boundary must be placed at an approach limit distance where the amount of thermal energy could result in the onset of a
____________ burn.
a. First-degree
b. Second-degree
c. Third-degree

6. You must treat all electrical conductors and circuit parts as energized until the existence of an electrically safe work condition has been
properly verified.
a. True
b. False

7. Arc Flash PPE Category Four requires a tested and verified system of arc-rated clothing of at least 40 calories per square centimeter.
a. True
b. False

8. Section 130.5(H) requires that the owner of electrical equipment install field-labels on equipment that will display the nominal system
voltage and the Arc Flash Boundary.
a. True
b. False