ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND NFPA 70E

PROTECTION BOUNDARIES
Closest point of approach by personnel not wearing sufficient Arc-Rated PPE
Boundary at which the Arc-Flash rating is 1.2 cal/cm2 (equivalent to 2nd burn)
Usually, the outermost boundary, but may lie within the Limited Protection Boundary

ARC FLASH

Closest point of approach by Un-Qualified

Unless continuously escorted by a Qualified person
Closest point of approach by Qualified personnel without the use of PPE or other
shock protective equipment
Absolute closest point of approach by Un-Qualified personnel

LIMITED
SHOCK
RESTRICTED
SHOCK

All Protection boundaries are temporarily eliminated while an Electrically Safe Work Condition
(ESWC) is established.

ARC FLASH PPE CATEGORIES (Formerly: HAZARD RISK CATEGORIES)

Arc Flash PPE categories correlate to the level of PPE required for protection against arc flash hazards,
IAW NFPA 70E 2015 Table 130.7(C)(16)
Hearing
Hard Safety
Leather Long-Sleeve Shirt
Protection
Hat Glasses
Footwear and Pants, and/or
(Inserts)
Coveralls

SR

AN

SR

SR

SR

AN: As Needed (Optional)

Note 1: Arc rating is
defined in NFPA
70E2015 Article 100

Arc-Rated Attire (See Notes 1 and 2)

Combined
Minimum Arc
Rating

Arc Flash Suit

Face
Jacket Pants Hood Shield

OR

AN

8 cal/cm2

OR(AND )

AN

(Either)

AR
(Either or Both)

AR
(Either or Both)

Jacket, Parka,
Rainwear, or
Hard Hat Liner

4 cal/cm2

(Either)

Balaclava

25 cal/cm2

AN

40 cal/cm2

AN

AR: As Required

Note 2: Face shields are to have wrap-around guarding

to protect not only the face but also the forehead, ears,
and neck, or alternatively, an arc-rated arc flash suit
hood is required to be worn.

Heavy Duty
Leather Gloves

Note 3

Note 3

Arc-Rated
Note 1

Arc-Rated
Note 1

SR: Selection Required

Note 3: If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are
used, additional leather or arc-rated gloves are not required.
The combination of rubber insulating gloves with leather
protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement.

IEC 61010 CATEGORIES

IEC Categories are a way of addressing how close a circuit is to the point of power generation/distribution.

I
II
III
IV

The closer to the point of power generation/distribution, the higher the IEC Category, and the higher the severity of an arc
flash incident in the event of a voltage transient (spike)
Knowing the IEC Category and voltage of a circuit and knowing the IEC Category and voltage limitations of your electrical
test equipment allows you to know whether your electrical test equipment is sufficiently rated for the hazard of the circuit
you are working on
Major electrical devices and connections (circuit breakers, transformers, disconnects) tend to provide electrical isolation
which results in a tendency to lower the IEC Category

Arc Flash Risk

None
Low
Medium
High

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10 September 2015

Description of IEC Category

Protected electronic circuits
Standard electrical outlet
Circuit breaker panel, Industrial 3-Phase circuits
Utility or Grid-Connected equipment, Connections to Point-of-Service

Richard J. Gould

ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND NFPA 70E

6 STEPS TO AN ELECTRICALLY SAFE WORK CONDITION (ESWC)
1
2
3
4
5
6

Using technical sources and references, identify all potential energy sources
Secure all potential energy sources identified in the first step
Visually verify disconnecting devices are open (As required)
Comply with LOTO Procedures (Apply LOTO devices)
Verify circuit is De-Energized (Perform a HOT-COLD-HOT) for your personal safety
Dissipate residual energy and ground conductors (As required)

ASKING YOURSELF: AM I SAFE?!

Am I Qualified
Ensure that you are qualified and trained for the work to be done. Working on energized
for the work I am
circuits, or high-voltage circuits may require specific training and qualifications.
about to do?
What is the Voltage of the circuit?
IEC Category/Voltage Rating of the electrical test
equipment must be rated equal-to, or greater-than the
What is the IEC Category of the
Determining
IEC Category/Voltage rating of the circuit
circuit?
sufficient Test
Equipment:
Equipment must be inspected prior to each use
Has I inspected the Test Equipment?
Ensure testing/calibration dates are valid
What is the Arc-Rating of the circuit? The Voltage Rating of the gloves, and the Arc-Rating of
the PPE must be equal-to or greater-than the Voltage
What is the Arc-Rating of the PPE?
and Arc-Rating (hazard) of the circuit to ensure
What is the Voltage Rating of the
Determining
personnel protection
Gloves?
sufficient PPE:
PPE must be inspected prior to each use
Ensure inspection/calibration dates are valid
Has the PPE been inspected?
HV Gloves require testing every 6 months (minimum)
Must the circuit remain Energized,
Energized work requires an Energized Electrical Work
or
may
I
De-Energize
the
circuit?
Permit (EEWP)
Must I work
Energized, or can
Working de-energized is always preferred
I work De An Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC) must be
Is working De-Energized
Energized?
established before contact with circuit is allowed
possible/practical?
(without appropriate PPE)
Have I used 4-Way Communication Identify and secure all potential energy sources and
and De-Energized the circuit?
utilize 4-Way communication with affected employees
Comply with a LOTO procedure/program that
Have I complied with approved
adheres to OSHA regulations and NFPA 70E standard
If working DeLOTO procedures?
LOTO may be simple or complex
Energized is
possible, have I
OSHA and NFPA 70E both require:
established an
Verification that circuit is de-energized
ESWC?
Verify operation of test device before and after
Have I done my HOT-COLD-HOT?
Phase-to-Phase and Phase-to-Ground (6 checks)
If AC circuit, perform Hot-Cold-Hot in AC volts
If DC circuit, perform Hot-Cold-Hot in DC volts

REGULATIONS, REFERENCES AND STANDARDS

29 CFR 1910.137, 147, 269, Subpart S (300-399)
29 CFR 1926 Subpart K (400-449)
NFPA 70E
IEEE-1584
IEC 61010
IEC 60900
ANSI Z87.1
ANSI Z89.1

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OSHA regulations on electrical safety for General Industry

OSHA regulations on electrical safety for Construction Industry
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (2015 is latest edition)
Guide for Arc Flash Hazard Calculations (2002 is latest edition)
Safety Requirements For Electrical Equipment For Measurement, Control, And Laboratory Use
Hand Tools for Use Up to 1000 VAC and 1500 VDC
Standard for Eye and Face Protection
Standard for Head Protection

Richard J. Gould