I can't answer for the OP but I don't think it is a homework question.
First, he joined in 2007
Second, he lists his occupation as electrician.
So given that, I will say to the OP that a GFCI has to be readily accessible under current code. It depends on what code cycle you are on and when the water cooler/GFCI was installed because that requirement was not always there.
422.5 was added in the 2014 code to cover this issue for all GFCIs that are required by Article 422....
Since the 2011 NEC the readily accessible requirement was added to 210.8, but the way it is worded IMO only applies to GFCI's required by 210.8. The water cooler GFCI requirement does not come from 210.8. If it were the CMP intention to require all GFCI's be readily accessible then I think they need to make some changes.
422.5 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection. The device providing GFCI protection required in this article shall be readily accessible.
There we go, I was not aware of that change. Apparently there was a hole in the requirements in 2011 and they decided to make a change in 422 to fill that hole.422.5 was added in the 2014 code to cover this issue for all GFCIs that are required by Article 422.