NFPA 70 or NFPA70E

[drg]

A couple weeks ago there was a discussion at work about the difference in the NFPA 70 & NFPA 70E, our new safety director is claiming that all the information that the NFPA 70E has, is in the NFPA70 handbook , no need for the company to purchase the 70E because we already have this information!

Having never seen the 70E but reading and listening to everyone here reference to to it I am assuming this book is on electrical safety in the workplace and this information we are being told by this fellow is not accurate.

Is there any truth to what this guy is coming across with or it is another case of a "safety director gone wild" .

 

[raider1]

NFPA 70E is titled "Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace."

The NFPA 70 Handbook is the National Electrical Code handbook.

Here is a link to NFPA and an on-line version of NFPA 70E. You will have to click on the document and follow the prompts.

NFPA 70E is a totally different document then the NEC.

Chris

 

[drg]

I'll pass that link along, maybe....... but thanks the same.

I mentioned the same thing you said about the 2 documents being different, but
this guy is saying all that information is in the NEC handbook.

Like mentioned before I have never seen the book but listening to talk here it
sure sounds like they have different information.
The funny part of it all is the safety guy never seen this book either but sure
knows a lot about it though..............our last safety guy was similar , no license, no certification or anything electrical but good at putting up stickers ,& posting warning signs all over the place.

All our 480 single phase receptacle's are now plastered with 220 volt 3 phase
stickers , it can be funny stuff how they expose their self out there.

 

[rbalex]

Your safety director is in error. While there may be some commentary in the NEC Handbook that is extracted from NFPA 70E, it is not nearly complete. More importantly, the commentary in unenforceable.

NFPA 70E, Chapter 4 is largely extracted from the most recent NEC available at the time of its publication. Chapters 1 through 3 are largely unique and very little is duplicated in the NEC.

 

[joe tedesco]

Nfpa 70e

Nfpa 70e

"NFPA 70E

The 2004 edition of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, was prepared
by the Technical Committee on Electrical Safety in the Workplace and acted on by the National
Fire Protection Association at its November Meeting held November 17?19, 2003, in
Reno, Nevada. This seventh edition was issued by the Standards Council on January 14, 2004,
with an effective date of February 11, 2004, and supersedes all previous editions. It was approved
as an American National Standard on February 11, 2004.

The seventh edition of NFPA 70E reflects several significant changes to the document.

The major changes emphasize safe work practices and also enhance the clarity and usability
of the document. The name of the document was changed to NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace. The entire document was reformatted to comply with the NEC?
Style Manual, thus providing a unique designation for each requirement.

The existing parts
were renamed as chapters and were reorganized to emphasize safety-related work practices by
moving that section to the front of the document.

Chapter 1, which addresses safety-related work practices, also was reorganized to emphasize
working on live parts as the last alternative work practice. The document also incorporates
an energized electrical work permit and related requirements. Several definitions were
modified or added to enhance the usability of the document, and Chapter 4 was updated to correlate
with the 2002 edition of the National Electrical Code?(NEC?).

Chapter 4 of NFPA 70E
Essential to the proper use of Chapter 4 is the understanding that it is not intended to be applied
as a design, installation, modification, or construction standard for an electrical installation
or system. Its content has been intentionally limited in comparison to the content of the
NEC to apply to an electrical installation or system as part of an employee?s workplace. This
standard is compatible with corresponding provisions of the NEC, but it is not intended to, nor
can it be, used in lieu of the NEC.

Chapter 4 of NFPA 70E was intended to serve a very specific need of OSHA. Omission
of any requirements presently in the NEC does not affect the NEC, nor should these omitted
requirements be considered as unimportant. They are essential to the NEC and its intended application,
which is to be used by those who design, install, and inspect electrical installations.

NFPA 70E, on the other hand, is intended to be used by employers, employees, and OSHA."

 

[WDeanN]

drg, sounds like this guy could use some help.

The 70E is a different document. That's why they don't advertise it as the NEC Handbook!

The NEC applies to the design and installation of electrical systems, and is largely a fire prevention document, although other things have crept in. I may be totally wrong here, but it is my understanding that it is only inforceable by the Authority Having Jurisdiction - largely, the electrical inspector in your area.

The 70E is OSHA INFORCEABLE!!! I would think that any safety guy worth two squirts would appreciate that. (I know they are few a far between! ) It also applies to the entire workforce, not just electricians, not just the installation, but EVERYONE, office staff included. It is a safety document.

 

[rick hart]

I always saw the Handbook as a means for those that did not practice using the NEC everyday as a way to keep them on the straight and narrow path. I rarely ever open my Handbook copy, prefering the code to commentary. When I have, I have never seen anything that resembles 70E.

I have all three- 70, 70B, 70E on my desk because they are different topics related only by the trade. If you have no electrical safety plan for workers you will be held to 70E. If you have an electrical safety plan, it needs to cover the elements of 70E. Keep in mind that all 70 documnts are minimum standards.

The new safety guy sounds like a preventable accident waiting to happen. I think you know that.

 

[zog]

Sounds like you know more and care more about safety than your "Safety guy"