The document summarizes major changes in the 2015 edition of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Key changes include replacing terms like "harm" and "probablility" with more accurate terms, expanding definitions of terms like "qualified person" and "risk assessment", strengthening electrical safety program requirements, expanding training requirements, and modifying shock and arc flash risk assessment procedures and PPE categories. Changes aim to improve safety for electrical work by providing clearer guidance and better alignment with other safety standards.

1. NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace
Overview of Major 2015 Changes

2. The 2015 Has Arrived!
• The NFPA 70E was first
published in 1979 at the
request of OSHA.
• The 2015 Edition is the tenth to
be published.
• Each edition is made to bring
clarification and a safer work
environment.
• The 2015 edition brings in
some major changes.

3. Global Changes
2012 Edition 2015 Edition
Harm Injury or Damage to Health
Probablility Likelihood
Work Shoes Footwear
Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Arc Flash Risk Assessment
Shock Hazard Analysis Shock Risk Assessment

4. Global Changes
These Global Changes provide
accuracy and better harmonize with
other standards addressing risk
and hazards

5. Definitions
Qualified Person. One who has demonstrated
skills and knowledge related to the construc- tion
and operation of electrical equipment and
installations and has received safety training to
identify and avoid the hazards involved.
Risk. A combination of the likelihood of occurrence
of injury or damage to health and the severity of
injury or damage to health that results from a
hazard.

6. Definitions
Risk Assessment. An overall process that
identifies hazards, estimates the potential severity
of injury or damage to health, estimates the
likelihood of occurrence of injury or damage to
health, and determines if protective measures are
required.
InformationalNote: As used in this standard, arc
flash risk assessment and shock risk assessment
are types of risk assessments.

7. Article 110.1(A)
Electrical Safety Program.
General. The employer shall implement and document an overall
electrical safety program that directs activity appropriate to the risk
associated with electrical hazards. The electrical safety program
shall be implemented as part of the employer’s overall occupational
health and safety management system, when one exists.
Informational Note No. 1: Safety-related work practices such as
verification of proper maintenance and installation, alerting
techniques, auditing requirements, and training requirements
provided in this standard are administrative controls and part of an
overall electrical safety program.

8. Article 110.1(B)
Electrical Safety Program.
Maintenance.The electrical safety program shall
include elements that consider condition of
maintenance of electrical equipment and systems.

9. Article 110.2(C)(1)
Training Requirements
Emergency Response Training
Contact Release. Employees exposed to shock
hazards shall be trained in methods of safe release
of victims from contact with exposed energized
electri- cal conductors or circuit parts. Refresher
training shall occur annually.

10. Article 110.2(C)(2)
Training Requirements
First Aid, Emergency Response, and Resuscitation
(a) Employees responsible for responding to medical emergencies shall
be trained in first aid and emer- gency procedures.
(b) Employees responsible for responding to medical emergencies shall
be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Refresher training shall
occur annually.
(c) Employees responsible for responding to medical emergencies shall
be trained in the use of an auto- mated external defibrilator (AED) if an
employer’s emergency response plan includes the use of this device.
Refresher training shall occur annually.
Employers shall verify at least annually that employee training required by
this section is current.

11. Article 130.2(A)(4)
This was added in the 2015 Text:
Normal Operation: Normal operation of electrical equipment shall
be permitted where all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The equipment is properly installed.
(2) The equipment is properly maintained.
(3) The equipment doors are closed and secured.
(4) All equipment covers are in place and secured.
(5) There is no evidence
**This is in accordance with manufacturer and industry codes and
standards. Physical damage, arcing, deterioration, and overheating
are all signs of impending failure.

12. Article 130.2(B)(1)
Energized Electrical Work Permits
When Required: When energized work is permitted in
accordance with 130.2(A), and energized electrical work permit
shall be required under the following conditions:
(1) When work is performed within the restricted approach
boundary
(2) When the employee interacts with the equipment when
conductors or circuit parts are not exposed but an increased
likelihood of injury from an exposure to an arc flash hazard
exists.

13. Article 130.2(B)(3)
Energized Electrical Work Permits
Exemptions to Work Permit: An energized work permit shall not be required if a
qualified person is provided with and uses appropriate safe work practices and PPE
under any of the following conditions:
(1) Testing, troubleshooting,and voltage measuring
(2) Thermography and visual inspections if the restricted approach boundary is not
crossed
(3) Access and egress from an area with energized electrical equipment if no
electrical work is performed and the restricted approach boundary is not crossed
(4) General housekeeping and miscellaneous non-electrical tasks if the restricted
approach boundary is not crossed.

14. Article 130.4(A)
Shock Risk Assessment:
A shock risk assessment shall determine the
voltage to which personnel will be exposed, the
boundary requirements, and the PPE necessary in
order to minimize the possibility of electric shock to
personnel.

15. Shock Protection Boundaries
Prohibited
Approach
Boundary
Limited
Approach
Boundary
Restricted
Approach
Boundary

16. Arc Flash
Boundary
Exposed Energized Conductor
or Circuit Part
Limited Approach Boundary
Limited Space
Restricted Approach Boundary
Restricted Space
2015 Boundaries

17. Table 130.4(D)(a)
Approach Boundaries for Shock Protection for Alternating Current Systems
Nominal System
Voltage Range, Phase
to Phase
Limited Approach Boundary Restricted Approach
Boundary; Includes
Inadvertent
Movement Adder
Exposed Movable
Conductor
Exposed Fixed Circuit
Part
<50V Not specified Not specified Not specified
50 V – 150 V 3.0 m (10 ft 0 in) 1.0 m (3 ft 6 in) Avoid contact
151 V – 750 V 3.0 m (10 ft 0 in) 1.0 m (3 ft 6 in) 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in)
751 V – 15 kV 3.0 m (10 ft 0 in) 1.5 m (5 ft 0 in) 0.7 m (2 ft 2 in)
15.1 kV – 36 kV 3.0 m (10 ft 0 in) 1.8 m (6 ft 0 in) 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in)
36.1 kV – 46 kV 3.0 m (10 ft 0 in) 2.5 m (8 ft 0 in) 0.8 m (2 ft 9 in)
46.1 kV – 72.5 kV 3.0 m (10 ft 0 in) 2.5 m (8 ft 0 in) 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in)
72.6 kV – 121 kV 3.3 m (10 ft 8 in) 2.5 m (8 ft 0 in) 1.0 m (3 ft 4 in)
138 kV – 145 kV 3.4 m (11 ft 0 in) 3.0 m (10 ft 0 in) 1.2 m (3 ft 10 in)
161 kV – 169 kV 3.6 m (11 ft 8 in) 3.6 m (11 ft 8 in) 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
230 kV – 242 kV 4.0 m (13 ft 0 in) 4.0 m (13 ft 0 in) 1.7 m (5 ft 8 in)
345 kV – 362 kV 4.7 m (15 ft 4 in) 4.7 m (15 ft 4 in) 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
500 kV – 550 kV 5.8 m (19 ft 0 in) 5.8 m (19 ft 0 in) 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in)
765 kV – 800 kV 7.2 m (23 ft 9 in) 7.2 m (23 ft 9 in) 4.9 m (15 ft 11 in)

18. Article 130.5
Arc Flash Risk Assessment: An arc flash risk assessment shall be performed and shall:
(1) Determine if an arc flash hazard exists. If an arc flash hazard exists, the risk assessment shall
determine:
a. Appropriate safety-related work practices
b. The arc flash boundary
c. The PPE to be used within the arc flash boundary
(2) Updated with major modifications and reviewed periodically, at intervals not to exceed 5 yrs.
(3) Take into consideration the design of the overcorrect protective device and its opening time,
including its condition of maintenance.
Informational Note No. 1: Where equipment is not properly installed or maintained, PPE
selection based upon incident energy analysis or the PPE category method may not provide
adequate protection from arc flash hazards.

19. Article 130.5(C)
Arc Flash PPE: One of the following methods shall be
used for the selection of PPE. Either, but not both, methods
shall be permitted to be used on the same piece of
equipment. The results of an incident energy analysis to
specify an arc flash PPE Category in Table 130.7(C)(16)
shall not be permitted.
(1) Incident Energy Analysis Method.
(2) Arc Flash PPE Categories Method.

20. HRC #1
4 cal/cm2 Min.
HRC #0
(100% Natural Fibers):
HRC #2
8 cal/cm2 Min.
HRC #3
25 cal/cm2 Min.
HRC #4
40 cal/cm2 Min.
Hazard Risk Categories
PPEC #0 PPEC #1
1.2-4 Cal/cm2
PPEC #2
4.1-8 Cal/cm2
PPEC #3
8.1-25 Cal/cm2
PPEC #4
25.1-40 Cal/cm2
PPE Categories

21. Arc-Rated vs. Flame-
Resistant
Protective equipment and clothing that is intended for protection
from an arcing fault must be rated by the manufacturer for use in
an environment influenced by an electrical arc. Although the term
flame resistant (FR) has been used in previous editions of NFPA
70E, an FR marking on a garment does not necessarily mean it is
arc rated. The term flame resistant is no longer used in NFPA
70E; this change has been made to clarify that only clothing or
other PPE with an arc rating is acceptable for protecting persons
against arc flash hazards. The term flame resistant could indicate
exposure to other events such as flames from a fire. As an
example, FR clothing for race car drivers or pilots is not suitable
for arc flash protection. Arc-rated clothing is the only clothing
marked with the cal/cm2 rating.

22. Article 130.5(D)
Equipment Labeling: Electrical equipment such as switchboards,
panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor
control centers that are in other than dwell- ing units and that are likely to
require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized
shall be field-marked with a label containing all the following information:
(1) Nominal System Voltage
(2) Arc Flash Boundary
(3) At least one of the following:
a. Available incident energy and the corresponding working distance, or
the arc flash PPE category for the equipment, but not both
b. Minimum arc rating of clothing
c. Site-specific level of PPE

23. Article 130.5(D)
WARNIN
G
Arc Flash and Shock Hazard
Appropriate PPE Required
Hazard Risk
Category @ 18”
#2
Nominal System Voltage 480V
Arc Flash Boundary 38”
Limited Approach Boundary 42”
Restricted Approach Boundary 12”
Prohibited Approach Boundary 1”
PPE: Reference NFPA 70E-2012 Table 130.7 (C)(16)
Equipment Bus: PAINT ROOM MCC-1
Lockout Device: MDP-1 3B
Date: 1/1/14
Reference Document: IEEE Std 1584 through 1584b-2011

24. Article 130.5(D)
WARNIN
G
Arc Flash and Shock Hazard
Appropriate PPE Required
6.5 Nominal System Voltage 480V
Arc Flash Boundary 38”
Limited Approach Boundary 42”
Restricted Approach Boundary 12”
cal/cm Prohibited Approach Boundary 1” 2 @ 18”
PPE: Reference NFPA 70E-2012 Table 130.7 (C)(16)
Equipment Bus: PAINT ROOM MCC-1
Lockout Device: MDP-1 3B
Date: 1/1/14
Reference Document: IEEE Std 1584 through 1584b-2011

25. Article 130.5(D)
The owner of the electrical
equipment shall be responsible
for the documentation,
installation, and maintenance of
the field-marked label.

26. Article 130.7(15)(A)-(B)
Alternating Current (ac) Equipment: When selected in lieu of the incident energy
analysis of 130.5(B)(1), Table 130.7(C)(15)(A)(a) shall be used to identify when arc
flash PPE is required. When arc flash PPE is required, Table 130.7(C)(15)(A)(b)
shall be used to determine the arc flash PPE category. The estimated maximum
available short-circuit current, maxi- mum fault-clearing times, and minimum
working distances for various ac equipment types or classifications are listed in
Table 130.7(C)(15)(A)(b). An incident energy analysis shall be required in
accordance with 130.5 for the following:
(1)Tasks not listed in Table130.7(C)(15)(A)(a)
(2)Power systems with greater than the estimated maximum available short-circuit
current
(3)Power systems with longer than the maximum fault clearing times
(4)Tasks with less than the minimum working distance

27. Table 130.7(C)(15)(A)(a)
Arc Flash Hazard Identification for Alternating Current and Direct Current Systems
Task Equipment Condition
Arc Flash PPE
Required
Reading a panel meter while operating a meter
switch
Any No
Normal operation of a circuit breaker (CB), switch,
contactor, or starter
All of the following:
The equipment is properly installed
The equipment is properly maintained
All equipment doors are closed and secured
All equipment covers are in place and secured
There is no evidence of impending failure
No
One or more of the following:
The equipment is not properly installed
The equipment is not properly maintained
Equipment doors are open or not secured
Equipment covers are off or not secured
There is no evidence of impending failure
Yes
For dc system: Work on energized electrical
conductors and circuit parts, including voltage
testing
Any Yes
For dc system: Work on energized electrical
conductors and circuit parts of series-connected
battery cells, including voltage testing
Any Yes

28. Table 130.7(C)(15)(A)(b)
Arc Flash Hazard PPE Categories for Alternating Current
Equipment
Arc Flash PPE
Category
Arc Flash
Boundary
Panelboards or other equipment rated 240 V and
below Parameters: Maximum of 25 kA short-circuit current
available; maximum of 0.03 sec (2 cycles) fault clearing time;
working distance 455 mm (18 in.)
1 19 in.
Panelboards or other equipment rated >240 V and up to 600
V Parameters: Maximum of 25 kA short-circuit current available;
maximum of 0.03 sec (2 cycles) fault clearing time; working distance
455 mm (18 in.)
2 3 ft.
600-V class motor control centers (MCCs) Parameters: Maximum
of 65 kA short-circuit current available; maximum of 0.03 sec (2
cycles) fault clearing time; working distance 455 mm (18 in.)
2 5 ft.
600-V class motor control centers (MCCs) Parameters: Maximum
of 42 kA short-circuit current available; maximum of 0.33 sec (20
cycles) fault clearing time; working distance 455 mm (18 in.)
4 14 ft.

29. Article 130.5(D)
WARNIN
G
Arc Flash and Shock Hazard
Appropriate PPE Required
Hazard Risk
Category @ 18”
#2
Nominal System Voltage 480V
Arc Flash Boundary 38”
Limited Approach Boundary 42”
Restricted Approach Boundary 12”
Prohibited Approach Boundary 1”
PPE: Reference NFPA 70E-2012 Table 130.7 (C)(16)
Equipment Bus: PAINT ROOM MCC-1
Lockout Device: MDP-1 3B
Date: 1/1/14
Reference Document: IEEE Std 1584 through 1584b-2011

30. Article 130.7(15)(D)(2)
Barricades. Barricades shall be used in conjunction with
safety signs where it is necessary to prevent or limit
employee access to work areas containing energized
conductors or circuit parts. Conductive barricades shall
not be used where it might increase the likelihood of
exposure to an electrical hazard. Barricades shall be
placed no closer than the limited approach boundary
given in Table 130.4(D)(a) and Table 130.4(D)(b). Where
the arc flash boundary is greater than the limited
approach boundary, barricades shall not be placed
closer than the arc flash boundary.