OSHA, 70E & PPE

North Texas AIHA/ASSE

September 14, 2015

Stephen Boyd
Area Director
Dallas Area Office
 Topics
 OSHA & NFPA 70E Standards
 Qualified vs. Unqualified Employees
 Safety-Related Work Practices
 Arc Flash
 Hierarchy of Control
 NFPA 70E PPE Selection
 Examples of PPE
 Terminology
 Flame Retardant
 Chemical added to resist burning
 Flame Resistant
 Combustion is prevented, terminated or inhibited
 With or without removal of ignition source
 Not tested for exposure to electric arc

 Arc Rated
 FR clothing tested for exposure to electric arc
 Replaces “flame resistant” in NFPA 70E-2012
 When working on or near
electricity or electrical equipment
employees must be
trained in & use
Electrical Safety-Related
Work Practices
NFPA 70E 2012

29 CFR 1910
 OSHA’s Electrical Safety-Related
Work Practices in General Industry
 29 CFR 1910.331 - .335
 .331 Scope
 .332 Training
 .333 LOTO - MAD’s - Safe work practices
 .334 Use of equipment
 Portable
 Fixed
 Test
 .335 PPE & Warning
 Based in part on NFPA 70E
 Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
 OSHA and NFPA 70E

 OSHA standards are the “SHALL”

 NFPA 70E is the “HOW”

These Standards apply to both
Qualified Employees
&
Unqualified Employees
Performing
Electrical Work
Who is a Qualified Employee?
 Qualified Employee is
Competent in the Following:
 Safety-related work practices
 Safety procedures
 OSHA requirements
 Distinguishing live parts from others
 Determining nominal voltage
 Minimum approach distances (MADs)
 Proper use of:
 Precautionary procedures
 PPE
 Insulating & shielding materials
 Insulated tools
Who is an Unqualified Employee?

EVERYONE WHO IS
NOT A QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE!
 Unqualified Employees

Are normally protected by the installation requirements

by OSHA’s Electrical Standards
• General Industry - Subpart S (1910.301-.399)

Which requires
• No exposed live parts
• Live parts to be covered/protected

However
If their work exposes them to electrical hazards which
would otherwise be protected -- they must be trained to
recognize and avoid hazards they encounter or are
likely to encounter while working
What electrical hazard is responsible
for nearly 80% of the accidents,
incidents and fatalities among
Unqualified employees?

Electrocution
Usually associated with a
lack of equipment grounding!
 Qualified Employees
Are normally protected by the installation requirements
in OSHA’s Electrical Standards
• General Industry - Subpart S (1910.301-.399)

Which requires
• No exposed live parts
• Live parts to be covered/protected

However
If their work exposes them to electrical hazards which
would otherwise be protected -- they must be protected
against ALL the electrical hazards:
Shocks - Electrocution - Arc Blast - Burns - Explosion
 Safety-Related Work Practices
 Live parts must be deenergized unless
 Create additional or increased hazards
 Infeasible due to
 Equipment design
 Operational Limitations

 <50 Volts, if no increased exposure to:

 Electrical burns
 Explosion due to electric arcs

NFPA 70E 130.2(A) page 22

Additional or Increased Hazards
 May not be able to interrupt
 Life support equipment
 Emergency alarm system

 Ventilation of hazardous locations

 Lighting

NFPA 70E 130.2(A) Information Note 1 page 22

 Infeasible
 Diagnostics and testing of electrical
circuits which must be performed “hot”
 Startup or Troubleshooting
 Work on an integral part of a
continuous process that would
otherwise need to be completely shut
down in order to permit work on one
circuit or piece of equipment
 Consider the implications for the operation of a
refinery or chemical plant

NFPA 70E 130(A) Information Note 2 page 22

 Working “Hot”
 Qualified employees may work on live
parts that meet any of the 3 exceptions
IF:
 Electrical Work Permit (EWP)
 Description of circuit/equipment & location
 Justification why must work hot
 Description of safe work practices to be used
 Results of Shock Hazard Analysis
 Results of Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
 How unqualified restricted from area
 Documentation of job briefing
 Signature of authorizing person

NFPA 70E 130.2(B) pages 22-23

What electrical hazard is responsible
for nearly 80% of the accidents,
incidents and fatalities among
Qualified employees?

Arc Blast / Arc Flash

Arc Flash Event

A dangerous release of energy created by an electrical fault

 Release will contain:

 Thermal energy
 Acoustical energy
 Pressure wave
 Debris
Arc Flash Events

 Can reach 35,000° F

 Fatal burns >10 feet
 Majority of hospital
admissions are arc flash
burns, not shock
 30,000 arcs and 7000 burn
injuries per year
 Over 2000 people admitted
to burn centers yearly with
severe arc flash burns
Arc Flash Intensity

Variables that effect the size and energy of an electric arc flash:
 Amperage
 Voltage
 Arc Gap
 Closure time
 Distance away from arc
 3-phase vs single phase
 Confined space
Arc Energy Basics

 Exposure energy (incident energy) expressed in cal/cm2

 ½ to 1 cal/cm2 = hottest part of lighter in 1 sec

 1.2 calorie exposure will cause second degree burn on human skin

 Typical non-AR (Arc Resistant) workwear can ignite @ 4-5cals

 Arcs typically release 5-30 cals - energies of 30-60 cals are not uncommon
Arc Energy vs Distance

Energy goes up dramatically as distance from arc drops:

EXAMPLE: 22,000A, 480V, 6 cycles:

24” 18” 15” 12” 10”

2.7 cal. 3.2 cal. 7.5 cal. 12.2 cal. 18 cal.

How close are you to the arc?

Hierarchy of Hazard Control
1910 Subpart I (PPE)

Appendix B (Hazard Assessment & PPE Selection)

Engineering Solutions:
• Guards
• Barriers
• Design Features

Administrative Solutions:
• Employee Training
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Hot Work Permit

Personal Protective Equipment:

• FR Clothing
• Hard Hat Remember – PPE is a last line of defense!
• Safety Glasses
Alerting Techniques
1910.335(b)(1)-(3)

Other examples to protect employees from electrical hazards:

Alerting Techniques
• Safety signs and tags
• Barricades
• Attendants
Flash Protection Labeling

Arc Flash Hazard labeling must be posted which identifies:

• At least one of the following:

• Available incident energy
and working distance
• Minimum arc rating of
clothing
• Required level of PPE
• Highest HRC
•Nominal system voltage
•Arc flash boundary

NFPA 70E 130.5(C) 26

PPE Selection
PPE Requirements
1910.335(a)(1)(i)

The Note to this paragraph refs to Subpart I which requires:

Employers

• Must determine what is needed (Job Hazard Assessment)

• Must train employees on proper use of PPE
• Must enforce use of PPE

Employees must use the PPE!

 How do I perform a
JHA for PPE for
Energized Work?

1. Perform a Shock Hazard

Analysis

NFPA 70E 130.4(A) page 23

 Determine the
Shock Protection Boundaries

NFPA 70E 130.4(B) page 24

Boundaries for Shock Hazard

A number of “approach boundaries” exist and both qualified

and non-qualified persons must understand these definitions.

“FLRPE”

See NFPA 70E, Annex C, Limits of Approach 61

 Limited Approach Boundary
For SHOCK protection only!
Limited Limited
Approach Approach
Space Boundary
Prohibited Restricted
The closest
distance an
Energized “unqualified”
part person can
approach, unless
escorted by a
“qualified”
480v = 3 feet 6 inches
person.

EFCOG-Energy Facilitation Contractors Group-DOE

 Restricted Approach Boundary
For SHOCK protection only!
Restricted Restricted
Approach Approach
Prohibited Space Boundary The closest distance to
exposed live parts a
“qualified” person can
Energized approach w/out proper
part
PPE and tools.
480v = 12 inches
To cross this boundary,
the qualified person
must wear PPE and
have proper tools.

EFCOG-Energy Facilitation Contractors Group-DOE

 Prohibited Approach Boundary
For SHOCK protection only!
Prohibited Prohibited
Approach Approach
Space Boundary
Crossed ONLY by a “qualified”
person, which when crossed by
Energized body part or object, requires the
part
same protection as if direct
contact was made with the live
480v = 1”
part.

EFCOG-Energy Facilitation Contractors Group-DOE

Approach Boundary Distances for
SHOCK Hazard
 NFPA 70E
 Alternating Current
 Table 130.4(C)(a) page 25
 Direct Current
 Table 130.4(C)(b) page 26
 Using Nominal System Voltage
 Limited Approach Boundary
 Exposed Movable Conductor
 Exposed Fixed Circuit Part
 Restricted Approach Boundary
 Prohibited Approach Boundary
 How do I perform a
JHA for PPE for
Electrical Work?

2. Perform an Arc Flash Hazard

Analysis

NFPA 70E 130.5 page 26

 Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
 Considering overcurrent protection
 Design
 Opening time
 Condition (i.e. maintenance)
 Determine:
 Arc Flash Boundary
 Incident energy at the working distance
(or use HRC tables)
 PPE required within the flash boundary
NFPA 70E 130.5 page 26
 How do I
Determine the
Incident Energy
and
Arc Flash Boundary?
 Arc Flash Boundary &
Incident Energy

 For 50 volts and up, arc flash

boundary:
 Distance at which a person is likely to receive a
second degree burn
 Incident energy = 1. 2 cal/cm2
 See Annex D for calculation
 Incident Energy
 Arc Flash Boundary
NFPA 70E 130.5(A) page 26
and
Annex D
 Flash Protection Boundary
Flash
Flash
Protection
Protection
Boundary
Space
Prohibited Restricted Limited
•The distance from exposed
live parts within which a
person could, at a
Energized minimum, receive a second
degree burn if an arc flash
part were to occur.
•Arc flash PPE is required
within this boundary.
•Note: Distance may be
Calculated distance less than or greater than
the shock protection
boundaries.

EFCOG-Energy Facilitation Contractors Group-DOE

 General PPE Requirements
 PPE that is designed and constructed
for:
 Body part to be protected
 Work to be performed
NFPA 70E 130.7(A) page 28
 Working within:
 Restricted approach boundary
 Use PPE per NFPA 70E 130.4
 Arc flash boundary
 Use PPE per NFPA 70E 130.5
 General PPE Requirements
 Arc rated PPE must cover all ignitable
clothing
 Nonconductive
 Head protection
 Face, neck, chin protection

 Hair or beard nets must be arc rated

 Eye protection
 Hearing protection within arc flash
boundary
 Selecting PPE based on
Hazard/Risk Category (HRC)
of Specific Tasks
NFPA 70E
130.7(C)(15)(a) and (b)
and
130.7(C)(16)
NFPA 70E Hazard/Risk Categories

 HRC 0 = Minimal risk

 HRC 1 = Risk of 2nd degree burn
 HRC 2 = High risk of 2nd degree burns and
arc blast effects
 HRC 3 = High risk of 2nd and 3rd degree
burns and arc blast effects
 HRC 4 = Greatest risk of 2nd and 3rd degree
burns and arc blast effects
Using NFPA 70E Tables for PPE

Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) – HRC Classifications and Use of

Rubber Insulating Gloves and Insulated and Insulating Hand
Tools (Alternating Current Equipment) – Formerly Table
130.7(C)(9) 33

Table 130.7(C)(15)(b) – HRC Classifications and Use of

Rubber Insulating Gloves and Insulated and Insulating Hand
Tools (Direct Current Equipment) 38

Table 130.7(C)(16) - Protective Clothing & PPE Equipment 39

Pro: Easiest and quickest method

Con: Provides the least amount of accuracy. Limited tasks are
covered in tables
 WARNING !
NFPA 70E 130.7 PPE Requirements
 Protect against:
 Shock
 Thermal effects of arc flash

 Do not protect against:

 Physical trauma from arc blast
 Debris
 Pressurewave
 Acoustical energy
 Confused by Selection Process?
 Annex H
 Table H-2
 Simplified
 Two-category

 Arc-rated clothing system

 Provides minimal arc-rated PPE for facilities

with large and diverse electrical systems
 Other PPE for electrical hazards may be
necessary
 Table H-2
 HRC 1 and 2
 Everyday Work Clothing
 Arc-rated (minimum 8)
 Long-sleeve shirt with pants, or
 Coveralls

 HRC 3 and 4
 Arc Flash Suit
 Arc-rated (minimum 40)
 Long-sleeve shirt with pants, and/or
 Coveralls, and/or

 Arc flash coat and pants

PPE
Hazard Assessment for PPE
1910.132(d)

• Employer must evaluate the workplace to determine if hazards

are present which necessitate the use of PPE.
• If hazards are present, employer must select appropriate PPE,
train employees on proper use, and require its use.
• Employer must certify completion of hazard assessment for
PPE.
Certification must include:
• workplace evaluated
• person certifying completion
• date of the hazard assessment
• id of the document as certification of hazard assessment
 Employee Training
1910.132(f)(1)

When PPE is required, the employer must cover the following areas:

• When PPE is necessary

• What PPE is necessary
• How to properly don and doff PPE
• How to adjust and wear PPE
• The limitations of the PPE
• The proper care, maintenance, useful
life and disposal of the PPE
Why is FR Needed?

• Most severe burn energies and

fatalities are caused by non-
flame resistant clothing igniting
and continuing to burn

• Flame resistant clothing will self-

extinguish, thus limiting the
injury

• Body area under non-FR

clothing is often burned more
severely than exposed skin
What is Flame Resistant Clothing?

• Clothing made from fabrics

that self-extinguish
• Fabrics may be natural or
synthetic
• Designed to limit (not
eliminate) burn injury
• Survival, extent of injury,
recovery time and quality of
life are all dependent on FRC
performance
Engineered Flame Resistant Fabrics

• Natural fibers
• Synthetic fibers
• Natural / synthetic blends

NOTE: Flame resistance must be durable to launderings,

wear, the environment, etc. for the service life of the
garment

Look for proven products!

 Proper Use

• FRC should be appropriate to hazard

• Always the outermost layer
• Worn correctly; zipped, buttoned, etc
• All natural, non-melting undergarments
• Clean, no flammable contaminants
• Repaired correctly and removed from
service when needed

• To comply with NFPA 70E-2012:

MUST BE ARC-RATED
Insulating Gloves: Types

Insulating gloves come in two “type’s”:

Type I
Pro: Greater flexibility and “feel”
Con: Not ozone-resistant, will crack if exposed to ozone
or UV over time.

Type II
Pro: Ozone-resistant.
Con: Not as comfortable to wear (less flexible)
Insulating Gloves: Class

FAST FACT: Remember, it’s not the color of the glove that’s
important – it’s the color of the tag!
Glove Markings
1910.137(a)(1)(iv)

Class & Type designations are found on the

cuff portion of the glove.
Protector Gloves
1910.137(b)(2)(vii)(A)

Protector gloves need not be used with Class 0

gloves, under limited-use conditions, where small
equipment and parts manipulation necessitate
unusually high finger dexterity.
NFPA 70E-2012 130.7(C)(7)(a) Exception Note:
When protector gloves are not worn,
ASTM F 496, Standard Specifications for In-Service
Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves, must be followed.

Extra care is needed in the visual examination of the glove

and in the avoidance of handling sharp objects.

FAST FACT: Do not use leather protectors alone for protection

against electric shock. Serious injury or death could result. Always
use proper rubber insulating gloves.
Glove
1910.335(a)(1)(ii)

1910.335(a)(1)(ii) Protective equipment shall be maintained in a safe, reliable

condition and shall be periodically inspected or tested, as required by
1910.137.

1910.335(a)(1)(iii) If the insulating capability of protective equipment may be

subject to damage during use, the insulating material shall be protected. (For
example, an outer covering of leather is sometimes used for the protection of
rubber insulating material.)
Glove Testing
1910.335(a)(1)(ii)

Protective Equipment Testing Schedule

Equipment When to Test
Gloves Before first issue and every six
months after that.*
Blankets / Sleeves Before first issue and every 12
months after that.
Line Hose / Covers Upon indication that insulating
value is devalued.

* If the protective equipment has been electrically tested,

but not issued for use it may not be placed in service unless
it has been electrically tested within the previous 12 months.
Eye Protection & Markings
1910.133(a)(4) & (b)

Eye and face PPE shall be distinctly marked to identify

the manufacturer.

Comply with
ANSI Z87.1 Editions 1989, 1989(revised 1998), or 2003
or be at least as protective
Eye Protection
1910.335(a)(1)(v)

Eye protection is required whenever there is danger of

injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or
from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.

Remember: If using face shield for arc flash protection be sure

to check the Minimum arc thermal protection value (ATPV) rating (in cal/cm²)
Head Protection
1910.335(a)(1)(iv) & 1910.135(b)

Comply with
ANSI Z89.1 Editions 1986, 1997, or 2003
or be at least as protective
Helmet Type (Pre-1987)

ANSI Z89.1-1986 separates protective helmets into two

different types and three different classes.

Type 1 helmets incorporate a full brim (brim fully encircles the

dome of the hat)

Type 2 helmets have no encircling brim, but may include a short

bill on the front
Helmet Class (Pre-1987)
Regarding electrical performance, ANSI Z89.1-1986 recognizes
three classes:

Class A Helmets reduce the force of impact of falling objects

and also reduce the danger of contact with exposed low-voltage
electrical conductors. Helmet shells are proof-tested at 2,200 volts
of electrical charge.

Class B Helmets reduce the force of impact of falling objects

and also reduce the danger of contact with exposed high-voltage
electrical conductors. Helmet shells are proof-tested at 20,000
volts.

Class C Helmets reduce the force of impact of falling objects,

but offer no electrical protection.
Helmet Type (After 1986)

ANSI Z89.1-2003 no longer uses Type 1 and Type 2 to describe the

brim characteristics of a protective helmet. The new Type
designation is as follows:

Type I helmets offer protection from blows to the top of the head

Type II helmets offer protection from blows to both the top and
sides of the head
Helmet Class (After 1986)

Class G (General) Helmets -This is equivalent to the old

Class A. Class G helmets are proof tested at 2,200 volts.

Class E (Electrical) Helmets - This is equivalent to the old

Class B. Class E helmets are proof tested at 20,000 volts.

Class C (Conductive) Helmets - This class provides no

electrical insulation; the class designation did not change from
the old standard.
ANSI Helmet Markings
The following information must be marked inside the helmet

• Manufacturer's name
• The “ANSI Z89.1-YEAR" designation
• Class designation (G, E or C)
• Date of manufacture
Protective Footwear
1910.136(a) & (b)

Employees must use protective footwear when employee’s

feet are exposed to:
• falling or rolling objects,
• objects piercing the sole,
• electrical hazards.

Comply with
ANSI Z41 Editions 1991, 1999, or 2005
or be at least as protective
ANSI Markings – Footwear

Indicates ANSI standard met

PT indicates “protective toe”
portion of standard

Indicates Male or Female

Impact resistance
Compression resistance

(Cd) conductive properties

(Mt) metatarsal resistance rating
(EH) electrical hazard
(PR) puncture resistance
(SD) static dissipative properties.
Electrical Shock Resistant (EH)
Footwear

Electrical shock resistant (EH) footwear is manufactured with non-

conductive electrical shock resistant soles and heals.

It must be capable of withstanding the application of 14,000 volts at

60 hertz for one minute with no current flow or leakage current in
excess of 3.0 milliamperes, under dry conditions.
Insulating Blankets
1910.137(a) - 1910.137(a)(1)(ii)(G)

Insulating blankets, matting, covers, line hose, gloves, and sleeves made of
rubber shall meet the following requirements:

• Manufacture and marking

• Blankets, gloves, and sleeves shall be produced by a seamless process.
• Each item shall be marked with its classification (i.e. Class 0 – Class 4)

REMEMBER: Non-ozone-resistant will be marked “Type I”

Ozone-resistant will be marked “Type II”
Employee Owned PPE
1910.132(b)

If an employee provides their own protective equipment, the

employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including
proper maintenance, and sanitation of such equipment.
Insulated Tools
1910.335(a)(2)(i)

When working near exposed conductors the employee must

use insulated tools or handling equipment