NFPA 70E: Electrical Safety in the Workplace

NFPA 70E is the consensus standard that explains how to work safely around electrical equipment. OSHA's rules say what outcomes are required; 70E is widely used as the "how to" for meeting them, especially for arc flash and shock.

• Electricians
• Safety Managers
• Employers

How it relates to OSHA

• OSHA's electrical rules (1910 Subpart S and 1926 Subpart K) are legally enforceable. NFPA 70E is not law by itself.
• OSHA has long said 70E can be used as evidence of recognized good practice. Following it helps employers comply, and not following it can be cited under the General Duty Clause.
• The standard is updated about every three years; use the current edition adopted by your employer or authority.

Key ideas

• Electrically safe work condition: the first choice is to de-energize equipment, lock out and test before working. See Lockout/Tagout. Working on live parts is allowed only when justified, such as when de-energizing creates greater hazard or is infeasible.
• Electrical safety program: a written program with policies, procedures, training and audits. See Electrical Safety Programs.
• Risk assessment: evaluate the shock and arc flash hazards and decide on controls and PPE. The hierarchy of risk controls is used.
• Shock protection boundaries: limited and restricted approach boundaries set distances from exposed energized parts.
• Arc flash boundary: the distance at which a worker could receive a second-degree burn; labels on equipment show it and the incident energy or PPE category. See Arc Flash and Arc Flash PPE Categories.
• Energized electrical work permit for justified live work. See Energized Work Permits.
• Qualified persons: only qualified people may work on or near exposed energized parts. See Qualified vs. Unqualified Persons.
• Training and retraining, including rescue from electrical contact.
• Equipment maintenance: equipment must be maintained so it is safe to work on.

Practical steps

• Read your employer's electrical safety program and know your role
• Make sure equipment is labeled with arc flash information, and that labels are current
• Use job briefings before each task
• Wear required PPE: arc-rated clothing, face shield, rubber insulating gloves with protectors, hearing protection, safety glasses and leather boots
• Use insulated tools and rated test instruments
• Treat equipment as energized until you have tested
• Stop and ask if the task or equipment is not as expected

Last updated: October 8, 2026