NFPA 70E Course Page FAQs

The National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, is a global nonprofit self-funded organization, established in 1896, to prevent death, injury, property loss, and economic damage from fire, electrical, and other threats.

Its latest safety codes and standards, NFPA 70E, aim to protect workers from electrical hazards. This certification trains employees to recognize potential dangers and perform risk assessments before starting work, ensuring that workplace hazards like shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast are avoided. Employers should follow these standards to ensure workplace safety.

What is NFPA standard 70E?

The NFPA 70E is a crucial document for ensuring a safe working environment for employees. The 2021 NFPA 70E edition outlines safety processes utilizing policies, procedures, and program controls to reduce hazards to a tolerable level, focusing on practical, attainable electrical safety that ultimately contributes to employee safety. The primary goal is practical, achievable electrical safety, contributing to overall employee safety.

NFPA 70E also establishes risk controls in electrical safety programs. It calls for the use of safety protocols by both employers and employees in an effort to be practical and effective. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses NFPA 70E's prescriptive-based requirements to fulfill its performance-based regulations, ensuring the safety of both employers and employees.

NFPA 70E explains how to meet the performance-based objectives in OSHA regulations by providing minimum standard industry practices for electrical safety. OSHA is the law, and NFPA 70E outlines ways to comply with OSHA’s electrical safety requirements.

[NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2021]

What is Required for NFPA 70E Training?

The particular risks associated with electrical energy must be communicated to qualified personnel who work directly with electrical equipment as well as unqualified personnel who work in close proximity to a hazard, such as maintenance or cleaning staff. The following are the key issues covered in Section 110.6:

• Electrical Safety Training
• Lockout/Tagout Procedure Training
• Emergency Response Training

It is important to recognize that a qualified worker is someone who not only has the technical ability to properly maintain, troubleshoot, and install electrical equipment, but also has the necessary safety skills and knowledge gained through rigorous electrical safety training. See 1910.332(b)(3) or section 110.6(1) for particular training requirements for qualifying persons.

According to section 110.6(1), these are the NFPA 70E training requirements for a qualified person:

• Precautionary techniques used for working around the hazards
• Applicable electrical policies and procedures
• Proper use of PPE, including arc flash, insulating, and shielding materials
• Proper use of insulating tools and test equipment
• Distinguish exposed, energized conductors and circuits from other parts of equipment
• Determine nominal voltage
• Understand the approach distances and determining factors for shock and arc flash boundaries
• Understand the decision-making process necessary to be able to:
  • Perform job safety planning
  • Identify electrical hazards
  • Assess the associated risk
  • Select the appropriate risk control methods, including PPE

Additionally, OSHA mandates that all unqualified persons receive training in and possess knowledge of any electrically related safety precautions that are important for their safety. These individuals may operate with electrical equipment, but they are not trained to undertake diagnostic electrical work.

Who Needs NFPA 70E Certifications?

Qualified persons who work with electrical hazards must complete NFPA 70E training. This applies especially to a qualified person who works within 4 feet of exposed energized parts working at 50 volts or higher. Contractors for the Department of Energy are also required to take it.

The NFPA 70E certification is great for electricians and other professionals whose jobs may expose them to electrical risks, but it is not required. 

Is NFPA 70E Training Online?

Yes, OSHA.com makes it convenient for workers to become certified for arc flash training on their own time. All our courses come equipped with the necessary safety information and satisfy OSHA requirements. Our NFPA 70E - Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace is up to date and ready for purchase.

How Much Does NFPA 70E Training Cost?

NFPA 70E training costs may differ. Depending on the type of training you require and the method, basic training can be as low as $29 and premium training can be as high as $258.

How Long is NFPA 70E Training?

While NFPA 70E recommends training all employees exposed to electrical hazards, there is no requirement for the duration or length of training. Training times vary based on the person's job. For example, an unqualified employee needs less time training due to not being exposed to the same level of hazards as a qualified person.

To determine the necessary training time, review OSHA part 1910 subpart-S Electrical standards. There you'll find the standards that regulate employee electrical safety training.

How Often is NFPA 70E Training Required?

Employees are required to undergo retraining every three years to ensure they are always up-to-date on safe work practices and NFPA 70E standards. Additionally, training is also necessary when new equipment is added, job responsibilities change, or inspections fail. This ensures that employees are well-informed about safety practices and any modifications to the standards.

With one of our online 2021 NFPA 70E - Electrical Safety Training courses, you can learn how to conduct electrical activities safely and prevent accidents while staying adhering OSHA requirements. You can also visit the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 70E web page to get answers to your additional NFPA 70E questions.