How to properly label your electrical equipment to comply with 2021 NFPA 70E
- Equipment Labeling
- Seven Elements of an Arc Flash Label
- Training Requirements
- NFPA 70E 2021 update
Complying with Arc Flash OSHA requirements
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) details how to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) regulation, 29 CFR 1910.333(a), through the NFPA 70E standard. Applying these electrical safety standards in the workplace protects workers who may be exposed to arc flash or other electrical hazards.
According to the NFPA 70E standard, there are six primary responsibilities that facilities must meet. These responsibilities include:
- Training for employees
- Written safety program in place that is actionable
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available for employees
Who is responsible for equipment labeling?
Arc flash labeling is the responsibility of the employer, not the manufacturer or installer of the equipment. Employees are responsible for complying with safety-related work practices and procedures provided by the employer.
What equipment requires an arc flash label?
According to NFPA 70E, labeling is required for any piece of electrical equipment that may need examination, adjustment, service or maintenance while energized. These labels communicate the electrical hazards an employee may be exposed to, including the potential for an arc flash incident.
Examples of where to put your arc flash labels to stay compliant
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Switchboards
Label where un-terminated wires or cables needing superior abrasion and chemical resistance exist.
(Video) NFPA 70E Arc Flash Equipment Labeling – Simplify with Minimum Information -
Panel Boards
Label where terminated or unterminated cables and wires that may be curved or become curved exist.
-
Industrial Control Panels
Label where terminated cables or wires that may need additional abrasion or chemical resistance exist.
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Motor Control Centers
Label where large amounts of data needs to be communicated in a small area, such as fiber optic cables.
-
Transformers
Label where large amounts of voltage exist, either on the ground or mounted up high in a facility.
-
Disconnect Switches
Label where multi-conductor cables or bundled wires/cables exist.
Equipment Labeling
Old Label Versions. The recent update allows labels applied prior to the effective date of this edition of the standard to be acceptable if they complied with the requirements for equipment labeling in the standard in effect at the time the labels were applied (unless changes in electrical distribution system render the label inaccurate).
Document and Review. Document the method of calculating and the data to support the information for the label and review for accuracy at intervals not to exceed 5 years. Where the review of the data identifies a change that renders the label inaccurate, the label shall be updated.
The owner of the electrical equipment shall be responsible for the documentation, installation and maintenance of the marked label.
Shop Brady’s Arc Flash LabelsUse our arc flash program checklist tool to quickly identify your needs
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Seven Elements of an Arc Flash Label
Now that you’re familiar with the equipment that needs labeling, here are the elements you will need to include in your arc flash labels.
Danger or Warning header.
A common guideline is to use the "Danger" header when the voltage is over 600 or when the incident energy is over 40 cal/cm2. If it is less than this threshold, an orange "Warning" header is typically used.
“Incident Energy at” is the corresponding working distance.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defines this as “the dimension between the possible arc point and the head and body of the worker positioned in place to perform the assigned task.”
“Min. Arc Rating” is the incident energy.
A measurement in calories/cm2 or Joules/cm2 of thermal energy at a working distance from an arc fault.
Arc Flash Boundary.
This is the shortest distance at which a person working at the time of an arc-flash may receive permanent injury (the onset of a second degree burn or worse) if not properly protected by flame-resistant (FR) clothing.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Each hazard risk category requires a different level of protection. Categories range from 1 to 4. Category “0” was removed in the NFPA 70E 2015 Changes.
(Video) Understanding Arc Flash Labels“Limited Approach” and “Restricted Approach” fields are related Shock Hazard Approach Boundaries.
These boundaries are defined in more detail in our Arc Flash Workplace Safety Guide. The “prohibited approach” boundary was removed in the 2015 NFPA 70E edition.
“Shock Risk When Cover is Removed”.
The voltage of the equipment.
Training Requirements
Retraining should occur every 3 years, and employees must also be retrained if their job duties change, or when procedures are not being followed (as observed by annual inspections or supervision).
Training should include:
- Specific hazards associated with electrical energy
- Special precautionary techniques and safety related work practices
- PPE, insulating and shielding materials, insulated tools and test equipment
- Emergency response and AED training
- Skills and techniques to distinguish energized parts determine nominal voltages
- Approach distances
- Decision making process and ability to perform job tasks
Training sessions must be documented and verified at least annually, and participants must be able to demonstrate knowledge. To help keep your workplace safe and compliant, Brady Safety offers a custom approach to Arc Flash Training.
NFPA 70E 2021 update
The standard gets updated every three years. Here’s what’s new in 2021.
The NFPA 70E standard was updated for 2021, including adding detail to term definitions, clarifying requirements and reorganizing information for a more logical progression. The most notable changes are:
- Extra emphasis on the employer's responsibility to create an electrically safe work condition
- Stressing that doing energized work with PPE should be a last resort.
Key updates to terms
- Electrically safe work condition: Note added to clarify that an electrically safe work condition is not a procedure, but a state where all hazardous electrical conductors or circuit parts to which a worker might be exposed are de-energized.
- Fault current: Note added to clarify that available fault current varies by location in the circuit.
- Shock hazard: Updated to indicate that parts must be exposed to be a hazard.
Other notable changes to NFPA 70E for 2021
- Calls out the importance of de-energizing as a requirement of an Electrical Safety Program. Programs now must include a policy on establishing an electrically safe work condition.
- Clarifies that the lockout or tagout program must be either part of the electrical safety program, or must reference the lockout or tagout program.
- Confirms that electrical safety is based on all equipment being used as intended by the manufacturer.
- Revises requirements of a lockout device to align with OSHA 1910.333(b)(2)(iii)(E).
- Includes new or revised tables for estimating the likelihood of occurrence of an arc flash incident and guidelines around rubber insulating gloves, tools and equipment.
- Clarifies language around the use of barriers or barricades.
- Adds new information on safety-related requirements for capacitors.
Past NFPA 70E Updates: 2018 | 2015
Looking for more details?
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Product Recommendations
Need to post arc flash labels on your electrical equipment? Here are our top recommended products to get you started.
BradyPrinter™ S3100 Arc Flash Printer Kit
Safety and Facility ID Software with Arc Flash
Resources
Arc Flash Workplace Safety Guide
Better understand arc flash, risk assessmentsand labeling requirements.
Download
Arc Flash Safety Checkup
Establish a safer, more compliant electrical safety program.
Download
NFPA 70E 2018 Changes
The NFPA 70E gets updated every three years.See what was new in 2018.
Learn More
FAQs
Where are arc flash labels required? ›
What equipment requires an arc flash label? According to NFPA 70E, labeling is required for any piece of electrical equipment that may need examination, adjustment, service or maintenance while energized.
What information is required on an arc flash label? ›At least one of the following: Available incident energy and the corresponding working distance, or the arc flash PPE category in Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or Table 130.7(C)(15)(b) for the equipment, but not both. Minimum arc rating of clothing. Site-specific level of PPE.
How often do arc flash labels need to be updated? ›the NFPA-70E still recommends that arc flash studies be updated when a major modification or renovation takes place and at intervals not to exceed 5 years.
Who is responsible for arc flash labeling? ›Counterargument: The labeling requirement is the responsibility of the facility owner, not the manufacturer, installer, or maintainer of the equipment, per Sec. 110.5(A) of NFPA 70E-2009.
Are arc flash labels required by OSHA? ›Reply: OSHA has no specific requirement for such marking.
What are the possible requirements from OSHA regarding arc flash labeling? ›Employees must follow the requirements of the Arc Flash Hazard label by wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), use of insulated tools and other safety related precautions. This includes not working on or near the circuit unless you are a “qualified” worker.
Are arc flash labels required NEC? ›Arc flash hazard warning label as required by 110.16(A) of NEC 2017. NEC 2017 introduced the new first level subdivision 110.16(B) Service Equipment. This new addition applies only to service equipment rated 1200 amps or more.
Do arc flash studies need to be stamped? ›The NEC® and NFPA 70E require labeling of equipment to warn of potential arc flash hazards. Each panel must be marked with an ANSI approved Arc Flash Warning Label to warn and instruct workers of the arc flash hazard, voltage, arc flash boundary and required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
Do arc flash labels expire? ›Dating the label implies that during every review period (which may be less than five years if changes occur), the label (although still technically valid) must be removed and replaced. If electricians see expired dates, then they may construe the label as wrong and lose confidence in the study.
Do disconnects need arc flash labels? ›2. Is the disconnect likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized? If you answer YES to both questions, you need an arc flash hazard warning label. NOTE: Yes, the questions are almost identical in both, the NEC and the NFPA.
What labels are required on electrical panels? ›
OSHA 1910.335(b)(1): “Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags shall be used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which may endanger them, as required by 1910.145.”
Is NFPA 70E required by OSHA? ›The short answer is no, because NFPA 70E® is not Incorporated by Reference in 29 CFR 1910.6. However, OSHA has several comparable standard requirements that are enforceable: 29 CFR 1910.132 (d)(1): Requires employers perform a personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment to determine necessary PPE.
What is NFPA 70E arc flash? ›NFPA 70E (Arc Flash) requires that only trained and qualified employees can work on or near exposed energized electrical parts and supervise unqualified persons in the vicinity of the hazard. Another requirement of NFPA 70E (Arc Flash) is the implementation of an overall electrical safety program.
What are the two types of field warning labels for electrical enclosures? ›Panelboards. All distribution panelboards should bear arc-flash and shock hazard labels.
Does OSHA require PPE signage? ›OSHA requires employers to provide fall protection, but do not specify any signage requirements. Help communicate where fall protection is required and notify visitors and other employees of areas that require specific PPE before entering using notice and warning signs.
What is the relationship between OSHA and NFPA 70E? ›OSHA enforces its own standards that relate to electrical hazards. OSHA may, however, use NFPA 70E to support citations for violations relating to certain OSHA standards, such as the general requirements for personal protective equipment found in 29 CFR 1910.335.
What does the NFPA 70E standard now consider first priority when it comes to electrical hazards? ›The standard now explicitly states that the first priority must be the elimination of the hazard; each method that follows it is considered less effective than the one before it.
What changes to NFPA 70E were recently adopted regarding the selection of PPE? ›Simplified PPE selection process
Now a part of NFPA 70E's “mandatory” text, the new PPE selection process helps employers choose arc-rated clothing and gear when using either the incident energy analysis method or the arc flash PPE category method to determine arc flash risk.
Arc flash vs arc blast. When an arc fault occurs, there's a massive electrical explosion. Both arc flash and arc blast are separate byproducts of that electrical explosion. The arc flash is the light and heat from the explosion, while the arc blast is a pressure wave that follows.
What is mainly covered in Chapter 2 of the NFPA 70E standard? ›(1) Chapter 2 covers practical safety-related maintenance requirements for electrical equipment and installations in workplaces as included in 90.2. These requirements identify only that maintenance directly associated with employee safety.
What is the latest NFPA 70E? ›
With the release of the latest edition for 2021, NFPA 70E clearly establishes safety processes that use policies, procedures, and program controls to reduce these risks to an acceptable level. The objective is practical, accomplishable electrical safety that helps ensure employees go home safe at the end of the day.
What are the requirements for NEC art relating to equipment markings? ›This states that where caution, warning or danger signs or labels are required by the NEC , the labels must meet the following requirements: “(1) The marking shall warn of the hazards using effective words, colors, symbols, or any combination thereof; (2) The label shall be permanently affixed to the equipment or ...
When service equipment is required to be field marked? ›Service equipment in other than dwelling units must be legibly field marked with the maximum available fault current, including the date the fault current calculation was performed and be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved [110.24(A)].
Is arc flash required for 120v? ›120 volts does not provide sufficient energy to cause an arc flash hazard. Most 480V electrical services have sufficient capacity to cause an arc flash hazard. Medium-voltage equipment (above 600V) is higher energy and therefore a higher potential for an arc flash hazard.
Do 40 Cal suits expire? ›As an example, we have a customer in the utility industry that issues each employee one set of 40 CAL garments that are washed and worn daily, sometimes for hours at a time. These garments will undoubtedly have to be replaced well within the 5-year timeline.
What is the arc flash boundary distance? ›Simply put, the arc flash boundary is the distance at which an electrical arc can flash/expand outward, which may endanger employees working on electrical equipment. People that are not adequately protected must stay away from a potential arc flash source by this calculated minimum distance at all times.
How is the arc rating expressed? ›The arc rating can be expressed either as an Arc Thermal Performance Value or Energy to Breakopen Threshold; fabrics that consistently break open before the onset of second-degree burn are given arc ratings expressed as EBT, rather than ATPV.
How do you label an electrical disconnect? ›“Each disconnecting means shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident. In other than one- or two-family dwellings, the marking shall include the identification of the circuit source that supplies the disconnecting means.
Can a breaker be used as a disconnect? ›A switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to be used as both the controller and disconnecting means if it complies with 430.111(A) and is one of the types specified in 430.111(B).
Do transformers get arc flash labels? ›Larger transformers such as service type with doors on them, that are owned by the customer do receive labels. we place a high voltage label on the primary side door (typically lower arc flash) and a low voltage (typically high arc flash) label on the secondary side door.
Do breaker boxes need labeling? ›
The Electrical Safety Authority sets out a clear set of rules and policies to ensure the safety of the public. One of those rules is to have your electrical panel appropriately labeled.
Are breakers required to be labeled? ›OSHA requires an overcurrent protective device, such as a circuit breaker, to “be legibly marked to indicate its purpose.” That means if the breaker in question protects the lights on the west side of the warehouse, it should be marked accordingly. If it has no label how would we turn off power to those lights.
Does OSHA require circuit breakers to be labeled? ›Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident.
Which new important information is now in the standard in the 2021 edition of NFPA 70E? ›New to the 2021 edition: classroom training can include interactive electronic or interactive web-based training components. The 2021 70E® edition places a new emphasis on keeping on file, documenting, and following the recommendations of electrical equipment and PPE manufacturers' instructions.
Does NFPA 70E cover arc flash? ›Originally developed at OSHA's request, NFPA 70E helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast, and assists in complying with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.
What is the NFPA 70E standard? ›NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, is a critical document to help provide a working area for employees that is safe from unaccept- able risk associated with the use of electricity in the workplace.
Are arc flash labels required NEC? ›Arc flash hazard warning label as required by 110.16(A) of NEC 2017. NEC 2017 introduced the new first level subdivision 110.16(B) Service Equipment. This new addition applies only to service equipment rated 1200 amps or more.
What labels are required on electrical panels? ›OSHA 1910.335(b)(1): “Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags shall be used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which may endanger them, as required by 1910.145.”
What is the purpose of an arc flash label? ›Arc Flash Labels identify potential hazards with energized switch boards, panel boards, control panels and much more. Standard arc flash labels are available with either "Warning" or "Danger" headers. Write-on labels are also available. Arc Flash labels indicate the equipment-specific hazard information.
Is arc flash study required by code? ›Arc-Flash Hazard Assessments are required by OSHA and NFPA 70E as a part of an Electrical Hazard Assessment. Arc-Flash Assessments are a serious life safety issue and essential part of a safe and comprehensive electrical safety program.
Do arc flash labels expire? ›
Dating the label implies that during every review period (which may be less than five years if changes occur), the label (although still technically valid) must be removed and replaced. If electricians see expired dates, then they may construe the label as wrong and lose confidence in the study.
What is the latest NFPA 70E? ›With the release of the latest edition for 2021, NFPA 70E clearly establishes safety processes that use policies, procedures, and program controls to reduce these risks to an acceptable level. The objective is practical, accomplishable electrical safety that helps ensure employees go home safe at the end of the day.
Do disconnects need arc flash labels? ›2. Is the disconnect likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized? If you answer YES to both questions, you need an arc flash hazard warning label. NOTE: Yes, the questions are almost identical in both, the NEC and the NFPA.
What are the two types of field warning labels for electrical enclosures? ›Panelboards. All distribution panelboards should bear arc-flash and shock hazard labels.
Do breaker boxes need labeling? ›The Electrical Safety Authority sets out a clear set of rules and policies to ensure the safety of the public. One of those rules is to have your electrical panel appropriately labeled.
Are breakers required to be labeled? ›OSHA requires an overcurrent protective device, such as a circuit breaker, to “be legibly marked to indicate its purpose.” That means if the breaker in question protects the lights on the west side of the warehouse, it should be marked accordingly. If it has no label how would we turn off power to those lights.
What is NFPA 70E arc flash? ›NFPA 70E (Arc Flash) requires that only trained and qualified employees can work on or near exposed energized electrical parts and supervise unqualified persons in the vicinity of the hazard. Another requirement of NFPA 70E (Arc Flash) is the implementation of an overall electrical safety program.
What is the default arc flash boundary? ›The default boundary extends 4 feet from the energized exposed components, and anytime an individual is inside this boundary they must wear proper PPE to avoid a permanent injury in the event of an arc-flash.
Is compliance with NFPA 70E mandatory? ›As a national consensus safety standard, NFPA 70E is not a law and it has not been incorporated into the Code of Federal Regulations. Therefore, compliance is not deemed mandatory.
Does NFPA 70E cover arc flash? ›Originally developed at OSHA's request, NFPA 70E helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast, and assists in complying with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.
Does OSHA require compliance with NFPA 70E? ›
OSHA does not enforce NFPA 70E, although it may use NFPA 70E to support citations relating to certain OSHA standards.