NFPA 70E Training: How Many Hours Are Required?

NFPA 70E training from ESS not only protects employees from injury but builds a culture of safety within the company. Electrical safety is an ongoing consideration with mandates and regulations that are updated frequently. OSHA identifies arc flash as a key hazard that you must identify and protect your employees from.

OSHA Requirements For Arc Flash Training

OSHA 1910 Subpart S mandates that any employee who might come into contact with an electrical hazard must receive electrical safety training. Though OSHA does not specifically call for NFPA 70E training, it is considered the industry standard for worker safety and compliance.

Employees must be retrained in safe work practices and in any changes to the NFPA 70E standard at least once every three years. Combined with annual audits.  Training is also required when new equipment is added, after a change in job duties, or after deficiencies are found during annual audits or routine supervision.

This training should include not only “qualified persons” who work directly with electrical equipment, but also “unqualified persons,” such as maintenance or janitorial staff who work near a hazard. Outside contractors and others who may visit the facility should also be considered.

NFPA 70E Article 110.2(A) states:

“The training requirements contained in this section shall apply to employees exposed to an electrical hazard when the risk associated with that hazard is not reduced to a safe level by the applicable electrical installation requirements.”

Eliminating or neutralizing a hazard by de-energizing, disconnecting, grounding, locking out, or other means should be the employer’s first priority. If that is not possible, however, employees must be trained to safely work around the hazard.

Article 110.2(B) states:

“The training required by this section shall be classroom, on-the-job, or a combination of the two. The type and extent of the training provided shall be determined by the risk to the employee.”

ESS is your expert for NFPA 70E training.

ESS offers NFPA 70E training in 4 and 8-hour and two day qualified electrical worker classes and covers the complex standards and regulations and the latest in OSHA’s enforcement direction of arc flash training. Topics include positive electrical safety culture, safe work practices, emergency response, shock hazards, PPE requirements, hazardous electrical energy control procedures, and labeling requirements, among others.

Identifying the proper training requirements to keep your facility safe and in compliance can be a daunting task, but ESS is here to help. Our team of safety experts will help you identify an arc flash training program that suits your team’s needs, specific to the various tasks and job requirements of the different individuals in your facilities. Our processes are innovative and provide the highest quality deliverable via an industry-first quality check and delivery process.

Contact ESS today to get more information and learn how your employees can be trained to perform their tasks in an efficient and safe manner.