How have NFPA 70E 2024 updates changed electrical job safety planning?
Overview
Job safety planning and briefings play a critical role in maintaining workplace safety. Section 110.5(I) of the 2021 version of NFPA 70E outlined key elements for safety planning and briefings. It stressed the importance of qualified
personnel, thorough documentation, comprehensive risk assessment, and necessary precautions. However, while these measures aimed to prevent emergencies, they lacked guidance on handling such situations if they were to occur. Consequently, in the 2024 version, this section was amended to include the requirement of an emergency response plan as a crucial component of safety planning. This update aims to enhance worker safety and safeguard equipment during emergencies.
Applying the 2024 Code
Job safety planning and job briefings are two significant procedures used to uphold workplace safety. Job safety planning entails identifying potential hazards associated with a particular task or job and devising strategies to mitigate these risks. This may involve conducting risk assessments, implementing safety protocols, and providing necessary training and equipment. For instance, prior to conducting electrical maintenance work, a job safety plan would entail identifying electrical hazards, such as live wires or arc flash risks, and implementing measures like lockout/tagout procedures and personal protective equipment. Conversely, job safety briefings are pre-task meetings where workers are briefed about the specific hazards associated with their assigned job, as well as the safety procedures and precautions they need to adhere to. Through these briefings, all workers gain awareness of the risks involved and are equipped with the knowledge and resources to work safely.
NFPA 70E Section 110.5(I) detailed the key aspects of job safety planning and briefings, including procedures to follow if the job scope changes during work, affecting employee safety. It emphasized that only qualified individuals could develop the plan, and each aspect must be thoroughly documented. Moreover, it stipulated that the plan must encompass job descriptions, hazard identification, assessments of shock and arc flash risks, and comprehensive work procedures. It overlooked the significance of post-incident response. The 2024 version of NFPA 70E modified the section, now requiring the inclusion of an emergency response plan as part of job safety planning. This addition is aimed at mitigating harm to workers or equipment during emergencies.
What’s New for the 2024 NFPA 70E?
The table below presents a comparison between the 2021 NFPA 70E and the 2024 NFPA 70E regarding Section 110.3(I).
2021 NFPA 70E |
2024 NFPA 70E |
| 110.5(I) Job Safety Planning and Job Briefing
Before starting each job that involves exposure to electrical hazards, the employee in charge shall complete a job safety plan and conduct a job briefing with the employees involved. (1) Job Safety Planning The job safety plan shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Be completed by a qualified person (2) Be documented (3) Include the following information: a. A description of the job and the individual tasks b. Identification of the electrical hazards associated with each task c. A shock risk assessment in accordance with 130.4 for tasks involving a shock hazard d. An arc ash risk assessment in accordance with 130.5 for tasks involving an arc ash hazard e. Work procedures involved, special precautions, and energy source controls Informational Note: For an example of a job safety planning checklist see Figure I.2. (2) Job Briefing The job briefing shall cover the job safety plan and the information on the energized electrical work permit, if a permit is required. (3) Change in Scope Additional job safety planning and job briefings shall be held if changes occur during the course of the work that might affect the safety of employees. Informational Note: For an example of a job briefing checklist, see Figure I.1. |
110.3(I) Job Safety Planning and Job Briefing
Before starting each job that involves exposure electrical hazards, the employee in charge shall complete a job safety plan and conduct a job briefing with the employees involved. (1) Job Safety Planning. The job safety plan shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Be completed by a qualified person (2) Be documented (3) Include the following information: a. A description of the job and the individual tasks b. Identification of the electrical hazards associated with each task c. An electric shock risk assessment in accordance with 130.4 for tasks involving an electric shock hazard d. An arc flash risk assessment in accordance with 130.5 for tasks involving an arc flash hazard e. Work procedures involved, special precautions, and energy source controls f. An emergency response plan Informational Note: See Figure 1.2 for an example of a job safety planning checklist. (2) Job Briefing The job briefing shall cover the job safety plan and the information on the energized electrical work permit, if a permit is required. (3) Change in Scope Additional job safety planning and job briefings shall be held if changes occur during the course of the work that might affect the safety of employees. Informational Note: See Figure 1.1 for an example of a job briefing checklist. |
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