While many updates were made to the National Fire Protection Association 70E standard, one important section that deserves focus is employee training. Unsafe conditions and pieces of equipment cause about one third of electrical injuries and incidents; the other two-thirds are due to the unsafe acts of employees. It is important to educate your employees on how to avoid and prevent exposure to electrical hazards.
According to the 2012 NFPA 70E Handbook, section 110.2(A), “safety training shall apply to employees who face a risk of electrical hazard that is not reduced to a safe level by the applicable electrical installation requirements. Such employees shall be trained to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy.” An effective NFPA 70E training program must include relevant safety training topics that are cohesive in the prevention of electrical-related safety incidents. Following is a list of subjects you should include in your training session. Cover these topics in depth with all affected employees: