Why do we have NFPA 70E, if it doesn't make you safe? Let's begin the answer by looking at the purpose of this standard.
“...to provide a practical safe working area for employees relative to the hazards arising from the use of electricity” [90.1]. Notice that word “relative.” It's not possible to make electricity safe. It is, however, possible to follow safe work practices, ensure the completion of safety-related maintenance, and apply various administrative controls for “the practical safeguarding of employees....” [90.2].
This standard cannot:
- Pay attention to the surroundings.
- Identify specific hazards that exist at a specific time in a specific location.
- Stop work when a safety issue is encountered and address it before proceeding.
- Correctly scope out each job and identify the safety practices, PPE, and other measures needed to reduce the risk.
- Communicate to all crew members and other affected individuals what hazards are (or may be) present and communicate what actions those individuals must take to protect themselves (and others) against those hazards.
- Focus on the task at hand, rather engaging in the dangerous and inefficient practice of “multi-tasking.”
Did you notice a pattern in those bulleted items? Each one is the worker's individual responsibility. NFPA 70E will help you do those things, and more, but it cannot do them for you. Use the standard as a framework for safe job performance, not as an excuse for unsafe acts.
