According to the definition in Article 100, an Electrically Safe Work Condition occurs when an electrical conductor or circuit part has been disconnected from energized parts (de-energized), locked/tagged in accordance with established standards, tested to verify the absence of voltage, and, if necessary, temporarily grounded for personnel protection. Basically, the equipment has been completely de-energized and is in a safe condition to begin the work.

Sometimes circumstances may warrant the need to perform work on energized equipment. NFPA 70E Section 110.2(B) exceptions 3 and 4 recognize the following two situations for performing energized work:

• Where the employer can demonstrate that the task to be performed is infeasible in a de-energized state due to equipment design or operational limitations.
• Where the employer can demonstrate that de-energizing the equipment introduces additional hazards or increased risk.

Below is a sample of NFPA 70E. For the complete section, see the actual NFPA 70E text at NFPA.ORG. Once there, click on the free access link to NFPA 70E.

110.2 Electrically Safe Work Condition.

(A) Policy.  An employer shall establish, document, and implement an electrically safe work condition policy that does both of the following:

(1) Requires hazard elimination to be the first priority in the implementation of safety-related work practices

(2) Complies with 110.2(B)

(B) When Required. Energized electrical conductors and circuit parts operating at voltages equal to or greater than 50 volts shall be put into an electrically safe work condition before an employee performs work if any of the following conditions exist:

(1) The employee is within the limited approach boundary.

(2) The employee interacts with equipment where conductors or circuit parts are not exposed but an increased likelihood of injury from an exposure to an arc flash hazard exists.

Exception No. 1: Normal operation of electric equipment shall be permitted where a normal operating condition exists. A normal operating condition exists when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The equipment is properly installed.

(2) The equipment is properly maintained.

(3) The equipment is rated for the available fault current.

(4) The equipment is used in accordance with instructions included in the listing and labeling and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

(5) The equipment doors are closed and secured.

(6) All equipment covers are in place and secured.

(7) There is no evidence of impending failure.

Informational Note No. 1: The phrase properly installed means that the equipment is installed in accordance with applicable industry codes and standards and the manufacturer’s recommendations. The phrase properly maintained means that the equipment has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and applicable industry codes and standards. The phrase evidence of impending failure means that there is evidence such as arcing, overheating, loose or bound equipment parts, visible damage, deterioration, or water damage.

Informational Note No. 2: See NEMA GD 1-2019, Evaluating Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment, as an example of a document that provides further information on evaluating electrical equipment that may have been exposed to water.

Exception No. 2: An energized disconnecting means or isolating element shall be permitted to be operated to achieve an electrically safe work condition or to return equipment to service that has been placed in an electrically safe work condition. The equipment supplying the disconnecting means or isolating element shall not be required to be placed in an electrically safe work condition provided a risk assessment is performed and there is no unacceptable risk identified.

Exception No. 3: Energized work shall be permitted where the employer can demonstrate that the task to be performed is infeasible in a de-energized state due to equipment design or operational limitations.

Informational Note: Examples of work that might be performed within the limited approach boundary of exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts because of infeasibility due to equipment design or operational limitations include performing diagnostics and testing (e.g., start-up or troubleshooting) of electric circuits that can only be performed with the circuit energized and work on circuits that form an integral part of a continuous process that would otherwise need to be completely shut down in order to permit work on one circuit or piece of equipment.

Exception No. 4: Energized work shall be permitted where the employer can demonstrate that de-energizing introduces additional hazards or increased risk.

Informational Note: Examples of additional hazards or increased risk include, but are not limited to, interruption of life-support equipment, deactivation of emergency alarm systems, and shutdown of hazardous location ventilation equipment.

Exception No. 5: Energized electrical conductors and circuit parts that operate at less than 50 volts shall not be required to be de-energized where the capacity of the source and any overcurrent protection between the energy source and the worker are considered and it is determined that there will be no increased exposure to electrical burns or to explosion due to electric arcs.