To safely work on electrical equipment, all risks must be assessed in order to minimize the potential hazards to the worker.

NFPA 70E directly addresses only two types of hazards: electrical shock and arc flash burns. The provisions in NFPA 70E are not designed to protect workers against an actual arc blast or exploding electrical components.

Section 110.3(H) covers the elements of a risk assessment procedure, risk control methods and even the potential for human error.

Human error is a big factor when employees disregard safety procedures or fail to notice poor equipment condition or even if they take their eyes of the task at hand to make a phone call or send a text.

Annex Q in the back of NFPA 70E provides further information on considering the potential for human error.

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.

110.3(H) Risk Assessment Procedure. The electrical safety program shall include a risk assessment procedure and shall comply with 110.3(H)(1) through 110.3(H)(3).

(1) Elements of a Risk Assessment Procedure. The risk assessment procedure shall address employee exposure to electrical hazards and shall identify the process to be used by the employee before work is started to carry out the following:

(1) Identify hazards

(2) Assess risks

(3) Implement risk control according to the hierarchy of risk control methods

Informational Note No. 1: The risk assessment procedure could include identifying when a second person could be required and the training and equipment that person should have.

Informational Note No. 2: See Informative Annex F for more information regarding risk assessment and the hierarchy of risk control.

(2) Human Error. The risk assessment procedure shall address the potential for human error and its negative consequences on people, processes, the work environment, and equipment relative to the electrical hazards in the workplace.

Informational Note: See Informative Annex Q for further information. The potential for human error varies with factors such as tasks and the work environment.

(3) Hierarchy of Risk Control Methods. The risk assessment procedure shall require that preventive and protective risk control methods be implemented in accordance with the following hierarchy:

(1) Elimination

(2) Substitution

(3) Engineering controls

(4) Awareness

(5) Administrative controls

(6) PPE