Energized Electrical Work Permit Requirements - NFPA 70E
A machine is malfunctioning in your workplace, requiring you to troubleshoot the issue and determine the appropriate repairs. One of your first steps in diagnosing the problem is to take a voltage measurement using your digital multimeter (DMM) to determine if you're getting the proper voltage on both the line and load sides. The nominal voltage (phase to phase) on this equipment is 480 VAC. To perform this task, you will be wearing all of the required electric shock and arc flash PPE, as well as implementing other necessary safe work practices.
Per NFPA 70E, does this task (testing, troubleshooting, and voltage measuring) require you to complete an energized electrical work permit?
Comments (13)
Well I was wrong!
But I have an excuse! In my Corporate life, company wide, an EWP (which we used for any "energy source, electrical, mechanical, and anything else) was and is required at all times when any employee is directly exposed to any energy!
Yeah... I am one of the 53% at the moment that had it wrong. Getting into NFPA, ANSI, Building code, life safety code... and so on is a lot and I think too often people way underestimate how much area a safety professional has to cover and have to know where to look. Let alone the E part of EHS.
Drew, great question, keep them coming. They definitely help us learn!
Thanks to everyone who has participated. The correct answer is "no". Per NFPA 70E, as long as the qualified person is following applicable safe work practices and using the proper PPE, then an energized electrical work permit (EEWP) is NOT required for testing, troubleshooting, or voltage measuring.
With that being said, some companies still choose to require an EEWP anyway to as an administrative control to help ensure workers don't deviate from their scope of work. For example, if while performing troubleshooting, the worker notices a part that's loose, the EEWP only authorizes them to perform the troubleshooting, so tightening the loose part would be outside the scope of their EEWP and could result in an increased risk of electric shock and/or arc flash, therefore requiring additional authorization(s).
Not for just troubleshooting