NFPA 70e Compliance Checklist

NFPA 70E Compliance Checklist outlines essential steps for electrical safety, including arc flash analysis, training, PPE, and labeling. It helps employers meet OSHA requirements, protect workers, and build a sustainable electrical safety program.

What is an NFPA 70E Compliance Checklist?

The NFPA 70E Compliance Checklist is a structured guide that helps organizations implement safety programs, meet OSHA regulations, and reduce arc flash risks.

✅ Defines electrical safety program requirements

✅ Ensures training, PPE, and hazard labeling

✅ Supports OSHA and NFPA 70E compliance

NFPA 70E Compliance Checklist

Implementing NFPA 70E regulations is more than simply knowing the standard. It requires a step-by-step compliance strategy that aligns with OSHA arc flash requirements, protects workers, and establishes a sustainable electrical safety program. Many companies struggle with where to start. This checklist provides a roadmap for both immediate and long-term action. For a complete overview of NFPA 70E electrical safety standards, see our NFPA 70E overview page

Short-Term Actions

Compliance begins with basic precautions that can be adopted right away:

• De-energize whenever possible – Electrical work should be performed on equipment that is locked out and verified safe.

• Avoid synthetic fabrics – Until proper PPE is issued, workers should at a minimum wear natural fibres, such as cotton, to reduce burn severity.

• Use temporary labels – Apply interim arc flash hazard warning labels to equipment until full labeling requirements are met.

These steps won’t make a facility fully compliant, but they reduce immediate risks while longer-term measures are implemented.

Long-Term Actions

Building a sustainable compliance program requires investment and planning:

• Train employees – Conduct NFPA 70E arc flash training for qualified and affected workers.

• Review lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures – Ensure control panels and equipment are properly covered, and update your LOTO programs.

• Audit tools and PPE – Verify that workers have voltage-rated tools, insulated equipment, and appropriate arc-rated clothing.

• Perform an arc flash hazard analysis – Determine incident energy levels and establish arc flash boundary.

• Label equipment permanently – Once hazard data is established, equipment should be clearly marked with durable NFPA 70E-compliant labels.

The NFPA 70E Compliance Checklist – 7 Steps

To meet the intent of OSHA and NFPA 70E, organizations should implement a structured program:

1. Develop an Electrical Safety Program
   Document a written program that outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures.

2. Conduct Arc Flash Assessments
   Create a single-line diagram, calculate incident energy, and label equipment. See our guide on arc flash assessment for details.

3. Train and Qualify Employees
   Ensure ongoing training for both qualified and unqualified personnel, with records of completion.

4. Provide PPE and Tools
   Supply the correct arc flash PPE, insulated equipment, and voltage-rated tools.

5. Establish Preventive Maintenance
   Develop a proactive maintenance program to mitigate equipment failure risks that can lead to arc flash events.

6. Implement Mitigation Strategies
   Use engineering solutions, such as current-limiting breakers or arc-resistant equipment, to reduce incident energy.

7. Manage Change and Continuous Improvement
   Update safety programs, retrain employees, and revise risk assessments whenever systems or conditions change.

Why This Matters

NFPA 70E compliance is not a one-time exercise. It is an ongoing cycle of assessment, training, and improvement. Companies that fail to adopt a structured approach risk OSHA citations, costly downtime, and — most importantly — preventable worker injuries.

By following this compliance checklist, organizations can move from temporary stopgaps to a fully developed electrical safety program that not only meets NFPA 70E requirements but also creates a safer, more reliable workplace.

For more information, explore our Arc Flash Electrical Safety Channel.

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