Occupational Safety

NFPA 70E requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel by reducing exposure to major electrical hazards. Originally developed at Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s request, NFPA 70E helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash and arc blast, and assists in complying with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.

The standard provides criteria for assessing the health, flammability instability and related hazards presented by short-term, acute exposure to a material under conditions of fire, spill or similar emergencies. A number rating system of 0-4 is provided to rate each of the four hazards on a placard and provides emergency responders with information to determine immediate actions in an emergency. Tables in the standard provide criteria for the ratings and placard specifications such as letter size and arrangement of numbers and colors.

The standard identifies the minimum job performance requirements (JPRs) for career and volunteer fire fighters whose duties are primarily structural in nature.

The standard contains minimum requirements for a fire service-related occupational safety and health program.

1.1 These requirements cover primary (nonrechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries for use as power sources in products.

This standard establishes the minimum job performance requirements necessary for fire service and other emergency response personnel who perform technical rescue operations.

Wiring methods. The provisions of this section do not apply to conductors that are an integral part of factory-assembled equipment.

What is this standard about?
It specifies requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system and includes guidance for use.
Who is this standard for?

(a) General requirements—(1) Batteries of the unsealed type shall be located in enclosures with outside vents or in well ventilated rooms and shall be arranged so as to prevent the escape of fumes, gases, or electrolyte spray into other areas.

(2) Ventilation shall be provided to ensure diffusion of the gases from the battery and to prevent the accumulation of an explosive mixture.