Electrical hazard assessments - Do I still need to do them?

Abstract

A common question and misunderstanding in industry today is; with the publication of the 2015 NFPA 70E, do I still need to do the electrical hazards analysis (shock and arc flash) that was required by previous editions, but is no longer specifically stated in the current edition of the NFPA 70E standard? This question is asked primarily due to the 2015 revisions of NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, that include changing the emphasis from electrical hazard analysis, that included the shock hazard analysis and the arc flash hazard analysis, to electrical hazard risk assessments that include the shock risk assessment and the arc flash risk assessment. Because of these revisions, many now think that the shock and arc flash hazard analysis is no longer required. This is not the case. This paper addresses the current requirements for assessing the hazards and the new risk assessment requirements.