Energized Work Permits & Risk Assessment
Justification for energized work, energized work permits, risk assessment procedures, hierarchy of controls, training requirements, and job safety planning.
- Identify the two conditions that justify energized electrical work
- List the required elements of an energized electrical work permit
- Describe the risk assessment procedure and its required components
- Explain the hierarchy of risk controls in the context of energized work
- State the training and refresher requirements for qualified workers
Lección 1
Energized Work Justification & Permits
When Is Energized Work Permitted?
The default rule in NFPA 70E is clear - de-energize first. Energized electrical work is only permitted under two specific conditions:
- De-energizing creates additional or increased hazards - examples include life-support equipment in hospitals, ventilation systems in hazardous locations, and emergency alarm systems
- De-energizing is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations - examples include testing for absence of voltage (which must be done while the system is still energized) and diagnostic testing that requires power
Not Valid Justifications
The following are never valid justifications for energized work: convenience, cost savings, schedule pressure, or production deadlines. The exam will test this - only increased hazard or infeasibility justifies energized work.
The Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP)
When energized work is justified, an Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP) must be completed before work begins. This permit documents the justification, hazards, and protective measures for the specific task.
Required elements of an EEWP include:
- Description of the circuit or equipment and its location
- Justification for why the work must be performed energized
- Description of the safe work practices to be used
- Shock and arc flash hazard analysis results
- PPE requirements
- Means to restrict access of unqualified persons
- Evidence of completion of a job safety briefing
- Approval signatures (must include management approval)
Permit Exemptions
Certain tasks do not require an EEWP, even though they involve energized equipment:
- Thermography and visual inspections that do not require crossing the restricted approach boundary
- Testing for absence of voltage (this is the final step of establishing an electrically safe work condition)
- Normal operating conditions tasks (flipping a breaker with covers closed, no evidence of failure)
Energized work is only justified when de-energizing causes increased hazards or is infeasible. An EEWP documenting justification, hazards, PPE, and approval is required. Convenience and production schedules are never valid justifications.