Electrical Safety Rules - NFPA 70E and CSA Z462

Electrical Safety Rules -- What is the CSA-Z462?
The electrical safety standard, CSA-Z462, is based on U.S. electrical safety rules, 70E, established by the National Fire Protection Association. The CSA-Z462, published by the Canadian Standards Associations, was first published in 2009 to provide electrical workers Canadian-specific electrical safety rules. The next version of this standard is set to be updated in 2012.

The CSA-Z462 is a guidance tool that electrical workers can use to assess electrical hazard risks and determine if work areas around electrical systems are safe. The standard also outlines electrical safety requirements when determining electrical hazards and electrical safety procedures when working around hazardous equipment. The CSA-Z462 also provides direction on how to properly select personal protective equipment (PPE).

More specifically, the electrical safety rules in the CSA-Z462 is meant to safe guard any worker who operates, installs, maintains or demolishes electrical equipment. Furthermore, CSA-Z462 sets guidelines on who is considered to a “qualified worker” when operating, maintaining and installing electrical equipment. Like the NFPA 70E, qualified electricians will have spent years practicing and studying the CSA-Z462 rules before being granted a license.

Electrical Safety Rules -- What is the NFPA 70E?
The NFPA 70 or, the National Electrical Code (NEC), is a United States electrical safety standard for the safe installation of electrical equipment and electrical wiring. Like the CSA- Z462, 70E is not a law, but a set “model” of electrical safety rules that are often mandated by local or state law.

The most recent edition of 70E is the 2011 NEC, which should become sequentially mandated within a couple of years by most U.S. states. Like the CSA- Z462, some jurisdictions omit or change sections to establish their own electrical safety rules.

Violators of the NFPA 70E can be sued for negligence. For example, an employer is negligible if he doesn’t provide his workers with proper protective clothing when working on electrical equipment endangers their lives. So, a city that wants to avoid legal action is best to enforce electrical safety codes to prevent civil action suits from occurring.

For more information, see:

General Electrical Safety

High Voltage Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety At Work

Lockout Tagout OSHA

Electrical Safety OSHA