Understanding ‘Point of Work’ in NFPA 70E
How permanent absence of voltage test points ensure compliance and safety.
- By Philip B. Allen, Nick Schiltz
- Sep 06, 2023
In the upcoming NFPA 70E 2024 Edition, the inclusion of the phrase “at each point of work” and the relationship to absence of voltage testing has prompted questions regarding the use of Permanent Electrical Safety Devices (PESD) as well as Absence of Voltage Testers (AVT) for establishing an electrically safe work condition.
Qualified electrical workers are trained and intuitively know where to perform an absence of voltage test with portable test instruments within a given panel, but best practices need to be established to ensure that PESDs and AVTs are installed and terminated in the correct place within an electrical panel.
More specifically, providing assurance that test point PESDs remain compliant and relevant with the updated standard. By addressing “point of work” confusion and highlighting the compliance of test point PESDs, employers and qualified personnel can confidently utilize these devices in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures to reduce risk while establishing an electrically safe work condition.
The Significance of “Point of Work” in Electrical Safety
The concept of “point of work” is crucial for workplace safety, referring to the specific location where tasks are performed, and workers interact with tools, systems, or materials. This intersection between the worker and the work environment holds significance for safety, performance, and training.
The visibility of each isolation point for electrical energy is a fundamental electrical safety principle. Both PESDs and AVTs have a proven track record of reducing risks; partly because they are engineered into electrical panels and inherently provide visibility of electrical energy. Initially, voltage presence indicators provided visible indications of an electrical isolators’ status. The introduction of AVTs and high impedance protected test points has made absence of voltage testing a less risky way to establish an electrical work condition. In addition, the NFPA 70E 2024 Edition also recognizes test points as a valid “Additional Safety-by-Design Methods” (NFPA 70E O.2.4.(13)).
While AVTs require no contact using a portable test instrument, test points utilize high impedance protection to work hand-in-hand with a qualified electrical worker’s most valuable tool. High impedance protected test points refer to specialized components or features incorporated into electrical systems or devices, typically found externally mounted onto electrical enclosures or panels. These devices are designed to provide a safe and reliable means of conducting voltage readings or absence of voltage testing without the risk of accidental contact with live electrical components.
This article originally appeared in the September 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.