Why should I retrain my employees after a new NFPA 70E Edition release?

Every three years, NFPA 70E is updated to reflect the latest advancements in electrical safety, industry electrical best practices, and lessons learned from real-world incidents. When a new edition is released, many employers ask the same question:

"Do I really need to retrain my employees?"

The short answer is yes.

While your employees may already be qualified and familiar with electrical safety procedures, the "Qualified Person Process" involves keeping updated on electrical safety work practice changes made in the NFPA70E Standard including; definitions, risk assessment procedures, PPE advancements, and new electrical energy systems. Without retraining, employees may continue following outdated procedures that no longer align with current industry standards.

“What if we train them and they leave?”

A former colleague of mine once shared one of the most profound observations about employee training that I have ever heard.

We were working with a large client that was hesitant to invest the time and resources required to train a significant group of employees. Their concern was understandable: the facility experienced high employee turnover, and workers frequently came and went.

The client posed a question many organizations have asked:

"What if we train them and they leave?"

My colleague's response was simple, yet powerful:

"But what if you don't train them and they stay? Wouldn't that be worse?"

That statement has stuck with me ever since.

Too often, organizations view training as an expense rather than an investment. While employee turnover is a reality in many industries, the risks associated with an untrained workforce can be far more costly. Poorly trained employees can contribute to safety incidents, equipment damage, reduced productivity, compliance violations, and increased liability.

When it comes to electrical safety, the stakes are even higher. Proper training equips employees with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize hazards, follow electrical safe work practices, and make informed decisions that protect themselves and those around them.

The goal of training is not simply to retain employees—it's to ensure that every employee who walks through your doors has the tools necessary to work safely and effectively while they are there.

After all, the real question isn't, "What if we train them and they leave?"

It's, "What if we don't train them and they stay?"

Compliance and Liability

OSHA requires employers to provide employees with electrical training that reflects current workplace hazards and accepted industry practices. NFPA 70E is widely recognized as the benchmark standard for electrical safety in the workplace. When standards change, employers should evaluate whether their training programs need to be updated to address those changes.

Safety Improvements

Each revision cycle incorporates feedback from electrical safety professionals, new technologies, incident investigations, and industry electrical experts. New requirements are often introduced because they address hazards that have resulted in injuries, fatalities, or near misses.

Retraining helps ensure employees understand:

• New safety requirements
• Updated risk assessment procedures
• Changes to energized electrical work practices
• Revised PPE requirements
• New documentation and compliance expectations

Maintaining Qualified Worker Status

NFPA 70E requires employees to demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to safely work on or near electrical equipment. Retraining following a NFPA 70E standard update helps reinforce those competencies and ensures employees remain informed about current requirements. 

At Lume Safety, we provide NFPA 70E training programs designed to help organizations understand the latest changes, maintain compliance, and improve electrical workplace safety.