Arc Flash Training Introduction

Arc flash is one of the most dangerous electrical hazards certain workers can face. An arc flash event can result in temperatures of 35,000°F, which are hot enough to vaporize metal and cause fatal burns in seconds. Beyond the human cost, an arc flash incident can shut down operations, damage equipment, and trigger heavy OSHA penalties. This is why OSHA and the NFPA 70E have comprehensive arc flash training requirements.

OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets the legal framework in 29 CFR 1910.332, and the NFPA 70E standard provides the detailed training requirements employers must follow. Together, these standards make sure employees know how to recognize electrical hazards (including arc flash) use protective equipment, and work safely around energized systems.

This article breaks down exactly who needs arc flash training, what OSHA and NFPA 70E require, how often training must be refreshed, and the options available to employers who need to stay compliant.

What is Arc Flash Training?

Arc flash training is OSHA-required training for qualified workers who may be exposed to arc flash hazards. The purpose of this training is to ensure these workers can recognize arc flash hazards and apply safe work practices when working around energized equipment.

The goal of arc flash training is straightforward:

• Reduce the risk of serious injury or death from arc flash events.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA’s electrical safety training requirements and NFPA 70E.
• Prepare qualified workers to recognize arc flash hazards, follow safe work practices, respect approach/arc-flash boundaries, and select/use the correct arc-rated PPE for assigned tasks.

A typical training program includes general electrical safety principles, arc flash-specific information, and workplace-specific practices. Among other things, Workers learn how to recognize electrical and arc flash hazards, how to implement safe work practices, and which PPE they’re required to use for certain tasks.

To put it simply arc flash training gives workers the knowledge they need to work safely around electrical hazards— and gives employers documented proof that they are meeting their legal obligations.

Arc Flash Training for Supervisors

Supervisors don’t typically perform the same tasks as qualified workers, but their role in arc flash safety is just as important. Supervisors are responsible for promoting and enforcing safe work practices on the jobsite.

Arc flash training for supervisors helps them:

• Understand OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements.
• Recognize when workers are not following safe procedures.
• Support compliance by ensuring employees are trained, equipped, and following proper work practices.

Employers must ensure supervisors are competent to oversee electrical work. In practice, supervisors need the same level of understanding of hazards, boundaries, PPE, and procedures as the employees they supervise so they can enforce safe work practices.

Who Needs Arc Flash Training?

OSHA requires that any employee exposed to electrical hazards must be trained (29 CFR 1910.332). NFPA 70E reinforces this by distinguishing between qualified and unqualified persons, with specific training requirements for each. In addition, employers are responsible for ensuring that supervisors are competent to promote and enforce these requirements in the workplace.

Qualified Persons

A qualified person is defined by NFPA 70E as someone who has the skills and knowledge to work safely on electrical equipment and systems, and who has received the training necessary to identify and avoid hazards. In practice, this group typically includes:

• Electricians
• Electrical maintenance staff
• Engineers and technicians

Qualified persons face the highest risk of arc flash exposure. Their training must cover how to recognize arc flash hazards, respect approach and arc flash boundaries, select and use arc-rated PPE, and apply safe work practices when working on or near energized equipment.

Unqualified Persons

An unqualified person is anyone who may be exposed to electrical hazards but does not have the training or authorization to work directly on energized systems. Examples include:

• Equipment operators
• Mechanics working near electrical panels or equipment
• Contractors or laborers passing through energized areas
• Custodial or janitorial staff who may enter electrical rooms

Unqualified employees don’t need the same technical depth as qualified workers, but they must be trained to recognize warning signs, stay outside restricted boundaries, and understand the limits of their role. This ensures they don’t inadvertently put themselves or others at risk.

Supervisors

Supervisors may not perform electrical work themselves, but they are accountable for ensuring that employees follow safe practices. OSHA and NFPA 70E both place responsibility on the employer to provide training and enforce the electrical safety program. In practice, this means supervisors must:

• Understand OSHA’s training requirements in 29 CFR 1910.332 and the NFPA 70E standard they are enforcing.
• Recognize when workers are not following safe procedures.
• Ensure employees are properly trained, qualified for assigned tasks, and using the correct PPE.
• Intervene and stop unsafe work when procedures are not being followed.

Supervisors must be competent to promote and enforce the electrical safety program. That competence comes through receiving training equal in scope to the workers they oversee. Without that level of understanding, supervisors cannot effectively fulfill their responsibility to protect employees and maintain compliance.

Temporary Workers and Staffing Agency Placements

Temporary workers placed by staffing agencies need the same arc flash training as any other employee performing the same work.

Whether a worker is permanent or temporary, OSHA requires that they be trained to recognize arc flash hazards and follow safe work practices before being exposed to those hazards.

Temporary workers may be qualified or unqualified persons, depending on their role. A temporary electrician performing maintenance on energized equipment needs arc flash training covering hazard recognition, approach boundaries, PPE selection, and safe work procedures. A temporary laborer working near electrical equipment but not on it needs general electrical safety training to recognize hazards and stay outside restricted boundaries.

The key difference for temporary workers is that their training typically comes from two sources.

The staffing agency provides general arc flash safety training when the worker is hired, covering foundational knowledge that applies across different job sites. The host employer then provides site-specific training on their particular equipment, procedures, and hazards before work begins.

Temporary workers should not begin work involving potential arc flash exposure until both components are complete. Workers who feel they haven’t received adequate training have the right to raise concerns with their staffing agency, the host employer, or OSHA.

Contractors and Contract Workers

Electrical contractors, maintenance contractors, and any contract workers who may be exposed to electrical hazards at client facilities need arc flash training. This includes both workers who perform electrical work directly and those whose tasks bring them near energized equipment.

Contract workers face unique challenges: they move between job sites with different equipment, hazard levels, and safety procedures. Comprehensive arc flash training helps prepare them to recognize hazards and follow safe work practices regardless of where they’re assigned.

Host employers increasingly require proof of arc flash training before allowing contractors on site, making current certification essential for winning and keeping contracts.

Who’s Responsible for Arc Flash Training?

The regulations and standards are clear. Employers have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring workers exposed to electrical and arc flash hazards receive proper arc flash training before being exposed to those hazards. This responsibility cannot be transferred to workers themselves or delegated away to contractors or other third parties.

Employer responsibilities also include:

• Identifying which workers face arc flash hazards and require training.
• Providing training that meets OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements before workers are exposed to electrical hazards.
• Ensuring training is delivered in a language and vocabulary employees can understand.
• Documenting that training has been completed and that workers have demonstrated competence.
• Providing retraining at least every three years, or sooner when job duties, equipment, or procedures change.
• Verifying that the workplace-specific practical component is completed under qualified supervision.

Employers cannot avoid these obligations by claiming a worker “should have known” or by relying on training the worker received from a previous employer. Employers must verify that their workers are trained for the specific hazards and equipment they’ll encounter on the job.

Staffing Agencies and Host Employers

When temporary workers are placed in positions involving arc flash hazards, both the staffing agency and the host employer share responsibility for training. OSHA’s Temporary Worker Initiative Bulletin No. 4 (Safety and Health Training) establishes that neither party can avoid their safety obligations by assigning them entirely to the other.

Under this joint employer model, responsibilities are typically divided as follows:

Staffing Agency Responsibilities

• Provide general arc flash safety training that applies across different work settings.
• Ensure workers understand basic electrical hazards, the importance of PPE, and their right to a safe workplace.
• Verify that workers are not placed in positions requiring arc flash training they haven’t received.
• Communicate with host employers about the training workers have completed.

Host Employer Responsibilities

• Provide site-specific training on the actual equipment, hazards, and procedures at their facility.
• Ensure temporary workers receive the same safety training as permanent employees doing the same work.
• Verify that arc flash boundaries, PPE requirements, and emergency procedures specific to their workplace are covered.
• Supervise temporary workers and confirm competence before allowing work on or near energized equipment.

In practice, this is considered a blended training method split between two employers—the staffing agency delivers the general theory portion, and the host employer provides the hands-on, site-specific training. For more on how blended training works, see our guide to [Arc Flash Blended Training].

Both parties should document their respective training contributions and establish clear agreements about who is responsible for each component. When OSHA investigates an incident involving a temporary worker, both the staffing agency and host employer may be cited if training was inadequate.

Contractors and Host Employers

When contractors perform work involving potential arc flash exposure, both the contracting company and the host employer have safety obligations.

Contractor Responsibilities:

• Train employees on arc flash hazards, PPE requirements, and safe work practices before assigning them to job sites.
• Ensure workers understand how to recognize electrical hazards and respond appropriately.
• Verify that training remains current and workers are competent to perform assigned tasks.
• Communicate with host employers about their workers’ training and qualifications.

Host Employer Responsibilities:

• Inform contractors of known electrical hazards at the facility.
• Share site-specific information, including arc flash labels, incident energy levels, and approach boundaries.
• Verify that contractor employees have received appropriate arc flash training before granting site access.
• Coordinate safety procedures when contractor work may affect or be affected by facility operations.

OSHA’s multi-employer citation policy means both parties can be held accountable when incidents occur.

Host employers cannot assume contractors arrive fully prepared, and contractors cannot assume host employers will provide all necessary training. Clear communication and documentation protect everyone.

Arc Flash Training Requirements: OSHA vs. NFPA 70E

Arc flash training is required by OSHA and defined in greater detail by NFPA 70E. While the two standards work together, they serve different purposes: OSHA establishes the legal obligation, and NFPA 70E explains how employers can meet it.

OSHA Training Requirements

OSHA’s electrical safety training requirements are found in 29 CFR 1910.332, which applies to any employee exposed to electrical hazards. OSHA requires employers to:

• Train employees in the safety-related work practices necessary to protect them from electrical hazards.
• Ensure that only qualified persons work on or near exposed energized parts.
• Provide additional training whenever job duties, equipment, or technology change in ways that create new hazards.

Although OSHA’s standards don’t specifically use the term “arc flash,” they cover the same hazard. The requirement to protect employees from electrical burns and explosions includes the need for arc flash hazard training.

Employers who fail to train workers or supervisors properly can face serious citations and penalties. More importantly, lack of training can lead to preventable injuries and fatalities.

NFPA 70E Training Requirements

While OSHA defines what must be achieved, NFPA 70E explains how to achieve it. This consensus standard provides the practical methods and training content employers use to comply with OSHA’s rules.

According to NFPA 70E Article 110, employees must be trained to:

• Understand the hazards associated with electrical energy, including arc flash and shock.
• Distinguish exposed energized parts from other electrical components.
• Determine the nominal voltage of exposed parts.
• Identify and respect approach boundaries for both arc flash and shock protection.
• Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow safe work practices for establishing and verifying an electrically safe work condition.

Training must be documented and performed before an employee is exposed to electrical hazards. Refresher training is required at least every three years, or sooner if inspections, incidents, or job changes show that retraining is necessary.

Training Language and Comprehension

OSHA requires that all safety training — including arc flash and electrical safety — be provided in a language and vocabulary that employees can understand. This means employers must ensure that employees fully comprehend the training. For example, if you’ll be implementing online training to Spanish-speaking employees, you’ll need to provide them with Spanish online arc flash training and certification.

NFPA 70E reinforces the same principle: workers must understand the hazards and safe work practices being taught in order to apply them correctly.

How OSHA and NFPA 70E Work Together

In practice, OSHA sets the minimum legal duty, and NFPA 70E provides the roadmap for meeting it. OSHA inspectors and safety professionals rely on NFPA 70E as the accepted industry standard for electrical safety and arc flash protection.

For employers, compliance means more than avoiding citations — it ensures workers are trained using current, proven methods that align with recognized safety standards.

Key Training Topics (What Training Must Cover)

Compliant arc flash training has two essential components:

1. Theory (Classroom or Online) Training
2. Workplace-Specific Training and Practical Application

Together, these training components ensure qualified workers understand arc flash hazards and can apply safe practices in their actual work environment.

1. Theory Training

The theory portion provides the foundational knowledge employees need before they ever work on or near energized systems. It can be delivered in a classroom or through a structured online arc flash certification course, as long as it meets OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements.

This component should cover:

• Arc Flash and Electrical Hazards – How arc flash occurs, the energy involved, and how it differs from electric shock hazards.
• Regulatory Framework – Understanding OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.332 and NFPA 70E’s role in defining safe work practices.
• Hazard Identification – How to recognize energized components, interpret arc flash labels, and identify potential sources of electrical energy.
• Approach and Arc Flash Boundaries – The purpose of limited, restricted, and arc flash boundaries, and how they’re determined.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Selecting, inspecting, and using arc-rated clothing, gloves, and face protection appropriate to the incident energy level.
• Safe Work Practices and Procedures – How to establish an electrically safe work condition, perform lockout/tagout, and verify absence of voltage.

The goal of this portion is to make sure workers understand why each safety measure exists and how to apply it correctly. Many employers choose to complete this segment through an online course to provide consistent, up-to-date instruction and reduce downtime before moving to the hands-on phase.

2. Workplace-Specific and Practical Training

After theory is complete, workers must receive instruction specific to their actual job environment and equipment. This ensures they can apply what they learned safely and correctly in the field.

While workplace-specific training can vary significantly depending on the equipment, company procedures, etc., some common things that are included are:

• The types and locations of electrical equipment in the facility.
• Site-specific arc flash and shock boundaries.
• Company electrical safety policies and procedures.
• Job hazard analysis and task planning requirements.
• Demonstration and observation of safe work practices under supervision.
• Correct use of PPE, tools, and test instruments in real work settings.
• Steps to take in case of an arc flash or electrical incident, including immediate response and reporting.

This phase must be led or overseen by a qualified person familiar with the company’s electrical systems. Employers must also document that each worker has demonstrated competence before being permitted to work on or near exposed energized equipment.

Arc Flash Training Frequency

Arc flash training isn’t something employees complete once and forget. To stay compliant, arc flash training must be repeated at least every three years, or sooner if conditions change.

OSHA requires employers to train workers “as often as necessary” to maintain safe work practices. Because OSHA references NFPA 70E as the industry standard, most employers follow NFPA 70E’s rule that refresher training be provided at least once every three years.

Refresher training must also be conducted whenever:

• Job duties or assignments change and expose workers to new hazards.
• New equipment, technology, or procedures are introduced.
• An employee is observed not following safe electrical work practices.

Training should be documented to show compliance and to confirm that each employee remains competent to recognize arc flash hazards, select the correct PPE, and apply safe work procedures.

Arc Flash Training Options for Employers

Employers can meet OSHA and NFPA 70E arc flash training requirements in several ways, but as we mentioned earlier, programs must include two components:

Theory training – covering the general principles of arc flash safety and regulatory requirements.
Workplace-specific training – conducted internally by a qualified person familiar with the facility’s equipment and electrical systems.

Here are the most common ways employers can deliver these components.

Instructor-Led Training

Instructor-led training delivers the theory portion through a traditional instructor-led format facilitated by an external training provider or conducted in-house by internal company trainers.

External Training Provider

Some companies send workers to an off-site training center or bring in an outside consultant to deliver the classroom portion. This method can satisfy the theoretical training requirement and provide interactive instruction, but it also comes with practical limitations.

• Offsite sessions involve travel, scheduling, and time away from work.
• Content is typically general, not tailored to the company’s specific equipment or hazards.
• Most importantly, workplace-specific practical training is still required once employees return to the job site. Offsite training cannot address a facility’s exact conditions or verify competency on your equipment.

In-House Instructor-Led Training

Many organizations prefer to deliver live training internally. This allows them to tailor instruction to their operations, integrate company-specific procedures, and minimize downtime.

Employers who take this approach must ensure that the person leading the session is qualified and competent to deliver and evaluate the training.

Our NFPA 70E Arc Flash Instructor Materials make this process easier by providing complete, ready-to-use materials, including a guided arc flash training presentation, quizzes, certificate templates, and more. These resources help internal trainers provide consistent, professional instruction aligned with OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements.

Online Arc Flash Training

Online training provides a convenient and consistent way to complete the theory portion of arc flash training. It covers essential knowledge such as hazard recognition, approach boundaries, PPE selection, and safe work practices — allowing employees to learn at their own pace while maintaining productivity.

After completing the online course, employers must still conduct the workplace-specific practical component under a qualified person’s supervision to verify competence on actual equipment.

Tip: Our Arc Flash Online Training course is designed to cover the entire classroom portion of OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements and provides employers with training management tools and automated record-keeping.

Blended Training Approach

The blended training approach combines the flexibility of online training with the effectiveness of internal instructor-led instruction — and has become the preferred method for many employers.

Workers first complete the online course to cover the theoretical foundation of arc flash safety, then participate in the workplace-specific practical component led by an internal trainer or supervisor. This ensures both consistency in content and direct applicability to the actual work environment.

Employers can use our NFPA 70E Arc Flash Train-the-Trainer Program to help qualify their internal instructors to ensure they’re competent. The trainer program provides the knowledge and tools needed to help deliver and evaluate the hands-on component confidently and correctly.

Best suited for: Employers looking for the best solution for affordability and flexibility, and to ensure total compliance.

Staffing and Employment Agencies

For staffing agencies, online training is the most practical way to meet their arc flash training obligations. Placements and temporary workers can complete the online training during onboarding, before placement, ensuring consistent, documented instruction across all hires regardless of timing or branch location.

Online delivery also aligns naturally with the arc flash blended training model that staffing arrangements require. The agency provides foundational knowledge through online training; the host employer handles site-specific instruction on their equipment and hazards.

Clear documentation of completed training helps both parties understand where one responsibility ends and the other begins.

Contractors and Contracting Companies

Contractors face a distinct training challenge: their crews need comprehensive arc flash knowledge that applies across multiple client sites, but they also need to adapt quickly to site-specific hazards and procedures at each location.

Online arc flash training gives contracting companies a scalable solution. Contractors complete foundational training before visiting the client site, and refresher training keeps certifications current across the entire workforce. This ensures every worker arrives at client facilities with documented proof of arc flash safety knowledge—increasingly a requirement for site access.

For contractors, our arc flash online training covers the theory and recognition components that apply everywhere: understanding incident energy, approach boundaries, PPE categories, and safe work practices. Host employers then supplement with site-specific information about their particular equipment and procedures.

Many contractors also use our NFPA 70E train-the-trainer program to build internal training capacity, allowing supervisors to deliver refresher training and orient crews to new job sites efficiently.

Choosing the Right Arc Flash Training Provider

The arc flash training provider you choose matters. OSHA holds employers responsible for ensuring training is accurate, current, and properly documented, even if a third party delivers it.

Choosing the right provider can make the difference between a defensible safety program and one that falls short during an inspection or audit.

When comparing providers, make sure you look for:

• OSHA and NFPA 70E Alignment – Training must meet OSHA & NFPA requirements, as well as industry best practices.
• Flexible Delivery Options – A strong provider offers online, instructor-led, and blended options so you have the flexibility to train based on your specific needs.
• Up-to-Date, Professional Materials – Content should be modern, easy to follow, and updated regularly to reflect changes in NFPA 70E and best practices.
• Documentation and Recordkeeping – Complete records, certificates, and progress tracking are essential for demonstrating compliance.

WorkplaceSafety.com offers all the tools needed to deliver effective and compliant arc flash training based on your specific needs, including Online Arc Flash Training, Train-the-Trainer Programs, and Instructor Packages, in both English and Spanish.

Reach out to our team via live chat, email, or phone to learn more about how we can support your arc flash training needs.

Arc Flash Training Requirement FAQ

What is NFPA 70E?

NFPA 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. It provides the detailed requirements and safe work practices employers use to comply with OSHA’s electrical safety regulations. NFPA 70E defines what arc flash training must include, how to assess hazards, select PPE, and establish approach and arc flash boundaries.

Does OSHA require arc flash training?

Yes. OSHA requires electrical safety training under 29 CFR 1910.332 for employees who face a risk of electrical shock or arc flash. Although OSHA doesn’t use the term “arc flash” directly, it mandates training to protect against electrical hazards — which includes arc flash. NFPA 70E provides the accepted methods for meeting OSHA’s training requirement.

Who Needs NFPA 70E Arc Flash Training?

Arc flash training is required for qualified workers who work on or near exposed energized electrical equipment and could be exposed to arc flash or shock hazards.

It’s also required for supervisors who oversee this work, since they must be competent to enforce electrical safety procedures.

Unqualified workers, such as machine operators, who don’t perform electrical work, may only require general electrical safety training.

Who’s responsible for arc flash training?

Employers have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring workers exposed to electrical and arc flash hazards receive proper arc flash training before being exposed to those hazards. This responsibility cannot be transferred to workers or delegated to contractors or other third parties.

Who’s responsible for arc flash training for temporary workers?

Both the staffing agency and host employer share responsibility under OSHA’s joint employer model. The staffing agency typically provides general arc flash safety training covering foundational knowledge, while the host employer provides site-specific training on their equipment, procedures, and hazards. Neither party can avoid their obligations by assigning full responsibility to the other.

Who is responsible for arc flash training for contractors?

Both the contracting company and the host employer share responsibility for training contract employees.

The contractor must ensure workers are trained on arc flash hazards and safe work practices before job site assignments. The host employer must inform contractors of site-specific electrical hazards and verify contractor employees have appropriate training before allowing site access.

Do contractors need arc flash certification to work on client sites?

Many host employers now require contractors to show proof of arc flash training before granting site access.

Even when not explicitly required by a client, it’s still an OSHA requirement that contractor employees have arc flash training.

Additionally, contractors with documented arc flash and other safety training demonstrate professionalism and reduce liability concerns for clients—making certification a competitive advantage when bidding on maintenance and service contracts.

Can arc flash training be completed online?

Yes — the theory portion of arc flash training can be completed online, as long as it covers OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements.

However, workplace-specific practical training must still be performed internally under a qualified person who understands the company’s equipment and hazards.

Many employers use a blended approach, combining online training for the classroom portion with hands-on internal evaluations.

How often is arc flash training required?

Arc flash training must be refreshed at least every three years in accordance with NFPA 70E. Retraining is also required sooner if job duties, equipment, or safety procedures change, or if an employee demonstrates a lack of understanding or safe work performance.

Do you offer Arc Flash Training in Spanish?

Yes. OSHA requires that all safety training — including arc flash and electrical safety — be provided in a language and vocabulary that employees can understand. To help employers meet this requirement, WorkplaceSafety.com offers Arc Flash Training in both English and Spanish.

Both versions cover the same OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements, ensuring all employees — regardless of language — receive the same high-quality, compliant instruction.