What is the purpose of a shock hazard analysis under NFPA 70E?

• A. To determine the maximum voltage personnel may be exposed to and the associated hazard.
• B. To calculate grounding resistance of equipment.
• C. To design shielded cables for low voltage.
• D. To classify arc flash boundary only.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is to assess the risk of electric shock to workers by identifying the voltage they could be exposed to and the corresponding hazard. A shock hazard analysis establishes how close a person can safely approach energized parts and what protective measures are needed, such as the required PPE and procedures. It sets up the shock protection boundaries (how near a worker may come to live parts) and helps determine when equipment must be de-energized or when special precautions are required. This is different from arc flash analysis, which focuses on arc energy and the arc flash boundary. Grounding resistance and shielded-cable design are unrelated to this analysis.