Using a Voltmeter is ENERGIZED electrical work!

I am not an electrician, I don’t even consider myself a Qualified Electrical Worker, but I do know Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices (and I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last week). I do not do a lot of electrical safety training (except for existing clients), but it seems that every time I have done my Intro to Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices I am always challenged on two simple electrical principles…

ASSUME all circuits/components are ENERGIZED

and

ALL ELECTRICAL WORK is ENERGIZED WORK until a Zero Energy State is verified with a proper electrical meter

This means that EACH and EVERY TIME a qualified electrical worker is using a Voltmeter they are indeed performing ENERGIZED WORK. 

As long as they are doing ONLY those EXEMPTED TASKS such as testing, troubleshooting, and volt measuring (and a few others) they can do this ENERGIZED WORK WITHOUT an Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP) AS LONG AS they follow procedures and wear the proper PPE:

1. Safety Glasses (maybe even a face shield)
2. EH rated Footwear
3. Properly rated Voltage/Rubber Insulating Gloves with protective leathers
4. Properly rated Flame Retardant Clothing/Arc-Rated apparel

This is not a “Haywood Safety Rule” but is actually called out in NFPA 70E…

Exemptions to Work Permit.

Electrical work shall be permitted without an energized electrical work permit if a qualified person is provided with and uses appropriate safe work practices and PPE in accordance with Chapter 1 under any of the following conditions:

1. 1. Testing, troubleshooting, or voltage measuring
   2. Thermography, ultrasound, or visual inspections if the restricted approach boundary is not crossed
   3. Access to and egress from an area with energized electrical equipment if no electrical work is performed and the restricted approach boundary is not crossed
   4. General housekeeping and miscellaneous non-electrical tasks if the restricted approach boundary is not crossed