Document Owner: Name: Phil Langlois Position: Lead Electrical Engineer

Transcription

1 Department Page 1 of 10 Training Code: EL306 (5 year renewal) Document Owner: Name: Phil Langlois Position: Lead Engineer Sud = Sudbury, Ontario, PC = Port Colborne, Thom = Thompson, Manitoba, VB = Voisey s Bay, LH = Long Harbour, Act = Acton, England, Clyd = Clydach, Wales, N/A = Not licable REVISIONS Rev Description Rev n by Sud PC Thom VB LH Clyd Act Issue Date YYYY/MM/DD 1 0 SPI-ENG-0005 Revised and reformatted to. New EQUAL code EL306 SPI-ENG-0005 initial document PL 014/10/06 HL 015/xx/xx N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 015/07/08 PL 01/10/06 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 014/10/06

2 Department Page of PURPOSE This procedure describes the methodology for using hot sticks at all sites in accordance with the Vale HomeSafe model, as well as any governing policies and safeguards implemented for the safe use of hot sticks. The document also outlines the dielectric testing requirements..0 APPLICATION In order to protect personnel from shock, requirements are stipulated to ensure that hot sticks are used in a manner that reduces risk. Hot sticks also protect against arc flash hazards by creating a larger working distance between the source and the worker. This procedure, applies at any Vale locations indicated with approval on the cover page, with the following exceptions: This procedure has been reviewed by the Safety Authority (ESA)..1 EXCEPTIONS This procedure does not apply to: a) Cottrell (precipitator) operators in Sudbury b) Transportation operators and maintenance slag pot dump procedure P66 TRN V Power Slag Dumping Pole 3.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTATION The following documents were used in the development of this document or are related to it. They shall be used in their most recent revision. ASTM F711-0(007) American Society of Testing and Materials, Standard Specification for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Rod and Tube Used in Live Line Tools CAN/ULC-D60855 Live Working Insulating Foam-Filled Tubes and Solid Rods for Live Working CSA Z46-1 Workplace electrical safety (subsection and subsection 5.11) IEEE 978 Institute of and Electronic Engineers - Guide for In-Service Maintenance and of Live-Line Tools. Currently a withdrawn standard, (IEEE defines withdrawn as a standard which is no longer maintained, and which may contain significant obsolete or erroneous information.) IHSA/EUSA-09 & Utilities Safety Association of Ontario, Safety Rules (Section #134 and Table 3).

3 Department Page 3 of COMMITMENTS The () is committed to comply with: The Vale HomeSafe program; CSA-Z46-1 Workplace electrical safety. 5.0 DEFINITIONS FRP: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Hot Stick: Within the scope of this policy, a hot stick is synonymous with an insulated rescue hook, clamp stick, universal switch stick, fiberglass hot switch stick, insulated cable handler, static discharge stick, grounding stick, and all other sticks used in the power utility trade. Non-Utility Work: Non-utility work (voltages up to 13.8 kv-ac and 50 V-DC) performed by plant electricians is comprised of opening and closing aerial disconnects assisted by hot sticks, testing for power using a proximity tester assisted by a hot stick, phasing sticks, and installing temporary grounds using hot sticks. The hot sticks are used as primary protection against electrical shock and they are also used to mitigate arc flash hazards by creating distance between the source and the worker. Re-testing: Re-testing consists of a visual inspection of the hot stick (excluding the fittings and attachments) looking for any obvious signs of aging or damage, wet dielectric testing at 70 kv at every 1 interval, and then the addition of an expiry date sticker. The sticker will display a date which is three (3) years from the testing date. Utility Work: Utility work is comprised of the same work included in non-utility work, but with voltages up to 30 kv-ac and 50 V-DC; and in adverse weather conditions. Hot sticks are not only used for switching, but are also used while working on equipment using live line techniques.

4 Department Page 4 of RESPONSIBILTIIES Responsibilities by both Vale and its personnel, in accordance with the, include: Purchase of the hot sticks is the responsibility of Vale. These hot sticks will have an ASTM F711 rating and are available in various lengths, colors, and styles; The plant or mine s designated electrical authority is responsible for making this procedure known to all users through site specific training: Equal Code EL306 Electricians must never use the hot sticks without the appropriate class of insulating rubber gloves. However, linemen may use hot sticks without insulating rubber gloves while performing repairs and using live line techniques; Personnel must replace hot sticks when they become damaged, or when they fail the retesting procedure; and Each plant or mine will have a list of their hot sticks and a scheduled testing program. 7.0 PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR USING HOT STICKS UTILITY AND NON-UTILITY WORK (ALL ELECTRICAL PERSONNEL) The following procedures and requirements are necessary for all electrical personnel performing utility and non-utility work: Electricians who are required to use hot sticks must wear insulating rubber gloves in accordance with MPROC-5000 Insulating Rubber Glove Procedure. Linemen are exempt from this requirement when performing repairs using live line techniques. However, both electricians and linemen must be competent and authorized to use the hot sticks; Hot sticks shall have a legible expiry date. For utility work and for work performed in wet conditions, the expiry date shall not be less than two years from the working day. For all other work, the expiry date shall not be exceeded; The hot stick s length shall be in accordance with endix A for shock protection. For arc flash protection, a longer length may be required but situational awareness will dictate this length since caloric hazards are specific to the individual circuits (refer to the site s power system study or CSA-Z46-1 Tables 4A and 4B); When voltages exceed 5 kv, the worker using the hot stick shall not work alone;

5 Department Page 5 of 10 When using a hot stick in damp or adverse weather conditions, all workers at site shall be in agreement that the work can be performed safely; and Each day, prior to use, hot sticks are required to be cleaned and visually inspected. A silicote cloth (or equivalent cleaning product) should be used to wipe the hot stick before and after each use (if available), as this regular maintenance activity will extend the lifespan of the stick. If defects such as cracks or other abnormalities are detected through inspection, the hot stick must be removed from service and either destroyed, or returned for retesting. NOTES: There are no guidelines, standards, or regulations which permit leeway with the three (3) year expiry date. Retesting shall be scheduled annually for Vale s Power Department, but every third year for the plant and mine sites. The Power Department crews perform utility work which exposes them to more frequent adverse weather conditions, and thus greater risk. Retesting shall only be carried out by trained and competent individuals and the affixed expiry date shall either be one (1) or three (3) years from the testing data. The retesting shall be done at >16 C. 8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are intended to support the procedures and requirements of the, including: Sites should continuously attempt to lower their hot stick inventories Sites should attempt to standardize the sizes of hot sticks carried on-site. The use of telescopic models would help to accomplish this. The Power Department have tried several models and are making a recommendation in endix B Depending on the site s hot stick quantities or the site s location, it may be advantageous to bring them to the testing facility instead of having the representative travel to the site; Alternatively, a tester may be purchased by the site and certain individuals trained and qualified All hot sticks should be stored in protective cases or bags

6 Department Page 6 of APPENDICES endix A: Hot Stick Length Selection Table (for Shock Protection Only) endix B: Recommended Telescopic Hot Stick endix C: Possible Retesting Facilities & Available Tester Details endix D: Revision Notes and rovals

7 Department Page 7 of 10 endix A: Hot Stick Length Selection Table (for Shock Protection Only) The values in the following table were taken from Table 1A and 1B in CSA-Z46-1 Voltage Level Exposed Movable Conductor Exposed Fixed Circuit Part <50 Vac Not Specified Not Specified (optional with rubber insulated gloves) Vac 3 metre (10 feet) 1 metre (3 6 ) Vac 3 metre (10 feet) 1 metre (3 6 ) k Vac 3 metre (10 feet) 1.5 metres (5 ) k Vac 3 metre (10 feet) 1.8 metres (6 ) k Vac 3 metre (10 feet).5 metres (8 ) <100 Vdc Not Specified Not Specified (optional with rubber insulated gloves) Vdc 3 metre (10 feet) 1 metre (3 6 ) 301 1k Vdc 3 metre (10 feet) 1 metre (3 6 ) Note #1: The minimum lengths stated above are intended to provide the minimum distance for the worker s body and hands required for shock protection. These lengths must be increased to allow for proper and secure handling of the hot stick. Note #: The recommended hot stick length is 1 feet for movable conductors. The recommended hot stick length for plant sites dealing with voltages up to 13,800 volts is 7 feet. Greater lengths may be needed for arc flash protection or for switching devices mounted at high elevations.

8 Department Page 8 of 10 endix B: Recommended Telescopic Hot Stick Hastings, Model SH 00

9 Department Page 9 of 10 endix C: Possible Retesting Facilities & Available Tester Details Sudbury Area Wajax Industries (ask for Mike Prevost) 140 Magill Street, Lively, ON P3Y 1K6 Phone: (705) Mobile: (705) Fax: (705) mprevost@wajax.com Available Testers (Copper Cliff Smelter, Thompson Site) Chance-Hubbelll, cat# C roximate cost: $,00.00

10 Department Page 10 of 10 endix D: Revision Notes and rovals Rev Revision Notes Last Revised by: Phil Langlois, Lead Engineer SPI-ENG-0005 revised and reformatted to Maintenance Standard document: New EQUAL CODE EL306 assigned to this procedure with 5 year reviews Section 7 added the possibility to test hot sticks using trained and qualified site individuals instead of accredited/certified testing laboratories. 1 SPI-ENG-0005 Hot Stick Policy initial release 7/9/01