This document is intended to provide basic safety guidelines for the Physical Plant Department at Community College of Allegheny County. The information provided in this guide may vary by site. Version 1.0
Table of Contents I. Objective II. Definitions III. Assignment of Responsibilities IV. Grounding V. Safety Rules VI. Generators VII. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) VIII. Lockout/Tagout IX. Training Attachment Training Sign-in Sheet 2
I. OBJECTIVE Community College of Allegheny County Community College of Allegheny County has created this electrical safety manual to protect employees from the hazards associated with working with electricity. This manual includes guidelines for employee duties and responsibilities, jobsite analysis and inspections and safe work practices that must be followed. The goal of Community College of Allegheny County is to ensure that: This policy is understood and followed. All necessary inspections, tests and other required procedures are taken. Employees working with or around electricity are properly trained, equipped and provided a safe work environment. II. DEFINITIONS Conductors - Objects/materials that have very little resistance to the flow of electrical current (metal and water). Insulators - Objects/materials that resist electrical current. Not considered good conductors of electricity (plastic, glass, porcelain and dry wood). Amperes - (amps) How electrical current is measured. Voltage - The pressure that drives/pushes electrical current. Transformer - A device that increases or decreases volts of electrical current. Grounding - Intentionally creating a low-resistance path to the earth for electrical current. Prevents buildup of voltages that could cause an electrical accident. Normally a secondary protective measure. Ground Fault - A break in the low-resistance grounding path, from a tool or electrical system, where the electrical current may take an alternate path to the ground through the user. Competent Person - One who is qualified to identify hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective measures. III. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES A. Management Community College of Allegheny County will ensure that each employee understands and follows the Safety Program through employee orientation, job hazard assessments training, job performance reviews, disciplinary action and other means deemed appropriate. Community College of Allegheny County will provide all necessary information, equipment and personnel to comply with this program. 3
Assignment Of Responsibilities, continued B. Program Administrator The Physical Plant Supervisor will manage the Safety Program for Community College of Allegheny County and maintain all records pertaining to the plan including reviewing and updating this plan as necessary and facilitate training. C. Site Supervisor/Competent Person(s) The Site Supervisor will oversee work performed at the worksite. This person will fulfill the role of Site Supervisor and Competent Person. This person will be responsible for implementing the Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program at the worksite. D. Employees Employees share the responsibility for employing proper work practices and for following the requirements of this Safety policy. Employees should report all unsafe conditions, unsafe employee actions and/or unsafe machinery and equipment to the Physical Plant Supervisor. Employees should pay attention and participate in training sessions as required. IV. GROUNDING Two types of grounding are required for the protection of employees, machines, tools and insulation. The Site Supervisor will ensure that both are properly implemented and used. Employees should notify their supervisor of any equipment or system that is not properly grounded. A. System or Service Ground - Designed to protect machines, tools and insulation against damage. A neutral conductor wire (white or gray in a low voltage circuit) is grounded at the transformer and at the service entrance to the building. B. Equipment Ground - Helps protect employees should a malfunction cause the tool s metal frame to become energized by providing a second path for the current to pass through from the tool or machine to the ground. V. SAFETY RULES Working with electricity can be very dangerous. Serious injuries, even death, can occur when employees do not follow safety procedures or work with unsafe equipment. The following rules should be adhered to at all times for the safety of all employees: 1) Contact utilities for buried line locations. 2) Watch for overhead lines and buried power line indicators. Post warning signs. Unqualified employees and mechanical equipment should remain at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. 3) Assume all lines are energized. 4) Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). 5) Test GFCIs according to manufacturer s guidelines. 6) Use double-insulated tools and equipment. 7) Visually inspect all equipment before use. 8) Ground all power supply systems, electrical circuits and electrical equipment. 9) Frequently inspect electrical systems to ensure that the ground is continuous. 4
Safety Rules, continued 10) Do not remove ground prongs from cord- and plug-connected equipment or extension cords. 11) Ground all exposed metal parts of equipment. 12) Never use multi-receptacle boxes designed to be mounted by fitting them with a power cord and placing them on the floor. 13) Never fabricate extension cords with ROMEX wire. 14) Never use equipment outdoors that is labeled for use only in dry, indoor locations. 15) Never use two-prong adaptor plugs on three-prong cords and tools. 16) Never use circuit breakers or fuses with the wrong rating for over-current protection. 17) Never use cords or tools with worn insulation or exposed wires. 18) Never remove ground prongs, face plates and insulation. 19) Use factory-assembled cord sets. 20) Use only extension cords that are 3-wire type and made for hard or extra-hard usage. 21) Use only cords, connection devices and fittings that are equipped with strain relief. 22) Remove cords by pulling on the plug, not the cords. 23) Continually audit cords on-site. Remove unsafe cords immediately. VI. GENERATORS Portable generators can also be very dangerous if used incorrectly. Always follow all manufacturers safety rules and guidelines. Inspect before each use and keep dry. Use only undamaged heavy-duty cords that are grounded when necessary. Use GFCIs according to manufacturer s guidelines. Shut down before refueling and never use indoors. VII. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) The Physical Plant Supervisor on each campus will determine when and what type of PPE is required at the jobsite. Employees must use PPE when required according to both manufacturer s guidelines and company regulations. VIII. LOCKOUT/TAGOUT The proper use of lockout/tagout procedures protects you from the accidental or unexpected startup of electrical equipment or machines. There are many dangers involved in the use of energized equipment and machines. If lockout/tagout is necessary, employees should refer to the lockout/tagout manual located in the Physical Plant Department for instructions. IX. TRAINING All employees will be properly trained in electrical safety. Training will include, but not be limited to, the following methods: classroom sessions, videos, PowerPoints, on-site trainings and print materials. safety procedures must be reviewed prior to the start of any new work. If an employee does not understand or has questions, they should not start work until after discussing the issue(s) with the Physical Plant Supervisor. Employees must follow all safety procedures at all times. 5
Training: Safety Instructor: Date Name Department 6