ELECTRICAL (COMPREHENSIVE) SAFETY PROGRAM REGULATORY STANDARD: OSHA - 29 CFR 1910.331 335-29 CFR 1926.302, 1926.416, 1926.417 BASIS: The National Safety Council estimates that there are at least 300 deaths annually from on-the-job electrocutions in the United States. Most of these are preventable. GENERAL: The company will ensure that work practices performed on or near electrical equipment and energy sources are evaluated to determine if proper safety precautions are implemented. This safety program is intended to address the issues of evaluating and identifying potential energy sources where work is performed, evaluating the associated potential hazards, communicating information concerning these hazards, and establishing appropriate procedures and protective measures for our employees. 1. Purpose 2. Scope 3. Responsibilities 4. Procedure 5. Safety Information 6. Training and Information 7. Definitions 8. Summary Table of Contents Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 1 of 11
Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program 1. Purpose. This program outlines the processes to protect employees in their workplaces from hazards associated with electrical energy. These processes may include, but are not limited to the following: 1.1 Design of electrical systems, electrical utilization equipment, and installations 1.2 Safety related work practices 1.3 Safety related maintenance requirements 1.4 Safety requirements for special equipment and processes 1.5 Additionally, any contractors that will perform electrical work at the company will be required to have an Electrical Safety Program in place. 2. Scope. This program applies to all employees and contractors of the company who are exposed to live electrical energy. 3. Responsibilities. 3.1 Management: 3.1.1 Ensure a written program is in place appropriate to the hazards. This program considers voltage, energy level, circuit conditions, and the identification of any electrical safety controls 3.1.2 Ensure any modifications to existing equipment meet Electrical Safety Standards 3.1.3 Ensure installations of new equipment are assessed or inspected to assure they meet the electrical safety standard requirements. 3.1.4 Review the written program at least annually to assure it remains accurate and applicable. 3.1.5 Assure employees who work on live electrical equipment or components, or who are exposed to electrical hazards are qualified under the requirements of the standard and appropriately trained, based on the risks presented. 3.1.6 Ensure all contractors who work with electrical parts, components or hazards have a written Electrical Safety Program in place, prior to their beginning work. 3.1.7 Provide Electrical Personal Protective Equipment to the employees, as needed. 3.2 Engineering and Design or Purchasing: 3.2.1 Ensure any modifications to existing equipment meet Electrical Safety Standards Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 2 of 11
3.2.2 Ensure installations of new equipment are assessed or inspected to assure they meet the electrical safety standard requirements. 3.2.3 Ensure all contractors who work with electrical parts, components or hazards have a written Electrical Safety Program in place, prior to their beginning work. 3.3 Contractors: 3.3.1 Provide the company with a copy of their written Electrical Safety Program and/or employee training records, upon request. 3.4 Safety Officer: 4. Procedure. 3.4.1 Assist in the development and implementation of the written program, as needed. Electrical Safety Program No Program Required No Designs; or Works on or near energized components Yes Voltage: >50 V to ground * No Exempt * Yes Yes Designs electrical systems and equipment Works on or near: > 50 V to ground Design Safety Standards for Electrical Systems and Equipment Organization Electrical Safety Program Qualified Person Safety Related Work Practices Organization Electrical Safety Program Non-Qualified Person Training Training Training 4.1 There may be conditions where voltages less than 50 volts may require an Electrical Safety Program. These would include, but are not limited to, conditions where electrical burns, explosion due to electric arcs, or low voltage, high current systems require safe work practices. Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 3 of 11
5. Safety Information. 5.1 General: 5.1.1 Qualified Employees - Only Qualified individuals are allowed to work on or near energized equipment. A process must be in place to ensure that employees performing electrical tasks are qualified and trained as appropriate. 5.1.2 Policies or Procedures Written electrical policies or procedures are established to ensure that electrical products, wiring, and devices are designed, installed, maintained, and utilized safely. Safe work practices and procedures are written and followed for regularly conducted tasks related to electrical exposures. 5.1.3 Level of Exposure - Hazard/Risk analyses are performed prior to any task. The work area is assessed to determine the level of exposure, requirements of the task and the corresponding risk to employees from any exposed energized parts or equipment. 5.1.4 Training - Employees receive training based on their regularly assigned tasks related to energized equipment. Employees are provided with and are trained to use any personal protective equipment (PPE) and instrumentation to perform their work tasks. 5.1.5 Safe Work Practices - Each person is expected to work within the limits of their expertise and training and follow established practices, which are developed according to the hazards and tasks performed. Examples are: 5.1.5.1 DO NOT leave exposed electrical hazards unattended 5.1.5.2 Replace covers or protect energized components from inadvertent contact 5.1.5.3 Utilize proper insulation and/or protective equipment and proper tools corresponding to the level of exposure. 5.1.6 Non-routine Tasks - Perform non-routine or emergency work only under the direction of qualified personnel, or after a thorough hazard/risk analysis (such as Job Hazard Analysis) of existing conditions. Write procedures, as required. Utilize Lock-Out/Tag- Out (LOTO) procedures, as required. 5.2 Safety Related Work Practices: 5.2.1 Scope 5.2.1.1 Safety related work practices must be implemented for both qualified and non-qualified persons working with or near energized parts, materials, equipment or sources. This includes premises wiring, wiring from a connection to a supply, other types of wiring and installation of optical fiber cable when cables are run in the same conduit, raceway (or equivalent system) with any electrical wiring. Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 4 of 11
5.2.1.2 Power generation, transmission and distribution work performed by qualified persons are exempted from this section. Additionally, work in vehicles (ships, watercraft, railways, aircraft and RVs) when such work is for signaling or communications equipment is also exempt. 5.2.2 Training must be classroom or on-the-job and the degree of training must be commensurate with the risk to the employee. Training includes: 5.2.2.1 The content of the portions of the electrical safety standard that applies to the work 5.2.2.2 Safety related work practice required for the respective job or task 5.2.2.3 Additional requirements for unqualified persons that are necessary for their safety, including methods to recognize energized from non-energized parts, how to determine nominal voltage of exposed live parts and the clearance distances outlined below in Table 1: Table 1 Voltage Range Minimum Distance 300V and less Contact should be avoided 300-750V 1 foot 750-2kV 1 foot 6 inches 2kV-15kV 2 feet 15kV-37kV 3 feet 37kV-87.5kV 3 feet 6 inches 87.5kV-121kV 4 feet 121kV-140kV 4 feet 6 inches >140kV Must be de-energized 5.2.3 Selection and Use of Work Practices. Work practices are designed to prevent shock and other injuries from either direct or indirect contact with live electrical parts and energy. 5.2.3.1 Live parts (>50V) must be de-energized before employees work on them, unless it is demonstrated that additional or increased hazards are introduced, or where de-energizing is infeasible due to design or operational limitations. In such cases, additional protective measures must be used to effectively protect employees. 5.2.3.2 Locking and Tagging or equivalent measures must be used to provide protection when live parts or equipment are de-energized. Lock-out must occur in accordance with the written procedure for de-energizing the equipment or process. (Reference company specific Lock-Out/Tag-Out program for more information.) Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 5 of 11
5.2.3.3 When equipment or processes can NOT be electrically de-energized, only electricians or other qualified persons are allowed to work on or near the equipment. Such people must be familiar with the types and level of hazards presented, the protective equipment necessary, and the specific procedure and process used to work on that energized equipment. 5.2.3.4 In all cases, overhead power lines must be de-energized if there is a possibility of contact with them by any part of the body, tool or equipment that could create a conduit of energy through the person or equipment. 5.2.3.4.1 If unqualified persons must work underneath or near energized lines, they must be located far enough away from the line so that any tool or equipment used can not contact the line. At a minimum, the distances must be 10 feet for 50kV or less and an additional 4 inches for every additional 10kV of power over 50kV. 5.2.3.4.2 Qualified persons may not approach or take un-insulated conductive objects any closer to overhead lines than the following: Table 2 Voltage Range Minimum Distance 300V and less Contact should be avoided 300-750V 1 foot 750-2kV 1 foot 6 inches 2kV-15kV 2 feet 15kV-37kV 3 feet 37kV-87.5kV 3 feet 6 inches 87.5kV-121kV 4 feet 121kV-140kV 4 feet 6 inches 5.2.3.4.3 If the employees are within approach distances, they must still be insulated by protective equipment or materials. 5.2.3.4.4 Elevated equipment (or equipment capable of being elevated) must maintain a clearance of at least 10 feet from overhead lines. Vehicles in transit with their structures lowered to their lowest level may reduce the clearance to 4 feet (plus 4 inches for every additional 10kV over 50kV). Insulated barriers, if used, must protect from the voltage that may be encountered. Aerial lifts used by qualified persons for work on overhead lines may have clearances reduced to the distances in Table 2 (above). 5.2.3.4.4.1 Employees on the ground may not have contact with such equipment or any of its attachments unless they are insulated or the approach distances of the equipment are limited to those outlined in the table above. Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 6 of 11
5.2.3.4.4.2 Where equipment could contact the energized lines and is intentionally grounded, employees may not stand at (or within a few feet of) the grounding location. Such areas should be barricaded. 5.2.3.5 Illumination and light must be provided to enable the employees to work safely. Blind reaching into a part, panel, equipment or circuitry system is prohibited. 5.2.3.6 Confined-space electrical work must utilize shields, barriers or insulating materials to avoid inadvertent contact with live energy sources and parts. Doors, panels, etc. must be secured. 5.2.3.7 Any conductive material must be handled in a manner that prevents contact with energized parts and materials. Procedures and work practices may need to be implemented when long-dimension objects (e.g. tree trimming poles) are used or handled in such areas. 5.2.3.8 Portable ladders must be non-conductive if used near energized materials. 5.2.3.9 Jewelry and similar clothing items (e.g. scarves) must be covered or removed, if contact with energized parts is possible. 5.2.3.10 Housekeeping duties should not be performed near live parts without additional precautions put into place. De-energizing should take place to prevent inadvertent contact with energized parts by un-qualified people. 5.2.3.11 Interlocks may not be defeated unless it is done by a qualified person. 5.2.4 Use of Equipment: 5.2.4.1 Portable equipment (Cord and Plug type) must be handled so that it is not damaged. Flexible cords may not be used to raise, lower, pull, move or hang equipment where the insulating jacket could be damaged. 5.2.4.1.1 Visual inspection must occur before use. Inspection includes looking for loose parts, deformed pins, and damage to the jacket or insulation. If equipment remains in place, it does not require inspection unless it is relocated. 5.2.4.1.2 Damaged equipment must be repaired or replaced prior to use. Repairs may require testing to assure electrical continuity and safety. 5.2.4.1.3 Plugs must be the appropriate type for the receptacle. Devices to circumvent this are prohibited (i.e. a three-prong adapter that allows the equipment to be plugged into a twoprong receptacle). Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 7 of 11
5.2.4.1.4 Flexible cords for equipment requiring grounding must contain a grounding connector. The plugs may not be altered or changed to allow insertion into a non-grounded receptacle. 5.2.4.1.5 Highly conductive environments (wet or damp locations or hazardous atmospheres) must use only equipment approved for that environment. Employees must not plug equipment in to receptacles in such locations if their hands are wet and equipment is energized. Insulating materials may be required when electrical energy can be conducted through the hands or fingers. 5.2.4.1.6 Locking connectors must be secured after connection. 5.2.4.2 Power and Lighting Circuits must use the switches, breakers or disconnects to open, reverse or close circuits when live energy is present. Cable connectors not specifically designed for this purpose may not be used, unless it is an emergency. After de-energizing, circuits may not be manually re-energized until it has been determined that it can be accomplished safely (overloads rather than fault conditions are exempt from this requirement). Over-current protection may not be modified. 5.2.4.3 Test equipment may be used only by a qualified person. Visual inspection of the test equipment must take place before each use. If defects or damage is found, it must be removed from service until repaired or replaced. Test equipment (and their accessories) must be designed and rated for the level of energy they will be testing for. 5.2.4.4 Where flammable or ignitable vapors, gases or dusts are present at any time electrical equipment capable of igniting these materials may not be used. 5.2.5 Safeguards for Personal Protection: 5.2.5.1 PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) appropriate to the level of electrical hazard that may be encountered must be provided and used. PPE must be maintained in a safe and reliable condition. It must be inspected or tested periodically. If the insulating capability of protective equipment could be damaged during use, the insulating material must be protected (i.e. outer leather gloves over insulated inner gloves). 5.2.4.1.1 Non-conductive head protection must be provided if head injury is possible from contact with electrical circuits or conductors. 5.2.4.1.2 Eye or face protection is required when arcs or flashes may occur or if electrical explosion could create flying objects. Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 8 of 11
6. Training and Information. 5.2.4.2 Insulted tools and equipment are used when contact with live energy is possible. If the insulating capability of tools and equipment could be damaged during use, the insulating material must be protected. 5.2.4.2.1 Fuse removal tools must be rated for the circuit voltage 5.2.4.2.2 Ropes and hand-lines must be non-conductive 5.2.4.2.3 Protective shields will be put in place or used to prevent contact with live parts or energized materials. Nonqualified persons must be suitably protected during service or repair from contact with live electrical energy or energy hazards. 5.2.4.3 Warning and alerting devices, such as signs, tags symbols, barricades or attendants will be used to protect employees from contact with energy hazards. Barricades must be used in conjunction with signs when access to a work area must be restricted. Where such barricades do not provide sufficient protection, attendants will be posted. 6.1 All employees with exposures will receive general electrical safety awareness training 6.2 Qualified individuals will have appropriate licenses or certifications of training 6.3 Employees exposed to 50 volts or more to ground (and their first-line supervisors) require additional training that is commensurate with the risk encountered 6.4 Welders must be trained, regardless of the voltage they may encounter 7. Definitions. Conductor - A wire or other conduit that conducts electricity De-Energized - Free from any electrical connection to an energy source Designs Electrical Systems and Equipment - Engineers or other technical professionals responsible for implementing design safety standards for electrical equipment. Electrical Personal Protective Equipment and Devices - Protective equipment that is specifically designed to protect individuals from shock, arc blast, arc flash, etc. Electrical Safety Program - The program that directs activity appropriate for the voltage, energy level, and circuit conditions, and include safety-related work practices. Energized - Electrically connected to an energy source. Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 9 of 11
Over-Current Protection - A device that protects equipment or conductors from current in excess of the rating for the equipment or conductors. Qualified Person - A person trained and knowledgeable to recognize and avoid electrical hazards of equipment or a specific work method. Safety Related Work Practices - Methods that are consistent with the nature and extent of electrical hazards that are meant to safeguard employees from injury while working on or near exposed electric conductors or circuit parts that are (or can become) energized. Un-Qualified Person - An individual that is not permitted to work on electrical equipment because they do not have the necessary skills and/or training to perform the work safely. 8. Summary. 8.1 This program outlines the processes to protect employees in their workplaces from hazards associated with electrical energy. These processes may include, but are not limited to the following: 8.1.1 Design of electrical systems, electrical utilization equipment, installations and approvals. 8.1.2 Safety related work practices 8.1.3 Safety related maintenance requirements 8.1.4 Safety requirements for special equipment and processes (high voltage equipment or processes, lock-out/tag-out applications, approvals for new equipment, etc.) 8.1.5 Additionally, any contractors that will perform electrical work at the company will be required to have an Electrical Safety Program in place. 8.2 Definitions: 8.2.1 Qualified Person A person trained and knowledgeable to recognize and avoid electrical hazards of equipment or a specific work method, such as an electrician or someone trained by an electrician for that specific process or application. 8.2.2 LOTO Lock-out/Tag-out, a means of assuring equipment and operations are deenergized prior to start of work. Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 10 of 11
8.3 Basic Responsibilities: Management Engineering/Design or Purchasing Contractors Safety Officer Electrical Safety Program X X * Equipment designed to meet safety standards Installations are assessed and inspected X X X X * Written program reviewed X X * Train employees; qualified personnel Contractor programs meet requirements X X X * X X* X * Assist as needed 8.4 Training Requirements: 8.4.1 All employees with exposures will receive general electrical safety awareness training 8.4.2 Qualified individuals will have appropriate licenses or certification of training 8.4.3 Employees exposed to 50 volts or more to ground (and their first-line Supervisors). 8.4.4 Welders must be trained in electrical safety, regardless of the voltage encountered. 8.4.5 Specialized equipment (high voltage, CDT, etc.) may require additional training or restrictions put into place to limit exposures. Electrical (Comprehensive) Safety Program Page 11 of 11