Management Plan for Electrical Safety ISD #535 Health & Safety Office Maintenance Service Building 10 SE 9 ½ Street Rochester, MN 55904 507-328-4507
MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY Table of Contents Annual Review Form 1.0 Purpose and Scope 2.0 Authority and Reference 3.0 Survey 4.0 School Board Review and Approval 5.0 Qualified Employees 6.0 Identification of Hazards 6.1 Small Appliances 6.2 Electrical Equipment 6.3 Flexible Cords 6.4 Electrical Repairs 6.5 Insulated Tools 6.6 Guarding of Live Parts 6.7 Labeling of Disconnects 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 7.1 Flame Resistant Clothing 7.2 Inspecting and Maintaining PPE 7.3 Rubber Insulated Gloves 7.4 Leather Protector Gloves 8.0 New Equipment Purchases 9.0 Protective Boundaries 10.0 Periodic Inspection and Surveillance 11.0 Training 11.1 Qualified Persons 11.2 Unqualified Persons 2
Modification Date Document Modification Form All document modifications must be recorded on this form. Modification Description Modifications By Purpose of Modification Approved By 11-10-2009 Implementation Michael Stock Implementation M.S. 12-15-2010 Annual Review Michael Stock Annual Review M.S. 4-25-2012 Annual Review Michael Stock Annual Review M.S. 6-11-2013 Annual Review Michael Stock Annual Review M.S. 3
1.0 Purpose and Scope: The purpose of this Electrical Safety Management Plan is to define and establish safe work practices when working on or near exposed electrical parts up to 600 volts. Work on voltages above 600 volts is prohibited by District employees. The District is required to identify electrical safety hazards in the work place, the employees who are routinely exposed to these hazards, train the routinely exposed employees, provide them with personal protective equipment against these hazards, and take measures to correct any unsafe or unhealthy work conditions. This management plan applies to employees, visitors and contractors that perform, supervise, and/or execute electrical work, perform lock-out tag-out, or work in the vicinity of electrical systems. Work on live parts is expressly prohibited with the exception of Lock-out Tag-out verification and troubleshooting. Note: Electrical parts are considered live until verified to be in an electrically safe condition through the use of a voltage meter. 2.0 Authority and Reference: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): 29 CFR 1910.302 Power Operated Hand Tools 29 CFR 1910.303 General Requirements 29 CFR 1910.304 Wiring Design and Protection 29 CFR 1910.305 Wiring methods, Components and Equipment for General Use 29 CFR 1910.332 Training 29 CFR 1910.333 Selection and Use of Work Practices 29 CFR 1910.334 Use of Equipment 29 CFR 1910.335 Safe Guards for Personal Protection NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace 3.0 Survey: An occupational training needs assessment was performed to identify district employees potentially exposed to live electrical parts. This assessment identifies school related OSHA regulations and considers the different employee groups that are affected. The assessment also included a review of state and local requirements, position description reviews, interviews with supervisors and employees, a review of OSHA inspections, and discussions with other school districts. At the conclusion of this assessment, it was determined that district electricians are identified as routinely exposed to electrical hazards. 4.0 School Board Review and Approval: The Rochester Public School Board conducts an annual review and approves all Health and Safety Management Plans and related procedures. 5.0 Qualified Employees: A qualified person is defined as a person who has been trained in safe practices to avoid the electrical hazards of working on or near exposed energized parts and is familiar with the construction and operation of the equipment and the hazards involved. An employee who is undergoing on-the-job training and has demonstrated an ability to perform duties safely at their respective level of training and is under the direct supervision of a qualified person may also perform these duties. 6.0 Identification of Hazards: The identification and removal of unsafe conditions is the responsibility of the school administrators and the obligation of all district staff members. The custodians shall monitor and red tag unsafe conditions or equipment found in the school district s facilities for corrective action including removal or disposal. 4
6.1 Small Appliances: The use of small appliances in the work place such as microwaves, coffee pots, refrigerators, and hot plates pose a significant fire and safety hazard. Appliances are typically ungrounded, plugged into outlets that are not GFI protected, and left unattended. Exposures to these unsafe conditions are minimized by centralizing the location of small appliances and limiting their use. All appliances in the work place shall be grounded, equipped with an automatic shut off and, if located within 36 of a water source, GFCI protected. 6.2 Electrical Equipment: Power operated hand tools used in the work place shall be double insulated or grounded. Employees shall visually inspect tools prior to use. Power tools not in compliance with OSHA standards shall be discarded and replaced when they have become damaged or have reached the end of their useful life. Battery operated tools shall be used whenever possible to reduce the risk of electrical shock, especially when working in damp or wet locations. Fans used for the purpose of drying carpets by the school custodian shall be double insulated or grounded. The typical classroom fan used by teachers to improve air movement and cooling will be discarded and replaced with double insulated or grounded fans when they have been damaged or reached the end of their useful life, whichever comes first. 6.3 Flexible Cords: Flexible cords (i.e. extension cords) are not used in the district in place of permanent wiring. The use of flexible cords to provide temporary power (90-day duration) is acceptable. Flexible cords passing through walls or partitions are considered permanent wiring, are expressly prohibited, and are subject to OSHA fines and/or penalties. Flexible cords shall be plugged directly into outlets. At no time shall extension cords and power strips be connected together to provide additional length or outlets (daisy chains). The cords used in the work place shall be heavy duty or industrial and rated for the proper voltages based on the equipment being used. Cords shall be properly stored indoors and unplugged when not in use. All cords shall be visually inspected prior to use for damage or wear. At no time should a cord be used when the grounding plug has been removed or damaged. Damaged or worn cords shall not be repaired as repairs can have an impact on the ability of the cord to provide adequate grounding. Cords used in damp or wet locations shall be equipped with GFCI protection unless a breaker, receptacle or portable GFCI unit provides the same protection. 6.4 Electrical Repairs: Only qualified employees may perform electrical repairs or troubleshooting on live electrical parts as part of their typical work routine. Lockout/Tagout procedures (per the district s Energy Control Management Plan) are followed when performing these repairs. Qualified Electrical work above 600 volts will be completed by a qualified outside contractor. 6.5 Insulated Tools: Qualified employees shall use insulated tools or handling equipment if there is potential for the tools or handling equipment to make contact with energized electrical parts. Damaged tools or tools missing the insulation shall be removed from service and replaced. 6.6 Guarding of Live Parts: Electrical equipment with exposed live parts of 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by approved cabinets, covers or location in a restricted access area that prevents unqualified personnel from entering the area. 5
6.7 Labeling of Disconnects: Circuit breakers, disconnects and electrical panels shall be properly labeled to identify the equipment controlled. Appropriate arc flash warnings will be placed on control panels, electrical panels and disconnects. 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Qualified employees working within the flash protection boundary shall wear the appropriate protective clothing and equipment as required based on the hazard analysis and tasks to be performed. 7.1 Flame Resistant Clothing: Where it has been determined that work will be performed in areas where there are electrical hazards, Flame Resistant (FR) clothing and PPE shall be used by qualified employees while working within the flash protection boundaries. Recommended clothing will be FR rated pants and shirts or 100% cotton pants and shirts worn with FR rated coveralls. The FR clothing will have the appropriate arc rating as determined by the tasks performed and the voltages present. 7.2 Inspecting and Maintaining PPE: PPE equipment shall be visually inspected for damage and defects before use. Damaged or defective PPE shall be replaced. 7.3 Rubber Insulated Gloves: All rubber insulated gloves shall have a valid test date. Prior to each usage the gloves shall be visually inspected for deterioration or damage and that the expiration date for the gloves has not been exceeded. Qualified employees shall use the air leak test to determine if the gloves have air holes. Gloves that are damaged, defective or have exceeded the test dates shall be removed from service. 7.4 Leather Protector Gloves: Leather protector gloves shall be worn over rubber insulating gloves. 8.0 New Equipment Purchases: It is the responsibility of each school administrator to communicate the purchase of new electrical equipment and appliances to the Health & Safety Coordinator. New electrical equipment must meet OSHA safety standards. 9.0 Protective Boundaries: Qualified employees are required to determine and establish the appropriate flash protection boundaries around the exposed live parts. Only qualified employees are allowed to work in these established boundaries, and only when the appropriate precautions have been taken along with the wearing of required PPE. 10.0 Periodic Inspection and Surveillance: A mock-osha self-inspection is conducted annually in each building. The purpose is to identify unsafe work conditions, train employees, and provide the school administrator with a report documenting compliance efforts. 11.0 Training: The training curriculum follows guidelines set by OSHA and NFPA 70E. Employees receive training during normal work hours or are compensated for overtime. Training records are maintained in the Health & Safety Coordinator s Office. 6
11.1 Qualified Persons: Qualified persons shall be trained and knowledgeable in the construction and operation of the equipment and specific work procedures. Training must be provided on recognizing and avoiding electrical hazards that might be present in the work area. Qualified persons must be familiar with proper procedures, PPE requirements, insulating and shielding techniques, insulated tools and test equipment. In order to be qualified, the person must be knowledgeable in the equipment, procedures and voltages they are required to work with. In addition, persons permitted to work within limited approach boundaries of exposed electrical parts must receive training and be knowledgeable on the following: 1) Skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from other parts of electrical equipment. 2) Skills and techniques necessary for the specific voltage ranges they are required to work with. 3) Skills and techniques to determine the nominal voltage of exposed energized parts. 4) Approach distances as specified in NFPA 70E. 5) Determine the degree and extent of the hazards and the PPE and job planning to perform the task safely. Qualified persons working on or near exposed energized parts shall be trained in emergency actions (i.e. removing victim from live circuits), first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 11.2 Unqualified Persons: Unqualified persons shall be trained in and familiar with any of the electrical safety related practices that are necessary for their safety. This includes, but is not limited to LOTO, protection boundaries and the identification and reporting of unsafe electrical conditions. 7