Electrical Safety – Work Standards

Electrical Safety – Work Standards

Design of New or Modified Equipment and Systems:

1. All electrical equipment shall be designed, manufactured, and installed according to NEC and NFPA standards.
2. Protection against electrical shock, static electricity, and lighting shall be considered.
3. Electrical isolation and labeling of electrical isolation points shall be installed and maintained, with consideration of the location to minimize risk.
4. All new or modified electrical systems installed in hazardous areas, namely Building 19 or other areas handling flammable materials, shall be installed according to NEC and NFPA standards.  In addition, the equipment must be approved and certified by a nationally recognized testing authority.

Electrical System Inspections / Maintenance

3. All electrical systems shall be maintained for safety.
4. A preventive and predictive maintenance program for electrical systems shall be developed, maintained, and kept up-to-date. Records of such maintenance shall be maintained.
5. Records shall be kept of electrical equipment and systems including system fault levels and protection settings.

High Voltage (equipment rated over 1000 volts) work

3. Work on or near live High Voltage (HV) conductors is NOT allowed.
4. Isolation of HV conductors must be completed by authorized personnel only, and those personnels must be authorized by the Engineering Manager or Engineering Manager Designee. Isolation of HV conductors requires the following actions:
   1. The isolation must be detailed on the site “Safe Work Permit”.
   2. The isolation must be tested and verified successful that the HV conductor is “dead”. In addition, the electrical test instrument must be tested to see that it works before and after use.
   3. The isolation must be locked out and tagged.
   4. Disconnected cables or conductors must be properly secured for safety.
   5. The work / isolation area must be roped off to keep all extraneous area personnel at a safe distance (see Appendix A)
5. Appendix A details restricted approach boundaries, flash protection boundaries, hazard risk categories, tools, and PPE for high voltage work. The only “live” high voltage work which is allowed at the Port Huron site is isolation.  The PPE required for isolation is detailed in Appendices A & C.  After it is verified the conductors are “dead”, the hazard/risk category drops to “0”, and PPE requirements are minimized.

Low Voltage (equipment rated less than 1000 volts) work

6. Work on or near live Low Voltage (LV) conductors, which are on circuits rated at more than 250 amps is NOT allowed.  PPE and procedures are to be followed as for HV work.
7. Work on or near live LV conductors, which are on circuits rated at less than 250 amps is permitted where it is unreasonable for work to be carried out “dead”.  All electrical work on these circuits must be completed, whenever possible, dead.  This will minimize the danger and also minimize the PPE requirements.  However, LV live work is restricted to the following activities:
   1. Opening of hinged external covers
   2. Removal of external covers except top covers
   3. Visual inspection
   4. Removal or replacement of fuses
   5. Use of approved test equipment that does not require any part of the body, including the hand, to enter the electrical enclosure.
8. Where live working is essential, barriers, screens, PPE and other suitable precautions will be taken to prevent injury.
9. In addition, work may be carried out on or near live LV conductors on circuits rated below 20 Amps or operating at nominal voltages not exceeding 50 VAC or 110 VDC under the following conditions:
   1. Use of simple insulated tools to tighten terminals.
   2. Maintenance or testing on conductors, terminations, or components where accidental contact with other live conductors is unlikely.
10. Isolation of LV conductors must be completed by authorized personnel only, and those personnels must be authorized by the Engineering Manager or Engineering Manager Designee. Isolation of LV conductors requires the following actions:
    1. The isolation must be detailed on the site “Safe Work Permit”.
    2. The isolation must be tested and verified successful that the HV conductor is “dead”.
    3. In addition, the electrical test instrument must be tested to see that it works before and after use.
    4. The isolation must be locked out and tagged.
    5. If the isolation is a pulled plug, the plug shall be locked out with a plug-lock or in the control of the authorized person making the repair or installation.
11. Appendix A details restricted approach boundaries, flash protection boundaries, hazard risk categories, tools, and PPE for low voltage work.