Environmental Health and Safety

Manual
Policy No. EHS-511 Policy Title: Electrical Safety
Date: 3/30/2006 Revision: 1 Approval: Jeff Canon

Table of Contents

1 Purpose and Scope.................................................................................................. 2

2 Definitions ................................................................................................................ 2
3 General Procedure / Requirements.......................................................................... 4
4 Grounding ................................................................................................................ 9
5 Electrical Equipment Locations .............................................................................. 10
6 Training .................................................................................................................. 11
7 Auditing / Inspections ............................................................................................. 11
8 References............................................................................................................. 11

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Policy No:EHS-511 Electrical Safety

1 Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this procedure is to provide policy and guidance to ensure that safe
electrical work practices are followed in ProEnergy Services facilities or on job sites
where ProEnergy Services employees are working. When it is necessary to perform
work in an area where there is likely to be exposure to energized circuits or electrical
hazards, the special precautions included in this procedure must be followed.
This procedure pertains to all those employees working on electrical equipment or in
and around areas where electrical hazards may be present. They shall be trained to
recognize and/or avoid hazards to which they will or may be exposed.
This procedure shall be used in conjunction with the ProEnergy Services Lock-Out /
Tag-Out (LOTO) Procedure.
2 Definitions
• Affected Employee – An employee whose job requires him or her to operate or use
a machine or piece of equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being
performed under LOTO, or whose job requires him or her to work in an area in which
such servicing or maintenance is being performed.
• Alternating Current (A-C) – Current which reverses its direction of flow at regular
intervals.
• Ampacity – The current carrying capacity for electrical conductors measured in
amperes.
• Bond – The electrical interconnection of conductive parts designed to maintain a
common electrical potential.
• Bus – A conductor or group of conductors that serve as a common connection for
two or more circuits.
• Circuit – A conductor or system of conductors through which an electrical current is
intended to flow.
• Conductor – A material, usually in the form of a wire, cable or bus bar, used for
carrying an electric current.
• Deenergized – Free of from any electrical connection to a source of potential
difference and from electric charge; not having a potential different from that of the
earth. (This term is used only in reference to current carrying parts, which are
sometimes energized or live).
• Designated Employee – An employee who is designated to perform specific duties
under the terms of this procedure and who is knowledgeable in the construction and
operation of the equipment and the hazards involved.
• Direct Current (D-C) – Current which flows in one direction.
• Enclosed – Surrounded by a case, housing, fence, or walls which will prevent
persons from accidentally contacting energized parts.
• Energized (Alive or Live) – Electrically connected to a source of potential
difference, or electrically charged so as to have a potential significantly different from
that of the earth in the vicinity.

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• Energy Source – Any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical,

nuclear, thermal, or other energy source that could cause injury to personnel.
• Exposed Parts – For live (energized) parts, capable of being accidentally touched
or approached closer than a safe distance by a person; for wiring methods, on or
attached to the surface or behind panels which allow access; and for communication
systems, circuits in such a position that failure of the supports or insulation will cause
contact with another circuit.
• Ground – A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an
electric circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in
place of the earth.
• Ground Fault – A condition in which the fault current to ground is greater than the
predetermined value for the circuit.
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – A device whose function is to interrupt
the electric circuit to the load when a fault current to ground exceeds some
predetermined value that is less than that required to operate the overcurrent
protection device of the supply circuit.
• Grounded – Connected to earth or to some other conducting body that serves in
place of the earth.
• Guarded – Covered, fenced, enclosed, or otherwise protected, by means of suitable
covers or casings, barrier rails or screens, mats, or platforms, designed to minimize
the possibility, under normal conditions, of dangerous approach or accidental
contact by persons or objects.
• High Voltage – Nominal voltages equal to 600 Volts or above.
• Impedance – The reactance and resistance which opposes the flow of current in an
AC circuit.
• Inductance – the property of electrical circuit which produces an electromotive force
by the variation of the current in the circuit itself or a neighboring circuit.
• Insulated – Separated from other conducting surfaces by a dielectric (including air
space) offering a high resistance to the passage of current.
• Low Voltage – Nominal voltages of below 600 Volts.
• Nominal Voltage – Voltage value assigned to a circuit or system to designate the
voltage class (service), such as 120/240 and 600.
• Portable Electric Tools – Equipment includes portable appliances, tools, hand
lamps, appliances, and other portable apparatus that are connected by cord and
plug. Majority of Portable Electric Tools, used in this procedure, have 120 Volt / 60
Hertz motors.
• Overcurrent – A condition in which the current is greater than the rate current of the
equipment or the ampacity of the conductors. Overcurrent can result from overload,
short circuit, or ground fault.
• Overload – A condition in which the equipment is operated in excess of its normal
full load, or conductor is operated in excess of its rated ampacity.
• Qualified Employee – A person knowledgeable in the equipment involved and
hazards associated with the work task, as applicable to the construction or operation
of electric power generation, transmission or distribution activities and or equipment.
There are specific requirements to become a Qualified Employee:

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Policy No:EHS-511 Electrical Safety

• Have the skills and techniques necessary to distinguish live parts from
other parts of electrical equipment;
• Have the skills and techniques to determine nominal voltage of exposed
live parts; and
• Know the clearance distances required (in the regulations) and the
corresponding voltages
In addition, a Qualified Employee is:
• A person who must have the appropriate training per regulatory standards;
and
An employee who is undergoing on-the-job training and who, in the course of such
training, has demonstrated the ability to perform duties safely at his or her level of
training and who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person is considered
to be qualified for the performance of those duties.
Retraining is required before performing tasks that are completed at intervals
greater than once per year.
• Short Circuit – A path of a circuit, which drops from its normal resistance to very
low resistance.
• Voltage – The effective potential difference between any two conductors or between
a conductor and ground. Voltages are expressed in nominal voltages unless
otherwise indicated. The operating voltage of the system may vary from this value.
• Working Clearances – Authorizations to perform specified work or permission to
enter a restricted area.

All repair and maintenance work on electrical equipment shall be performed by

trained and authorized personnel only (QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE).

3 General Procedure / Requirements

Where work requires employees to work on or near exposed circuit parts or equipment,
and there is danger of injury due to electrical shock, unexpected movement of
equipment, or other electrical hazards, the circuit parts and equipment that endanger
the employees shall be deenergized and locked- and tagged-out in accordance with
ProEnergy Services’ Lock-Out / Tag-Out procedure.

Only Qualified Persons may work on equipment or circuits that have NOT been
deenergized.

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Policy No:EHS-511 Electrical Safety

When it is not feasible to deenergize and lock or tag out electrical circuits and
equipment, employees are permitted to work on or near exposed energized electrical
equipment (conductors and circuit parts), provided the appropriate safety related work
practices are implemented for the voltage level of the exposed electrical equipment.
Permission for this work must be granted by the Facility or Site Manager, or designee.
In no situation or at any time shall a ProEnergy Services employee be authorized to
work on or near energized circuit parts or equipment when the voltage level exceeds
600 volts, nominal due to extreme dangers associated with and the lack of frequent
experience working on high voltage systems. In these situations, a licensed electrical
contractor must be used.
A. Notify all personnel concerned or affected before starting any electrical equipment.
B. Always assume a circuit is “hot” until you have checked it. Watch for any loose
wires.
C. Employees shall be thoroughly familiar with emergency trip switches.
D. Interlocks and safety devices shall be maintained in a safe and operable condition.
No interlock or other safety device shall be modified tom defeat its function except
for repair or adjustment.
E. Always remove the load from a circuit before pulling the switch. In addition, always
close panel doors on switches before they are turned on.
F. Ventilate the working area well and keep fires and sparks away from charging
batteries since the acid fumes could ignite and explode. Always remember that
hydrogen gas is generated while charging a battery.
G. All employees shall know the proper type of fire extinguisher to use when a fire
occurs of electrical nature. Know where these fire extinguishers are located.
NEVER USE WATER ON AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
H. Employees shall not be permitted to work in areas where they are likely to encounter
electrical hazards UNLESS they have been trained on and are fully aware of the
general safe work practices specified below:

• Alertness of Employees - Employees should not knowingly be permitted to work

on or near energized circuits when their alertness is recognizably impaired due to
illness, fatigue or other reasons.
• Proper Lighting - Employees must not enter spaces containing exposed electrical
parts unless adequate illumination is provided. Employees shall not reach blindly
into areas which may contain energized equipment.
• Space Considerations - When work near exposed electrical equipment is in an
area such that the space confinements is a safety concern, special consideration
must be given to the number of employees working in the area and the amount of
equipment at the scene so as not to interfere with safe passage near exposed
circuits.
• Working Clearances - Safe distances (and working clearances) shall not be less
than indicated in the Tables, included in the Attachment Section of this
procedure, while working on or near live circuit parts. Distances shall be

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measured from the live parts if such parts are exposed or from the enclosure
front opening if such are enclosed.
• Housekeeping and Janitorial Duties - Housekeeping and janitorial duties must
not be performed adjacent to exposed energized electrical parts where such
parts present an electrical safety hazard, unless adequate precautions are taken.
(Water, steam, conductive cleaning fluid, steel wool, or metalized cloth are
examples of materials not suitable for use in the vicinity of energized components
unless procedures are followed to prevent electrical contact).
• Overhead Lines – When work is performed in areas where energized overhead
lines are not guarded, isolated, or insulated, precautions must be taken to
prevent employees from contacting such lines directly (through the body) or
indirectly (through conductive tools or equipment). Again, reference the Tables
in the Attachment Section of this procedure for required and recommended
Approach Distances and Working Clearances.
I. Employees shall be safeguarded from injury by utilizing appropriate personal
protective gear and equipment / tools while working in situations in which there are
potential electrical hazards. These include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Flame-Resistant Clothing – Flame-resistant clothing should be worn by all

electrical workers because of the electrical hazards they face. A full body
NOMEX suit is recommended wear. Employees exposed to electrical hazards
SHALL NEVER wear fabrics which contain the following fabrics, either alone or in
blends:

• Acetate;
• Nylon;
• Polyester; or
• Rayon

Some fabrics specifically designed for use in protective clothing include

flame-retardant materials, synthetic materials, synthetic-cotton blends,
and 100% cotton. Avoid WOOL clothing, as wool produces cyanide
gas when it burns.

All protective equipment shall be inspected prior to each use, shall

be tested annually, and shall be maintained and stored in a safe,
reliable condition.

• Conductive Apparel - Conductive articles of jewelry and clothing such as watch

bands, bracelets, rings, necklaces, key-chains, metalized aprons, belt buckles,
or metal headgear shall not be worn where such items present an electrical
contact hazard with exposed energized parts. They can be worn ONLY IF they
can be rendered nonconductive by covering, wrapping, or using some other
effective means of insulation.

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Policy No:EHS-511 Electrical Safety

• Eye and Face Protection – Suitable eye and face protection shall be worn for
voltage in excess of 300 volts, nominal and when performing work on exposed
energized parts of equipment where there is a danger of injury to the eyes and
face from electric arc or flashes.
• Headgear – Electrical workers must wear nonconductive head protection
whenever they could be exposed to the danger of contacting energized parts or
equipment. Check hardhats to ensure proper rating (conforming to ANSI Z89.2,
Class E Hard Hat.)
• Footwear – Workers must wear some type of footwear that protects them
against accidental electric current when working near energized parts. Over
shoe styles include boots, rubbers, and galoshes. Shoes with shock resistant
soles are the most common. Shoes shall be inspected to ensure integrity prior
to working near energized parts.
• Electrical Safety Gloves – When working on or near low-voltage, energized
electrical parts, rubber gloves are required. (See Table below for glove classes
according to voltage rating). Whenever rubber gloves are used, they shall be
protected by outer leather or canvas gloves. In addition, rubber gloves shall be
air tested prior to each use (i.e., check inside and out for breakdowns,
punctures, cracks, and/or cuts).

Class of Insulating Item Voltage Rating Typical Color

00 500 Beige
0 1,000 Red
1 7,500 White
2 17,000 Yellow
3 26,500 Green
4 36,000 Orange

NOTE: Never use Rubber Gloves for Voltages greater than the rated Voltage.
Leather gloves DO NOT provide protection from electrical currents. Leather
gloves should be worn OVER rubber gloves to protect the rubber from cuts,
abrasions, etc. and shall NEVER be used IN PLACE of rubber gloves
regarding electrical work.

Bare Hand Work is PROHIBITED on ANY circuit over 50 volts.

• Ladders – Metal ladders and scaffolds are electric conductors; they should
never be used around electric circuits or in place where they can come in
contact with electrical circuits. Portable ladders and scaffolds shall be of non-
conductive type only.

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• Insulated Tools - Employees must use suitable insulated tools or handling

equipment where it is possible for these items to make contact with energized
equipment or parts. This type of protective equipment helps insulate electrical
workers from flashover, shock, and burn hazards.
• Insulated tools are designated as “secondary” protective devices and must be
used in conjunction with appropriate personal protective gear, NOT IN PLACE
OF IT.
• Electrical Safety Matting, Blankets, and Protective Barriers – Protective shields,
barriers or insulating materials (suitable for the voltage rating of the equipment)
shall be used to prevent electrically induced injuries for voltages in excess of
300 volts, nominal and when employees are working in the vicinity of exposed
energized parts when the possibility of heating or arcing is likely.
• Insulating blankets are a “secondary” source of worker protection. Blankets
must be tested before they are initially used and annually thereafter. If they are
damaged in any way, blankets must be taken out of service immediately.
• Permanent Rubber Matting – Permanently installed rubber insulated floor
matting (suitable for the voltage rating of the equipment) shall be installed in
switchgear rooms, motor control centers, and all other applicable locations to
provide continuous protection from any electrical safety hazards that exist. In
outdoor motor control centers where permanent installation is not possible, the
rubber matting shall be readily accessible.
• Hot Sticks (Shotguns) – Used on Live Lines, these insulated sticks of reinforced
fiberglass, epoxiglass, or wood are considered “live-line tools” and are used to
energize or deenergize the elements of conductors or parts associated with
electrical equipment. They are typically used to help maneuver and shift pieces
of equipment of provide the proper working clearances and distances with its
extended reach. Workers must still use gloves when using Hot Sticks.

J. To alert other employees that there are exposed energized parts or components in
the area, the following alerting methods shall be used, as required and feasible:

• Safety signs and tags shall always be used to warn employees that there are
potential hazards in the area.
• Barricades shall be used in conjunction with safety signs when it is necessary to
prevent or limit personnel access to work areas where the possibility of
exposure to exposed energized conductors is highly likely. Metal barricades
must not be used in these situations.
• Manual signaling shall be used when work areas prevent signs and barricades
from being effective alert measures.

K. Only employees who have a thorough knowledge of working safely with test
instruments and equipment on energized circuits shall be permitted to perform
testing work on electronic circuits or equipment where there is danger of injury due
to accidental contact with energized parts or improper use of test equipment.

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Test instruments and equipment and all associated test leads, cables, power cords,
probes, and connectors shall be visually inspected for external defects or damage
before each use. If damaged in any way, the equipment shall not be sued until
replaced or repaired.
Test instruments and their accessories shall be rated for the circuits and equipment
to which they will be connected and must be suitable for the environment in which
they will be used.
L. After work on energized systems, the employee performing the work is responsible
for removing any personal protective equipment and barricades, and reinstalling all
permanent barriers and/or covers.
M. Portable electric tools shall be treated in such a manner as not to damage or impair
the safety of the device. Some examples of POOR work practices that shall be
avoided when using or handling these types of tools include:

• Raising and lowering the tool using the power cord;

• Using the cord to pull the plug from the socket;
• Using the tool in a manner for which it was not designed (i.e., as a hammer);
• Using the tool in a manner such that it is exposed to water, steam, or excessive
dust.
Prior to each use, portable electric tools should be inspected for damage to the
plug, cord, or external case. Inspect for loose parts, cracks or tears, and wear that
might prevent the insulation from functioning properly and thus creating a safety
hazard. If tools or electrical equipment is not used daily or frequently, then a
quarterly inspection is required.
Any defective or broken tool or piece of equipment must IMMEDIATELY be taken
or tagged “OUT OF SERVICE” to prevent from using.
4 Grounding

EFFECTIVE GROUNDING states the path to ground:

1. Is permanent and continuous;
2. Has the capacity to conduct any fault current that may be imposed upon it;
and
3. Has low enough impedance to limit the voltage to ground and facilitate the
operation of circuit overcurrent devices.

Only flexible cords and cables which contain an equipment grounding conductor shall
be used for cord and plug connected electric equipment. Existing equipment grounding
connections shall never be by-passed.

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Adapters which interrupt the continuity of the equipment grounding connection (i.e.,
convert a three prong plug to a two-prong plug) shall not be used.
NOTE: In the case of a power tool that is double insulated, a flexible cord without a
grounding conductor may be used, but not recommended.
Whenever portable electric tools are used, the equipment must be protected via a
ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Each Site should have an Assured Equipment Grounding Program. It is an inspection
program covering the following:
• All cord sets (extension cords;
• Receptacles that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the structure;
• Equipment connected by cord and plug that is available for use or is used by
employees.
Under this program, regulatory standards mandate that the following two tests be
performed BEFORE the first use of new equipment, AFTER suspected damage to
the equipment, and at THREE MONTH INTERVALS (QUARTERLY):
• A continuity test to ensure that the equipment grounding conductor is
electrically continuous;
•
• A test must be performed on receptacles that are not part of the permanent
wiring of the building or structure, on all cord sets, and on cord- and plug-
connected equipment that is required to be grounded;
•
• A test to ensure that the equipment grounding conductor is connected to its
proper terminal.
5 Electrical Equipment Locations
The entrances to enclosures containing exposed high voltage energized parts, such as
transformers or switchyards, shall be kept locked, if capable. Access doors or gates to
rooms, vaults, or fenced enclosures containing electrical equipment shall be readily
opened from the inside without the use of a key.
Post entrances to rooms and other guarded locations containing exposed live parts with
conspicuous signs forbidding unqualified persons to enter.
Permanent and easy-to-read warning signs shall be posted on all doors and gates that
provide access to enclosures containing exposed energized parts and conductors
forbidding unqualified persons to enter. Signs shall be legible at 12 feet, of sufficient
durability to withstand the environment, and shall read something similar to the
following: “WARNING: HIGH VOLTAGE – KEEP OUT”.
Put up appropriate caution signs on metal-enclosed switchgear, unit substations,
transformers, pull boxes, connection boxes, and similar equipment

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6 Training
Any ProEnergy Services Facility or Site employees (including Field personnel) who will
be involved with electrical work on or near exposed energized parts (a qualified
employee) or working in areas where electrical work may be performed, shall be trained
on the requirements and guidelines of this procedure initially, upon hire.
Qualified employees shall be trained and competent in the following:
• The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other
parts or electrical equipment;
• The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of
exposed live parts;
• The minimum approach distances specified and the corresponding voltages to
which the qualified person will be exposed; and
• The proper use of precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment,
insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools for working on or near
exposed energized parts of electric equipment.
Refresher training is required annually.
7 Auditing / Inspections
A quarterly inspection of electrical equipment should be made and findings recorded.
All electrical hand tools, extension cords and other protective equipment should be
inspected periodically and results documented. A visual inspection should be
conducted prior to any use of this equipment (check for electrical integrity and
insulation).
The Electrical Safety Procedure shall be reviewed annually. This procedure will be
updated as necessary.
8 References
29 CFR 1910.137 Electrical Protective Equipment
29 CFR 1910.269 Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
29 CFR 1910.331-335 Safety-Related Work Practices - Electrical

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