Safe Work Practice

Electrical Safety

1. All temporary wiring must be installed and maintained in accordance with applicable
codes.

2. Temporary electrical cords are to be kept clear of locations where they may be subjected
to damage or present tripping hazards.

3. Ensure your extension cords and power tools have the appropriate continuity and polarity
testing every 3 months and color coded tags applied as per WorkSafeBC’s’ Assured
Grounding Program. If they do not, bring into the shop and have the testing done.

 Red – January, February, March

 White – April, May, June

 Blue – July, August, September

 Green – October, November, December

4. Splices in electrical cords must retain original mechanical, water penetration and electrical
strength.

5. Energized wiring in junction boxes, circuit breaker panels, etc. must be protected from
accidental contact whenever left unattended.

6. Temporary lighting lamps that are broken or burned out are to be replaced as soon as
possible. Bulbs are not to be removed from other areas to provide lighting.

7. Avoid working on any circuits when standing on metal or in water.

8. Avoid having electrical cable or connections in water.

9. Under no circumstances* shall work be conducted, materials be stacked, scaffolds be

erected, or tools and equipment be operated in proximity to power lines within the limits
of approach. These limits of approach are specified in the following table:

VOLTAGE MINIMUM
DISTANCE

751 V to 75 kV 3 metres (10 feet)

Over 75 kV to 250 kV 4.6 metres (15 feet)

Over 250 kV to 550 6.1 metres (20 feet)

kV
Note: Sufficient distance shall be added to the specified distance to prevent unplanned or
accidental movements bringing the worker, tools, equipment or material within the specified
distance. The specified distance used applies to all parts of the equipment, including booms,
hoisting cables and any part of the load being raised. Distances shall be increased to provide
for any change in boom angle, swing of the hoisting cable and the load while it is being raised,
lowered or moved laterally, to ensure that safe distance is maintained at all times.

*The only exception to the above rule is for qualified, properly instructed workers
working in an emergency situation, and if workers are protected in accordance with
regulatory requirements

10. The supervisor must be notified when power-lines are encountered within a work area.
The supervisor will ascertain the voltage, and minimum distance required, and will ensure a
WSBC Form 30M33 (Assurance in Writing) is completed and submitted when required.

11. The following must be followed prior to commencing work when job circumstance
requires working closer than the limits of approach as stated above:

An Assurance in Writing form must be obtained from and signed by the person(s) controlling
the electrical system. The assurance must state that during the work period, the electrical
conductors will be de-energized, effectively guarded against contact, or displaced/re-routed
from the work area. The assurance must be posted at the jobsite & available for inspection
by a WSBC Officer.

12. Contact with live electrical equipment and electrical guarding is prohibited. Whenever
guarding is used, a qualified safety watcher must be posted to control the approach and
prevent contact with the guarding of equipment, tools and workers. The only exception to
this rule is for qualified electricians with special training and experience as outlined in the
WSBC OHSR Part 19.