POLICY

A. Purpose

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) Electrical Equipment Safety Program (EESP) is designed to ensure the safe operation and installation of electrical utilization equipment. This is achieved by purchasing equipment with a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) certification, or through a Berkeley Lab inspection and approval process, with final approval by the Berkeley Lab Electrical Safety Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

B. Persons Affected

Any Berkeley Lab employee, subcontractor, or affiliate who purchases or builds electrical utilization equipment for use at Berkeley Lab that has a potential of 50 volts or greater anywhere in the equipment.

C. Exceptions

The following types of electrical equipment do not require inspection and approval prior to use:

1. Unmodified NRTL-Listed Equipment: Equipment that is listed by an NRTL and has not been modified.
2. Unused Equipment: Equipment that is not being used (e.g., in storage, staged for salvage or excess, etc.). Equipment that is not being used must be labeled with the EQUIPMENT OUT OF SERVICE label (see Appendix B) so it is clear it is not in use.
3. Equipment Granted Conditional Acceptance Under Work Process E: Prototype or proof-of-concept equipment (e.g., test chassis, benchtop experiment) in the process of being built to test the validity of a design and that is under the exclusive control of the designer if used for less than three months. Equipment being developed that exceeds a three-month period may be acceptable but requires Conditional Acceptance per Work Process E.
4. Equipment Considered Nonhazardous: Equipment in any of the following categories is considered nonhazardous:

Note: Equipment that is connected to AC only via a step-down transformer/AC adapter with voltage output less than 50 volts is exempt, but the transformer/AC adapter must be NRTL Listed.

D. Policy Statement

1. The Berkeley Lab Electrical Equipment Safety Program (EESP) is designed to ensure the safe operation and installation of electrical utilization equipment. Only electrical utilization equipment that has been approved by the AHJ may be used at Berkeley Lab. Electrical utilization equipment that has been Accepted, Certified, Labeled, or Listed by an NRTL is considered acceptable to the AHJ, and is approved for use provided the equipment is installed and used within the manufacturer's listing intent. Electrical utilization equipment that has NOT been Accepted, Certified, Labeled, or Listed by an NRTL is not acceptable to the AHJ unless it has satisfactorily passed a documented safety inspection. To meet this requirement, Berkeley Lab has established the EESP.
2. Upon installation, and prior to energization, newly purchased or Berkeley Lab–built electrical utilization equipment:

• • Must receive an initial survey (Work Process C, Equipment Surveys)
  • That is not NRTL Listed must be inspected by an Electrical Equipment Inspector and approved by the AHJ (Work    Process F, Inspecting and Approving Electrical Equipment)

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Roles and responsibilities related to Electrical Equipment Safety can be found here (ES&H Manual Chapter 14).

F. Definitions/Acronyms

Definitions and acronyms related to this chapter can be found here (ES&H Manual, Chapter 14).

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

Electrical utilization equipment surveys, inspections, status, and approvals are maintained on the EESP database.

H. Implementing Documents

I. Contact Information

Electrical Safety Program Manager
EHS Division / Electrical Safety Group

J. Revision History

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

The 10 CFR 851 DOE Worker Safety and Health Program rule includes the following relevant standards by reference and must be complied with as law:

• Title 29 CFR, Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards. The relevant parts for this program are 1910.303(a) and 1910.399.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70, National Electrical Code, (2017). The relevant articles for this program are 90.7, 110.2 and 110.3.

Implementing Documents