Title: |
Electrical Safety |
Publication date: |
3/6/2017 |
Effective date: |
7/1/2015 |
BRIEF
Policy Summary
The Electrical Safety Program at Berkeley Lab protects Laboratory employees, visitors, and subcontractors by:
- Managing electrical hazards
- Establishing qualifications for performing electrical work
- Providing electrical safety training
- Requiring an electrically safe work condition before performing electrical work while defining allowed exceptions
Who Should Read This Policy
All Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors
To Read the Full Policy, Go To:
The POLICY tab on this wiki page
To Read the ES&H Program Details, Go To:
http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH08/CH8.html
Contact Information
Mark Scott
Electrical Safety Program Manager
EHS Division / Occupational Safety Department / Electrical Safety Group
[email protected]
Title: |
Electrical Safety |
Publication date: |
3/6/2017 |
Effective date: |
7/1/2015 |
POLICY
A. Purpose
The purpose of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) Electrical Safety Program is to specify the minimum requirements for identifying and controlling electrical hazards to prevent fatalities and injuries to personnel from working on or around hazardous electrical energy.
B. Persons Affected
All Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors
C. Exceptions
Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Environment/Health/Safety (EHS) Division Director and the Electrical AHJ for Safe Work Practices.
D. Policy Statement
- The policy of Berkeley Lab is to implement the requirements of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2012 Edition.
- All electrical facilities and equipment shall be installed, operated, and maintained in a safe manner.
- All work involving electrical energy shall be performed in a safe manner.
- The primary safe work practice is to establish an electrically safe work condition.
- Qualified Electrical Workers:
- Electrical work shall only be performed by Qualified Electrical Workers, with approved equipment and PPE, using the Electrical Safe Work Practices outlined in the Electrical Safety Program.
- Management is accountable for ensuring that only Qualified Electrical Workers perform work on electrical equipment, and for ensuring that Qualified Electrical Workers have the required work planning and authorization, training, equipment, and PPE specified in the Electrical Safety Program.
- All personnel asked to perform electrical work have a duty to refuse if they are not qualified or if they feel they have not received the work planning and authorization, training, equipment, and PPE specified to perform the work safely.
- All personnel are asked to stop work in accordance with the Stop Work Policy in the event of any real or perceived imminent hazard.
- Energized Work:
- All electrical repair work shall be performed deenergized and in an electrically safe work condition, unless approved by an Energized Electrical Work Permit.
- Performing energized electrical repair work under an Energized Electrical Work Permit shall require additional justification and shall only be approved in extraordinary circumstances and as a last resort. In addition, no person shall be required, against his or her will, to perform energized repair work that requires an Energized Electrical Work Permit.
- Violation of these principles shall be reported immediately to line management, the Electrical Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for Safe Work Practices, or the Electrical Safety Committee.
E. Roles and Responsibilities
Role | Responsibilities |
Deputy Director for Operations |
|
Electrical Safety Advisory Board (ESAB) |
|
Electrical Safety Committee (ESC) |
The Electrical Safety Committee (ESC) is a subcommittee of the Berkeley Lab Safety Advisory Committee (SAC). The ESC has the responsibility to develop and maintain the Berkeley Lab[ Electrical Safety Program. The ESC will:
The ESC may also be requested to review electrical and electronic equipment and their installations at Berkeley Lab. |
Environment/Health/Safety (EHS) Division |
|
Facilities Division |
|
Engineering Division |
|
EHS Electrical Safety Group |
|
Electrical Safety Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for Safe Work Practices |
|
Electrical Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for Safe Installations |
|
Laboratory Electrical Safety Officer |
|
Deputy Laboratory Electrical Safety Officer |
|
Division Electrical Safety Officers |
|
Division Electrical Safety Advocates |
|
Qualified Electrical Workers (QEWs) |
|
Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) Supervisors |
|
Division Safety Coordinators |
|
Line management (including supervisors, managers, and work leads) |
|
Non–Qualified Electrical Workers (Non-QEWs) |
|
F. Definitions/Acronyms
Term |
Definition |
Arc flash hazard |
A dangerous condition associated with the possible release of energy caused by an electric arc. |
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) |
An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure. |
Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP) |
A National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certification for NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. |
De-energized |
Free from any electrical connection to a source of potential difference and from electrical charge; not having a potential different from that of the earth. |
Diagnostics |
Taking readings or measurements of electrical equipment with approved test equipment that does not require making any physical change to the equipment. Includes testing and troubleshooting. |
Direct field supervision |
A designated competent Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) is present on site and is providing oversight, guidance, and instruction on a specific task or set of tasks to another person. |
Division Electrical Safety Officer |
A qualified electrical worker that is the division-level representative of the Electrical AHJ for Safe Work Practices. Power User Divisions are required to have a Division Electrical Safety Officer. |
Division Electrical Safety Advocate |
A Non-QEW assigned by the division to perform tasks to support the Electrical Safety Program within the division. |
Deputy Laboratory Electrical Safety Officer |
A deputy to the Laboratory Electrical Safety Officer in the EHS Electrical Safety Group. |
Electrical equipment |
A general term, including fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires, apparatus, machinery, and the like used as a part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation. Electrical equipment can be classified as premises wiring or utilization equipment. |
Electrical hazard |
A dangerous condition such that contact or equipment failure can result in electric shock, arc flash burn, thermal burn, or blast. |
Electrically safe work condition |
A state in which an electrical conductor or circuit part has been disconnected from energized parts, locked/tagged in accordance with the Berkeley Lab ES&H Manual Lockout/Tagout Program, tested to ensure the absence of voltage, and grounded if determined necessary. |
Electrical safety |
Recognizing hazards associated with the use of electrical energy and taking precautions so that hazards do not cause injury or death. |
Electrical Safety Committee |
A standing subcommittee of the Safety Advisory Committee (SAC) focused on Electrical Safety at Berkeley Lab. |
Electrical work |
Any job or task requiring a Qualified Electrical Worker. It includes any work that involves a shock or arc flash hazard or creates a potential for shock or arc flash hazards, energized or deenergized. Tasks on equipment below the hazard thresholds of Table D-1 in the ES&H Manual Electrical Safety Program are not considered electrical work and do not require a Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW). |
Equivalency |
An alternate method for a mandatory requirement that offers the same or greater protection from a hazard. The AHJ may permit alternate methods when it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety equal to, or exceeding, established codes, regulations, and standards. |
Exposed |
Capable of being inadvertently touched or approached nearer than a safe distance by a person. It is applied to electrical conductors or circuit parts that are not suitably guarded, isolated, or insulated. |
Incident energy |
The amount of thermal energy impressed on a surface, a certain distance from the source, generated during an electrical arc event. Incident energy is typically expressed in calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2). |
Interpretation |
A determination whether a part of the code applies or is satisfied in a particular situation. The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) shall be permitted to select and apply the appropriate codes and standards to new facilities or modifications to facilities and/or processes; and to make day-to-day interpretations on how to best satisfy the codes, standards, and specifications. |
Laboratory Electrical Safety Officer (ESO) |
The Laboratory subject matter expert on electrical safety. Assigned to manage the overall Electrical Safety Program and is delegated as Electrical AHJ for Safe Work Practices. Manages the EHS Electrical Safety Group, the Lockout/Tagout Program, and the Electrical Equipment Safety Program. |
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) |
An OSHA-recognized organization that tests for safety; and lists, labels, or accepts equipment or materials. See 29 CFR 1910.7. |
Non-Qualified Electrical Worker (Non-QEW) |
A person who is not a Qualified Electrical Worker. |
Premises wiring (system) |
Interior and exterior wiring, including power, lighting, control, and signal circuit wiring together with all their associated hardware, fittings, and wiring devices, both permanently and temporarily installed. This includes: (a) wiring from the service point or power source to the outlets; or (b) wiring from and including the power source to the outlets where there is no service point. Such wiring does not include wiring internal to appliances, luminaires, motors, controllers, motor control centers, and similar equipment. Power sources include, but are not limited to, interconnected or stand-alone batteries, solar photovoltaic systems, other distributed generation systems, or generators. |
Power User Division |
A division where electrical hazards requiring Qualified Electrical Worker support are a substantial, division-wide risk element in daily work planning. Power User Divisions are designated by the EHS Division Director upon the recommendation of the Laboratory Electrical Safety Officer. These divisions include:
|
Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) |
One who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations, has received safety training to identify and avoid the hazards involved, and who has been approved or accepted by the Electrical AHJ for Safe Work Practices. |
QEW supervisor |
A QEW who is also a work lead, activity lead, or supervisor, providing daily supervision to a QEW or group of QEWs. The QEW supervisor must be of the same level or higher than those supervised in order to direct specific electrical aspects of the work. |
Repair |
Any physical alteration of electrical equipment (such as making or tightening connections, removing or replacing components, etc.). |
Risk assessment |
An overall process that identifies hazards, estimates the potential severity of injury or damage to health, estimates the likelihood of occurrence of injury or damage to health, and determines if protective measures are required. As used in this manual, arc flash risk assessment and shock risk assessment are types of risk assessments. |
Safety watch |
A hazard control measure that is more stringent than the Standby Person. The Safety Watch must be implemented when there are grave consequences from failing to follow safe work procedures. The Safety Watch is a Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) whose only duty is to monitor the work of another QEW. |
Shock hazard |
A dangerous condition associated with the possible release of energy caused by contact or approach to energized electrical conductors or circuit parts. |
Skill of the craft |
Set of tasks for which a Qualified Electrical Worker is fully competent and can perform without additional planning or supervision. These vary depending on the individual's experience, job position description, and routine daily work assignments. |
Standby person |
A second person designated to fulfill the requirements of accompanying a Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) performing certain types of high-hazard electrical work. While the primary purpose of a second person is to initiate the emergency response system, a Standby Person is also expected to know how to de-energize electrical equipment and to safely release a QEW from contact with energized parts. |
Switching |
The manual operation (opening or closing) of any electrical isolation on energized equipment. Manual operation includes the operation of through-the-door breaker handles or other dead-front switching. |
Utilization equipment |
Equipment that utilizes electric energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar purposes. |
Variance |
An exception to compliance with some part of a safety and health standard granted by the Under Secretary of DOE to a contractor. Variances are treated under 10 CFR 851 Subpart D and can only be granted by the DOE Under Secretary after considering the recommendation of the DOE Chief Health, Safety and Security (HSS) Officer. The authority to grant a variance cannot be delegated to Berkeley Lab. |
Working on (energized electrical conductors or circuit parts) |
Intentionally coming in contact with energized electrical conductors or circuit parts with the hands, feet, or other body parts, with tools, probes, or with test equipment, regardless of the personal protective equipment (PPE) a person is wearing. There are two categories of "working on": diagnostic and repair (see definitions above). |
Acronym |
Full Term |
A |
Ampere |
AC |
Alternating Current |
AED |
Automated external defibrillator |
AHJ |
Authority Having Jurisdiction |
ANSI |
American National Standards Institute |
ARMS |
Arc Reducing Maintenance Switch |
ASTM |
American Society for Testing and Materials |
ATPV |
Arc Thermal Performance Value |
BSO |
Berkeley Site Office |
CFR |
Code of Federal Regulations |
CPR |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
DC |
Direct Current |
DOE |
Department of Energy |
EBT |
Breakthrough Energy |
EESP |
Electrical Equipment Safety Program |
EETP |
Energized Electrical Testing Permit |
EEWP |
Energized Electrical Work Permit |
EHS |
Environment/Health/Safety |
EMS |
Emergency Medical Services |
ESA |
Electrical Safety Advocate |
ESD |
Electrostatic Discharge |
ESM | Electrical Safety Manual |
ESO |
Electrical Safety Officer |
ESP |
Electrical Safety Program |
ESWP |
Electrical Safe Work Procedure |
HVAC |
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning |
Hz |
Hertz |
IEEE |
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
ISM |
Integrated Safety Management |
J |
Joule |
kHz |
Kilohertz |
kV |
Kilovolt |
LBNL |
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
LOTO |
Lockout/Tagout |
mA |
Milliampere |
MCC |
Motor Control Center |
MHz |
Megahertz |
NEC |
National Electrical Code |
NFPA |
National Fire Protection Association |
NRTL |
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory |
OEM |
Original Equipment Manufacturer |
OSHA |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
PIC |
Person In Charge |
PPE |
Personal Protective Equipment |
PVC |
Poly Vinyl Chloride |
QEW |
Qualified Electrical Worker |
R&D |
Research & Development |
RF |
Radio Frequency |
RPT |
Relocatable Power Tap |
SAC |
Safety Advisory Committee |
sJHA |
Subcontractor Job Hazards Analysis |
SME |
Subject Matter Expert |
SWD |
Switching Duty |
UL |
Underwriter's Laboratories |
UPS |
Uninterruptible Power Supply |
V |
Volt |
VAC |
Volts Alternating Current |
VDC |
Volts Direct Current |
W |
Watt |
ZVV |
Zero Voltage Verification |
G. Recordkeeping Requirements
Energized Electrical Work Permits (EEWPs) are maintained in the EHS EEWP Database for at least three years. The Arc Flash Hazard Analysis is maintained as a building record by the Facilities Division. An up-to-date set of documentation adequate for operation, maintenance, testing, and safety should be available to anyone working on potentially hazardous equipment. Obsolete drawings should be marked as obsolete and, if maintained, kept in a "Dead File." Be certain that active file drawings have the latest corrections. All facilities drawings are to be archived with the Facilities Records Analyst and Control Specialist.
H. Implementing Documents
I. Contact Information
Mark Scott
Electrical Safety Program Manager
EHS Division / Occupational Safety Department / Electrical Safety Group
[email protected]
J. Revision History
Date |
Revision |
By whom |
Revision Description |
Section(s) affected |
Change Type |
1/2/2012 |
0 |
M. Scott |
Reformat for wiki (brief) |
all |
Minor |
9/30/2013 |
1 |
M. Scott |
Reformat for wiki (policy) |
all |
Minor |
8/20/2015 |
2 |
M. Scott |
Complete Revision |
All |
Major |
2/17/2017 | 2.1 | M. Scott | Change to definition of QEW supervisor | F | Minor |
3/6/2017 | 2.2 | M. Stoufer | "Chief Operating Officer" position title updated to "Deputy Director for Operations" |
All | Editorial |
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
Title: |
Electrical Safety |
Document number |
07.07.011.000 |
Revision number |
2.2 |
Publication date: |
3/6/2017 |
Effective date: |
7/1/2015 |
Next review date: |
2/17/2020 |
Policy Area: |
Industrial Hygiene and Safety |
RPM Section (home) |
ESH |
RPM Section (cross-reference) |
none |
Functional Division |
EHS |
Prior reference information (optional) |
PUB-3000, Chapter 8 |
Source Requirements Documents
- 10 CFR 851.21, Hazard Identification and Assessment
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S, Electrical
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K, Electrical
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)
- NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace