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NREL’s Electrical Safety Culture Revitalization. Sal Sferrazza July 2014. NREL’s Electrical Safety Culture Revitalization. NREL’s Electrical Safety Culture Revitalization January 2013. Electrical safety is a challenge at NREL. custom built equipment and systems (unlisted)
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NREL’s Electrical Safety CultureRevitalization Sal Sferrazza July 2014
Electrical safety is a challenge at NREL • custom built equipment and systems (unlisted) • Difficult to choose applicable design standards for R&D equipment • changes in work, equipment, environment • Many visitors users and students each year • Subcontractors • Organizational Structure and Culture • Tendency for R&D community to rely on facilities and safety organizations for electrical safety expertise
NREL’s Electrical Safety Organizational Changes • NREL NEEDS MORE INVOLVEMENT IN ELECTRICAL SAFETY ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION • Electrical Safety Panel Charter • Modified • DOE and Line Management is represented • AHJ Authority clarified with DOE • Created ESO and Advisors, selected by the AHJ/Charter • Electrical Safety Officers (ESOs) and Advisors are key panel members and have been selected • The ESO has a strong working background in the electrical field. (e.g. scientist, EE, electrician, electronics technician, lineman)
ESO Training“train more, to fewer employees, and allow even fewer employees to do the work” • Extensive Training Program Initiated for ESOs and Advisors • 5 Specialized Courses in the last 2 months of fiscal year 2013, 17 days of training at a cost of $100,000 • National Electric Code for Lab Workers • NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace • Specialized Officer training for Lab Workers • National Electric Code Inspector Class (ICC Inspector Certification prep class) • Medium Voltage Power Systems • 2014 Training: • SEMI S22 Safety Guidelines for the Electrical Design of Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment & EN 60204-33 Safety of Machinery – Requirements for Semiconductor Fabrication Equipment • NFPA 79 Electrical Standard for Industrial Equipment • Additional Medium Voltage Training for Electricians (certification is goal)
NREL’s Electrical Safety Engaging R&D • Electrical Inspection Process Improvements • Working with Officers to id equipment for inspection • Additions to the Electrical Safety Lab Level Procedures • Working on simple electrical tests to aid in approving equipment per NFPA 79 , Chapter 18 • Earthing Continuity Test ,ground impedance tests, Dialectic Tests, Residual voltage • Encourage Research in Electrical Safety • Encourage them to be the Expert • Hazard identification & control of lab electrical hazards (DC, RF, stored energy etc.) • Third Party Certifications • 1/3 of ESOs are ICC certified inspectors now • Qualification Cards
NREL’s Electrical Safety CultureEngaging R&D • Engaged in Electrical Inspection /Process Improvements • Selected document control software(FileMaker Pro) : Document/Form Control • LOTO Form • Excavation Permit • Electrical Safe Work Permit • INSPECTION FORM • Arc Flash Reports PRO: FileMaker Pro is a record keeping database / compliance tool CON: More administrative overhead
NREL’s Electrical Safety CultureEngaging Facilities • PPE : Everyday wear • We have recently adopted everyday wear for those engaged in daily electrical construction work. • Mandated electricians to be third party certified to do construction inspections • Facilities electricians are accepting and grateful for the opportunity • All NREL electricians are licensed and ICC certified electrical inspectors • Formal NFPA 70E training for mechanical technicians
Other ImprovementsPolicy Updates • Electrical Safety Policy Updates • R&D hazards • Shock boundary thresholds for special R& D hazards • DOE Handbook • Practical
Electrical Hazard Classification Adopted Classify according to waveform and source inductors 60 Hz capacitors DC batteries subRF 1 Hz – 3 kHz RF 3 kHz - 100 MHz 1.x 2.x 3.x 4.x 5.x 6.x 7.x General Categories
Other Significant Electrical Improvements • PM Program for Electrical Equipment • Year 1 of the PM program has started • Budgeted $500,000 or $125,000 per year, 4 year cycle • Priorities Set • #1 Equipment that poses the greatest arc flash hazard • #2 Oldest equipment first • Hiring a full time employee to manage NREL’s electrical preventative maintenance program
Electrical Safety Challenges • Administration for Electrical Safety • Permit Library • Equipment Labeling • Inspection • PPE Program • Engineering Support • Arc Flash Analysis • Hazard Analysis • Inspections • Real Time Configuration Management / Equipment Alignment
How do we keep R&D engaged in Electrical Safety Program? • Qualification and Training • Recognition of Hazards • Methods to Control Hazards • Engineering Controls • Equipment Approval Program • Administrative Controls • Work Control • Two person rule • Permits • PPE • Qualification and Training • BUDGET PROVIDED TO ESOs
Recommended Additional Electrical Training • UL 508 • Safety Standard for Industrial Control Equipment • NFPA 790 & 791 • Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies • Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Equipment Evaluation • Third Party Medium Voltage Certification • Third Party Electrical Testing Certification
NREL’s Electrical Safety CultureRevitalization Observations • There is a benefit of having the latest understanding of NFPA 70E and other codes and standards • Sold the idea to management • Managing the expectations • Costs, but requires more discipline than cost • Audits & inspections • It is long term plan