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“When in Doubt, Lock it out!”

“When in Doubt, Lock it out!”. May is Electrical Safety Month Training A product of the EFCOG Electrical Safety Task Group. History. A sharp increase in Complex Wide electrical events, since late 2009, caught the interest of EFCOG

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“When in Doubt, Lock it out!”

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  1. “When in Doubt, Lock it out!” May is Electrical Safety Month Training A product of the EFCOG Electrical Safety Task Group

  2. History • A sharp increase in Complex Wide electrical events, since late 2009, caught the interest of EFCOG • The Electrical Safety Subgroup (ESS-EFCOG) chartered a Hazardous Energy Control (HEC) subcommittee to analyze the electrical events • The HEC subcommittee developed “When in doubt – Lock it out” presentation for Electrical Safety Month (May 2011)

  3. Overview • Hazardous Energy Control is not always simple • Many electrical hazards “find” the worker • The general rule for electrical exposure is “WHEN IN DOUBT, LOCK IT OUT”

  4. Electrically Safe Working Environment 4 Principles 1. BEFORE starting work - establish an Electrically Safe Work Condition 2. Until proven otherwise – consider it energized 3. Establish clear boundaries around exposed and potentially energized electrical equipment 4. Working on energized circuits is always a last resort and not a first option - Make every attempt to work de-energized

  5. Important Definitions • “Exposed” - an energized conductor or circuit part is capable of being inadvertently touched or approached nearer than a safe distance by a person. • “Limited Approach Boundary” - distance (based on voltage) from an exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part within which a shock hazard exists

  6. Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition • NFPA 70E “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace” requires, except when justified, equipment to be de-energized and Lockout/Tagout applied • NFPA 70E – Prior to working within the Limited Approach Boundary of exposed electrical conductors and circuit parts at 50 volts or more – Lockout/Tagout is applied • WHEN IN DOUBT – LOCK IT OUT

  7. Energized until proven otherwise • Many shocks occur because: • a person believes that a piece of equipment is not energized • they do not consider the electrical energy a hazard. • Stored Electrical Energy (batteries, capacitors, etc.) must be considered and controlled • Many shocks are to non-electrical workers because they believe that a piece of equipment is safe – without realizing the potential for stored electrical energy • Never assume a system or component is de-energized – verify absence of voltage with an approved testing device

  8. Establish clear boundaries around electrical equipment when it is exposed and potentially energized • The Limited Approach Boundary • Starts at 42” (50-750 VAC) and expands as the voltage increases • Boundaries must be posted to • Warn people • Keep unqualified people out • Protect you when you are working

  9. WORKING ON LIVE CIRCUITS - THE LAST OPTION • Almost 200 people were killed in the workplace last year while working on energized equipment. • There are times when working on live parts is appropriate or necessary, but alternate methods should be considered before working on live parts • Working on live circuits is not a matter of convenience

  10. WHEN IN DOUBT… • Verify before you work on equipment • If you see someone working on something that might be live, look for the work area boundaries – 70E requires them • If you think you need to work on energized circuits; contact your local Electrical Safety professionals or cognizant management for assistance in doing it safely

  11. …LOCK IT OUT • The Lockout/Tagout process is site specific but every process has some commonalities: • 1 lock, 1 key, 1 worker • Don’t share your key • Don’t work under anyone else’s lock • Don’t let anyone work under your lock • Verification is a must before you start work – if something is missed during the lockout process, verification will save your life!

  12. May is Electrical Safety Month • Apply lockouts when necessary • Minimize or eliminate energized work activities whenever possible • Treat every exposed piece of equipment as energized until you prove that it is not • WHEN IN DOUBT – LOCK IT OUT!

  13. May is Electrical Safety Month Additional briefings are available and specific to the type of facility worker: • Administrative and Non-Electrical Worker General Electrical Safety Electrical Cord Safety Subcontract Electrical Safety Electrical Safety Near Power Lines Electrical Safety During Excavations • Electrical Workers Working with Common Neutrals Electrical Measurement Safety Battery Handling and Safety SOURCE: http://efcog.org/wg/esh_es/Electrical_Safety_Training/elecsafetytng.htm

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