MSHA Testing Ground Systems Title 30 CFR Part 57 12028

1. MSHATesting Ground Systems Title 30 CFRPart 5712028 PRESENTED BY: Steve Disney & Dave Noble Plant Safety Task Force February 28, 2012 Testing Ground Systems

2. Testing Ground Systems • Course not designed to teach unqualified personnel to test ground systems.  Does not qualify you to work on electrical equipment.  Only properly trained personnel with correct PPE and Test Equipment can perform testing. Testing Ground Systems

3. Objectives • Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing as per Title 30 CFR Part 57.12028. • Be familiar Granite’s Ground Testing Procedures and Documentation . • . Testing Ground Systems

4. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing • Continuity and resistance of grounding systems shall be tested immediately after installation, repair, and modification; and annually thereafter. A record of the resistance measured during the most recent test shall be made available on a request by the Secretary or his duly authorized representative. Testing Ground Systems

5. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing • MSHA Web Site: http://www.msha.gov/30cfr/57.12028.htm Testing Ground Systems

6. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing • 56/57.12028 Testing Grounding SystemsThis intent of this standard is to ensure that continuity and resistance tests of grounding systems are conducted on a specific schedule. These tests will alert the mine operator if a problem exists in the grounding system which may not allow the circuit protective devices to quickly operate when faults occur. With the exception of fixed installations, numerous fatalities and injuries have occurred due to high resistance or lack of continuity in equipment ground systems. These accident could have been prevented by proper testing and maintenance of grounding systems. Testing Ground Systems

7. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing Grounding systems typically include the following: • Equipment grounding conductors- the conductors used to connect the metal frames or enclosures of electrical equipment to the grounding electrode conductor; • Grounding electrode conductor- the conductors connecting the grounding electrode to the equipment grounding conductor; • Grounding electrodes- usually driven rods connected to each other by suitable means, buried metal, or other effective methods located at the source, to provide a low resistance earth connection. Testing Ground Systems

8. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing Operators shall conduct the following tests: • Equipment grounding conductors- continuity and resistance must be tested immediately after installation, repair, or modification, and annually if conductors are subjected to vibration, flexing or corrosive environments; • Grounding electrode conductor - continuity and resistance must be tested immediately after installation, repair, or modification, and annually if conductors are subjected to vibration, flexing or corrosive environments; • Grounding electrodes - resistance must be tested immediately after installation, repair, or modification, and annually thereafter. Testing Ground Systems

9. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing Conductors in fixed installations, such as rigid conduit, armored cable, raceways, cable trays, etc., that are not subjected to vibrations, flexing or corrosive environments may be examined annually by visual observation to check for damage in lieu of the annual resistance test. When operators elect to conduct this visual examination as a method of compliance with 30 CFR 56/57.12028, MSHA will require that a record be maintained of the most recent annual visual examination. Testing Ground Systems

10. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing The grounding conductors in trailing cables, power cables, and cords that supply power to tools and portable or mobile equipment must be tested as prescribed in the regulation. This requirement does not apply to double insulated tools or circuits protected by ground-fault-circuit interrupters that trip a 5 milli-amperes or less. Testing Ground Systems

11. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing Testing of equipment grounding conductors and grounding electrode conductors is not required if a fail-safe ground wire monitor is used to continuously monitor the grounding circuit and which will cause the circuit protective devices to operate when the grounding conductor continuity is broken. Testing Ground Systems

12. Be familiar with the MSHA requirements for Ground System Testing A record of the most recent resistance tests conducted must be kept and made available to the Secretary or his authorized representative upon request. When a record of testing is required by the standard, MSHA intends that the test results be recorded in resistance value in ohms. Testing Ground Systems

13. A touch on safety before we proceed! Copied from The G-MAN • A couple of fatalities that has occurred in the industry • Example one • Example two Testing Ground Systems

14. Be familiar Granite’s Ground Testing Procedures and Documentation . • Equipment grounding conductors • Sample of Procedure • Sample of Form Testing Ground Systems

15. Be familiar Granite’s Ground Testing Procedures and Documentation . • Grounding Electrodes and Conductor • Sample of Procedure • Example of form being filled out • Sample of Form Testing Ground Systems

16. MSHATesting Ground Systems Title 30 CFRPart 5712028 QUESTIONS? Testing Ground Systems