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Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition. May is Electrical Safety Month Training A product of the EFCOG Electrical Safety Task Group. NFPA 70E Article 100 Definition. Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC) –
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Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition May is Electrical Safety Month Training A product of the EFCOG Electrical Safety Task Group
NFPA 70E Article 100Definition • Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC) – A state in which an electrical conductor or circuit part has been disconnected from energized parts, locked/tagged in accordance with established standards, tested to ensure the absence of voltage, and grounded if determined necessary. - ESWC - NFPA 70E required, except when justified, for work on exposed electrical conductors and circuit parts at 50 volts or more
Electrically Safe Work ConditionIt’s a Process! • Utilizing the site’s Hazardous Energy Control process verify by the following (NFPA 70E – 2009 Article 120.1): • Identify all possible energy sources – checking up-to-date prints and documentation • Open the disconnecting device(s) for each source • Whenever possible, visually verify switch blades are fully open or draw-out type circuit breakers are withdrawn to fully disconnected position • Apply lockout/tagout devices per established site policy • Use an adequately rated voltage detector to verify circuit or conductor is de-energized – check phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground – verifying detector operation before/after each check • Possibility of induced voltage or electrical stored energy – ground conductors before touching
Electrically Safe Working Condition • Requires adherence to the Hazardous Energy Control process AND the verification process • NOT established by solely de-energizing circuits or conductors • Lockout/tagout requirements shall apply to the following (NFPA 70E – 2009 Article 120.2A) : • Fixed/permanently installed equipment • Temporarily installed equipment • Portable Equipment
Lessons Learned • April 2010 – A local electrical repair company was tasked to repair an electric arc welder at a DOE site. • After troubleshooting, the vendor determined that the welder needed to return to the vendor's shop for comprehensive electronic repairs. • The vendor verified the disconnect switch in the OFF position before disconnecting the power cable and used a "tic tracer" to verify no voltage was present before beginning work. • The vendor disconnected electrical service from the welder in preparation for movement to his truck. The vendor was NOT trained to the Site’s lockout/tagout process. • A Site Safety Supervisor later discovered the improper electrical disconnection had occurred without using the lock out/tag out process and stopped the work. Cause description: 1. Vendor escorted by Site employees that did not adequately define the work scope or provide adequate oversight. 2. Site’s Hazardous Energy Control process was not followed. (Reference ORPS report EM-PPPO-SST-PGDPENVRES-2010-0001)
References - NFPA 70E – 2009 Edition “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace” - ORPS report EM-PPPO-SST-PGDPENVRES-2010-0001