511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Sections

11-8. General Requirements.

PPE Requirements

Personnel working inside the limited approach and/or arc flash boundaries must select the proper shock and arc flash PPE.
Arc flash PPE should cover potentially exposed areas completely.
Garments over arc rated clothing must also be arc rated.

Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC)

Determine and control all sources of electrical supply.
Visually verify the disconnecting device is open.
Verify de-energization with an adequately rated test instrument.

Work Involving Electrical Hazards

Energized conductors over 50V must be in an ESWC for work.
Do not wear conductive articles within the MAD.
At least two persons required for work on energized conductors over 50V.

Flexible Cords Usage

Use flexible cords as per 29 CFR 1926.405 and 29 CFR 1910.305.
Protect cords from damage and use only in continuous lengths without splices.
Support cords properly to prevent damage.

Fuses

Use an insulated fuse pulling tool for installing/removing fuses with energized terminals.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

11-10. When must personnel select proper shock and arc flash PPE?

When verifying disconnecting devices are open

When working inside the limited approach and/or arc flash boundaries

When wearing conductive articles within the MAD

When working around energized 50V circuits

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 11-8 (c.–g.).

11-8. General Requirements (c.–g.).

c.  PPE.  Personnel working inside the limited approach and/or arc flash boundaries must select the proper shock and arc flash PPE based on the requirements of this chapter and chapter 5.  (11-8.c)

(1)  Arc flash PPE must cover potentially exposed areas as completely as possible. Shirt and coverall sleeves must be fastened at the wrists, shirts tucked into pants, and shirts, coveralls, and jackets closed at the neck.

(2)  All garments, including fall protection harnesses, worn over arc rated protective clothing must also be arc rated.

d.  Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC).  All equipment and circuits must be de-energized before work is started unless energized work can be justified. A QP must complete and verify the following to establish electrically safe working conditions: (11-8.d)

(1)  Determine all possible sources of electrical supply to the specific equipment using up-to-date drawings, schematics, and labels.

(2)  Control all sources of electrical energy to minimize employee exposure to electrical hazards.

(3)  Visually verify the disconnecting device is open or circuit breaker is withdrawn whenever possible.

(4)  Apply HEC devices (see chapter 12).

(5)  Verify each phase conductor or circuit part is de-energized using an adequately rated test instrument (see NFPA 70E).

(6)  Where induced voltages are possible, stored electrical energy exists, or if required within this chapter, ground the conductors or circuit parts before touching them.

e.  Work Involving Electrical Hazards.  (11-8.e)

(1)  Energized electrical conductors or circuit parts operating at 50V or more must be placed into an ESWC prior to performing any work if either of the following conditions exist:

(a)  An employee is to be within the limited approach boundary (see tables 11-1 and 11-2).

(b)  An employee is to interact with equipment where conductors or circuit parts are not exposed but an increased likelihood of an arc flash hazard exists.

(2)  Conductive Articles Being Worn.  Do not wear conductive jewelry or clothing (for example, wristbands, watch chains, rings, bracelets, necklaces, body jewelry, piercings, metal frame glasses, material with conductive thread) within the MAD or where they present an electrical contact hazard with exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts.

(3) Number of Personnel.  The nature and hazards of the electrical work dictate the number of personnel required to work safely.

(a)  At least two persons must always be in the immediate area when work is being performed on exposed, energized electrical conductors or circuit parts carrying 50V or more. Each person must be able to see and hear the other.  This ensures that each person can assist the other in case of an accident.  Each person must know the location of, have unobstructed access to, and know how to operate the power cutoff for the work area, how to perform safe contact release, and how to contact emergency personnel.

(b)  Exceptions for one person:

(b-1)  Work on systems in an ESWC.

(b-2)  Routine electrical measurements on energized systems with nominal system voltages of 600 volts AC or 250 volts DC or less using appropriate PPE.

(b-3)  Routine circuit switching if the equipment has been properly maintained and site conditions allow for safe performance of work.

(b-4)  Routine electrical measurements or switching above 600 volts AC or 250 volts DC using appropriate PPE and live-line tools if the worker is positioned out of reach or possible contact with energized parts.

(b-5)  Emergency repair work to safeguard the general public, if previously authorized.

(4)  Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP).  All equipment and circuits must be placed into an ESWC before work is performed on them, unless the work meets the EEWP exemption located under paragraph 11-8.e(5) or the host employer or system owner can show that there are additional hazards or an increased risk from de- energizing.  Once it has been determined that equipment must be worked on in an energized condition, an EEWP must be submitted to the USACE supervisor/KO or COR and AHJ for acceptance.  Do not perform energized work without prior authorization.  All permits must be prepared, signed, and authorized in advance of performing any electrical work.  A non-mandatory ENG Form 6277 (Energized Electrical Work Permit) is provided in paragraph 11-10.  Other permit formats may be accepted provided they contain the following minimum information:

(a)  Description of the circuit and equipment to be worked on and their location.

(b)  Description of the work to be performed.

(d)  Description of work practices to be followed.

(e)  Shock risk assessment: voltage exposure, limits of approach, and PPE.

(f)  Arc flash risk assessment: available IE at working distance or arc flash PPE category, arc flash PPE, and arc flash boundary determination.

(g)  Means to restrict access of Unqualified Persons in work area.

(h)  Evidence of completing the job briefing, including safety, tools, PPE, any other hazards and control.

(i) The USACE supervisor, USACE facility/site manager, and the AHJ are required to sign the EEWP.  If the permit is requested by Contract Employer the EEWP will include signatures for SSHO, USACE facility/site manager, KO or COR, and the AHJ.

(5)  Exemptions to an EEWP.  An EEWP is not required when a QP utilizes safe work practices and PPE while performing the following tasks:

(a)  Testing, troubleshooting, or voltage measuring.

(b)  Thermography, ultrasound, or visual inspections if the MAD is not crossed.

(c)  Access to, and egress from, an area with energized electrical equipment if no electrical work is performed and the MAD is not crossed.

(d)  General housekeeping and miscellaneous non-electrical tasks if the MAD is not crossed.

(e)  Work within an energized industrial control panel provided all following conditions are met; the circuit being worked on is placed in an ESWC, the voltage levels of any conductor inside the industrial control panel is less than or equal to 300V AC phase to phase or 130V dc, shock hazards presented by energized conductors can be mitigated by avoiding contact, and the work site has documented AHJ approval.

f.  Flexible Cords.  Use flexible cords according to 29 CFR 1926.405 (29 CFR 1926 Subpart K) and 29 CFR 1910.305 (29 CFR 1910 Subpart S), as applicable.  (11-8.f)

(1)  Portable flexible cords must contain adequately sized conductors required for the load plus an adequately sized equipment ground conductor.  A QP must determine appropriate hard or extra hard usage flexible cord length and size according to NFPA table 400.4.  Portable flexible cords used in construction and maintenance on circuits less than 600V must be minimum 14 American Wire Gauge (AWG).

(2)  Protect portable flexible cords passing through work areas from damage (for example, foot traffic, vehicles, sharp corners, protections, pinching).  Protect flexible cords passing through holes by bushings or fittings.

(3)  Portable flexible cords may be used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap. The repair of hard-service cords/cord sets is only permitted if conductors are spliced according to NFPA 70, which requires that cords be spliced by a QP, the insulation is equal to the cable being spliced, and wire connections are soldered, and the following conditions are met:

(a)  Maintenance.  Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger may be repaired if spliced so that the splice retains the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced (see 29 CFR 1910.305).

(b)  Construction.  Hard service flexible cords No. 12 or larger may be repaired if spliced so that the splice retains the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord being spliced (see 29 CFR 1926.405).

(4)  Do not use worn or frayed portable flexible cords.

(5)  Portable flexible cords must be supported in place at intervals that ensure that they will be protected from physical damage. Support must be in the form of cable ties, straps, or similar- type fittings installed so as not to cause damage. Do not use nails or suspend by bare wire.

g.  Fuses. When fuses are installed or removed with one or both terminals energized, use an insulated fuse pulling tool for the rated voltage.  (11-8.g)