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Home My WebLink AboutPR 678 HS - Electrical And Arc Flash Safety -1- PR.678.HS PROCEDURE PR.678.HS TITLE: ELECTRICAL AND ARC FLASH SAFETY Date issued: 30 June 2010 Last revised: Authorization: Senior Staff: 29 June 2010 Next review: June 2013 1.0 OBJECTIVE To outline a safe work procedure for the protection of Facilities Department staff and contract staff when working with or on live electrical equipment. 2.0 RESPONSIBILITY 2.1 The Facilities Department and the Occupational Health and Safety Division are primarily responsible for the implementation of this procedure. 3.0 DEFINITIONS 3.1 Arc flash means an explosive release of energy when an electrical current jumps the distance from one conductor to another, or when it jumps from a conductor to the ground. 3.2 Competent person (as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act)) means a person who, a) is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its performance, b) is familiar with this Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and c) has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace. 3.3 Testing (troubleshooting) means taking readings or measurements of electrical equipment with approved test equipment that does not require making a physical change to the equipment. 3.4 Repair (work) means the physical alteration of electrical equipment, e.g., making connections or removing or replacing components. 3.5 CSA means the Canadian Standards Association. 3.6 ASTM means the American Society for Testing and Materials. -2- PR.678.HS 4.0 PROCEDURES 4.1 The Facilities Department has identified the following categories of work that a competent person is permitted to undertake. Only the specific Ottawa -Carleton District School Board (the “District”) staff identified in the column “District staff permitted to undertake”, provided they are competent, may undertake the “Category of work” identified in table 1 below. Table 1: Categories of electrical work and staff permitted to undertake the task: Category of work District staff permitted to undertake A Work on live electrical equipment Not permitted B Work on locked-out electrical equipment Facilities Maintenance only C Testing and troubleshooting of live electrical equipment Facilities Maintenance only D Resetting of tripped breakers Operations and Facilities Maintenance E Replacement of wall receptacles and switches Facilities Maintenance only F Replacement of tubes and bulbs Operations and Facilities Maintenance, depending on the light G Replacement of 2 and 3 prong plugs Facilities Maintenance only 4.2 There will be no work on live electrical equipment by District staff. 4.3 Testing and troubleshooting of live electrical equipment by competent District staff will occur only once all required safety precautions are put in place. 4.4 Competent District staff will only test and troubleshoot electrical equipment that operates at 600 volts or lower, which is considered risk category 2, found in CSA Standard Z462-08 in Table 4 “Hazard/risk category classifications…” 4.5 a) Competent District staff required to test electrical equipment that operates at 600 volts or lower, will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with Table 3 and all PPE must meet risk category 2 or greater. b) For the purposes of this procedure, Facilities Maintenance will be required to wear arc flash-suits and flash-hoods. Table 3: Personal Protective Equipment requirements (modified from Table 5 and Table 6 of CSA Standard Z462.08) -3- PR.678.HS Risk catego ry Protective clothing required Examples Additional PPE requirements 0 Non-melting, flammable materials (i.e. untreated cotton, wool, rayon, or silk, or blends of these materials) with a fabric weight of at least 4.5 oz/yd2  long sleeve 100% cotton shirt  Denim full length jeans or  100% cotton long pants  CSA (Z94-3) approved impact protective safety glasses with non- metallic/non-conductive frames  CSA (Z195) approved class 1 safety footwear with electrical protection (Omega symbol)  CSA (Z94.1) approved Class E, type 2 head protection 1 Fire Retardant (FR) shirt and FR pants or FR coverall  Nomex clothing  FR pants  Denim jeans > 12 oz/yd2 Same as above 2 Cotton underwear – conventional short sleeve and brief/shorts, plus FR shirt and FR pants or FR coveralls Face shield with side protection, chin cups Flash suits and flash hoods must be rated above the flash energy levels standard, and must meet the appropriate ASTM standard Same as above 3 Cotton underwear plus FR shirt and FR pants plus FR coverall and flash hood, or cotton underwear plus two FR coveralls and flash hood or flash suit and flash hood Same as above 4 Cotton underwear plus FR shirt and FR pants plus multilayer flash suit Or flash suit meeting ASTM F1506 and ASTM F2178 Same as above 4.6 All equipment such as step ladders will be rated for use around electrical equipment. -4- PR.678.HS 4.7 No jewelry or watches shall be worn while undertaking any electrical work. 4.8 No other clothing or electrically conductive items are permitted to be worn on the outside of approved arc flash protective clothing while conducting the tasks identified above, where arc flash protection is required. 4.9 Where outside work requires protective clothing due to exposure to cold weather, special protective parkas issued by the Facilities Maintenance Division shall be worn. 4.10 All electrical work activity observers must remain at least 3 metres away from any activities where there is a potential for arc flash hazards. 4.11 All electrical work activity observers must make themselves known to the area workers prior to any electrical work activity commencing where there is a potential for arc flash hazards. 4.12 Failure to comply with the safe work procedures will result in immediate disciplinary action. 5.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS Board Policy P.058.HS: Occupational Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario RSO 1990 Construction Projects regulation 213/90 as amended Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90 as amended Electrical Safety Code, Regulation 627/05 as amended Workplace Electrical Safety, Z462-08, Canadian Standards Association Board Procedure PR.594.HS: Locking Out and Tagging -5- PR.678.HS Appendix 1 – Minimum PPE requirements for Arc flash protection – modified from CSA Standard Z462-08 “Workplace electrical safety”, Table 3 Standards for personal protective equipment. Type of PPE Applicable Standard(s) Description of additional requirements Head protection CAN/CSA-Z94.1 Must be Class E, Type II, top and side impact protective. Must not have metal components, accessories, chin straps or stickers on the head protection. Face protection CSA Z94.3 Must be non-conductive face shield/hardware components to attach to the head protection. Face shield must be rated for arc flash protection and must never be considered primary eye protection, i.e., must be worn with approved safety glasses. Eye protection CSA Z94.3 Must be at a minimum impact approved impact protective glasses and must be worn at all times when face protection is worn or required. Hearing protection CSA Z94.2 Must have a minimum NRR rating of 25 or greater, with no metal or conductive components. Hand protection ASTM F 496 Must be voltage rated gloves which offer sufficient protection to maintain the protective level of the entire ensemble. Foot protection CAN/CSA Z195 Must be Grade 1, Electrical- shock-resistant, displaying the Greek letter omega, with ankle protection, i.e. 6” or greater height boot. Clothing - ASTM F 2178 Must be CGSB or NFPA compliant, fire rated, extending -6- PR.678.HS Type of PPE Applicable Standard(s) Description of additional requirements balaclava over the mouth and neck with a minimum of 8 cal/cm2 rating NOTE: Fabric softener must never be used when laundering. Clothing - coveralls ASTM F 1506 Must be CGSB or NFPA compliant, fire rated, with no metal components with a minimum of 8 cal/cm2 rating NOTE: Fabric softener must never be used when laundering. Clothing – outdoor jacket (winter) ASTM F 1506 Must be CGSB or NFPA compliant, fire rated, with no metal components with a minimum of 8 cal/cm2 rating NOTE: Fabric softener must never be used when laundering Fall protection CSA Z259 series ASTM F 887 Precautions All PPE must be kept clean and in good working order for maximum protection. Prior to each use the PPE must be inspected. Follow manufacturers’ instructions in the care and maintenance of all PPE. When not in use, all PPE must be stored properly in the storage bag provided to prevent damage or soiling