This section deals with the reliability and effective maintenance of electrical systems that can be achieved in part by careful planning and proper design. The training of personnel in safety-related work practices that pertain to their respective job assignments is outlined.

2.1 ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS

Only qualified persons shall perform electrical repairs. It is dangerous for an unqualified worker to attempt electrical repair. Before any electrical maintenance or troubleshooting is performed, sources of electrical energy shall be deenergized, except where it is necessary for troubleshooting, testing, or areas that are infeasible to deenergize. All energy sources shall be brought to a safe state. For example, capacitors shall be discharged and high capacitance elements shall be short-circuited and grounded.

2.1.1 WORK ON ENERGIZED/DEENERGIZED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

The first consideration for working on any electrical system is to have the circuit positively deenergized. All circuits and equipment must be considered energized until opened, tagged and/or locked according to an approved procedure and should be proven deenergized by testing with an approved testing device known to be in proper working order. Review system drawings and/or perform system walkdowns. Where the possibility exists that the circuit can become energized by another source or where capacitive devices (including cables) may retain or build up a charge, the circuit should be grounded and shorted. The grounding and shorting device should be selected and installed in accordance with appropriate standards. Whenever work is to be performed on a positively deenergized system, the worker must also identify and protect against any accidental contact with any exposed energized parts in the vicinity of the work.

2.1.2 CONSIDERATIONS FOR WORKING ON ENERGIZED SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

Qualified employees performing such tasks as electrical repairs, modifications, and tests on energized electrical systems, parts, and equipment need to comply with the following:

1. Live parts to which an employee may be exposed shall be deenergized before the employee works on or near them, unless the employer can demonstrate that deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations. See 29 CFR 1910.269(d)(2), 1910.333(a), 1926.950(d), NESC Rule 442, and NFPA 70E, Part II, Ch.5¹.

2. Work performed on energized electrical systems and equipment may be done only if a supervisor and/or cognizant safety professional and the personnel performing the work determine that it can be done safely. Approval should be given for each job. Approval for the

¹ See Appendix D for selected regulation cross references thoughout this document. same job performed repeatedly maybe given through the use of an approved procedure or job safety analysis.

3. Personnel shall not work on energized circuits unless they are qualified to do so, or, for training purposes, unless they work under the direct supervision of a qualified person.

4. Sufficient protection in the form of insulated tools and insulated protective equipment, such as gloves, blankets, sleeves, mats, etc., shall be used while working on energized circuits.

Note: The discussion in #4 above assumes the system voltage is less than the maximum use voltage of the ASTM class of rubber goods used.

5. Other work, independent of voltage, that presents a significant shock or arc blast hazard to employees, needs to be evaluated as to the number of employees involved.

6. At least two employees [See 29CFR 1910.269(l)(1)(i)] shall be present while the following types of work are being performed:

(A) Installation, removal, or repair of lines that are energized at more than 600 volts.

(B) Installation, removal, or repair of deenergized lines if an employee is exposed to contact with other parts energized at more than 600 volts,

(C) Installation, removal, or repair of equipment, such as transformers, capacitors, and regulators, if an employee is exposed to contact with parts energized at more than 600 volts.

(D) Work involving the use of mechanical equipment, other than insulated aerial lifts, near parts energized at more than 600 volts, and

(E) Other work that exposes an employee to electrical hazards greater than or equal to those listed above.

Exceptions to the items listed above are:

(A) Routine switching of circuits, if the employer can demonstrate that conditions at the site allow this work to be performed safely,

(B) Work performed with live-line tools if the employee is positioned so that he or she is neither within reach of nor otherwise exposed to contact with energized parts, and

(C) Emergency repairs to the extent necessary to safeguard the general public.

7. Taking voltage measurements may subject personnel to exposed energized parts. (See Appendix C.) Where it is determined personnel are subject to contacting exposed energized parts, personnel shall use the appropriate protective equipment for the voltage levels involved.

2.1.3. SAFETY WATCH RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

The responsibilities and qualifications of personnel for sites that require the use of a safety watch are as follows:

1. Trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);

2. Thorough knowledge of the locations of emergency-shutdown push buttons and power disconnects in their operations;

3. Thorough knowledge of the specific working procedures to be followed and the work to be done;

4. Specific responsibilities include monitoring the work area for unsafe conditions or work practices and taking necessary action to ensure abatement of the unsafe condition or work practice, deenergizing equipment and alerting emergency-rescue personnel as conditions warrant, maintaining visual and audible contact with personnel performing the work, and removal of injured personnel, if possible; and

5. The safety watch should have no other duties that preclude observing and rendering aid if necessary.