300 - Electrical Operations
- The supervisor shall perform
and document a safety review, at least annually, on each employee who works on
or is directly associated with the operation and/or maintenance of electric
power generation process. The safety reviews shall determine that each employee
covered by the OSHA Standard 1910.269 (a)(2)(vii) is complying with the
safety-related work practices associated with his or her job.
Qualified electrical workers shall refer to the NMP-FLS-003 (Electrical Work Practices) and instructions for specific electrical safety requirements related to performing all electrical work. For specific electrical work refer to plant procedures. - Only qualified employees shall work on or near exposed energized electrical circuits and equipment. Other work activities, such as painting, housekeeping, and mechanical work, near exposed energized or de-energized lines or equipment shall be evaluated by you and your supervisor as necessary to determine safe working distances and conditions.
- Ensure that equipment and circuits associated with the planned activity are cleared and tagged as appropriate before beginning work and each shift there after until the clearance is released, or the work is completed.
- Consider each circuit energized and potentially dangerous until proven or tested otherwise.
- Use extreme caution when working on or near electrical equipment while wearing any wet clothing or working in wet or damp areas.
- Do not wear loose clothing that may increase contact with exposed electrical parts when performing electrical work.
- Electrical cords and cables shall be routed to avoid creating a tripping hazard and protected from crimping, crushing, or other damage.
- The use of extension cords shall be kept to a minimum and is not intended to serve or substitute for permanent wiring.
- No receptacle fitting shall be installed in an extension cord between the normal end fittings.
- Electrical supply cords and extension cords shall not have any conductive parts exposed whenever the cords are connected for use. Worn or damaged power tool cords or extension cords shall not be used.
- Extension cords shall not be fastened by staples, hung from nails, or suspended by wire.
- Electrically operated office equipment provided with a grounded cord shall not be placed in outlets or extension cords not equipped with a ground.
- Extension cords shall be a minimum size of 14 AWG. Do not use electrical cords that are missing ground connector.
- Extension cords should not be strung through windows, ceilings, or doors (unless the doorway is secured in the open position).
- When using extension cords and power strips to power an appliance, such as a refrigerator, do not exceed the manufacturer’s amperage rating.
- All appliance heating elements, such as microwaves and coffee stations, should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle.
- Prior to connecting electrical connectors, ensure product compatibility, such as construction outlet to construction plug, household outlet to household plug. This may be accomplished by using manufactured adaptors.
- All conductive articles of jewelry and clothing must be removed prior to working on or near normally energized exposed electrical equipment and when working inside control panels and metal enclosures that contain normally exposed energized equipment or working inside the restricted approach boundary, such as breaking the plane, regardless of whether it is covered by electrical safety PPE, such as gloves, hoods, flash suits, FR clothing, tape, etc.). Conductive articles of jewelry and clothing that must be removed include metal watches, bracelets, rings, earrings, key chains, and necklaces, metalized aprons, and metal headgear. See NMP-FLS-003 Procedure for Exceptions This applies to electrical ENERGIZED OR DE-ENGERIZED equipment.
- You shall inspect the work area prior to beginning the work to ensure electrical hazards are identified and all necessary safeguards are present.
- Safeguards, such as warning lights, danger signs, barricades, and/or roped areas, shall be used as appropriate for the safety of those persons close to but not actively engaged in the activity.
- Safeguards established shall be maintained until normal conditions are restored.
- The work area shall be kept clear of waste materials and other debris. Such materials shall be promptly collected and removed from the area.
- An adequate working space of at least three feet shall be maintained in front of electrical panels. The working space shall not be used for storage.
- Conductive tools and equipment that are non-insulated shall not be used when working on or near exposed electrical circuits or equipment.
- Rubber-type or nonconducting plastic flashlights shall be used when working on or near electrical circuits or equipment.
- Cables, ropes, or conductive equipment shall not be used to raise equipment or material near energized lines.
- Fiberglass booms and baskets on insulated aerial devices shall be kept clean and maintained as a hot line tool, using approved methods to preserve their insulating qualities when such equipment is used to isolate the employee.
- Only qualified employees shall install or remove temporary safety grounds.
- When an unqualified person, as defined by OSHA,
is working near overhead lines or plant electrical parts/equipment, neither the
person nor the longest conductive object that he or she is using shall come
closer to any unguarded energized overhead lines or exposed energized parts or
equipment than the following distances:
Voltage Range: 50 kV or LowerMinimum Approach Distance: 10 feet.
Voltage Range: Over 50 kVMinimum Approach Distance: 10 feet. plus 4 in. for every 10 kV over 50 kV
- When “high voltage” transformers located within 25 feet. of walkways not protected by fire resistant panels show evidence of abnormal conditions that could lead to fire or explosion, walkways shall be closed until an assessment is performed and appropriate measures put in place to ensure the safety of all employees.
- Electrical Safety Observer –An observer of the energized work activity whose primary responsibility is to ensure the actions performed by the electrical workers will not place the workers at risk of an electrical event and ensure that individuals who have suffered injury as a result of electrical event are responded to in a timely manner. The safety observer shall wear PPE appropriate for the hazard. The safety observer may be a member of the team/crew performing the work and is required to be a qualified employee. At the point in the activity where he/she is functioning as the safety observer, he/she shall have no conflicting duties.