Have 400 amp Sq D I -Line busway . We once in awhile have to relocate bus switches . I have the power to the bus shut down when ever we remove or install switches . Just wonder if anyone does this "HOT" with bus energized ? The manual says to wear PPE but I prefer to shut down the power . Have a manager asking why we can't do it energized !
In the 90's Siemens had a problem with their bus plugs. After a year of arguing, and then a third degree flash burn of one of my workers, they did extensive investigation and found out that during shipping the impacts were cracking the insulation around the bus fingers. Before that, they just assumed we were being overly aggressive during our installation. We had to prove with witnesses that they were coming out of the box that way.
Anyway, back to the point. We weren't in to PPE back then even in strict California. The OSHA investigation didn't fine us or find us negligent. But the high rise we were working in established a new policy that regardless of the pain caused to their combined 150 plus floors of tenants, bus plugs would no longer be done without turning off power. I agree with them. Suit or no suit, an arc flash is unacceptable. To feel otherwise would be like saying it is Ok to speed and get in an accident just because everyone has airbags.
