renosteinke
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Arkansas
I saw an interesting situation today.
An industrial plant has an electrical distribution center in the middle of the plant. 480v panel, transformer, 120v panel, assorted motor starters.
One conduit was run atop the floor, on strut, near the panels. Apparently, to prevent a trip hazard, a stout barricade was put up. This fence runs just in front of the panels - actually, there is the required opening in the fence to open the panels - then turns to go behind the panels and across the rear of the panels.
Here's where the question arises: Mounted behind the panels is some strut, with a multitude of starters mounted directly behind the panels. The offending trip hazard also crosses behind the panels, about 3-ft away from them. Thus, this fence actually runs about 3-ft behind the panels. The fence is about 4-ft. high, and it is impossible to reach any of the starters from across / through the fence.
You can, however, climb / squeeze / etc. through the rails of this fence, to stand easily in the space between the fence and the starters. Starters are used as the LOTO point for the machinery.
Is this an access violation? If so, what rule applies? Remember, access to the front of the panels is not affected by the barricade.
An industrial plant has an electrical distribution center in the middle of the plant. 480v panel, transformer, 120v panel, assorted motor starters.
One conduit was run atop the floor, on strut, near the panels. Apparently, to prevent a trip hazard, a stout barricade was put up. This fence runs just in front of the panels - actually, there is the required opening in the fence to open the panels - then turns to go behind the panels and across the rear of the panels.
Here's where the question arises: Mounted behind the panels is some strut, with a multitude of starters mounted directly behind the panels. The offending trip hazard also crosses behind the panels, about 3-ft away from them. Thus, this fence actually runs about 3-ft behind the panels. The fence is about 4-ft. high, and it is impossible to reach any of the starters from across / through the fence.
You can, however, climb / squeeze / etc. through the rails of this fence, to stand easily in the space between the fence and the starters. Starters are used as the LOTO point for the machinery.
Is this an access violation? If so, what rule applies? Remember, access to the front of the panels is not affected by the barricade.