Electrical safety for Engineers

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Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

Great topic.. I currently work for an A/E firm and have worked for different consulting engineers over the past 5 years. The companies I have worked for have it stated in their policy that anything to do with removing a cover, or the inside of live electrical components is not permitted. You had to have an "qualified person" present to do that for you. Now that being said I cannot tell you how many times I have been in the field and had to remove a cover I learned this mainly from my boss what a shock knowing one thing and then watching my boss do the total opposite.(schedule says spare however the breaker is in the on position remove the cover and what a coincidence a #12 wire on the breaker or sometimes it is a spare but in the on position). As far as reaching in a panel have I done it yes, dusting of a wire to read the size, yes I have done it. Do I do it any more no way. covers are one thing but reaching into a panel now that is another story. But I must say I love working in the field. I even volunteer on weekends (once a month usually) and work with some electricians at a non-profit facility to help maintain and upgrade their electrical system its great I love it.
 
Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

Are you exposed to live parts energized at 50V or more? If si the following requirement applies, or as Charlie stated, "keep your hands off the goodies"


Federal OSHA 1910.269(b)(1)"Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid training." When employees are performing work on or associated with exposed lines or equipment energized at 50 volts or more, persons trained in first aid including cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) shall be available as follows:

(b)(1)(i)For field work involving two or more employees at a work location, at least two trained persons shall be available. However, only one trained person need be available if all new employees are trained in first aid,including CPR, within 3 months of their hiring dates.

(b)(1)(ii) For fixed work locations such as generating stations, the number of trained persons available shall be sufficient to ensure that each employee exposed to electric shock can be reached within 4 minutes by a trained person. However,where the existing number of employees is insufficient to meet this requirement (at a remote substation, for example), all employees at the work location shall be trained.
 
Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

Originally posted by kentirwin:
I wonder how many people are even aware of the requirement for hot gloves to be tested every six months. And I really wonder how many of them actually do it. :confused:
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I have two pairs of my own that I rotate back and fourth with one of the local utilities. They check then for me for free, stamp them with the current inspection date, and leave them at their office for me to pick up. It's very nice of them to do that for me, since it costs them nothing to check an extra pair of gloves with the zillion other pairs of their own linemen.
 
Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

The electric utility people sure are a nice bunch of people are they.

Why do I feel like I should lock this thread to stop any replies to my statement? :D
 
Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

Originally posted by charlie:
The electric utility people sure are a nice bunch of people are they.
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Most of the linemen that I deal with on a regular basis are class acts. They sometimes even help me a little while they're there with the bucket to help run the riser cable if it is in a difficult spot, or help tear the higher portions of the old service off the house (if they have time). Just like any group of people, linemen or not, there are a few that are real rat bastards. I have a good rapport with the utility engineers, and I put this to good use when I'm installing new services that may be unusual or abnormal. It's nice to have a utility engineer meet me on the job that will help me figure out what I can do, as opposed to only telling me what I can't do.

[ May 27, 2005, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: mdshunk ]
 
Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

Mdshunk - that's what gets done where I work. I run the "glove program". Everybody has two pair. Every five months or so I send off all the ones from the last rotation to the testing lab. :)
 
Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

Originally posted by petersonra:
Originally posted by charlie:
in fact, you are even required to wear cotton underwear. :D
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Actually you aren't required to wear cotton underwear; it's simply a "typical" acceptable material. Your leather is fine as long as it doesn't have metal snaps, zippers, etc. See [2004] 70E 130.7(C)(12) and its subsections (a) and (c). Hmmm...well, maybe 130.7(C)(12)(e) prohibits it. :D Wool's OK. ;)
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Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

I AGREE THAT ENGINEERS ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO PULL PANEL COVERS AND TRYING TO MAKE MEASUREMENTS ON ENERGIZED PARTS.

OSHA?s Definition: Qualified Person.
One familiar with the construction and operation of the equipment and the hazards involved.

COMPLY WITH NFPA 70E-2004 IS ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID.

THE ENGINEERS AT TIMES NEED TO BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE ENERGIZED PARTS TO SEE AND EVALUATE EXISTING CONDITIONS. EVEN THE MOST TRUSTED AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR CAN NOT BE FULLY RELIED ON WHEN MAKING SURVEYS AND INSPECTIONS.

THEREFORE ENIGINEERS NEED TO HAVE MANDATED TRAINING AND PPE TO BE ALLOWED WITHIN THE ?FLASH PROTECTION BOUNDARY?.
 
Re: Electrical safety for Engineers

Originally posted by budbla:

THEREFORE ENIGINEERS NEED TO HAVE MANDATED TRAINING AND PPE TO BE ALLOWED WITHIN THE ?FLASH PROTECTION BOUNDARY?.
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I agree with you. You know one time I was required to take the cover off a 2500A, 480V busway (for my job), and I nearly "soiled" my pants because I thougt to myself, one touch of the bus bar, and I'd be extra crispy. :)
 
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