Ppe

[ken44]

I have a question regarding the NFPA 70E Compliance Guide, I have a Thermography Crew who scans electrical equipment in the 600 Volts or less category, however, this is accomplished by removing the panel covers. Under the 600 Volt Class Switchgear section, the guide list an HRC 2 for PPE concerning the performance of Thermography, however, a little further down the list, it shows an HRC 4 to remove bolted covers, which is necessary for the Thermography Crew to perform the Thermography scans. If I am reading this correctly, it is a two process job, first step is to suit up for Category 4 and then remove the bolted covers of the 600 Volt Class Switchgear, then the second step allows to move to Category 2 PPE for the actual Thermography scanning which occurs outside the restricted approach boundary, then reverse the procedure to complete the job. Does this sound correct?, I would appreciate any insight.

 

[jim dungar]

You are reading it correctly.

When using the task tables, the PPE depends on the task you are actually doing at the time.

 

[zog]

Yep, you are reading it right. Most testing companies use 2 guys for IR scans. It would be silly to change clothing twice for each scan.

Also be sure that you can use the tables, the notes have limitations on when they can be used, your scanning crew needs to be able to intpret the availble fault current and clearing time of the OCPD to know if the tables can be applied.

70E compliance and the requirements for IR inspectors to be certified is becoming more and more common. Seems a lot of these jobs go to non certified guys not following 70E/OSHA rules because they are low bidders. Most of our customers have gone to installing IR windows.