Required PPE while troubleshooting?

[peter d]

I am trying to educate myself about PPE. Having done mostly residential and small commercial, I have no experience with using PPE and calculating fault currents.

I recently saw a video made by Bussman that contained some pretty graphic scenes of dummies being burned by arc flashes in industrial motor control panels and the like. They did not have any type of PPE on.

What is the required minimum amount of PPE for troubleshooting?

Is it determined by amount of incident energy available?

 

[ron]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

The level of PPE is determined from the calculated arc flash fault current (less than bolted fault current) and the clearing time of the protective device upstream. These are needed to use the proscriptive chart in NFPA 70E. To calculate PPE from the performance method, you also need other information, including but not limited to the working distance of chest to energize part and space between phases

 

[charlie]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

I don't understand why it is not required for residential work. I understand the hazards are usually not as great but there are times when the incident energy is quite high in homes, especially new ones.

 

[peter d]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

Charlie,

I shouldn't have implied that it wasn't required for residential work. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think 70E makes any distinction.


The underlying issue is that while PPE is required to work on any live circuit while troubleshooting, including residential, it is virtually never used in residential situations.

Most electricians that do primarily residential work are unaware of PPE requirements, in my experience.

 

[charlie]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

Peter D, in my opinion, 110.16 writes residential occupancies out of the requirements for posting warnings with the phrase, "that are in other than dwelling occupancies". By not posting the field marking, by inference, NFPA 70E does not apply. The reality is that NFPA 70E must be adopted in the jurisdiction where the electrician is working and NFPA 70E must include residential occupancies. I don't know NFPA 70E well enough to know the answer to the last part and you will have to answer the first part.

 

[peter d]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

Thanks Charlie. Since I am not terribly familiar with 70E just about anything I say about it is pure speculation. But that is really lame if it doesn't apply to residential situations.

 

[charlie]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

I am not saying that it does not, I am saying that you have to check it out. Someone else will be able to tell you what NFPA 70E says to see if it does or does not cover residential occupancies. You will have to check in your own areas to see it is adopted.

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

The scope of the NFPA 70E reads nealry exactly like that of the NEC. This section indicates residential premises are included.

 

[peter d]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

Thanks Bryan (and Charlie again). I will check out what my state has adopted.

Now that that confusion is out of the way, do any of the residential electricians out there use any kind of PPE in your day to day activities?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

Peter,
It really doesn't matter if your state or local govenment has adopted 70E. It is enforceable by OSHA and applies to all workers.
Don

 

[charlie]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

Don, does OSHA inspect the smaller residential contractors?

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

I doubt OSHA looks into work practices of small contractors, but don't they perform after the acident investigations to determine cause and effect?

Or what about the insurance companies involved. Won't they be interested in understanding how the acident occurred. Can't they deny a claim based on unsafe work practices?

 

[rbalex]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

It isn't obvious, but 70E is only FedOSHA enforceable in employee workplaces. Where the worker is an "independent contractor" 70E enforcement, if any, is by contract or insurance requirements or, if after the fact, common torte; i.e., lawsuit.

The 70E installation requirements are enforceable through the regular NEC enforcement channels, but most "one-man contractor" work is exempt from the safety related work practices such as PPE, Lockout/Tagout, Hazards Analysis, etc. Essentially, 70E then becomes a recommended practice.

 

[safeguy]

Re: Required PPE while troubleshooting?

I know that just recentlly, the requirements for proper PPE against flash fault current, are beginning to raise eyebrows throughout the electrical industry..and safety circles.

There's no question, the responsibility lies with one self in following and taking the right precautionary steps to be protected.

I agree with Ron. The appropriate PPE depends on the task that is to be performed at that time.

However, the main igredient for the SAFETY OF ONE SELF, is the awareness of the existing working environment and sorroundings. And being well informed of the latest safety regulations and guidelines related to the ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY.

In my opinion, there is nothing like professional help and training to accomplish this goal.

It is my policy...NEVER TO TAKE FOR GRANTED ANY THING AND ADOPT THE ACTITUDE....NO, IT'LL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME...!

YEAH RIGHT....! Follow the rules the best you can...and hopefully...IT'LL NEVER HAPPEN...TO YOU OR ANYBODY AROUND YOU!

Safeguy.