“When in Doubt, Lock it out!”
May is Electrical Safety Month Training
A product of the EFCOG Electrical Safety
Task Group
History
• A sharp increase in Complex Wide electrical
events, since late 2009, caught the interest of
EFCOG
• The Electrical Safety Subgroup (ESS-EFCOG)
chartered a Hazardous Energy Control (HEC)
subcommittee to analyze the electrical events
• The HEC subcommittee developed “When in
doubt – Lock it out” presentation for Electrical
Safety Month (May 2011)
Overview
• Hazardous Energy Control is
not always simple
• Many electrical hazards “find”
the worker
• The general rule for electrical
exposure is “WHEN IN
DOUBT, LOCK IT OUT”
Electrically Safe Working Environment
4 Principles
1. BEFORE starting work establish an Electrically Safe
Work Condition
2. Until proven otherwise –
consider it energized
3. Establish clear boundaries
around exposed and
potentially energized
electrical equipment
4. Working on energized circuits
is always a last resort and not
a first option - Make every
attempt to work de-energized
Important Definitions
• “Exposed” - an energized conductor or circuit
part is capable of being inadvertently touched or
approached nearer than a safe distance by a
person.
• “Limited Approach Boundary” - distance (based
on voltage) from an exposed energized electrical
conductor or circuit part within which a shock
hazard exists
Establishing an Electrically Safe Work
Condition
• NFPA 70E “Standard for Electrical Safety in the
Workplace” requires, except when justified, equipment
to be de-energized and Lockout/Tagout applied
– NFPA 70E – Prior to working within the Limited Approach
Boundary of exposed electrical conductors and circuit parts
at 50 volts or more – Lockout/Tagout is applied
• WHEN IN DOUBT – LOCK IT OUT
Energized until proven otherwise
• Many shocks occur because:
– a person believes that a piece of equipment is not energized
– they do not consider the electrical energy a hazard.
• Stored Electrical Energy (batteries, capacitors, etc.)
must be considered and controlled
– Many shocks are to non-electrical workers because they
believe that a piece of equipment is safe – without realizing
the potential for stored electrical energy
• Never assume a system or component is de-energized
– verify absence of voltage with an approved testing
device
Establish clear boundaries around electrical
equipment when it is exposed and potentially
energized
• The Limited Approach Boundary
– Starts at 42” (50-750 VAC) and expands as the
voltage increases
• Boundaries must be posted to
– Warn people
– Keep unqualified people out
– Protect you when you are working
WORKING ON LIVE CIRCUITS - THE LAST OPTION
• Almost 200 people were killed in the workplace
last year while working on energized equipment.
• There are times when working on live parts is
appropriate or necessary, but alternate methods
should be considered before working on live
parts
• Working on live circuits is not a matter of
convenience
WHEN IN DOUBT…
• Verify before you work on equipment
• If you see someone working on something that
might be live, look for the work area boundaries –
70E requires them
• If you think you need to work on energized
circuits; contact your local Electrical Safety
professionals or cognizant management for
assistance in doing it safely
…LOCK IT OUT
• The Lockout/Tagout process is site specific but
every process has some commonalities:
– 1 lock, 1 key, 1 worker
– Don’t share your key
– Don’t work under anyone else’s lock
– Don’t let anyone work under your lock
– Verification is a must before you start work – if
something is missed during the lockout process,
verification will save your life!
May is Electrical Safety Month
• Apply lockouts when necessary
• Minimize or eliminate energized work
activities whenever possible
• Treat every exposed piece of equipment as
energized until you prove that it is not
• WHEN IN DOUBT – LOCK IT OUT!
May is Electrical Safety Month
Additional briefings are available and specific to the type of facility worker:
– Administrative and Non-Electrical Worker
General Electrical Safety
Electrical Cord Safety
Subcontract Electrical Safety
Electrical Safety Near Power Lines
Electrical Safety During Excavations
– Electrical Workers
Working with Common Neutrals
Electrical Measurement Safety
Battery Handling and Safety
SOURCE: http://efcog.org/wg/esh_es/Electrical_Safety_Training/elecsafetytng.htm