A College for Christian Scientists
General Company Policy
The purpose of this program is to inform interested persons, including employees, that Principia is complying with the OSHA Electrical Safety Standard, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.333, by determining that this workplace needs written procedures for preventing electric shock or other injuries resulting from direct/indirect electrical contacts to employees working on or near energized or de-energized parts. This program applies to all work operations at Principia where employees may be exposed to live parts and/or those parts which have been de-energized.
The Workplace Safety Director, or designee, has overall responsibility for coordinating safety and health programs in this company. The Safety Director, or designee, is the person having overall responsibility for the Electrical Safety Program. The Safety Director, or designee, will review and update the program, as necessary. Copies of the written program may be obtained from the Safety Director, or designee, or by contacting the corporate office. Under this program, our employees receive instructions in the purpose and use of energy control procedures, as well as the other required elements of the Control of Hazardous Energy standard. This instruction includes the de-energizing of equipment, applying locks and tags, verifying de-energization, and equipment re-energizing. This program also covers Ground Fault Protection.
A written description of the program, including the specific procedures adopted by us, is available for inspection and copying by OSHA and any affected employee.
If, after reading this program, you find that improvements can be made, please contact the Safety Director, or designee, or the corporate Office. We encourage all suggestions because we are committed to creating a safe workplace for all our employees and a successful electrical safety program is an important component of our overall safety plan. We strive for clear understanding, safe work practices, and involvement in the program from every level of the company.
Equipment Grounding Conductor Program
This written plan is intended to establish and implement specific procedures for an equipment grounding conductor program covering:
These requirements apply to all of Principia operations.
Equipment Grounding Conductor Inspection
Each cord set, attachment cap, plug and receptacle of cord sets, and any equipment connected by cord and plug, except cord sets and receptacles which are fixed and not exposed to damage, are visually inspected by the Safety Director, or designee, or designated representative before each day's use for:
Equipment found damaged or defective is not to be used until repaired, and is to be removed from service immediately by the person finding it and handed over to the Safety Director, or designee.
Hazard Analysis Report
To determine areas of Principia activities that need to be included in the Electrical Safety Program, the Safety Director, or designee, will conduct a hazard analysis of the workplace for each jobsite. This analysis will provide information identifying which equipment uses electricity, various types of wiring installations, and the types of employee functions that must be covered by the Electrical Safety Program.
Only employees of Principia who have completed training in accordance with this program, and designated as "Qualified Employees" shall work on, near, or with energized electric circuits and equipment. Employees working on, near, or with energized electric circuits and equipment who have limited knowledge of electrical circuitry are designated as "Unqualified Employees"
Operational Procedures
Only Qualified employees can work on electric circuit parts or equipment that have not been de-energized and locked out and tagged out using the procedures detailed in this written program. They shall also be familiar with the use of special precautionary techniques, PPE, insulating & shielding materials and insulated tools. Any equipment which is not locked out and tagged out shall be assumed to be energized.
Overhead lines
When work is performed near overhead lines, the lines shall be de-energized and grounded. Unqualified employees shall maintain minimum distances of 10 feet for lines 50 kv or less to ground. For voltages greater than 50 kv, an additional 4 inches shall be added to the 10 feet for each 10 kv above 50 kv. For qualified employees, they may not approach (with tools or equipment), overhead lines closer than specified in table S-5 of 1910.333 unless the energized part is insulated (the person is insulated from the part).
Vehicular and Mechanical Equipment
For vehicular and mechanical equipment, clearance distances to overhead lines shall maintain minimum distances of 10 feet for lines 50 kv or less to ground. For voltages greater than 50 kv, an additional 4 inches shall be added to the 10 feet for each 10 kv above 50 kv. Distances may be reduced further if insulating barriers are installed and approval is given by the Safety Director, or designee,. At Principia, we will determine distances in accordance with regulations and as a result of our hazard analysis.
Illumination
Employees may not enter spaces containing exposed energized parts unless adequate illumination is provided to work safely. Employees shall not reach blindly into areas that may contain exposed energized parts. Confined Spaces or Enclosed Work Areas When an employee works in a confined space or enclosed work area, protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials shall be provided and used as necessary to protect the employee from exposed energized electrical parts.
Conductive Materials and Equipment
Conductive materials and equipment handled by an employee shall be handled in a manner which will not allow contact with exposed energized lines or parts. If the potential for contact exists insulated guarding, ppe, and work practices shall be instituted to minimize the hazard.
Portable Ladders
Ladders that may contact exposed energized electrical parts shall have nonconductive side rails. Conductive Apparel Conductive articles of clothing and jewelry shall not be worn if they may contact live energized electrical parts. They may be worn however if they are rendered non conductive by covering or insulating.
Training Program
Every employee at Principia who faces the risk of electric shock from working on or near energized or de-energized electrical sources receives training in electrical related safety work practices pertaining to the individual's job assignment.
The goal of our electrical safety training program is to ensure that all employees understand the hazards associated with electric energy and that they are capable of performing the necessary steps to protect themselves and their co workers.
Our electrical training program covers these basic elements:
At Principia, all persons working on or near energized or de-energized electric sources are considered "qualified" to work safely with electrical energy and have received the appropriate training and certification to do so. In addition to the basic training elements, our "qualified" employees are trained in the skills and techniques necessary to identify exposed live parts, determine nominal voltages, and clearance distances and corresponding voltages. This group of employees has also received additional training which includes first aid & CPR.
The format we follow for our training program consists of both classroom and hands-on training. New employees who will be working on or near electrical equipment or circuitry must attend initial training. When changes occur in our company that involve electrical elements, we provide additional employee training to ensure the safety of all affected workers.
The Workplace Safety Director, or designee, or designated representative conducts the electrical safety training for all employees. Every employee who participates in the Electrical Safety Program receives a certificate which they sign verifying that they have completed the course, that they understand the information presented, and that they will follow all company policies and procedures regarding electrical safety. These signed certificates of training as well as all training materials and documentation are kept by the Safety Director, or designee, and at the corporate office.
Lockout And Tagging Program
It is an Principia policy that circuits and equipment must be disconnected from all electric energy sources before work on them begins. We use lockout and tagging devices to prevent the accidental re-energization of this equipment. These lockout and tagging procedures are the main component of our electrical safety program. The safety procedures that make up our lockout and tagging program include these elements:
De-energizing circuits and equipment. We disconnect the circuits and equipment to be worked on from all electric energy sources and we release stored energy that could accidentally reenergize equipment.
Enforcement
Constant awareness of and respect for electrical hazards, and compliance with all safety rules are considered conditions of employment. The Safety Director, or designee, reserve the right to issue disciplinary warnings to employees, up to and including termination, for failure to follow the guidelines of this program.
