Electrical Safety Plan: Plan Last Updated: (Date)
Electrical Safety Plan: Plan Last Updated: (Date)
Electrical Safety Plan: Plan Last Updated: (Date)
Definitions 7
Hazard Assessment 8
Arc Flash and Shock Risk Assessments 8
Accident Investigations 8
8
Safe Work Practices
Electrically Safe Working Condition 8
9
Energized Electrical Work Permit
Preventive Maintenance 15
Certified Equipment 19
Utilization Eq uipment 19
Training 20
Qualified persons 20
Unqualified persons 20
21
Refresher Training
Recordkeeping 21
In jury Recordkeeping 22
Su pp orting Materials 23
Policy Statement
It is the policy of [Company Name] to protect all employees from electrical hazards,
including shock, electrocution, arc flash, arc blast, and fires. All electrical work will be
conducted in a manner consistent with existing regulations and with recognized safe work
practices. This Plan establishes safe work practices for routine operations. Operations that
involve high voltage (i.e., above 600 volts, nominal) and other unique hazards will need
additional procedures for the specific situation.
Scope
The Electrical Safety Plan covers electrical safe work practices for qualified persons
(i.e., persons trained to avoid the electrical hazards of working on or near exposed
energized parts) and unqualified persons (i.e., persons with little or no training) who
work on or near machines, equipment, or circuits that have not been placed in an
electrically safe work condition (i.e., not locked/tagged out). It applies to:
• Premise wiring (i.e., installations of electric conductors and equipment within or on
buildings or other structures and on other premises such as yards, parking and other lots, and
industrial substations)
• Wiring for connection to supply
• Installations of other outside conductors on the premises
• Installations of optical fiber cable where such installations are made along with
electric conductors
This Plan does not apply to electrical generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
Program Administration
Table [number] provides the employees and contact information for the
administration of the electrical safety program.
Table [number]
Program Contact Information
[Modify the table and job descriptions that follow the table as applicable to
your organization.]
Function Name, job title, or Contact Information
department
Plan Administrator [Name] Work phone:
Cell phone:
Supervisor(s) Work phone:
Cell phone:
Maintenance Work phone:
Manager Cell phone:
Purchasing Work phone:
Manager Cell phone:
EHS Manager Work phone:
Cell phone:
Training Manager Work phone:
Cell phone:
Safety Committee Work phone:
Chairperson Cell phone:
[Other] Work phone:
Cell phone:
Plan Administrator. The Electrical Plan Administrator will provide safe work
procedures and permits for electrical work as required, and provide and implement other
critical procedures such as lockout/tagout, testing, and safety-related work practices as
required by regulation. Specifically, the Administrator will:
• Ensure that employees who work or who may potentially work near exposed
energized parts are trained and qualified.
• Ensure that approved, maintained, and tested personal protective equipment (PPE)
and other electrical safety equipment are provided, available, and used properly.
• Establish, implement, and maintain procedures that will ensure electrical safe work
practices.
• Establish and maintain records as required.
The Administrator will also ensure that workers of all disciplines and their immediate
supervisors working with, or in proximity to, electrical equipment receive:
• Electrical safety awareness training
• General and job-specific training in safe electrical work practices
• Training in NFPA and ANSI codes and standards
Purchasing Manager. The Purchasing Manager will specify that only electrical
equipment and appliances that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory
(NRTL) such as Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. (UL) are purchased.
EHS Manager. The EHS Manager will facilitate the administration of the
Electrical Safety Plan, including performing periodic program audits.
Training Manager. The Training Manager will develop and oversee electrical safety
training courses, including any site-specific electrical safety training courses, as required,
and assist other managers with their employee training responsibilities.
Safety Committee Chairperson. The Safety Committee Chairperson and other Safety
Committee members will assist the Plan Administrator with interpreting electrical
codes and regulations.
All on-site contractors and subcontractors will ensure that they and their employees:
• Have received electrical safety training corresponding to each employee’s work
requirements, and that such training is documented
• Report all electrical hazards to [name or department].
• Report all electrical injuries, including but not limited to shocks, burns and arc flashes
to [name or department].
• Read, understand, and follow applicable electrical safety-related operating
procedures prescribed by electrical safety regulations and by [Company Name].
• Adopt and implement safe electrical work practices.
• Use appropriate PPE and electrical safety equipment
• Communicate electrical safe work practices with [name, job title, department, or
safety committee representatives].
Accident Investigations
All electrical incidents that result in injury to workers, as well as near misses,
regardless of their nature, will be reported and investigated. Investigations will be
conducted by [Name] or other competent person as soon after an incident as possible to
identify the cause and means of prevention to eliminate the risk of reoccurrence.
In the event of an incident that results in serious injury, this Plan will be reevaluated by
[Name] to determine if additional controls, practices, procedures, or training is necessary
to prevent similar future incidents.
Housekeeping Duties
Where live parts present an electrical contact hazard, employees may not perform
housekeeping duties at such close distances to the parts that there is a possibility of
contact, unless adequate safeguards (such as insulating equipment or barriers) are
provided. Electrically conductive cleaning materials (including conductive solids such
as steel wool, metalized cloth, and silicon carbide, as well as conductive liquid
solutions) may not be used in proximity to energized parts unless procedures are
followed which will prevent electrical contact.
Illumination
Adequate illumination will be provided to work areas that contain exposed
energized parts to enable workers to perform their tasks safely.
[Modify or delete the following overhead lines and confined space subsections
as applicable to your facility.]
Alerting Techniques
Safety signs and tags. Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags will be
used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which may endanger
them. Such signs and tags will be designed and used in accordance with regulations
(29 CFR 1910.145).
Conductive work locations. Portable electric equipment and flexible cords used in
highly conductive work locations (such as those inundated with water or other
conductive liquids), or in job locations where employees are likely to contact water or
conductive liquids, will be approved for those locations.
Connecting attachment plugs. Employees’ hands may not be wet when plugging and
unplugging flexible cords and cord and plug connected equipment, if energized
equipment is involved. Energized plug and receptacle connections may be handled
only with insulating protective equipment if the condition of the connection could
provide a conducting path to the employee's hand (if, for example, a cord connector is
wet from being immersed in water). Locking type connectors will be properly secured
after connection.
Visual inspection. Test instruments and equipment and all associated test leads, cables,
power cords, probes, and connectors will be visually inspected for external defects and
damage before the equipment is used. If there is a defect or evidence of damage that
might expose an employee to injury, the defective or damaged item will be removed
from service, and no employee may use it until repairs and tests necessary to render the
equipment safe have been made.
Rating of equipment. Test instruments and equipment and their accessories will be
rated for the circuits and equipment to which they will be connected and will be designed
for the environment in which they will be used.
Interlocks
Only a qualified person may defeat an electrical safety interlock, and then only
temporarily while he or she is working on the equipment. The interlock system will be
returned to its operable condition when this work is completed.
Overhead Lines
If work will be performed near energized overhead lines, either adequate clearance
distance must be maintained, the lines must be deenergized and grounded, or other
safety measures must be taken to protect all employees from electrical hazards.
Protective measures may include:
• Keep vehicles, mechanical equipment, and unqualified persons at least 10 feet from
overhead lines, adding 4 inches for every additional 10,000 volts. Qualified
personnel must maintain approach distances as per OSHA Table S-5 (located in
29 CFR1910.333(c)(3)).
• Guard or place barriers between the lines and work areas.
• Have the lines insulated with brush guards by the company that supplies the power,
and follow the company’s requirements for working near the insulated lines.
Confined Spaces
[Company Name] will provide and employees will use approved protective shields,
protective barriers, or insulating materials to protect employees from contact with
energized parts when working in confined spaces. Doors, hinged panels, and other
moveable objects that may move and push a person towards electrical hazards need to
be secured.
Qualified persons performing such tasks as electrical repairs, modifications, and tests
on energized conductors and circuit, parts, and equipment will comply with the
following work practices.
Tools
• Electrically insulated-rated tools and insulated protective equipment, such as gloves,
blankets, sleeves, and mats, will be used while working on energized circuits. Employees will
use tools and protective equipment with the proper rating for the task (see NFPA 70E standard).
Tools will be inspected and tested according to the manufacturers’ specifications.
• Electrical tools will be plugged into ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
receptacles.
• Extension cords are for temporary use with portable appliances, tools, and similar
equipment that are not normally used at one specific location. Extension cords will not to be used
as a substitute for fixed wiring. [Name, job title, or department] will install receptacles when
needed for new equipment.
• Any employee who is unsure if a hazard exists will contact [Name] or a supervisor
before using electrical tools or equipment.
Reporting Injuries
Any electrical injury, such as shocks and burns, will be reported immediately to
a supervisor and to [name, job title, or department].
See the Electrical Personal Protective Equipment Checklist attached to this Plan.
Inspection
All PPE will be inspected by employees prior to initial use for a work task. Employees
will visually inspect rubber-insulated PPE at the beginning of each workday prior to use
and after any work performed that could damage the equipment.
Storage
Electrical insulating and protective clothing and equipment should be stored lying flat,
undistorted, right-side out, and unfolded, as appropriate, in protective containers.
Blankets may be stored rolled provided the inner diameter of the roll is at least 2 in.
Rubber goods will be stored in a location as cool, dark, and dry as possible. The location
must be as free as practicable from ozone, chemicals, oils, solvents, damaging vapors
and fumes, and away from electrical discharges and sunlight. Rubber gloves should be
stored cuff-down in a bag, box, or container designed for rubber glove storage. Rubber
gloves may be kept inside of leather protectors.
All testing methods, apparatus, and facilities shall meet the applicable ANSI/ASTM
Standard. The method used and the results of such tests shall be documented and made
available for inspection. Testing apparatus will be operated and maintained by
personnel trained for such work.
Retested rubber-insulated PPE will be identified to indicate the date of the latest test
or date of retest in accordance with the appropriate standard. Manufacturer’s
recommendations will be followed on the type of paint or ink to be used.
Conductive Apparel
Conductive articles of jewelry and clothing (e.g., watch bands, bracelets, rings, key
chains, necklaces, metalized aprons, cloth with conductive thread, or metal headgear)
may not be worn if they might contact exposed energized parts. Such articles may be
worn if they are rendered nonconductive by covering, wrapping, or other insulating
means.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of a medical emergency, the person(s) requesting assistance will contact
[name, job title, or department] by [method, e.g., radio, intercom, or telephone]
at [radio frequency, or phone number].
See the Emergency Services Personnel Contact Information list attached to this Plan.
If there is a person nearby trained in first aid, he or she will be contacted immediately
to give assistance.
Inspectors
Inspectors will be qualified in:
• National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
• Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E)
• National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2)
• 29 CFR 1910, Subpart S
Certified Equipment
All electrical equipment and materials for facility wiring as defined by NFPA 70 will
be certified and approved in accordance with [name of applicable codes or code
sections for your facility].
Utilization Equipment
Utilization equipment is subject to the same approval and acceptance requirements as that of
electrical equipment. To be acceptable for installation and use, utilization equipment will be
listed or labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Utilization equipment that is
not listed or labeled will meet one of the requirements of 29 CFR
1910.399, Acceptable, (i)(ii), or (iii). Utilization equipment that is not listed or labeled
will be examined, accepted, and documented by a qualified person. Utilization equipment
will be used in accordance with its listing and labeling requirements.
Training
Qualified persons will be trained before they are permitted to perform work on electrical
utilization systems or equipment. Unqualified persons will be trained before they work
near electrical utilization systems or equipment.
Qualified persons
Electrical training for qualified persons will include on-the-job demonstrations, exercises,
and classroom sessions. Qualified employees will be trained on:
• Safety-related work practices, including proper selection and use of PPE, that pertain
to their respective job assignments
• Skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of
electrical equipment
• Skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live
parts, clearance distances, and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be
exposed
• The clearance distances specified by regulation (29 CFR 1910.333(c)) [insert state
rule if applicable] and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed
• Procedures on how to perform their jobs safely and properly
• How to lockout/tagout energized electrical circuits and equipment safely
[The following additional training topics are recommended; modify the list
as applicable to the activities of workers at your facility.]
• National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
• National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2)
• NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
• Use of temporary protective grounding equipment
• Use of testing equipment
• Work permit and work authorization procedures
• Use, inspection, and care of personal protective equipment
• Proper clothing and other PPE required for arc flash or arc blast protection
• First-aid, CPR, and AED training
[29 CFR 1910.332 also requires training for persons other than qualified persons if
their job assignments bring them close enough to exposed parts of electrical
circuits operating at 50 V or more to ground for a hazard to exist.]
Safety employees designated to support electrical safety programs will be
knowledgeable and trained at levels commensurate with their duties.
Unqualified persons
Unqualified employees will be trained in and familiar with the safety-related work
practices that pertain to their respective job assignments.
Any employees who are at risk of electric shock but who are not qualified persons will be
trained in:
• Electricity-related safety practices that pertain to their job and work area
• Any electricity-related safety practices not specifically addressed in the OSHA rule but
that are necessary for their safety
Refresher Training
Refresher training will be given to qualified and unqualified persons at least once
every [interval in months or years] to provide an update on new regulations and
electrical safety criteria. Additional training will be provided whenever:
• New types of electrical utilization systems or equipment are introduced to the workplace
• A new hazard is identified
• New electrical tasks are created
• Electrical injuries occur
Recordkeeping
Training for all qualified and unqualified persons will be documented. Training
records will be kept [location] for [duration].
Injury Recordkeeping
[Name, job title, or department] will maintain comprehensive accident/ injury records
and will maintain records of all accident investigation reports and data for [duration].
Supporting Materials
Attachment [number]—Job Hazard Analysis Worksheet Attachment
[number]—Emergency Services Personnel Contact List Attachment
[number]—Electrical Personal Protective Equipment Checklist Attachment
[number]—Energized Electrical Work Permit Attachment [number]—
Electrical Safe Work Practices
Attachment [number]—Electrically Safe Work Condition Checklist