Elec Safety Disc

Electrical Safety Discussion
Personal Electrical Safety
Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.
Today’s discussion is about preventing injuries to people. We will discuss a few

points that will surprise you and some others that are no real surprise.
At any time during the discussion, if you have a question, bring it up. We will
discuss it until we reach a conclusion.
1
Who are you?
Tell me something
about yourself.
I wanted to start the day by asking you to tell me and your fellow attendees
something about yourself. Tell us something that we probably don’t know about
you.
What I am really after is to get you to understand that you should feel open and able
to ask any question you have.
2
Why are you here?
Wanted to relax for a couple of hours?
Wondered if doughnuts were being served?

‘Cause the boss said to come?
Wanted to find out how you can talk about

electrical safety for longer than 30 minutes?
So, now, tell me why you are here. Be honest. Also know that there is no wrong
answer.
Okay.
Maybe it would be best if you kept your answer to yourself, but think about it. It is
only important that you know why you are here.
You might also think about what you expect to get out of today’s meeting. Do you
expect to learn something? Do you expect to teach something?
3
Why am I here?
I want to share my experience with you.
Your management invited me.
I want you to understand electrical hazards.
It is the right thing for me to do.
I also wanted you to know why I am here….
4
Agenda for Today
• Introductions
• Injuries
• Hazards
– Fire
– Shock
– Arc flash
– Blast
Today we will talk about several things. All of them have to do with your safety,
ensuring that you are able to go home to your family at the end of the work day in
the same condition you came to work in the morning.
The Introductions section is complete.
We will continue our discussion by talking about injuries and then continue to
develop some understanding about electrical hazards.
5
Agenda for Today
• Safe work practices

• Principles
• Who’s responsible
We will spend a few minutes talking about safe work practices and then talk about
what makes us act as we do.
After that, we will talk about who’s responsible and then wrap up the discussion
We will take a break at various times during the day.
6
Injuries
Let’s think about injuries for a little while.
7
What causes an injury?
• Unintended release of energy
• Unexpected contact with energy
For an injury to occur, an unintended release of energy or an unexpected contact

with some source of energy must occur.
Only an unintended interaction with some source of energy can cause an injury. If
the energy source is electrical, then electrical energy is the only possible cause of
injury. If the energy source is mechanical, then mechanical energy is the only
possible cause of injury. If the source is kinetic, then kinetic energy is the only
possible cause of injury.
A person must interact with a source of energy for an injury to occur. The trick then,
is to avoid either direct contact with a source of energy or to avoid any release of
energy.
8
Injuries
• Exposure to energy
– Unexpected
– Unintended
• Injury may result from
– Unsafe conditions
– Unsafe equipment
– Unsafe act
• Categorize by type of energy—
electrical, thermal, mechanical, etc.
Injury can occur only if a person is exposed to energy. The exposure may be
intended or unintended. The exposure can only be the result of an unsafe condition,
an unsafe act, or through the use of unsafe equipment.
An unsafe act is when an energy release is the result of a person’s action, such as if
a person cuts the ground probe from a cord cap.
An unsafe condition is when the working environment is influenced by a condition

that results in a release of energy, such as if a person leaves a hole in the floor
unguarded or uncovered.
Unsafe equipment might be poorly maintained equipment, or it might be an

electrical circuit that has oversized fuses.
If we lumped all unsafe conditions and all unsafe equipment together, they would
account for about one-third of all injuries. Unsafe acts are the basic cause for two-
thirds of all injuries.
We could also categorize all injuries by the type of energy. If we did, electrical
injuries would be the largest category.
9
Cause of Injuries
Unsafe
Equipment
Unsafe
Conditions
Unsafe
Acts
This pie chart compares unsafe equipment and unsafe conditions with unsafe acts.
As the chart suggests, unsafe acts are the major cause of injuries.
This chart also suggests that if we could somehow eliminate unsafe acts as a cause
of injury, we could reduce the number of electrical injuries by a very significant
degree.
10
H. W. Heinrich’s Theory
Once an incident is in progress,

its ultimate outcome is largely
a matter of luck.
In addition to being a psychologist, H. W. Heinrich was a human resources expert in

the 1930s. One of his observations is illustrated on this slide.
What he was trying to suggest seems to be that an accident happens so fast that a
person has virtually no chance to get out of the way. If that is true, then any chance
of avoiding injury in an accident is to make adequate preparations before the
accident has an opportunity to happen.
Think about it. Once a person falls off an extension ladder, it is too late for him or
her to tie off their safety harness.
11
Heinrich’s Relationship
1 Fatality
30 Lost-Time
Injuries
Recordable
300 Injuries
Near Misses
Unsafe Acts
A theory developed by H.W. Heinrich states that for every 300 recordable injuries,
there will be 30 lost-time injuries, and one fatality.
Over the years, these relationships have proven to be relatively accurate. Some
people feel that if the energy source is electrical, then a zero can be taken from the
relationship squeezing the relationship.
I am not sure if that is true or not. However, I am sure that contact with an energized
electrical conductor has a very significant chance of electrocution. Electrocution, by
the way, always means that the person is dead.
Of course, underpinning recordable injuries are near misses (where an accident
happens but having luck on the side of the worker, no injury occurs.
Since 2/3 of all injuries are the result of unsafe acts, we can draw another segment
beneath near misses.
12
Injury Analysis
Industrial electrical accidents and their
complications observed by Electricite de France
in Electrical Trauma:
• 10-year data, 120,000 employees
• Electrical accident rate 125/year
• 77 percent electrical arc injuries
• 25.7 percent ocular burns
• 21 percent permanent disability
• 2.4 percent fatalities
This slide presents information about electrical injuries that was collected by
Electricite de France.
The study used data that was collected over a ten-year period from 120,000
employees. The data shows that a population of this size can expect to have 125 lost
time injuries each year. Of these injuries, 25.7 percent injuries involve the eyes, 21
percent result in permanent disability, and 2.4 percent are fatalities. Think about
that, as these numbers are astonishing.
For every 25,000 workers, a fatality is experienced each year. And, by the way,
these statistics don’t count any burn injuries from either current flow or arc flash
because they are not electrical injuries, they are burns.
13
Hazards
14
Understanding Hazards
Affects:
How people behave

Procedural requirements
Personal protection requirements
Training needs
A person’s understanding of a safety hazard has a dramatic effect on his or her

behavior. An in-depth understanding of a hazard usually results in a healthy respect
for what can happen.
People who know the most about a specific hazard tend to rely more heavily on
procedures and plans to guide their actions.
Personal protective equipment selection and use are influenced by increased

understanding of a hazard.
Training and training programs are influenced by the depth of knowledge held by
all members of the line organization.
15
Electrical Hazards
Bla
st
Fire
hock
S
Flyi
ng P
Arc Fla arts
sh
16
Fire
The first hazard associated with electrical energy was fire. As a matter of fact, fire
was the driver that resulted in the existence of the National Electrical Code.
We will take the next few minutes to think about the hazard.
17
Fire Causes
High-resistance connections
Improper welding current path
Improper material storage
Improper insulation material
Hazardous materials
These conditions frequently result in a fire.
A fire caused by high-resistance connections might occur when mechanical joints in

an electrical conductor loosen when the conductor material heats and cools in its
normal use cycle. The heating and cooling cycle causes the connector to expand and
contract. The connector material stretches during this cycle, resulting in decreased
contact pressure. Conductor material can flow away from the point where pressure
is applied, which causes the pressure to decrease. The high-resistance connection
generates heat that can, in-turn, ignite any nearby flammable material.
An improper welding path can cause sparks at remote locations. If any flammable
material is nearby, the sparks can result in ignition.
If electrical insulating material is inadequately rated, the conductor can contact a

surface at a different potential.
Of course, hazardous flammable material can be ignited by either of the above

means or by a static discharge. In either case, a fire will likely result.
18
In the Early Days
Fires were Major

prevalent economic
losses
Insurance
companies No electrical
reacted “standard”
In the early 1900s, electricity was just beginning to be used as a readily available
energy. The large buildings in the northeastern U.S. were being lighted by electrical
lights. The lack of understanding, coupled with the lack of good installation
practices, resulted in a significant number of fires. Insurance companies tired of the
economic losses and demanded improved practices. The NEC grew from those
economic losses.
Other electrical standards began to solidify after the basic code was developed.
We will stop our discussion of fire at this point and save our discussion about fires
for another day.
19
Electric Shock
Thomas Edison knew that a person would be shocked if that person made contact
with an energized conductor.
When the state of New York wanted to change the method of capital punishment
from hanging, they contacted Edison and asked him to design an electric chair.
Edison was in favor of selecting direct current for general use, and George
Westinghouse was in favor of selecting alternating current for general use.
Edison accepted the task of designing the electric chair. His design used AC voltage
to emphasize the danger associated with Westinghouse’s AC system.
20
Shock
Over 30,000 non-fatal electrical

shock accidents occur each year.
Over 600 people die from
electrocution each year.
Electrocution remains the fourth
highest cause of industrial
fatalities.
Electrical shock is the reaction of muscle and nerve tissue to current flowing in the
body. No one really knows how many non-fatal shock accidents happen each year.
However, records show that at least 30,000 do occur. Now consider that perhaps one
in 50—maybe one in—100 shock accidents are recorded.
An electrocution is an electrical shock that is of a magnitude large enough or long

enough to result in a fatality. Records show that, in industry, over 600 people are
electrocuted each year.
Electrocution is the fourth largest cause of industrial fatalities.
21
Shock
Most injuries and deaths could

be avoided.
Someone is electrocuted every
20 hours on the job.
Someone is electrocuted every
24 hours at home.
Someone is electrocuted on the job every 20 hours. That means that when we come
back to work tomorrow morning, another person has been electrocuted on the job.
Thinking about off the job, someone is electrocuted at home every 24 hours in
addition to the electrocution on the job.
Actually, all of these deaths could be avoided. There is no reason to continue to

accept 30,000 shocks and 600 electrocutions as the norm.
22
Electrocutions by Year
Construction Safety Council
700
664
600
544
474 480 486

500
440
395
400
300
200
100
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
This chart illustrates the number of electrocutions, by year, from 1992 to 1998. The
information was generated by the Construction Safety Council.
Note to instructor. Review the statistic for a few years.
23
Touch Potential
Hand-to-hand
Electricity is lazy. It always takes the path of least resistance. If a person touches an
energized point with a hand, and the other hand is in contact with ground or a
grounded object, the current will likely flow from the one hand to the other.
This type of contact is called hand to hand.
Note that the current flow is likely to be across or through the upper body.
24
Step Potential
Foot-to-foot
A similar current path can exist from one foot to the other. This foot to foot contact
is called step potential. A potential difference exists between a person’s feet.
Note that current will flow through the trunk of the body.
25
Touch Potential
Hand-to-foot Hand-to-foot
Still another type of touch potential can exist. These sketches illustrate the path that
current might take with a hand-to-foot contact.
26
What Happens
Current flows via the best route.

At contact, resistance is high.
As current increases, resistance lowers.
At skin break, contact resistance
disappears.
Blood stream and nerve tissue
are good conductors.
Initial current flow is across surface.
Current flows through the path of least resistance. When contact is first made with
an energized conductor, the surface contact between the skin and the conductor is
high. As the current increases, the contact resistance is driven lower. If the skin’s
surface should break, contact resistance effectively disappears. Only internal
impedance remains.
Blood and nerve tissue are very good conductors. Body tissue is primarily a saline
solution that conducts electricity very well. Note that the blood and nerve tissue
lead to organs that are quite important.
At first contact, the current probably will flow across the surface of the skin.
27
Characteristics of the Body
Essentially an electrical system.
Muscles react to an electrical signal.
Nerves are conductors.
The brain generates small voltage.
External current flow overcomes
the effect of body current.
Automatic body functions, such as the
heartbeat, cease to operate normally.
The body can be considered to be essentially an electrical system. A small voltage is

chemically generated within the brain, and the nerves deliver the signal to the
muscle. The current flow is in the microampere range. The signal received by the
muscle is to constrict. The muscle reacts to the strength of the signal. A stronger
signal means to constrict more.
If an external source of voltage sends a signal to a muscle, the muscle reacts as if

the signal were a normal signal. If the external signal is greater than the a signal
generated by the brain, the muscle is told to stay clamped. The “let-go” threshold
has been reached.
Automatic body functions such as heartbeat and breathing become confused at the
powerful signal. They cease to operate normally. Fibrillation of the heart occurs
quite rapidly.
28
1000
700
300
Current (mA) 100
70
30
10
7
3
1
.7
.3
.1
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Voltage
How much current ?
Let’s use this graph to illustrate how much current can be expected to flow in
case a person makes contact with ordinary utilization voltages.
Let’s plot voltage along the bottom. Voltage will start with zero at the left, and
the full scale will go up to 700 volts.
On the vertical scale, let’s plot current. We’ll make full scale one ampere, so
the bottom of the vertical axis is zero mA. The first scale indicator is 0.0001
amperes. I think you will agree that is not very much current.
29
1000
700
Fibrillation
300
100
Dry Conditions
Current (mA) 70
X "Let-Go"
30 Threshold
10 X
7
"Jump-Back"
3 Reaction
1
.7
.3
.1 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Voltage
Best (dry) conditions
On this chart, the green line indicates the amount of current that will flow under the
best of conditions. The worker is wearing dry gloves. The worker’s shoes are in
good condition.
The black vertical line at the left represents 110 volts. Reading across to the current
line, we can see that the worker will experience a current flow of about 14 mA.
The vertical line on the right represents 480 volts. Again reading to the left axis, we
can see that the worker will experience a current flow of about 55 mA.
The notes on the right side of the chart suggest what kind of reaction a person’s
body might experience.
30
1000 Damp Conditions
700 Fibrillation
X
300
100 X Dry Conditions
Current (mA) X
70
"Let-Go"
30 Threshold
10 X
7
"Jump-Back"
3 Reaction
1
.7
.3
.1
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Voltage
Worst but “normal” conditions
This graph is represents a different set of conditions. The worker has been at it for a
while, and his or her gloves are damp from perspiration. The impedance introduced
by the gloves is reduced.
The green line still represents the dry conditions we saw on the previous graph. The
red line has been added to represent the amount of current flow that is likely in
event of contact with an energized conductor with the damp-gloved hand.
Again, the vertical line on the left represents 110 volts. The vertical line on the right
represents 480 volts. As you can see, the current flow at 110 volts is well into the
let-go threshold. The current flow at 480 volts is well into the range that will cause
fibrillation.
31
Show video
illustrating shock
32
How are you
exposed to shock?
Contacting a “live part” as a result of
• Poor grounding installation
• Poor equipment design
• Inadequate maintenance
• Poor work practice
— Or —
• Standing near a significant fault
• Standing near lightning discharge
A person is likely to receive an electrical shock any time he or she contacts an

exposed energized conductor.
An inadequate ground of any type can cause a voltage to exist at points where it is
unexpected.
Poor equipment design or installation can result in conductive components that are
exposed. For instance, if a hot and neutral conductor are interchanged, an external
surface can be energized.
Equipment must be maintained so that the installed condition is approximated for

the life of the installation.
The most common means of exposure to shock is by poor work practice or

procedures. Injuries frequently occur with the worker believes that the conductor is
de-energized.
There is no reason to take a chance.
Should a condition exist that permits a large current to flow through earth, such as a
significant fault or lightning discharge, a voltage gradient is generated in the earth
path. If a person contacts two points along the path of current flow, some current is
likely to be diverted through the person’s body.
33
This photograph suggests one way that a person could be exposed to shock.
34
Here is another way that a person could be exposed to shock.
35
Still another photograph illustrates how a person could be exposed to shock.
36
Electric Shock Hazard
and Protection
Amount of current flow through a human body
CURRENT (1) H-H = 120 V/

= VOLTAGE (V) (500 Ω + 500 Ω)
/ RESISTANCE (R) = 120 mA
100 Ω
500 Ω 500 Ω
H-L = 120 V/
500 Ω 500 Ω (500 Ω + 100 Ω
+ 500 Ω )
= 110 mA
Let’s apply Ohm’s law to see how much current might flow should a person contact
an energized conductor.
Let’s assume a contact resistance of 500 ohms and trunk resistance of 100 ohms.
Do the math, and you can see how much current might flow through a person’s
body should contact be made with 120 volts.
That information does not help much until we know how the body will react to a
specific amount of current.
37
Electric Shock Hazard
and Protection
Effect of current on human body
AC in mA AC in mA
Effect (Males) (Females)
Slight sensation in hand 0.4 0.3

Perception threshold 1.1 0.7
Shock  not painful 1.8 1.2
Muscular control not lost
Shock  painful 9 6
Muscular control not lost
Shock  painful and severe
Muscular contractions, 23 15
breathing difficult
Shock  possible
ventricular fibrillation effect 100 100
from 3-second shocks
This chart shows what a body’s reaction might be to various amounts of current.
The column on the left defines an effect.
The column in the middle suggests the amount of current flow, in men, that might
cause that reaction. The column on the right shows the same information from a
female worker.
The differences in the two columns to the right are not really related to males and
females. Instead, females are generally assumed to have a smaller body frame. If the
same amount of current is assumed, the current density will be greater in people
who have smaller body frames. The issue seems to be current density.
38
Protect from exposure to shock
Shut it off — lock it out.
Stay outside the safe approach
boundary.
Wear appropriate personal protective
equipment.
Maintain your grounding system.
Keep the door closed.
Handle electrical conductors
with respect.
So, how do you avoid exposure to electrical shock or electrocution?
Shut it off – lock it out.
Stay outside the safe approach boundary.
Wear protective equipment that is adequately rated for the potential exposure.
Keep your grounding system in good repair. This means that you have to test them
from time to time.
Keep all doors closed and covers in place. If the door is closed, there is no exposed
energized conductor
Treat energized electrical conductors with respect. The insulation could be

damaged. The insulation could be deteriorated with no visual indication.
39
Protect from exposure to shock
Train people.
Understand exposure.
Understand personal limitations.
Practice continuous awareness.
Use signs and labels.
Train people to be able to recognize when and how exposure to electrical shock can
exist.
Train people to understand how to completely avoid or minimize their exposure to

shock by selecting and wearing adequate protective equipment.
Train people to understand and accept their personal limitations. They should know
the limit of their knowledge and their skill.
Train people to practice continual awareness of their exposure to electrical shock.
Use signs and labels to warn people that an electrical hazard exists and that their
exposure is elevated.
40
Arc Flash
Show Video
Illustrating Arc Flash
In 1982, the IEEE published a paper written by R.H. Lee that suggested that thermal
burns from an arcing fault were another hazard associated with electrical energy.
Industry did not pay much attention to the “new” hazard. However, in the mid-
1980s, after a serious burn incident, Mr. Bill Jordan began to promote the idea of
protection from arc flash.
41
Arc Flash
As many as 80 percent of all electrical injuries

are burns resulting from an arc-flash and ignition
of flammable clothing.
Arc temperature can reach 35,000° F.
Fatal burns can occur at distances greater than 10 ft.
More than 2000 people are admitted into burn centers
each year with severe electrical burns.
An arc flash also contains bits of molten metal.
Since most arc-flash burns are recorded just as “burns,” some estimates suggest that
80 percent of all injuries from an electrical hazard is the result of an arc.
The plasma in an electrical arc can reach 35,000 degrees F. In fact, it will reach that
temperature unless the energy source is removed before it gets there.
People have been fatally burned at distances greater than 10 feet from the arc.
In one arcing-fault incident, two people who were standing about 18 feet from an
electrical arc were fatally burned.
More than 2000 people are admitted to burn centers annually with severe electrical
burns.
When an arc-flash event happens, pressure that is created by the superheated air and
vaporizing metal expels droplets of molten metal and other parts and pieces with
great force.
42
Arc flash example
Arc-flash events usually happen very quickly. Although many people have seen the
effects of an arcing fault, most have never seen the event itself.
This photograph is a grab from a video taken by a camera that shoots 30,000 frames
per second. This is one of those frames.
In the picture are two electricians—mannequins—not real people. One is near the
equipment, and the other is near the right side of the photo. (The person in front of
the equipment is not really visible in this photo.)
43
This slide, and the next five slides, are intended to illustrate the kind of pressure
force that the person would feel on his or her body. By the way, this mannequin was
braced by two-by-fours.
Note to instructor. Flip through the slides to illustrate that the mannequin is being
thrown backward.
44
45
46
47
48
This slide shows the aftermath of the fault that took place in the previous few slides.
As you can see, a taped electrical joint failed. Arcing faults may not be in a starter
unit or a circuit breaker enclosure; a fault can occur at any place in the circuit.
49
Electric Arc Burn Hazards:
Temperature and Heat Data
Temperature at arc terminals 35,000° F

Clothing ignition temperature 700° F
to 1400° F
Temperature of burning clothing 1400 ° F
Temperature of metal droplets 1800° F
The plasma of an electrical arc can reach a temperature of 35,000 degrees

Fahrenheit. The plasma temperature does not reach that temperature
instantaneously. Normally, the overcurrent device removes the energy source within
two or three seconds. However, the rate of temperature rise is considerable. Usually
an overcurrent device operates within the first second and quenches the arc.
Sometimes the overcurrent device does not operate as intended, and the arc
temperature get quite high. In a normal situation where the overcurrent device
removes the energy in less than one second, the plasma temperature can reach
15,000 to 17,000 degrees F.
Ordinary street clothing can ignite if its temperature reaches 700 to 1400 degrees F.
The ignition temperature varies as the construction material changes from nylon,
polyester, or similar material to cotton and wool.
If a person’s clothing ignites, the burning material will subject the person to about
1400 degrees F. However, the person will be subjected to that high temperature for
several seconds before the flame is extinguished or the clothing is removed. Some
materials will melt when burning and deposit the molten material onto the surface
of the person’s skin.
Copper melts at about 1800 degrees F. The metal droplets that are expelled during
the faulted condition are also at that temperature. Sometimes the droplets will melt
through the clothing, but sometimes the clothing will be ignited by the molten
copper.
50
Arc Flash
Skin Time of skin
temperature temperature Damage caused
Cell breakdown
110 °F 6 Hours begins
Total cell
158 °F 1 sec destruction
176 °F 0.1 sec Second-degree burn
200 °F 0.1 sec Third-degree burn
Skin Temperature Tolerance Relationship
This chart shows what might happen to a person’s skin if subjected to elevated
temperature. The left column identifies a temperature. The middle column gives a
duration in seconds. The column on the right indicates what kind of injury the
person is likely to receive.
51
Important Event Factors
Happen extremely quickly.

Are very unpredictable.
Are normally started by a person.
Are independent of grounding.
Are voltage independent.
Are related to energy.
Usually happen during physical
movement.
Arc-flash events happen very quickly. Many people who were present when an arc
flash occurred did not even see the flash.
The events are very unpredictable. An arc flash might occur in one set of conditions
and in similar conditions a second time might not occur.
These events are normally started by a person doing something. Even when
equipment fails, the event is usually precipitated by a person doing something.
These events are not related to the system of grounding. Regardless of solid ground,
resistance ground, or if the system is ungrounded the events and their results seem
to be the same.
These events are not related to voltage. Instead, they are related to energy:
specifically, the amount of energy that is available within the system at the point of
the fault.
These events usually happen as a result of movement. A contactor operating, a

switch handle moving, an errant movement by a worker, or similar events normally
initiate arc-flash events.
52
Approach Boundaries
Flash-Protection Boundary
–Linear distance necessary to prevent injury
from a potential arc flash
Limited Approach Boundary
–Restricted distance necessary for “unqualified”
persons
Restricted Approach Boundary
–Restricted distance necessary for “qualified”
persons
Prohibited Approach Boundary
–PPE for direct contact with live parts
—flashover distance
This chart identifies boundaries that should be recognized and respected.
The flash-protection boundary is related to arc flash only, with no relationship to

electrical shock or electrocution.
The limited, restricted, and prohibited approach boundaries are intended to trigger
additional protective measures to prevent shock or electrocution.
We discussed those boundaries earlier.
It is important to understand that the prohibited approach boundary represents a

distance beyond which contact with an exposed energized conductor is likely. A
work task that requires or enables an approach closer than this dimension should be
prohibited.
53
Any point on energized
Flash
conductor or circuit part
Protection
Boundary Prohibited
Approach
Boundary
Restricted
Approach
Boundary
Limited
Approach
Boundary
This chart illustrates the four approach boundaries. Again, the limited, restricted,
and prohibited approach boundaries represent increased exposure to shock. These
boundaries are fixed, based on the circuit voltage.
The flash-protection boundary is not a fixed boundary. The distance moves in and
out from the exposed energized conductor, based on the amount of energy that is
available in the system.
54
Approach Boundaries
Column Number (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Limited Approach Boundary Restricted Prohibited
Nominal System Approach Approach
Voltage Range Boundary Boundary
Includes Includes
Exposed Exposed Inadvertent Reduced
Movable Fixed Movement Inadvertent
Phase-to-Phase Conductor Circuit Part Adder Movement
Adder
Energized Part to Employee - Distance in feet - Inches
0 to 300 Not specified Not specified Not specified
51 to 300 V 10 ft. 0 in. 3 ft. 6 in. Avoid Contact Avoid Contact
Over 300 V, not over 750 V 10 ft. 0 in. 3 ft. 6 in. 1 ft. 0 in. 0 ft. 1 in.
Over 750 V, not over 2 kV 10 ft. 0 in. 4 ft. 0 in. 2 ft. 0 in. 0 ft. 3 in.
Over 2 kV, not over 15 kV 10 ft. 0 in. 5 ft. 0 in. 2 ft. 2 in. 0 ft. 7 in.
Over 15 kV, not over 36 kV 10 ft. 0 in. 6 ft. 0 in. 2 ft. 7 in. 0 ft. 10 in.
This chart identifies the shock approach boundaries. They are based on the system
voltage and do not change from one circuit to another. This information is lifted
from NFPA 70E.
The limited-approach boundary may change, depending on the relative position of

the worker. If the relation position can change, then the distance is moveable.
Moveable means that the conductor might move, such as in an overhead line
construction, or if the worker is on a moveable platform such as an articulating
basket.
Fixed means that the worker is on a stable platform, such as a floor, and the
conductor is held in place, such as a buss within a piece of equipment.
55
Protective Clothing and Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
Where it is determined that work will be
performed within the flash-protection
boundary, a flash-hazard analysis must
be made to determine incident energy
exposure.
Clothing and PPE must be selected

based either on incident energy
or selected from the table in NFPA 70E.
A flash-hazard analysis is intended to determine the amount of available fault

energy that the system can provide. Available energy is dependant on the size of the
transformer (or other source) together with the impedance of the circuit.
Technical papers have defined incident energy as the amount of energy that might
be “incident” on a material (or body) that is at a specified distance from the arc. If
the incident energy is known and protective clothing is selected that has a rating
equal to or greater than the available energy, then an injury is unlikely.
Protective clothing can be selected based on the amount of incident energy.
Appendix I in the book identifies protective clothing for some work tasks that is
based on assumptions about the circuit parameters. If the table is used, it is
important to make certain that the assumptions are similar to the actual circuit
where the work will be performed.
56
Selecting PPE
• App. I Personal Protective Equipment

Required for Various Tasks
• App. J Protective Clothing and PPE
Matrix
• App. K Protective Clothing
Characteristics
The Electrical Safety Program Book published by NFPA contains appendices that
provide helpful information about arc flash protective clothing.
This slide identifies some appendices that provide information about that clothing.
As indicated previously, Appendix I illustrates protective clothing for some work
tasks with assumed circuit parameters.
Appendix J identifies potential clothing components for various hazard/risk
categories.
Appendix K is intended as an illustration only. The appendix suggests that specific
clothing provides minimum and maximum protective characteristics. Users should
consult with their selected clothing manufacturer to determine the characteristics of
their clothing.
57
Appendix J Protective Clothing
and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Matrix
Protective Clothing &
Equipment Protective Systems for Hazard/Risk Category
Hazard/Risk Category –1 0 1 2 3 4
Number (Note 3)
Untreated Natural Fiber – – – – – –
- sleeve)
a. T-shirt (short X X X X
b. Shirt (long
- sleeve) X
c. Pants (long) X X X (Note 4) X (Note 6) X X
FR Clothing (Note 1) – – – – – –
a. Long
-sleeve shirt X X X (Note 9) X
b. Pants X (Note 4) X (Note 6) X (Note 9) X
c. Coverall (Note 5) (Note 7) X (Note 9) (Note 5)
d. Jacket, parka, AN AN AN AN
or rainwear
FR Protective Equipment – – – – – –
a. Flash-suit jacket- X
(2 layer)
b. Flash-suit pants- X
(2 layer)
This slide is an illustration of Appendix J. The purpose of this appendix is to

illustrate that protective clothing apparel for each category may be either a single
item or made up of several different pieces of clothing. This slide is only an
illustration.
58
Default Flash Protection
Boundary
For systems 600 volts

and below,
the default boundary distance
is 10 feet.
If no calculations are performed and the assumptions in Appendix I are not

applicable, a default flash-protection boundary is established by NFPA 70E at 10
feet. That means that any person closer than 10 feet to a potential arc fault should be
protected by flame-resistant clothing.
59
Ralph Lee’s Formulae
(Approach distances under 600 volts)
Dc = [2.65 x MVAbf x t]1/2 or
Dc = [53 x MVA x t]1/2
where:
Dc = distance of person from an arc source
for a just curable burn (feet).
MVAbf = bolted fault MVA at point involved.
MVA = MVA rating of transformer.
For transformers with an MVA rating
below 0.75MVA, multiply the
transformer MVA rating by 1.25.
t = time of arc exposure, in seconds.
One method of determining the flash protection boundary is sometimes called the
Lee method.
This chart defines the Lee theory.
Note to instructor: Review the formulae in detail.
60
Over 600 Volts
For work on or near systems more than

600 volts, the flash-protection boundary
is the distance at which incident energy
is 1.2 cal/cm2.
If the circuit is more than 600 volts, the flash-protection boundary should be
established as the distance where the incident energy is 1.2 cal/cm2.
1.2 cal/cm2 is the amount of energy that will result in a second-degree burn. If the
distance at which the incident energy is at that level, the worker will not sustain a
second-degree burn where the overcurrent device operates at normal speed.
If the overcurrent device operates very fast (less than 2 cycles), the onset of a
second-degree burn is slightly greater than 1.2 cal/cm2.
61
Incident Energy Calculation
For an arc in a cubic box
(20 inches on each side, open on one end),
EMB = 1038.7 DB-1.4738 tA [0.0093 F2 - 0.3453 F + 5.9675]
where:
EMB = maximum 20” cubic box incident energy, cal/cm2
DB = distance from arc electrodes, inches
(for distances of 18 inches and more)
tA = arc duration, seconds
F = bolted fault short circuit current, kA
(for the range 16 to 50 kA)
This chart illustrates another method of calculating available incident energy. This
formula is sometimes called the Doughty method after the primary author of the
IEEE paper that derived the formula.
Note to instructor: Review each item in the formula to develop understanding of the
variables that impact the result.
62
Other Methods of Incident
Energy Calculation
Arc Pro and other commercially

available programs
IEEE Standard 1584
Programs that are integrated into
system analysis software
IEEE Standard 1584—IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Calculations identifies

another method of performing an arc-flash analysis. This guide contains formulae
that will determine a projected incident energy.
Arc Pro is another commercially available computer program that also will project
an incident-energy calculation.
Many commercially available system analysis computer programs such as

EasyPower and EDSA also contain software that calculate incident energy.
Many of the calculation methods do not correlate with one another. They might
provide a different result. Insufficient information is available to suggest that one
method provides more accurate information than another.
63
Flash Protection
Up to 6":
– Gloves and safety glasses
Up to 18":
– Add FRC sleeves
– Add ATPV-rated face shield
More than 18":
– Add FRC coverall
– Add FR-rated hood with ATPV-rated
window
Where do these conditions exist?
Up to 6 inches – Where the transformer ahead of the equipment is 500 kVA or

smaller, AND the overcurrent protection is current limiting.
Up to 18 inches – Where the transformer ahead of the equipment is 75 kVA or

smaller and without current-limiting overcurrent protection.
More than 18 inches – Where the transformer is larger than 500 kVA and without
current-limiting overcurrent protection. As the size of the transformer increases
above 500 kVA, the amount of needed protection also increases.
Where the transformer is more than 750 kVA, incident energy should be calculated
or determined from the list of work tasks in Appendix I.
64
How do you know?
Must calculate the flash-protection

boundary.
Employers are required to provide
sufficient information.
You really don’t know!
The arc-flash issue can be reduced to these facts. You can calculate incident energy
by one of several methods. You can use the task table.
An employer/owner should provide enough information about the electrical circuit

that enables a worker to select protective equipment. Article 110.16 of the National
Electrical Code requires a label on equipment where potential for an arc-flash injury
exists.
However, you really don’t know how much protective equipment will prevent an
injury. A worker should wear clothing that provides significant flash protection as
his or her normal work clothes.
You should also be advised that the PPE selected by any method will not
necessarily eliminate an injury. Incident energy is calculated at a prescribed
distance. If the PPE is 100 percent effective at that distance, some part of the
worker’s body probably will be closer and subjected to greater thermal energy.
65
Use Protective Clothing
Wear flame-resistant clothing.

Protect every body part.
Use leather gloves (normally okay).
Use leather shoes (normally okay).
Wear polycarbonate eye protection.
Always wear flame-resistant clothing. The greater protective value of the clothing, the
greater the protection.
Cover every body part that is within the flash-protection boundary with protection.
Keep all fasteners closed. Buttons and zippers should be buttoned or zipped.
Wear heavy-duty leather gloves. Leather is not classified with an established rating.
However, normally an arc-flash event is so fast that the leather will provide the
necessary protection. Sometimes the cotton stitching that holds the gloves together will
burn, but the gloves will hold together long enough to afford significant protection.
Wear heavy-duty leather shoes. Like heavy-duty leather gloves, leather shoes will
afford significant protection. Workers should not wear sneakers or shoes of similarly
light construction.
Wear polycarbonate safety glasses in addition to any other face protection. The
polycarbonate material protects the eyes from the ultraviolet energy.
66
Arc Flash
The point is:
Explosive arcs are
complex events that
have the potential
to hurt people
who are not protected
against the
unexpected!!!
Note to instructor: Emphasize the complexity of arc-flash events.
67
Where Does Arc-Flash Hazard
Exist?
• Disconnect switch in your work area

• Transformer sitting near the door
through which you enter the area
• Motor control center for your equipment
• Lockout switch for your equipment
• Your basement!
An arc-flash hazard exists at many different places in your facility. A potential arc-
flash hazard exists in the disconnect switch in your work area. A potential arc-flash
hazard exists in the transformer that sits near the doorway to your office or shop.
One exists in the MCC that is located on the floor of your production area or in the
distribution bus dust.
The lockout switch for your process equipment can be the source of an arc-flash
hazard.
Oh, yeah—a potential arc-flash hazard exists in your basement where your electrical
service enters your house.
68
How Are You Exposed to Arc Flash?
• Working inside electrical equipment

• Standing near unclosed doors
• Watching someone else work
• Failing to lock out
• Failing to wear appropriate PPE
• Taking a break near electrical equipment
A person may be exposed to an arc-flash event by working inside electrical

equipment. A supervisor may be exposed by standing near and watching as an
emergency repair is being executed. Standing near secondary switchgear that has
ventilation holes in the equipment door is another exposure possibility.
Failure to create an electrically safe work condition is a very common cause of

exposure.
Failure to wear arc-flash protective equipment sometimes results in a burn injury.
Taking a break in an electrical control room that has a door that is not completely
latched can expose a person to an arc-flash event.
69
Break
70
Blast
Recent work has focused attention on the thermal effects of arc flash. However,
when electrical energy is converted into thermal energy in an arcing fault, still
another energy conversion is taking place. Some of the electrical energy is
converted into a concussive force.
Lets spend a few minutes to talk about that.
71
Come on—You’re Kidding!
Concrete block walls

are destroyed.
Injuries occur
from bodies being shifted.
Doors are blown open.
Examples are on record that suggest that a considerable amount of force is created
during an arcing fault.
Anecdotal information illustrates that concrete block walls can be destroyed by the
increased pressure that is created during an arcing fault.
The kind of injuries that are typical with an arc blast are broken bones when a body
is literally thrown across a room.
It is not at all unusual for equipment doors to be forced open. Metal parts and pieces
are propelled across a room.
72
What is arc blast?
Tremendous pressure buildup during arc.
Water expands four times during
vaporization.
Copper expands thousands of times
during vaporization.
Air is heated very quickly.
Forces are generated by expanding
materials.
Similar to a lightning bolt.
There is a tremendous increase in pressure during an arcing fault. When the

temperature of the plasma exceeds the melting point of copper, the conductor
changes state from solid to liquid. As the temperature exceeds the boiling point of
the liquid copper, the copper liquid becomes copper vapor.
Now, when water changes state from liquid to steam, the water volume expands
four times, unless constrained in an enclosure. When the copper vaporizes, it
expands many thousands of times. Even without a containing enclosure, the speed at
which the change of state occurs is so fast that there is a very significant increase in
pressure surrounding the plasma. A pressure wave is created by the leading edge of
this pressure buildup. Without an enclosure, the pressure wave travels outward from
the arc until the volume is large enough for the atmospheric pressure to stabilize.
The air surrounding the arc plasma is also heated very rapidly, increasing the
pressure buildup.
These results are similar to a lightning bolt. The conducting plasma is very hot, and
thunder is the acoustic response to the pressure wave.
73
Arc Blast Pressure
Pressure on average person in pounds
on Human Body
3000
1500 50
kA
Fa
u lt
600 22
kA
10 Fa
300 kA
Fau
ult
5k
150 AF lt
1k au l
AF t
au
60 lt
1 2 510 20 50 100
Distance from arc in feet
Pressure is measured in terms of pounds per square inch or similar measures. This
measure means that a force (in pounds) will be applied for each unit of surface area
(square inch). If we make some assumptions about the surface area of an average
electrician, then we can estimate the amount of force that an electrician would feel
from the leading edge of the pressure wave.
This chart is intended to help make that judgment. One axis is marked in distance
from an electrical arc. The other axis represents the amount of force that an
electrician would feel for a specific arcing fault. The diagonal lines represent an
electrical fault current.
To use the graph, find the distance from the worker to the arc on the “X” axis, then
read vertically to the appropriate fault-current line. From there, read horizontally to
the left, and read the amount of force that the average electrician would feel.
The leading edge of the pressure wave is not exactly like being hit with a baseball
bat; however, the worker definitely would feel the wave front.
74
Arc Blast Injuries
Broken bones, cuts, and contusions

Hearing damage
Internal organ damage
Cuts from flying parts and pieces
When the wave front hits the worker from the front, the pressure at his or her back
is still at atmospheric pressure. A differential pressure will exist from the front to
the back of the worker. A differential pressure will also exist from the external
surface of the worker (elevated by the wave front) and all internal surfaces inside
the worker (still at atmospheric pressure).
Injuries that might result from these differences in pressure include broken bones,
cuts, and contusions. Sensitive components of the inner ear can easily be damaged.
Internal organs can receive significant damage.
The rapid increase in pressure can destroy the electrical equipment and expel parts
and pieces with tremendous force.
75
Avoid Arc Blast Injury
Shut it off—lock it out.

Avoid standing near electrical
equipment.
Maintain equipment adequately.
Install fast overcurrent protection.
Keep flame-retardant PPE available.
So, how do I avoid injury from the blast effects of an arcing fault?
Create an electrically safe work condition. If an arcing fault is impossible, then the
chance of an arc-blast injury does not exist.
Any person who happens to be nearby when an arcing fault occurs is exposed to an
injury from arc blast. Experience shows that if the equipment is not arc-resistant
equipment, the chance of the enclosure being destroyed is significant. It is not a
good idea to take breaks in an electrical room.
Maintain equipment and systems adequately. The integrity of electrical enclosures

is very important.
Coordinate the overcurrent devices so that minimum time is required to clear the
fault.
Flame-retardant PPE is not intended for protection from arc blast. However, arc-
flash PPE might be a blend that includes abrasion-resistant textile. Wear it. It is not
possible for there to be exposure to injury from arc blast without a simultaneous
exposure to arc flash.
76
Safe Work Practices
Create an electrically safe work condition.

Stop—think — smell — feel — listen.
Plan the work.
Identify and minimize all hazards.
Determine the degree of exposure.
Maintain the grounding system.
Follow procedures and policies.
So what are the safe work practices that you recommend?
The best alternative is to create an electrically safe work condition. If the source of energy is
removed with assurance the it cannot reaccumulate, all exposure to an electrical hazard has
been removed. This practice should always be the first option.
Stop—Stand still. Think—Does something seem out of place? Smell—Equipment that is
beginning to fail frequently gives off an unusual smell. Feel—Does the equipment or device
feel warm or hot to the touch? Listen—Is there an unusual sound?
All work should be planned. The plan should identify each step in the job and consider
electrical hazards at each step. The plan should identify all hazards to which a worker might be
exposed. The plan should consider the type and degree of exposure to each hazard.
Maintain the grounding system. The grounding system is a primary strategy of the NEC and
serves to limit potential differences between conductive components and structures.
Inadequate maintenance will permit dangerous potentials to exist.
Procedures and policies contain wisdom that has been derived in the past. Past experience is an
excellent teacher. Workers should always implement each requirement of the procedure.
77
Electrically Safe Work Condition
Identify all sources of energy
from drawings.
Open all disconnecting devices.
Where possible, physically inspect
the opening in the blades.
Install lockout devices and tags.
Test all points for voltage.
Where appropriate, install grounding .
Identify all sources of energy from drawings. The drawings must be up-to-date. There is really
no option on this point. If the information on the drawing is inadequate, the worker is at an
elevated risk of injury.
When opening disconnecting means, it is important to ensure that the device is rated for
operation under load. Is it load rated? If not, then it must not be operated until the equipment is
not operating.
As equipment ages, the failure rate increases. Sometimes the mechanical linkage in a
disconnecting means fails, and all phases fail to open. Where it is physically possible, open the
door and look at each phase contact to make sure that an opening exist in each phase
conductor.
Install lockout devices together with tags on all lockout points identified in the first step.
Always test for voltage with an adequately rated voltmeter. We recommend that a single-
function device be the instrument of choice to avoid the possibility of setting the meter on the
wrong scale. The device should be listed by an independent testing laboratory.
If there is any possibility that the equipment could become reenergized by an overhead line
that falls or by induction coupling from another source or by any component failure, then a
ground set should be installed.
78
Stop and Think
Listen. Explain all noises.

Look. Check for discoloration, smoke,
missing covers, and shields.
Feel. Make sure the equipment
is not hot.
Smell. Check that the equipment does
not smell of oil or insulation.
Think. Procedures?? Plans?? PPE??
Before starting to work in an operating facility, review these steps again.
79
Plan the Work
• Identify discrete steps in the work.

• Write the plan on paper.
• Identify and gather procedures.
• Ask someone else to review the plan.
• Identify hazards.
• Try to de-energize the circuits.
A work plan is a sequential listing of all the steps necessary to accomplish a job
assignment. Begin the process by identifying each step and writing the plan on
paper. If the work sequence is simple and each step easily remembered, it may not
be necessary to write the plan on paper. However, a written plan is always an
advantage.
Identify and gather necessary procedures, manufacturer’s information, or drawings.
Review the work plan with someone else who is qualified to execute the job.
Identify all hazards associated with the work. Be sure to consider both electrical and
non electrical hazards.
Create an electrically safe work condition.
80
Plan the Work (cont’d)
• Gather PPE as needed.

• Identify and gather test equipment.
• Seek authority to perform the work.
If any PPE is needed, gather it all together, then inspect it to make certain that it will
function as needed.
Assemble all test equipment that will be needed to perform the task and inspect it to
ensure that it is not cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged.
Seek authority to perform the work. No exposure to an electrical hazard should be

accepted without questioning the necessity to do so. Ensure that the line
organization is willing to accept any increased exposure.
81
Identify and Minimize Hazards
• Shock?
• Arc flash?
• Blast?
• Flying parts?
• Falling?
• Moving equipment?
What hazards will be present when the work task is being performed?
82
Maintain Grounding System
System grounding
Ground-fault return system
Equipment grounds
Temporary grounds
The system ground is a critical strategy to limit any potential difference that the
public will be exposed to.
The ground-fault return system is a critical strategy to ensure that the overcurrent
devices will operate.
Equipment grounds are an important element of the system ground strategy to limit
potential difference during a faulted condition.
Temporary grounds are a critical strategy to prevent equipment and circuits from
being accidentally reenergized from unusual sources.
83
Policies and Procedures
Policies define corporate priorities.

Procedures contain wisdom gained
from past experience.
Procedures should be viewed
as guides.
Any deviation must be explained.
Policies define corporate priorities. An employer must provide clear and consistent
directions. Corporate policies serve to provide a basis for decisions.
Procedures are the repository for corporate wisdom. Sometimes a procedure may
take the place of a plan. Generally, however, a procedure provides specific guidance
about how to execute a task. Specifically, safety procedures identify how to perform
a task with minimum exposure to a safety hazard.
Procedures should be viewed as important guides. However, any direction provided

in the procedure that is not implemented should be justified. The deviation must be
satisfactorily explained.
84
Hazard/Risk Analysis
Hazard/Risk Analysis is a decision-making
process required to do the following:
• Evaluate circuit information drawings.

• Determine the degree and extent
of hazards.
• Identify job planning necessary
to safely perform a task.
• Determine “Approach Boundary”
requirements.
A hazard/risk analysis is an in-depth review of the assigned job that will identify
exposure to safety hazards and the degree of any identified exposure.
The objective can be reached by evaluating circuit drawings and equipment. The
idea is to identify where an energized conductor exists and know where each
source of electrical energy is. You want to know about the physical aspects of the
installation.
Once the degree and extent of each hazard is known, the person-in-charge can select
appropriate PPE and plan the work.
Plan the work, as discussed earlier, with all workers associated with the task,
Determine the approach boundaries for shock and also for arc flash.
85
Hazard/Risk Analysis (cont’d)
• Evaluate “Flash-Protection Boundary”

requirements.
• Determine appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE) based
on the potential hazards present.
• Evaluate personnel qualifications.
After the flash-protection boundary is known, determine the amount of incident

energy, using a standard method.
Next, review the qualifications of the workers who will execute the work task. Make
sure of your ability to understand the work task, the electrical hazards, and how to
minimize exposure.
86
Personal Principles
Plan every job.
Anticipate unexpected events.
Use the right tool for the job.
Use procedures as tools.
Isolate the equipment.
Identify the hazard.
Minimize the hazard.
Protect the person.
Assess people’s abilities.
Audit these principles.
Have you ever thought about what makes you do the things you do?
Principles define what you are willing to do. If “plan every job” is one of your
principles, then you are willing to plan your work, even in those circumstances
where writing a plan might seem like a waste of time. However, experience shows
that planning will expedite execution of the work. Planning also will prevent
exposure to safety hazards.
Your personal principles might be the greatest influence in how you act and what
you do.
The statements on this slide could be the words that identify your principles.
Different words might better describe what you believe to be important. In my case,
these words define what I am willing to do every time in every situation.
87
Plan Every Job
Break into small tasks.

Plan ALL tasks.
Scope.
Boundaries.
Schedule.
Written plan?
A plan is a step-by-step list of all steps necessary to complete a job. The job might be either
small or large. However, no job should be started until a plan is made. Every person who will
participate in or be associated with the job must have the same plan.
If someone does not understand the plan, it is likely that something will go wrong.
To plan the job, break it down into small steps. The steps identify the sequential process that
must be accomplished to execute the job.
All tasks should be planned. The plan should clearly identify the scope of the job. Any
change in scope should be cause to stop the work process and generate a new plan with the
new scope or modify the original plan. Again, everyone must be advised of the change in the
plan.
The plan should identify the boundaries of the job. Everyone must understand boundaries and
then respect those boundaries. Work that is not within the recognized boundary must not be
performed.
The plan should clearly point out the time frame in which the job is expected to be
completed.
It may not be necessary for the plan to be written. The key is whether everyone involved in
the job understands the plan. It is important that the plan be reviewed by someone who was
not involved in producing the plan. If the plan is in writing, the review is more reliable.
88
Anticipate Unexpected Events
What if....?
What can go
wrong?
Emergency
Procedures
Whom to call?
Where to go?
What to do?
When reviewing the work plan, think about what could go wrong. The job lineup
should include information about emergency procedures. What device will be used
in case of an emergency? Where is the communication device?
Where is the fire extinguisher? What is to be done if there is a technical problem?
89
Use the Right Tool for the Job
Proper planning
will identify the
right tools.
Don’t improvise.
Use special tools.
Make sure that all tools that are needed to perform the task are available. When
exposure to an electrical hazard already exists, it is not the right time to be looking
for a tool. Workers are inclined to improvise a tool and use it improperly if a tool is
needed and not readily available.
If a special tool is needed, then be sure to procure the tool and have it available.
A complete plan provides the best opportunity to identify the necessary tools.
90
Use Procedures as Tools
Aids planning.
Provides
y solutions.
Safet s
dure Prompts the
Proce
right questions.
Should be used as
the tools they are.
Learn to use them!
Procedures are written documents that can suffice for a work plan if the procedure is
detailed. Normally, a procedure offers solutions to problems that re-occur. A
procedure will ask the right questions and will generate thoughts about the job.
However, procedures should not be expected to contain all the answers. A

procedure might not address all the problems that might be encountered. A
procedure should be used to guide the work. If a step or requirement in the
procedure is not executed, an acceptable reason should exist for not implementing
the step or requirement. There could be a valid reason for omitting a step in a
procedure.
Use the procedure as a tool just as you would any other tool. Keep procedures sharp
by reviewing them frequently to make sure that each procedure contains all the
knowledge that has been learned in the past.
Procedures are intended to contain wisdom from past experience. They should be
changed and reissued as additional knowledge is gained.
91
Isolate the Equipment
CLT-3: Clear, lock,

tag, try, test.
Check for visible
break.
Test before touch.
Barricade.
The term CLT-3 means clear, lock, tag, try, and test.
Clear -- People should be cleared away from the equipment and the electrical circuit that will be
involved in the work task.
Lock – Locks should be installed in accordance with an established procedure or plan. Installation of
lockout devices should be one of the steps that is executed when establishing an electrically safe
work condition
Tag – Together with locks, tags and their attachment devices make up a lockout device that should
be installed when establishing an electrically safe work condition.
Try – Equipment that has a push button and is capable of running should be tried. Trying to run the
equipment is one indication that the correct disconnecting means has been opened.
Test – For our purposes, testing for the absence of voltage is a critical step to ensure that no voltage
exists on the exposed conductor.
Where it is physically possible, visibly verify that a break in all the power conductors exists.
Always test every conductor before touching it. Test every conductor every time. If it is necessary to
leave the work site, even for a few minutes, test every conductor when you return to the work
location.
92
Identify the Hazard
MCC 1
Hazards
Shock
Arc Flash
Fire
Work classification
Prohibited
Restricted
Limited
Think through the work plan and consider all possibile exposure to the hazards of
shock, arc flash, or arc blast. Determine what approach boundaries will apply to
each step in the work plan.
Does the work plan expose the worker to hazards that are not electrically related?
Could a worker be exposed to falls or falling objects? Could he or she be exposed to
chemicals? Could he or she be exposed to steam or other thermal hazards?
93
Identify the Hazard (cont’d)
MCC 1
Everything is
ENERGIZED
until
tested dead.
Test before touch
Consider every electrical conductor and every electrical component to be energized

until the absence of voltage is verified. No one is electrocuted by contacting a de-
energized electrical conductor. However, many people have been electrocuted by
electrical conductors that they thought were
de-energized.
94
Minimize the Hazard
De-energize the equipment.

Monitor time exposure.
Use barriers/blankets.
Install safety grounds.
Once all hazards have been identified, derive the most effective means to minimize
exposure to each hazard. If the equipment cannot be completely shut down, then
can any part be shut down and locked out? Minimize exposure to the hazard by
doing as much work as possible before exposing the hazard.
Could a barrier be installed to cover any conductor that must remain energized?
Could a rented generator be installed to permit the equipment to be completely
locked out?
Would safety grounds help to eliminate the possibility of an unexpected backfeed?
95
Protect the Person
Use personal protective

equipment (PPE).
PPE is the last line
of defense.
Use the right equipment
for the hazard.
PPE is effective only
if it is used.
After every possible step has been taken to minimize exposure to the identified
hazards, use personal protective equipment that is rated to withstand any contact
or accidental release of energy. Be sure that the PPE is intended to protect from
the hazard to which the worker is exposed.
PPE is the last line of defense should an accident occur. Once an accident is in
progress, there is no chance to escape unless adequate PPE is being worn.
PPE is only effective if it is used.
96
Assess People’s Abilities
Skills and
knowledge make
you qualified—not
your occupation.
Consider the qualifications of the person(s) that will perform the work task.
When a work task is begun, the worker’s occupation, title, or job classification has
little bearing on whether they can avoid an incident or not. Knowledge and skill are
the only characteristics that will help prevent an incident.
97
Assess People’s Abilities (cont’d)
Considerations
• Experience
• Training
• Physical condition
• Mental condition
Think about the person’s experience and his or her state of training. Has the person
had sufficient training to execute the physical aspects of the work task? Has the
person had sufficient training to recognize and avoid electrical hazards? Does the
person have the knowledge about protective strategies to avoid initiating an
incident?
Does the worker have physical dexterity to perform the task? Is the worker in a
mental condition that enables him or her to remain focused on the work task?
98
Assess People’s Abilities (cont’d)
What are your

abilities?
What are
the abilities
of others?
Now, comes the difficult part. Think about whether you have the skill to evaluate
the condition of the worker. Do you understand the hazards enough to evaluate the
exposure and determine if the risk is acceptable? Is it necessary to review the work
with someone who is better qualified to determine if the risk is both necessary and
acceptable?
99
Audit These Principles
Is there
something else?
Are things still
the same?
Do the principles
fit the current
policy?
Every now and then, it is prudent to think about your personal principles. Consider
if something has changed that might make some other issue more important. Do
your principles still align with current company policy? Does something need to
change?
100
My Electrical Safety Principles
What are your

principles?
What makes
you do what
you do?
What are your principles? Why do you act as you do? What is important to you?
Take a few minutes and think about the things that are important to you:
Your spouse? Your family? Your job? A favorite sports team? Your friends?
101
Safety Principles
After you write down your principles, you might choose to keep the paper that
describes them in your wallet or in you lunchbox. Take the paper out from time to
time and read it. Do those words still describe what you think is important?
Some organizations print principles on a card and provide them to all their workers.
These are examples of how some companies do just that.
102
Responsibility
103
So, Who’s Responsible?
The employer
The employee
The “owner”
So, … After hearing all that, who is responsible?

The answer to that question is on this slide. The employer, the employee and the
owner are all responsible. They are each responsible for some element of the
process of keeping people from being injured. You see, keeping people from being
injured is a process rather than a program. For the process to be effective, each of
these parts must be involved.
104
Who’s Responsible? (cont’d)
The “employer” is responsible

for
– Electrical safety program
– Safety policies and procedures
– Safety equipment
– Safety training
The employer is responsible for establishing an electrical safety program for the
overall organization.
The employer is responsible for defining and publishing safety policies and
procedures.
The employer is responsible for providing safety equipment that is needed to

minimize exposure to electrical hazards.
The employer is responsible for providing safety training for employees that enables
each worker to know what hazards he or she might be exposed to.
105
The “employee” is
responsible for
– Implementing procedures
The employee is responsible for implementing the procedures that are defined by
the employer. However, it is not that simple. Each employee should provide the
feedback that is necessary to keep procedures and practices up-to-date.
Employees are responsible for ensuring that training provided by the employer is
understood.
Employees must be an integral part or the process for preventing injury to

themselves and their fellow workers.
106
The “owner” is inherently

responsible for
– Contractors on site
The “owner” is inherently responsible for contactors that are working on site. In the
strictest sense, the contractor might be the employer. However, the owner must
make sure that the contractor is advised of all safety hazards to which contract
employees might be exposed.
The “owner” might be the landlord for a multinational corporation, or it might be

the person who operates the facility for a small company.
The owner must make certain that the contractor has been informed about hazards
that exist on the site. The owner should also make certain that the contractor has an
electrical safety program that addresses the hazards that exist on the site.
107
Your Responsibility
Implement employer's program.

Follow procedures published
by employer.
Go home in the same condition
you came to work.
So, what is your responsibility?
You are responsible for implementing each element of the employer’s safety
program.
You are responsible for following all effective procedures that are published by
your employer. You are responsible for telling your employer when a published
procedure should be revised.
Finally, and the objective of any safety program or training program, is to go home
in the same condition that you came to work.
108
Summary
We talked about hazards

and responsibilities.
We talked about principles and practices.
There is much left to discuss.
Review your employer’s plan
and procedures.
Think about what is important to you.
Today, we talked about hazards and responsibilities. We talked about practices and
principles. There is a lot left to discuss.
Review your employer’s plan and procedures. Think about what is important to you.
109
What else would YOU
like to discuss?
What else would you like to discuss?
Do you have any remaining questions?
110

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Electrical Safety Discussion

Personal Electrical Safety

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Today’s discussion is about preventing injuries to people. We will discuss a few

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Wanted to relax for a couple of hours?

Wondered if doughnuts were being served?

Wanted to find out how you can talk about

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

I want to share my experience with you.

Your management invited me.

I want you to understand electrical hazards.

It is the right thing for me to do.

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

I also wanted you to know why I am here….

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

The Introductions section is complete.

• Safe work practices

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

We will take a break at various times during the day.

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Let’s think about injuries for a little while.

• Unintended release of energy

• Unexpected contact with energy

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

For an injury to occur, an unintended release of energy or an unexpected contact

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

An unsafe condition is when the working environment is influenced by a condition

Unsafe equipment might be poorly maintained equipment, or it might be an

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Once an incident is in progress,

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

In addition to being a psychologist, H. W. Heinrich was a human resources expert in

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

How people behave

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

A person’s understanding of a safety hazard has a dramatic effect on his or her

Personal protective equipment selection and use are influenced by increased

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

These conditions frequently result in a fire.

A fire caused by high-resistance connections might occur when mechanical joints in

If electrical insulating material is inadequately rated, the conductor can contact a

Of course, hazardous flammable material can be ignited by either of the above

Fires were Major

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Over 30,000 non-fatal electrical

An electrocution is an electrical shock that is of a magnitude large enough or long

Electrocution is the fourth largest cause of industrial fatalities.

Most injuries and deaths could

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Actually, all of these deaths could be avoided. There is no reason to continue to

474 480 486

Copyright © 2000 ESCS, Inc.

Note to instructor. Review the statistic for a few years.

This type of contact is called hand to hand.

Current flows via the best route.

The body can be considered to be essentially an electrical system. A small voltage is

If an external source of voltage sends a signal to a muscle, the muscle reacts as if

How much current ?

Best (dry) conditions