What is Energized Electrical Work?

• Energized work is defined as any

work requiring performance of

duties on or near exposed

energized systems of 50 volts

AC/DC or greater.

• The majority of work performed by

Equipment Engineering that would

be considered energized electrical

work is meter readings and working

near live terminal points while

troubleshooting electrical systems

and components.

Carrying out energized electrical work

You are completing an energized electrical work task when there are exposed
energized electrical conductors or circuit parts that you may approach and/or
interact with that can expose you to an electric shock or create an arcing fault
that results in an arc flash. Depending on the voltage level you may only be
exposed to electric shock as the voltage may not be high enough to sustain an
arcing fault. As a Qualified Electrical Worker, it is more likely that you will be
exposed to shock than to arc flash if you are not wearing appropriate PPE and
using appropriate tools.

When conductors or circuit parts are insulated, adequately guarded, finger safe,
and there is no inadvertent movement by the worker, there is no electric shock
risk, but if you interact with them you may cause an arcing fault that could
become an arc flash.
Arc blast pressure is NOT directly related to incident energy (thermal energy
from an arc flash measured as cal/cm2), but is related to arcing fault current.
To date there have been no documented fatalities attributed to arc blast
pressure. In the USA in a 20-year timeframe there were 5,800 electrical
incident fatalities with 60 attributed to arc flash burns, and there were no
documented fatalities directly attributed to arc blast pressure.

Testing and Fault Finding Safety Work Practices

Use safe work practices when working with electric test equipment

Plan your work

– Coordinate your work and take advantage of what others know about

identifying and controlling hazards

– Conduct pre-Job discussion with all those involved in the equipment demo

– You are “in charge” of the test area

Power Authority should Lock out and Tag out circuits and equipment

– Shut off the circuit

– Lock and tag out the circuit at the distribution panel

– Test the circuit to make sure it’s de-energized

– Install Personal Protective Grounds when required

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Safe Work Practices

• Do not work in wet conditions that would create potential electrical

shock hazards

• Avoid contact with overhead power lines

– Be at least 10 feet away from high-voltage transmission lines energized up to

 50 kV. (increase distance for higher voltages)

• Use proper wiring and connectors for test equipment supply

– Avoid overloading circuits

– Test GFCIs prior to use

– Make sure switches and insulation are in good condition

– Never use a three prong plug with the third prong broken off

– Make sure test power sources are accessible for operation in case of an

emergency

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• Use and maintain test equipment properly

– Inspect test equipment prior to use

– Damaged equipment must be removed from service

– Keep equipment and cords away from heat, oil and sharp objects

• Using appropriate personal protective equipment

– Wear safety glasses to avoid eye injury

– Wear proper foot protection

– Wear a hard hat

– Wear Arc Rated FR apparel where required

– Follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning/maintaining PPE

Safe Work Practices

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• Test Engineer in charge should inspect the test area prior to

each series of tests ensuring all safety precautions are in place

and being observed.

• After completion of test demonstration, test equipment shall be

 de-energized and placed in an electrical safe work condition.

• Always meet the minimum PPE and safety requirements when

on customers premises.