Issue rubber gloves to each lineman and inform the lineman of the following safety precautions and procedures:
• Store rubber gloves in a canvas bag when they are not in use.
• Give rubber gloves an air test each day before starting work and when encountering an object that may have damaged the gloves.
• Wash gloves with warm water and mild detergent.
Be careful when applying or removing rubber protective equipment. Do not work over energized conductors or equipment or get in a position that may result in unwanted contact with the equipment.
Dry rubber protective equipment before putting it away if possible.
Do not carry rubber protective equipment in compartments on trucks or in tool bags with tools or other equipment.
Roll, never fold, rubber blankets when putting them away.
Place rubber hoods and hoses flat in truck compartments.
SEQUENCE OF LOCK OUT OR TAG OUT SYSTEM PROCEDURE
• Notify affected employees that a lockout or tagout system is going to be utilized the reason for using the system.
• The authorized employee shall know the type and magnitude of energy that the machine or equipment utilizes and shall understand the potential dangers and hazards.
• If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (depress stop button, open toggle switch, etc.).
• Operate the switch, valve, or other energy isolating devices in order to isolate the equipment from its energy sources.
• Stored energy must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc.
• Lockout/tagout the energy isolating devices with assigned individual locks and/or tags.
• After ensuring that no personnel are exposed, and to serve as a check on having disconnected the energy sources, operate the push button or other normal operating controls to make sure the equipment will not operate.
CAUTION: Always return operating controls to neutral or off position after the test.
• The equipment is now locked out or tagged out.
• The authorized employee shall know the type and magnitude of energy that the machine or equipment utilizes and shall understand the potential dangers and hazards.
• If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (depress stop button, open toggle switch, etc.).
• Operate the switch, valve, or other energy isolating devices in order to isolate the equipment from its energy sources.
• Stored energy must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc.
• Lockout/tagout the energy isolating devices with assigned individual locks and/or tags.
• After ensuring that no personnel are exposed, and to serve as a check on having disconnected the energy sources, operate the push button or other normal operating controls to make sure the equipment will not operate.
CAUTION: Always return operating controls to neutral or off position after the test.
• The equipment is now locked out or tagged out.
ARC FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS BASICS
To perform an arc flash hazard analysis, you need to start by gathering information on the building’s power distribution system. This data should include the arrangement of components on a one-line drawing with nameplate specifications of every device on the system and the types and sizes of cables.
The local utility company should be contacted so that you can get the minimum and maximum fault currents entering the facility.
Next you will want to perform a short circuit analysis and a coordination study. You will need this information to put into the equations provided in NFPA 70E or the IEEE Standard 1584. These equations will give you the flash protection boundary distances and incident energy potentials you will need to determine your minimum PPE requirements.
In many ways an arc fault analysis is actually a study in risk management. You can be very conservative in your analysis and the results will almost always indicate the need for category 4 PPE.
On the other hand, you can perform the analysis and make adjustments to reduce the arc fault conditions resulting in reduced PPE requirements.
However, use caution when adjusting your calculations. Reducing the bolted fault current can reduce the arc fault current, but it can actually result in a worse situation.
For example, if you reduce the current applied to a motor from 4000 to 1800 A, the arc fault energy is increased from 0.6 to 78.8 cal/cm2. This is the exact opposite outcome that you might expect to achieve before doing the math.
Keep in mind that you are risking OSHA violations and fines if you choose nominal compliance. On the other hand, you can actually be increasing the risk of injury if you force workers to unnecessarily wear cumbersome PPE.
This can also result in little or no high voltage maintenance being performed, which will eventually compromise safety and proper equipment operation. It might prove beneficial to get a registered professional engineering firm to perform arc flash hazard calculations on your behalf and have them recommend appropriate actions and the lowest appropriate category of PPE.
The local utility company should be contacted so that you can get the minimum and maximum fault currents entering the facility.
Next you will want to perform a short circuit analysis and a coordination study. You will need this information to put into the equations provided in NFPA 70E or the IEEE Standard 1584. These equations will give you the flash protection boundary distances and incident energy potentials you will need to determine your minimum PPE requirements.
In many ways an arc fault analysis is actually a study in risk management. You can be very conservative in your analysis and the results will almost always indicate the need for category 4 PPE.
On the other hand, you can perform the analysis and make adjustments to reduce the arc fault conditions resulting in reduced PPE requirements.
However, use caution when adjusting your calculations. Reducing the bolted fault current can reduce the arc fault current, but it can actually result in a worse situation.
For example, if you reduce the current applied to a motor from 4000 to 1800 A, the arc fault energy is increased from 0.6 to 78.8 cal/cm2. This is the exact opposite outcome that you might expect to achieve before doing the math.
Keep in mind that you are risking OSHA violations and fines if you choose nominal compliance. On the other hand, you can actually be increasing the risk of injury if you force workers to unnecessarily wear cumbersome PPE.
This can also result in little or no high voltage maintenance being performed, which will eventually compromise safety and proper equipment operation. It might prove beneficial to get a registered professional engineering firm to perform arc flash hazard calculations on your behalf and have them recommend appropriate actions and the lowest appropriate category of PPE.
SAFETY CONSIDERATION WHEN USING SCAFFOLDINGS
Don'ts for Safe Scaffold Use
DO NOT use damaged parts that affect the strength of the scaffold.
DO NOT allow employees to work on scaffolds when they are feeling weak, sick, or dizzy.
DO NOT work from any part of the scaffold other than the platform.
DO NOT alter the scaffold.
DO NOT move a scaffold horizontally while workers are on it, unless it is a mobile scaffold and the proper procedures are followed.
DO NOT allow employees to work on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, or other slippery materials.
DO NOT erect, use, alter, or move scaffolds within 3.05 meters of overhead power lines.
DO NOT use shore or lean-to scaffolds.
DO NOT swing loads near or on scaffolds unless you use a tag line.
• DO NOT work on scaffolds in bad weather or high winds unless the competent person decides that doing
so is safe.
• DO NOT use ladders, boxes, barrels, or other makeshift contraptions to raise your work height.
• DO NOT let extra material build up on the platforms.
• DO NOT put more weight on a scaffold than it is designed to hold.
DO NOT use damaged parts that affect the strength of the scaffold.
DO NOT allow employees to work on scaffolds when they are feeling weak, sick, or dizzy.
DO NOT work from any part of the scaffold other than the platform.
DO NOT alter the scaffold.
DO NOT move a scaffold horizontally while workers are on it, unless it is a mobile scaffold and the proper procedures are followed.
DO NOT allow employees to work on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, or other slippery materials.
DO NOT erect, use, alter, or move scaffolds within 3.05 meters of overhead power lines.
DO NOT use shore or lean-to scaffolds.
DO NOT swing loads near or on scaffolds unless you use a tag line.
• DO NOT work on scaffolds in bad weather or high winds unless the competent person decides that doing
so is safe.
• DO NOT use ladders, boxes, barrels, or other makeshift contraptions to raise your work height.
• DO NOT let extra material build up on the platforms.
• DO NOT put more weight on a scaffold than it is designed to hold.
SAFETY RULES IN USING LADDERS OF ALL TYPES
Apply the following rules when using all types of ladders:
• Maintain ladders free of oil, grease and other slipping hazards.
• Do not load ladders beyond their maximum intended load nor beyond their manufacturers rated capacity.
Only use ladders for their designed purpose.
• Only use ladders on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.
• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement.
• Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways or driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic to prevent accidental movement.
• Use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away from the ladder.
• Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders.
• Do not move, shift or extend ladders while in use.
• Use ladders equipped with nonconductive side rails if the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
• Face the ladder when moving up or down.
• Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing.
• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance and falling.
• Apply the additional general requirements to all ladders, including ladders built at the jobsite:
- Double-cleated ladders or two or more ladders must be provided when ladders are the only way to enter
or exit a work area where 25 or more employees work or when a ladder serves simultaneous two way traffic.
- Ladder rungs, cleats and steps must be parallel, level and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use.
- Rungs, cleats and steps of portable and fixed ladders (except as provided below) must not be spaced less than 25 cm apart, nor more than 36 cm apart, along the ladders side rails.
- Rungs, cleats and steps of step stools must not be less than 20 cm apart, nor more than 31 cm apart, between center lines of the rungs, cleats and steps.
- Rungs, cleats and steps at the base section of extension trestle ladders must not be less than 20 cm no more than 46 cm apart, between center lines of the rungs, cleats and steps. The rung spacing on the extension section must not be less 15 cm nor more than 31 cm.
- Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to create longer sections unless they are specifically designed for such use.
- When splicing side rails, the resulting side rail must be equivalent in strength to a one-piece side rail
made of the same material.
- Two or more separate ladders used to reach an elevated work area must be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders, except when portable ladders are used to gain access to fixed ladders.
- Ladder components must be surfaced to prevent snagging of clothing and injury from punctures or lacerations.
- Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering except for identification or warning labels, which may be placed only on one face of a side rail.
• Maintain ladders free of oil, grease and other slipping hazards.
• Do not load ladders beyond their maximum intended load nor beyond their manufacturers rated capacity.
Only use ladders for their designed purpose.
• Only use ladders on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.
• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement.
• Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways or driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic to prevent accidental movement.
• Use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away from the ladder.
• Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders.
• Do not move, shift or extend ladders while in use.
• Use ladders equipped with nonconductive side rails if the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
• Face the ladder when moving up or down.
• Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing.
• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance and falling.
• Apply the additional general requirements to all ladders, including ladders built at the jobsite:
- Double-cleated ladders or two or more ladders must be provided when ladders are the only way to enter
or exit a work area where 25 or more employees work or when a ladder serves simultaneous two way traffic.
- Ladder rungs, cleats and steps must be parallel, level and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use.
- Rungs, cleats and steps of portable and fixed ladders (except as provided below) must not be spaced less than 25 cm apart, nor more than 36 cm apart, along the ladders side rails.
- Rungs, cleats and steps of step stools must not be less than 20 cm apart, nor more than 31 cm apart, between center lines of the rungs, cleats and steps.
- Rungs, cleats and steps at the base section of extension trestle ladders must not be less than 20 cm no more than 46 cm apart, between center lines of the rungs, cleats and steps. The rung spacing on the extension section must not be less 15 cm nor more than 31 cm.
- Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to create longer sections unless they are specifically designed for such use.
- When splicing side rails, the resulting side rail must be equivalent in strength to a one-piece side rail
made of the same material.
- Two or more separate ladders used to reach an elevated work area must be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders, except when portable ladders are used to gain access to fixed ladders.
- Ladder components must be surfaced to prevent snagging of clothing and injury from punctures or lacerations.
- Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering except for identification or warning labels, which may be placed only on one face of a side rail.
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