Safe Work Practice
Electrical Safety
1. All temporary wiring must be installed and maintained in accordance with applicable codes.
2. Temporary electrical cords are to be kept clear of locations where they may be subjected to damage or present tripping hazards.
3. Ensure your extension cords and power tools have the appropriate continuity and polarity testing every 3 months and color coded tags applied as per WorkSafeBC’s’ Assured Grounding Program. If they do not, bring into the shop and have the testing done.
· Red – January, February, March
· White – April, May, June
· Blue – July, August, September
· Green – October, November, December
4. Splices in electrical cords must retain original mechanical, water penetration and electrical strength.
5. Energized wiring in junction boxes, circuit breaker panels, etc. must be protected from accidental contact whenever left unattended.
6. Temporary lighting lamps that are broken or burned out are to be replaced as soon as possible. Bulbs are not to be removed from other areas to provide lighting.
7. Avoid working on any circuits when standing on metal or in water.
8. Avoid having electrical cable or connections in water.
9. Under no circumstances* shall work be conducted, materials be stacked, scaffolds be erected, or tools and equipment be operated in proximity to power lines within the limits of approach. These limits of approach are specified in the following table:
VOLTAGE / MINIMUM DISTANCE751 V to 75 kV / 3 metres (10 feet)
Over 75 kV to 250 kV / 4.6 metres (15 feet)
Over 250 kV to 550 kV / 6.1 metres (20 feet)
Note: Sufficient distance shall be added to the specified distance to prevent unplanned or accidental movements bringing the worker, tools, equipment or material within the specified distance. The specified distance used applies to all parts of the equipment, including booms, hoisting cables and any part of the load being raised. Distances shall be increased to provide for any change in boom angle, swing of the hoisting cable and the load while it is being raised, lowered or moved laterally, to ensure that safe distance is maintained at all times.
*The only exception to the above rule is for qualified, properly instructed workers working in an emergency situation, and if workers are protected in accordance with regulatory requirements
10. The supervisor must be notified when power-lines are encountered within a work area. The supervisor will ascertain the voltage, and minimum distance required, and will ensure a WSBC Form 30M33 (Assurance in Writing) is completed and submitted when required.
11. The following must be followed prior to commencing work when job circumstance requires working closer than the limits of approach as stated above:
An Assurance in Writing form must be obtained from and signed by the person(s) controlling the electrical system. The assurance must state that during the work period, the electrical conductors will be de-energized, effectively guarded against contact, or displaced/re-routed from the work area. The assurance must be posted at the jobsite & available for inspection by a WSBC Officer.
12. Contact with live electrical equipment and electrical guarding is prohibited. Whenever guarding is used, a qualified safety watcher must be posted to control the approach and prevent contact with the guarding of equipment, tools and workers. The only exception to this rule is for qualified electricians with special training and experience as outlined in the WSBC OHSR Part 19.