Safe Work Procedure: High Voltage Electrical Work

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER] Revision Date: [DATE] Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE] Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This Safe Work Procedure (SWP) outlines the necessary safety precautions and procedures to be followed when performing electrical work on or near high voltage systems. This includes, but is not limited to, troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, and installation of high voltage electrical equipment. This procedure applies to all personnel who are involved in high voltage electrical work within [COMPANY/ORGANIZATION NAME] and its associated sites in California. It is designed to minimize the risk of electrical shock, arc flash, and other hazards associated with high voltage electricity. This SWP should be used in conjunction with all other relevant safety procedures, manufacturer's guidelines, and applicable regulations, including OSHA 29 CFR 1910 standards 7, 12, 14, 15.

2. Definitions

High Voltage: Voltages exceeding 600 volts. This is the threshold at which significant electrical hazards exist.

Qualified Person: An individual with the necessary training, skills, and knowledge to safely perform high voltage electrical work. This includes being able to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.

Arc Flash: A dangerous condition associated with the release of energy caused by an electrical fault. It can cause severe burns, blindness, and even death.

Clearance Distance: The minimum safe distance to be maintained from energized high voltage conductors or equipment.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Supervisors

Ensure that all workers involved in high voltage electrical work are qualified and properly trained.
Provide workers with the necessary tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform the work safely.
Conduct pre-job briefings to discuss the scope of work, potential hazards, and control measures.
Enforce adherence to this SWP and all other relevant safety procedures.
Ensure all incidents are properly reported and investigated.

3.2 Workers

Participate in required training and demonstrate competency in high voltage electrical work.
Follow all safety procedures and instructions outlined in this SWP.
Use the correct PPE and ensure it is in good condition before starting work.
Report any hazards, near-misses, or incidents to the supervisor immediately.
Do not perform any task if you are not qualified or feel unsafe.

3.3 Health and Safety Representative

Assist in the development and review of this SWP.
Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with this SWP and relevant regulations.
Provide guidance and support to supervisors and workers on high voltage electrical safety.
Investigate incidents and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

4. Potential Hazards and Risks

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Electrical Shock	Electrocution, burns, cardiac arrest	De-energize and lockout/tagout the electrical system, use insulated tools, wear appropriate PPE (e.g., insulating gloves, sleeves), maintain safe clearance distances. [1]
Arc Flash	Severe burns, blindness, hearing loss, death	Conduct arc flash hazard analysis, wear appropriate arc-rated PPE, use remote switching devices, implement engineering controls to reduce arc flash potential.
Burns	Thermal burns from contact with hot surfaces or flames	Wear appropriate PPE (e.g., fire-resistant clothing, gloves), allow equipment to cool before handling, use caution when working near heat sources.
Falls from Height	Injuries ranging from minor sprains to death	Use fall protection equipment (e.g., harnesses, lanyards), ensure proper ladder or platform setup, maintain three points of contact when climbing. 17, 20
Fire	Burns, smoke inhalation, property damage	Remove flammable materials from the work area, use nonflammable solvents for cleaning, ensure proper ventilation, have fire extinguishers readily available. 8, 9, 10, 11
High Pressure Oil	Skin injection, injury, blindness	Release pressure before disconnecting hydraulic lines, wear face shield, protective glasses, and gloves when inspecting for leaks, use cardboard or wood to inspect for leaks. [2]

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Always use the proper PPE for the task being performed. Inspect all PPE before use to ensure it is in good condition and free from defects. 7, 12

Insulating Gloves - Protect against electrical shock. Must be rated for the voltage level being worked on. Inspect for holes, tears, and other damage before each use. Air test before each use. [1]
Insulating Sleeves - Provide additional protection for the arms when working on high voltage systems. Must be used in conjunction with insulating gloves. Inspect for damage before each use.
Arc-Rated Clothing - Protect against burns from arc flash. Must be rated for the potential arc flash hazard level. This includes shirts, pants, and jackets.
Arc-Rated Face Shield or Hood - Protect the face and eyes from arc flash. Must be rated for the potential arc flash hazard level.
Safety Glasses - Provide impact protection for the eyes. Must be worn under the arc-rated face shield or hood.
Hard Hat - Protect the head from impact hazards.
Safety Shoes - Provide foot protection from impact and electrical hazards. Must be rated for electrical protection.

Inspect PPE before each use for any signs of damage. Clean and store PPE according to manufacturer's instructions. Replace damaged or defective PPE immediately. 7, 12

6. Equipment and Tools

Use only approved and properly maintained equipment and tools for high voltage electrical work.

Insulated Tools - Wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and other hand tools must be insulated and rated for high voltage use. Inspect for damage to the insulation before each use.
Voltage Tester - Used to verify that electrical circuits are de-energized before starting work. Must be properly calibrated and tested before each use.
Grounding Equipment - Used to ground electrical circuits to provide a safe path for fault current. Must be properly sized and installed.
Lockout/Tagout Devices - Used to isolate and de-energize electrical circuits during maintenance and repair work. Must be properly applied and removed.
Ladders/Platforms - Used to access elevated electrical equipment. Must be in good condition and properly set up. 17, 20

Inspect all equipment and tools before each use for any signs of damage or wear. Remove damaged or defective equipment from service immediately. Follow manufacturer's instructions for proper use and maintenance of equipment and tools.

7. Pre-Job Requirements

7.1 Training and Competency

All workers must have completed a recognized high voltage electrical safety training program. This training must cover topics such as electrical hazards, safe work practices, PPE, and emergency procedures.
Workers must be competent in the specific tasks they are assigned to perform. This may require additional training or on-the-job experience.
Ensure personnel are skilled electrical personnel or trained personnel under the supervision of an electrician in accordance with electrical regulations [2].

7.2 Pre-Job Briefing

Conduct a pre-job briefing with all workers involved in the high voltage electrical work. The briefing should cover the following topics:
- Scope of work
- Potential hazards
- Control measures
- PPE requirements
- Emergency procedures
- Roles and responsibilities
Ensure that all workers understand the information presented in the briefing.

7.3 Work Area Preparation

Identify and isolate the electrical equipment to be worked on.
De-energize and lockout/tagout the electrical equipment according to established procedures.
Verify that the electrical equipment is de-energized using a voltage tester.
Establish a safe work zone around the electrical equipment. Use barricades, warning signs, and other means to prevent unauthorized access. 1, 2, 3
Ensure adequate lighting is available in the work area. If operating in dark locations, turn on work lights or use additional lighting devices 1, 2, 3, 4.
Remove any flammable materials from the work area. 8, 9, 10, 11

8. Safe Work Procedure Steps

Step 1: De-energizing and Lockout/Tagout

Detailed description of step 1: De-energize the electrical circuit or equipment according to the established lockout/tagout procedure. This includes:

Identify all sources of electrical power to the equipment.
Open all disconnecting devices (e.g., circuit breakers, switches).
Lockout all disconnecting devices using approved lockout devices.
Tagout all disconnecting devices with warning tags indicating that the equipment is de-energized and should not be operated.
Verify that the equipment is de-energized using a voltage tester.
Sub-step 1.1: Notify all affected personnel that the electrical equipment will be de-energized.
Sub-step 1.2: Coordinate the lockout/tagout procedure with the facility's electrical safety program.
Sub-step 1.3: Document the lockout/tagout procedure and maintain a record of all lockout/tagout activities.

Safety considerations for this step: Ensure that the lockout/tagout procedure is followed correctly to prevent accidental energization of the electrical equipment.

Step 2: Grounding

Detailed description of step 2: Ground the de-energized electrical circuit or equipment using approved grounding equipment. This includes:

Connecting grounding cables to a verified ground source.
Connecting grounding clamps to the de-energized electrical conductors or equipment.
Ensuring that the grounding connections are secure and properly sized.
Sub-step 2.1: Inspect grounding equipment for damage or defects before each use.
Sub-step 2.2: Use appropriate grounding techniques for the specific type of electrical equipment being worked on.
Sub-step 2.3: Verify that the grounding system is effective using a ground impedance tester.

Safety considerations for this step: Grounding provides a safe path for fault current in case of accidental energization of the electrical equipment.

Step 3: Performing Electrical Work

Detailed description of step 3: Perform the required electrical work using insulated tools and appropriate PPE. This includes:

Following established electrical safety practices.
Maintaining safe clearance distances from energized conductors or equipment.
Using proper lifting techniques to prevent strains and sprains.
Sub-step 3.1: Inspect insulated tools for damage or defects before each use.
Sub-step 3.2: Use appropriate PPE for the specific type of electrical work being performed.
Sub-step 3.3: Avoid working alone on high voltage electrical systems.

Safety considerations for this step: Electrical work on high voltage systems can be hazardous. Always follow safe work practices and use appropriate PPE to minimize the risk of electrical shock, arc flash, and other injuries.

Step 4: Testing and Verification

Detailed description of step 4: After completing the electrical work, test and verify that the equipment is functioning properly. This includes:

Performing visual inspections to ensure that all connections are secure and properly installed.
Using a voltage tester to verify that the equipment is de-energized before removing grounds.
Energizing the equipment and testing its operation.
Sub-step 4.1: Follow established testing procedures for the specific type of electrical equipment being worked on.
Sub-step 4.2: Use appropriate testing equipment and ensure that it is properly calibrated.
Sub-step 4.3: Document the testing and verification results.

Safety considerations for this step: Testing and verification ensures that the electrical equipment is safe to operate and will perform its intended function.

Step 5: Removing Lockout/Tagout and Grounding

Detailed description of step 5: Remove the lockout/tagout devices and grounding equipment after the testing and verification are complete. This includes:

Verifying that all workers are clear of the electrical equipment.
Removing the lockout/tagout devices and grounding equipment in the reverse order of installation.
Notifying all affected personnel that the electrical equipment is being re-energized.
Sub-step 5.1: Inspect the electrical equipment for any remaining hazards before re-energizing.
Sub-step 5.2: Follow established procedures for re-energizing electrical equipment.
Sub-step 5.3: Document the removal of lockout/tagout devices and grounding equipment.

Safety considerations for this step: Removing lockout/tagout devices and grounding equipment must be done carefully to prevent accidental energization of the electrical equipment.

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

Maintain Safe Distances: Always maintain the maximum possible distance from power lines and never violate the minimum clearance. 1, 2, 3, 4
Treat All Lines as Energized: Consider all lines to be power lines and treat all power lines as energized even though it is known or believed that the power is shut off and the line is visibly grounded. 1, 2, 3, 4
Use a Signal Person: Use a signal person to observe the approach of any part of the machine or load to the power line. 1, 2, 3, 4
Caution Ground Personnel: Caution all ground personnel to stand clear of the machine and the load at all times. 1, 2, 3, 4
Do Not Leave Operator's Seat: If the machine should come in contact with a live electrical source, do not leave the operator's seat. Do not allow anyone to approach or touch the machine. 1, 2, 3, 4
Barricades: Set up barricades to prevent unauthorized personnel and/or vehicles from entering the worksite. 1, 2, 3
Use Anti-Explosion Work Lights: Use only work lights with anti-explosion specification to prevent serious injury or death. 8, 9, 10, 11

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, immediately call 911 or the designated emergency number.
Provide first aid to injured personnel.
Evacuate the area if necessary.
Secure the scene to prevent further injuries.

10.2 Specific Emergency Scenarios

Electrical Shock: De-energize the circuit if possible. Use a non-conductive object to separate the victim from the electrical source. Administer CPR if necessary.
Arc Flash: Evacuate the area. Treat burns with cool water. Seek medical attention immediately.
Fire: Activate the fire alarm. Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire if it is safe to do so. Evacuate the area if the fire is too large to control.

10.3 Emergency Contact Information

911: Emergency Services
[COMPANY/ORGANIZATION NAME] Security: [PHONE NUMBER]
[COMPANY/ORGANIZATION NAME] Health and Safety: [PHONE NUMBER]

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

Report all incidents, near-misses, and hazards to the supervisor immediately. Conduct a thorough investigation of all incidents to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence. Implement corrective actions to address the identified hazards.

12. References and Related Documents

OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S - Electrical
National Electrical Code (NEC)
[COMPANY/ORGANIZATION NAME] Electrical Safety Program

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION] Date: [APPROVAL DATE]