Title: Reading Assignment
Course: WGF 107 DEVELOPMENT > Section: Content

Title | Reading Assignment
Image | Fig. 1: Perspective Electrical Safety Interrelationships

Sub-Title | Defining Facility Electrical Systems… A Measure of Safety
Content
Safety Perspectives and Responsibilities

The proper mind frame is the first step to establishing responsibility to enforce standards of electrical safety. So, perspective determines the impact electrical safety has on one's work. The four perspectives are defined by recognized and accepted roles within the building industry:

- Engineer
- Contractor
- Maintenance
- Manufacturer

A perspective does not imply or indicate an individual's role or title within an organization. Rather, the perspective defines a frame of reference. For example, an electrician installing a junction box outdoors inspects the box for defects that may have occurred during the manufacturing process and verifies that it is intended for outdoor installation. Implementation of an adequate electrical safety program requires an electrician to be aware of not only the installation methods associated with mounting outdoor rated enclosures but also to be aware of the standards that an enclosure must meet in order to be rated for outdoor exposure. The electrician can identify with both the contractor's and manufacturer's perspectives during this "simple and routine" installation. All perspectives must be fully understood to achieve the utmost level of electrical safety in one's work, see Fig. 1.

Engineer's Perspective

The engineer's perspective identifies measures necessary to achieve electrical safety in the engineering design process. Hence, the engineer's perspective evolves into a responsibility that ensures electrical safety from conception of a need to the implementation of an idea. General responsibilities include:

- Equipment ratings
- Conductor ampacities
- Selective coordination of overcurrent protective devices
- Adherence to applicable codes
- Supply/demand equality
- General power distribution methods

The term engineer is not reserved only for the electrical engineer but, instead, includes all disciplines involved in the process of engineering. For example, the mechanical engineer must responsibly contribute needed electrical data for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and controls.

Contractor's Perspective

The contractor's perspective identifies measures necessary for electrical safety in the installation process. Hence, the contractor's perspective evolves into a responsibility that ensures electrical safety from implementation of an idea to complete realization of that idea. General responsibilities include:

- Proper mounting of equipment
- Adequate tightening or torque of connections
- Use of correct tools
- Minimizing of insulation abrasion
- Onsite coordination with other contractors
- Adherence to applicable codes

The term contractor is not reserved only for electrical contractor but, instead, includes all trades. For example, the mechanical contractor must responsibly utilize the proper method of installation of the mechanical equipment for interconnection of electrical feeds including elevators, HVAC equipment, and controls.

Maintenance Perspective

The maintenance perspective identifies measures necessary for electrical safety in the operation of a system. This perspective is one that deciphers the preventative, real-time, and reactive actions available to continued system operation. Hence, the maintenance perspective evolves into a responsibility that ensures electrical safety by implementation of preventative programs and ongoing system monitoring. General responsibilities include:

- Preventative maintenance
- Monitoring of equipment parameters
- Use of safety measures when working on equipment
- Following tag out procedures
- Use of correct tools
- Thorough knowledge of systems
- Adherence to applicable codes

Manufacturer's Perspective

The manufacturer's perspective identifies measures necessary for electrical safety in the creation and construction of equipment and devices. Hence, the manufacturer's perspective evolves into a responsibility that ensures electrical safety by implementing the other three perspectives during the respective phases of the manufacturing process. The employment of the other three perspectives and understanding end user utilization must align singularly for the purpose of electrical safety. General responsibilities include:

- Equipment ratings
- Conductor ampacities
- Selective coordination of overcurrent protective devices
- Adherence to applicable codes
- Supply/demand equality
- General power distribution methods
- Proper mounting of equipment
- Adequate tightening or torque of connections
- Use of correct tools
- Preventative maintenance
- Monitoring of equipment parameters
Image
Fig. 3: Effects of Electric Shock Levels @ 60Hz*

Amps | Description
1-15mA | Perception of electrical current.
15-100 mA | Muscles contract and cannot release, severity determined by current level.
100 mA | Ventricular fibrillation of the heart occurs.
> 2 Amps | Body receives major burns due to "frying" effect.
* Assume worst case body resistance of 300Ohms with varying voltage applied to reach listed currents. Current levels and effects remain approximate due to factors such as health, age, size, etc. of the victim.
Content
Modes of Electrical Safety

Once perspectives and responsibilities are determined, electrical safety is further defined by mode. There are three major modes:

- Preventative
- Real-Time
- Reactive

Each mode constitutes a different approach to safety and is defined by the work performed. The three modes combined form an all-inclusive approach to maintaining electrical safety as an integral part of any process or program involving electricity, see Fig. 2.

Preventative Mode

The preventative mode is identified by administrative actions utilized to ward off or prevent electrical mishaps prior to work being performed. A list of actions for the preventative mode should include:

- Implementation of preventative maintenance programs
- Requiring tag-out/lockout procedures
- Instituting second-checks requirements for de-energizing during troubleshooting
- Resourcing applicable codes during design

The initial step towards developing an electrical safety program for an individual or agency is to generate a list of administrative actions identified as "preventative" with respect to the nature of their work.

Real-Time Mode

The real-time mode is identified by procedural actions to ward off or prevent electrical mishaps while performing work. In many cases, the real-time mode is the implementation of actions identified in preventative mode. A list of actions for the real time mode should include:

- Preventative maintenance being performed
- Tag-out/lockout procedures being completed during system repair
- Second-checks while de-energizing equipment
- Applying code requirements during design
- Correct installation procedure
- Proper tie-offs on equipment supports
- Torque checks

An electrical safety program for an individual or agency should generate a list of procedural actions identified as "real time" with respect to the nature of their work and to coordinate those actions with the preventative mode actions.

Reactive Mode

The reactive mode is identified by procedural and administrative actions utilized to address electrical mishaps that are occurring or have occurred. The reactive mode tends to be the main focus of many established programs and generally garners the most attention by others outside the building industry because of the detrimental effect electrical mishaps can cause. A list of actions for reactive mode should include:

- Fire suppression training
- Electrical shock training (see Fig. 3: Effects of Electric Shock Levels)
- CPR training
- Electrical shock victim identification
- Emergency planning
- Electrical system orientation

An electrical safety program for an individual or company agency should generate a list of procedural and administrative actions identified as "reactive" with respect to the nature of their work and coordinate those actions with the preventative and real-time modes.
Links/Uploads
Fire Suppression Training – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/firesafety/index.html

Electrical Shock Training – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy07/sh-16586-07/4_electrical_safety_trainer_guide.pdf

CPR Training – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/medical_first_aid.html

Electrical Shock Victim Identification – OSHA https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy09/sh-19504-09/electrical_safety.pptx

Emergency Planning https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/eap.html

Electrical System Orientation https://www.osha.gov/dte/library/electrical/electrical.html
Attributions | Images and content courtesy of Whole Building Design Guide – National Institute of Building Sciences