Hierarchy of Risk Control Methods
Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member
TAKE CONTROL of ARC FLASH! Electrical Safety Specialist, Management Consultant - helping employers take control of electrical hazard management with validated residual risk at TW Becker Electrical Safety Consulting Inc.
Occupational health and safety management system Standards (e.g. ISO 45001, CSA Z45001, ANSI Z10, OSHA Guidelines, etc.) and related risk assessment standards (e.g. ISO 31000, CSA Z1002, etc.) outline credible processes for workplace hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA).
With respect to electrical hazards and NFPA 70E or CSA Z462 an employer’s compliant Electrical Safety Program shall include a Risk Assessment Procedure that:
As outlined in NFPA 70E Article 110.3(H)(3) or CSA Z462, Clause 4.1.7.8.5 the following six (6) risk control methods are identified and shall be implemented in the hierarchy listed.
Not all hierarchy or risk control methods will be applicable depending on electrical equipment maintenance requirements (e.g. working on energized electrical equipment is justified and authorized), technical feasibility and costs.? If elimination is not applicable then the remaining five(5) risk control methods shall be considered.
With respect to likelihood of occurrence a primary focus needs to be qualifications and competency of the Qualified Person, human performance/human error (e.g. culture and behavior) and condition of electrical equipment (e.g., normal or abnormal).
The complete table provides a generic list of electrical hazard related hierarchy of risk control methods that are considered when completing a qualitative risk assessment for the energized electrical work task inventory (reference NFPA 70E, Table 130.5(C) or CSA Z462 Annex F, Table F.2 for a comprehensive list of work tasks that can be used for both abnormal arcing fault/arc flash and electric shock hazard identification) for an employer’s workplace.
To access the table, please download the full HORCM Electrical Safety Bulletin by clicking the link below.
PRODUCT/PPE/TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT
Incident Energy Reduced by 50% for $100
If you could reduce incident energy by 50% for low voltage work tasks from the value indicated on a detailed arc flash and electric shock equipment label for $100... would you be interested?
Two methods are available as noted below that apply to low voltage testing for absence of voltage or completing diagnostics or troubleshooting.
A Qualified Person can use Fluke Probe Extenders, and they will increase the working distance by 12 inches - to 30 inches from the standard IEEE 1584 working distance of 18 inches!
If a Qualified Person needs to engage a “reset” push button on the inside of low voltage electrical equipment (e.g, motor overload), they can use the Cementex Insulated Hand Tool Probe which are 14 inches long and increases the working distance to 32 inches from the standard IEEE 1584 working distance of 18 inches.
Please reference Figure 2 below from a client’s arc flash incident energy analysis study related to an MCC for an illustration of the 50% reduction in incident energy.
Method 1 Fluke Probe Extenders
As illustrated above increasing the working distance can significantly lower incident energy.? A Qualified Person has and will always need to use an approved test instrument to complete energized diagnostics/troubleshooting or test for the absence of voltage in low voltage electrical equipment.? Typical probes keep the hands 1 inch away from the point of work, with the Fluke Probe Extenders the hands can be kept at a distance of 12 inches away resulting in a 30-inch working distance to the face and torso.? This 12-inch distance to the hands also reduces incident energy exposure to the hands significantly.
The use of the Fluke Probe Extenders also reduces the likelihood of occurrence of an abnormal arcing fault.? The Qualified Persons hands do not enter the low voltage electrical equipment with rubber insulating gloves and protectors worn (there is no guard currently at the end of the probe extenders) therefore the likelihood of moving an energized wire is reduced and the Qualified Person can see the electrical equipment they are working on more clearly.
Method 2 Cementex Insulated Hand Tool Probe
As illustrated above in Figure 2 increasing the working distance can significantly lower incident energy.? When a Qualified Person has to probe into energized electrical equipment where an electrically safe work condition cannot be established not only does the Cementex Insulated Hand Tool Probe lower any potential incident energy exposure but it also reduces the likelihood of occurrence of an abnormal arcing fault.? The Qualified Person's hands do not enter the low voltage electrical equipment with rubber insulating gloves and protectors worn therefore the likelihood of moving an energized wire is reduced and they can see the electrical equipment they are working on more clearly.
Oberon Company, Escape Strap Now 20 Feet Long
Good news! Based on feedback provided by Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member, Oberon Company increased the length of their escape strap from 10 feet to 20 feet.?This allows for the escape strap to vertically drop from the back of the Qualified Person to the ground and be sufficient in length to be outside a high percentage of expected arc flash boundary distances of 15 feet.
?With respect to application, the Oberon Company “Escape Strap Vest” or Arc Flash Suit c/w “Escape Strap” both can be used for “Emergency Rescue” if the Qualified Person is working alone or if an Electrical Safety Watch is required (e.g., high voltage work tasks).
INDUSTRY EVENT UPDATE
NFPA 70E 2027 Edition First Draft Meetings
Terry attended the NFPA 70E, 2027 Edition, First Revision review meetings in Memphis, TN, from July 30 to August 1, 2024.? Over 300 Public Inputs this cycle.?Terry has been attending the NFPA 70E Technical Committee meetings since San Diego in 2007 related to the 2009 Edition.? "I attend to learn, network, influence where I can and proactively understand what changes or additions may be implemented in the next Edition," he says. "Over 50 attendees in person was good to see - excellent dialogue and debate!! Well organized and executed meetings, too."
Terry will be sharing some of the potential changes in future Electrical Safety Bulletins, posts, documents and videos.
Critical Updates To NFPA 70B: Enhancing Your Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP)
On August 6, 2024, Terry provided a webinar for Grace Technologies related to the NFPA 70B Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance “Critical Updates to NFPA 70B Enhancing Your Electrical Maintenance Program."
CANEW Conference September 2024
Looking ahead into September, TW Becker Electrical Safety Consulting Inc. (TWBESC) will be attending, exhibiting and/or providing training at:
领英推荐
Canadian Airports National Electrical Workshop (CANEW) in Halifax, NS from September 22-27, 2024.? A presentation for the main technical sessions and a hands on training workshop in a Field Electrical Centre (FEC) related to Constant Current Regulators, inspection and test procedure and isolation will be provided.
Keynote Presentation and Training Workshop, Perth, Australia – IDC Technologies 7th Arc Flash Conference
In October, Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member will be attending in person and presenting both a keynote presentation and training workshop for the IDC Technologies, 7th Arc Flash Conference in Perth, AU, October 9-10, 2024.
Terry previously presented at this conference in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Have you provided staff re-training on CSA Z462? It is now required, as the 2024 Edition was published in April.
LIVE (ONLINE) COURSE DATES: October 1 & November 14
COURSE INFO & REGISTRATION: https://twbesc.ca/csa-z462-2024-course-1
TEAM DISCOUNT: Register 15 or more individuals and receive a 30% discount.
Email Terry for team bookings. [email protected]
FREE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE
Ensure BOTH a comprehensive review of all technically feasible risk control methods & cost benefit analysis are applied BEFORE each capital or retrofit project. Download the TWBESC Electrical Safety Program Design Basis Memorandum Electrical Safety.
Customize & follow template - achieve risk elimination as your first priority!
RISK CONTROL: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Synergy between an Electrical Safety Program (ESP) and an Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP)
There is a natural synergy between an Electrical Safety Program and an Electrical Maintenance Program.?First, they both will address electrical safety.?Although historically we may not have considered electrical equipment maintenance as directly contributing to risk reduction related to a Qualified Person completing energized electrical work tasks, it always did.?In the 2023 Edition of NFPA 70B Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance it now does directly link electrical equipment maintenance to electrical safety.?In Canada, CSA Z463 Maintenance of electrical systems Standard since 2018 did also directly attribute electrical equipment maintenance to electrical safety.
Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member, will be providing additional information and resources in future Electrical Safety Bulletins with respect to developing and implementing a compliant Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP).
A simple process for electrical equipment maintenance is ICTOD:
Myths, Misinformation & Disinformation
"I really compel you to ask questions about posts on LinkedIn or YouTube Videos that are stories, assumptions, random videos, speculation, comments, hearsay, etc.," says Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member. "Is it possible the message is misinformation or disinformation?? Request substantiation and facts that are credible and defendable."
If you are uncertain, contact Terry and he will answer your questions, [email protected] .
Arc Flash Hazard Incident Energy Analysis
Make sure the owner/employer utilizes a detailed Scope of Work/Technical Specification when requesting proposals.?This will ensure the owner/employer controls the study, controls the parameter selection (e.g., use of the 2 Second Rule is allowed and authorized, box/electrode configuration used, formulas used for DC, etc.), controls the arc flash and shock equipment label specification and the expected quality and content of the issued report.? Illustrated below is a compliant ANSI Z535, NFPA 70E/CSA Z462 equipment label (also reference CSA Z462 Annex Q which Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member, as the original author of).
Be aware that 40.0 cal/cm2 is NOT a “Dangerous” incident energy level and that arc flash PPE exists up to a 140.0 cal/cm2 ATPV.
Is the Relay Programmed?
"In my field work providing Electrical Safety Program Roll Out Orientation Training or during External Electrical Safety Audits, I review electrical equipment to establish normal operating/equipment conditions," says Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member. "Additionally, I review any installed arc flash and shock equipment labels to confirm the label format is compliant and the incident energy information that is presented makes sense and the electrical protective device is listed in the footer of the equipment label (e.g., indicating load side, line side or bus).
When working with electricians in low and high voltage electrical rooms and related power distribution equipment I always ask them if they know that the electrical protective relays have been programmed in general, but specifically when an arc flash relay or maintenance mode switch has been specified and installed.
Unfortunately, most of the time the response I receive is “I do not know.”?It is critically important, that related to capital projects or retrofits, the maintenance and testing contractors reports are provided to the electrical maintenance department for reference and confirmation that electrical protective device programming has been completed. Independently where the electrician has the capability with vendor software they can check the relay themselves to confirm programming.
Where a multi-function relay is utilized I also see a lack of consistency with an auxiliary LED been programmed to indicate that the added arc flash relay is “active” when more than one relay is installed and on different electrical equipment in different electrical rooms.
Thanks for reading another edition of the Electrical Safety Bulletin, by Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member.
Please share your feedback and article ideas with Terry - [email protected]
We are grateful for your diligent efforts to TAKE CONTROL OF ARC FLASH.
Energy Services & Industrial Marketer; Graphic Design & LinkedIn Consultant; Trainer for Industrial Administrators
2 个月Chock full of great info. Will share with my network. Thanks Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member !!