Does 70E prohibit removing or replacing HID lamps in a live fixture? I would assume this would be considered live work, but I have not seen any of our competitors following that rule if it applies. If it is allowed, what PPE would be required?

I know of no standards that would prohibit the replacement of lamps in an enregized HID fixture. As long as you are not opening the ballast compartment, you are not considered working on or near unguarded live parts.

What about the lampholder while the lamp is removed? It is not guarded.

Prohibitated approach boundary for an HID fixture is only 1 inch. Unless you are holding the lamp by the base, you should be alright.

I think that this goes back to my question of how we are to interpret NFPA 70E. ie. Is the energized electrical work permit required when we are working ON live parts as stated in 130.1(B)(1), in which case I agree with the prohibited approach boundry rational? Or, is the energized electrical work permit required when before an employee works within the limited approach boundary as implied in 130.1(A)? The limited approach boundary is 3'6" for this example. Any input would be appreciated. I work for a chemical company with several mfg. sites. Currently we have a team of stubborn people, myself included, discussing this very issue of when an EEWP is to be required.

[font="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"]George,
From the looks of it I'd say both 130.1(A) and 130.1(B) apply. I feel your pain too. I've been working as an electrician for 35 years and many of my co-workers don't see the need for gloves etc. for hot work. The material will hit the fan soon when we get the face shields in and they get a refresher ESWP message from me, and my salary counterpart sits management down and tells them they have to start enforcing ESWP regs.
Hillbilly, the PPE would have to be voltage specific.[/size][/font]

Oh Boy, anytime we play with the demon... Long time ago as a former lamp and battery Maintenance man, the new hire taking my place proceeded without looking to screw a 130 volt lamp into an energized 240 VDC fixture (fed from a trolley wire in a mine). it exploded and the fact that he was using a lamp-changer pole and safety glasses saved his face and hands. (but not his butt from a good chewing out from the foreman.) Anytime we insert a lamp it can break, fluorescent tubes also have hazardous chemicals in them and any glass bulb can leave a nasty cut.

I see this as another case of you can't fix stupid... as long as the person doesn't put his finger in the energized lamp socket there isn't a problem.

Then again the person could be a candidate for the Darwin Awards....

LMAO... Couldn't have said it better... Safety glasses and clean leather gloves are about all you should need..

Someone, somewhere is gonna blow arcflash out of proportion and no one will be able to do any electrical work period because of the fear instilled with the "worst case scenario".

We could all become plumbers, where all they have to worry about is not chewing their fingernails.