RE: Routine Electrical Work and the NFPA 70E handbook description of developing a program in which the worker is observed safely preforming a task.

The attached document is an annual observation checklist that may be used for such work in LV panels and serves as a annual briefing for workers to common LV work.

1. Do you believe this document can replace the electrical work permit for LV routine work?

2. Do you believe this document can be used only as an annual job briefing?

3. Do you see items that were overlooked or needs to be added?

4. What are your opinions?

comments



As far as the document goes - it reads like a worker quiz. I don't know what you intend to do with the questionaire but it seems like a supervisor might be sitting down with an electrician and running through the list...
It doesn't really contain the elements of an annual permit - it must be much more prescriptive to meet that test.
I would think the niche this would fit into would be for a pre-work task analysis?

Cableguy,
I wouldn't use this chekclist for the basis of a 'standing work permit'. The standing permit is for 'routine work'. What I would do is define what your company considers to be routine in your Arc Flash Policy. You then remove this policy, and document the review, every 12 months, or 6 months, etc. Thats how it becomes 'routine'.

I was under the understanding, not even sure what or were I saw this: An electrical worker working around, lets say 208/120v single phase control wiring and this is classified and documented as routine work for the qualified worker at this facility.

However, the qualified worker training should include observing a worker interacting with energized control voltages. The supervisor/manager then uses a form such as this for check off ensuring proper work and safety techniques was observed and can be addressed by the worker in the proper manner. Therefore, the worker is allowed to interact with the LV control circuits. (Consisting of task specific limits such as removing covers, opening panels, using insulated tools for connections etc...)

This method would prevent a manager from creating an electrical work permit each time a LV task of opening or removing a cover or opening an operator control station or drive enclosure for troubleshooting and possible interaction of control wiring.

After going back and reviewing NFPA 70E handbook description of routine work I am not sure this could work the way I was thinking. Maybe I am getting something mixed up.

Maybe this type of training (observation checklist) would better serve as an annual job briefing for working with LV control wring?

How do your organizations work the control voltages 208/120v circuits? Do you create a work permit each time a worker removes a cover to check a switch or work on a control circuit such as pulling and tracing out wiring? (That just comes to mind as common practice when troubleshooting some LV circuits.)

To me, it seems qualifying a worker in LV work is more logical then creating a EWP.

This type of work is in the arc flash policy manual as being 'routine'. Electricians do not need an individual work permit for routine. Once per year we do an arc flash refresher course, which includes what is an isn't routine work. In some cases, what is routine for inhouse electricians, may NOT be routine for contract electricians.

The checklist idea to me is just asking for trouble. Sometimes less documentation, and documentation that is more general rather than specific, is better.

Most of our energized work is for the purpose of troubleshooting. According to 70E 130.1(B)(3); testing, troubleshooting, voltage measuring, etc. do not require work permits. PPE and safe work practices are required.