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What safety equipment is required when working with high voltage

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Rosie's answer

Published by SALUS

When working with high voltage electricity, several pieces of safety equipment are required to protect against electric shock, burns, and other related injuries [1].

Key safety equipment includes:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This includes electrical protective equipment appropriate for the specific body parts needing protection and the work being performed [1]. This may include:
  • Insulated gloves and sleeves: Made of rubber and meeting standards such as ASTM D120 and ASTM D1051, for handling energized lines and equipment [2]. Leather protectors should be worn over rubber insulating gloves [2].
  • Insulating blankets and covers: To provide an insulating barrier [2].
  • Nonconductive head protection: Helmets to protect against head injury from electric shock or burns [1].
  • Eye and face protection: To protect against electric arcs, flashes, and flying objects from electrical explosions [1]. This may include safety glasses or a face shield [1].
  • Arc-rated clothing: When the estimated incident energy exposure is high, arc-rated clothing is necessary [3].
  • Insulated Tools and Equipment: Use insulated tools and handling equipment to prevent contact with energized conductors or circuit parts [1]. Fuse handling equipment, insulated for the circuit voltage, is required for removing or installing fuses [1].
  • Hot Line Tools: When handling energized power lines or equipment rated at greater than 15,000 volts to ground, hot line tools must be used in addition to other PPE [2].

In addition to the equipment, it is important to:

  • Maintain a Safe Work Area: Use barriers or other means of guarding to ensure that workspace for electrical equipment is not used as a passageway when energized parts are exposed [4].
  • Regularly Inspect Equipment: Protective equipment must be maintained in a safe, reliable condition and periodically inspected or tested [1]. Inspect insulating equipment for damage before each day's use [5].
  • Deenergize circuits: Deenergize live parts before working on or near them, unless it is infeasible or creates additional hazards [6].
  • Use lockout/tagout procedures: Apply locks and tags to disconnecting means to prevent accidental re-energization 2, 10.
  • Maintain Minimum Clearance Distances: When working near overhead high voltage lines, maintain the required minimum clearance distances [7].
  • Provide Training: Ensure that employees are trained in the safety-related work practices to prevent electrical shock or other injuries [6].

It is also important to perform a job hazard analysis to determine the specific safeguards and personal protective equipment needed for each job [8].

8 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Portable welding machines. - (1) Counter-balance . All portable welding guns must have suitable counter-balanced devices for supporting the guns, including cables, unless the design of the gun or fixture makes counterbalancing impractical or unnecessary. - (2) Safety chains . All portable welding guns, transformers and related equipment that is suspended from overhead structures, eye beams, trolleys, etc., must be equipped with safety chains or cables. Safety chains or cables must be capable of supporting the total shock load in the event of failure of any component of the supporting system. - (3) Clevis . When trolleys are used to support portable welding equipment, they must be equipped with suitable forged steel clevis for the attachment of safety chains. Each clevis must be capable of supporting the total shock load of the suspended equipment in the event of trolley failure. - (4) Switch guards . All initiating switches, including retraction and dual schedule switches, located on the portable welding gun must be equipped with suitable guards capable of preventing accidental initiation through contact with fixturing, operator's clothing, etc. Initiating switch voltage must not exceed 24 volts. - (5) Moving holder . The movable holder, where it enters the gun frame, must have sufficient clearance to prevent the shearing of fingers carelessly placed on the operating movable holder. - (6) Grounding . The secondary and case of all portable welding transformers must be grounded. Secondary grounding may be by center tapped secondary or by a center tapped grounding reactor connected across the secondary. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal…

[2] Occupational Safety General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 44/99)

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- 123 (1) Where a person is required to work on an energized electrical installation, an employer shall, as necessary in the circumstances, provide a person with all protective equipment and devices - (a) necessary to work safely on an energized electrical installation; and - (b) that comply with the latest version of the applicable standard listed below: - (i) ASTM D120, 'Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves', - (ii) ASTM D1051, 'Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Sleeves', - (iii) ASTM D1048, 'Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets', - (iv) ASTM D1050, 'Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Line Hose', - (v) ASTM D1049, 'Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Covers', - (vi) ASTM D 178, 'Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting', - (vii) ASTM F696, 'Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens', and - (viii) ASTM F711, 'Standard Specification for Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Rod and Tube Used in Live Line Tools'. Clause 123(1)(b) replaced: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000; amended: O.I.C. 2013-65, N.S. Reg. 53/2013. - (2) A person who is required to work on an energized electrical installation shall use the appropriate protective equipment or devices required under subsection (1). - 124 (1) An employer shall ensure that a person who handles an energized power line or power line equipment rated at greater than 15 000 v to ground uses hot line tools to do so, in addition to other personal protective equipment required in the circumstances. - (2) A person may use rubber gloves instead of hot line tools to handle energized power lines or power line equipment rated at greater than 750 v phase to phase, where a written work procedure has been adopted as a code of practice by order of the Director for use in such circumstances. Subsection 124(2) amended: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_…

[3] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ NMAB 353-3-1980 Classification of Combustible Dusts in Accordance with the National Electrical Code. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 12-16-064 (Order 12-11), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 07/31/12, effective 09/01/12.] ## WAC 296-24-960 Working on or near exposed energized parts. - (1) Application . This section applies to work performed on exposed live parts (involving either direct contact or contact by means of tools or materials) or near enough to them for employees to be exposed to any hazard they present. - (2) Work on energized equipment . Only qualified persons must work on electric circuit parts or equipment that have not been deenergized under the procedures of WAC 296-[redacted postal code](2). Such persons must be capable of working safely on energized circuits and must be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools. ## (3) General requirements - high voltage lines . - (a) Minimum clearance . - (i) You must not perform any work, you must not pile, store, or otherwise handle any material, you must not erect or dismantle any scaffolding, commercial signs, or structures, nor must you operate any tools, machinery or equipment within the specified minimum distances from any energized high voltage electrical conductor capable of energizing the material or equipment; except where the electrical distribution and transmission lines have been deenergized and visibly grounded at point of work, or where insulating barriers not a part of or an attachment to the equipment have been erected, to prevent physical contact with the lines, you must operate equipment proximate to, under, over, by, or near powerlin…

[4] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (Construction, Division 3, OSHA Oregon)

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## K GENERAL REQUIREMENTS / LOCKOUT & TAGGING OF CIRCUITS ## (b) Passageways and open spaces. - (1) Barriers or other means of guarding shall be provided to ensure that workspace for electrical equipment will not be used as a passageway during periods when energized parts of electrical equipment are exposed. - (2) Working spaces, walkways, and similar locations shall be kept clear of cords so as not to create a hazard to employees. - (c) Load ratings. In existing installations, no changes in circuit protection shall be made to increase the load in excess of the load rating of the circuit wiring. - (d) Fuses. When fuses are installed or removed with one or both terminals energized, special tools insulated for the voltage shall be used. ## (e) Cords and cables. - (1) Worn or frayed electric cords or cables shall not be used. - (2) Extension cords shall not be fastened with staples, hung from nails, or suspended by wire. Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(3). Hist: APD Admin. Order 4-1989, f. 3/31/89, ef. 5/1/89 (temp). APD Admin. Order 8-1989, f. 7/7/89, ef. 7/7/89 (perm). OR-OSHA Admin. Order 4-1997, f. 4/2/97, ef. 4/2/97. ## §1926.417 Lockout and Tagging of Circuits. - (a) Controls. Controls that are to be deactivated during the course of work on energized or deenergized equipment or circuits shall be tagged. - (b) Equipment and circuits. Equipment or circuits that are deenergized shall be rendered inoperative and shall have tags attached at all points where such equipment or circuits can be energized. - (c) Tags. Tags shall be placed to identify plainly the equipment or circuits being worked on. Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(3). Hist: APD Admin. Order 4-1989, f. 3/31/89, ef. 5/1/89 (temp). APD Admin. Order 8-1989, f. 7/7/89, ef. 7/7/89 (perm). OR-OSHA Admin. Order 4-1997, f. 4/2/97, ef. 4/2/97. ## §§1926.418 - 1926.430 (Reserved)

[5] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ## WAC 296-24-975 Selection and use of work practices. - (1) General . You must employ safety-related work practices to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work is performed near or on equipment or circuits which are or may be energized. The specific safety-related work practices must be consistent with the nature and extent of the associated electrical hazards. - (a) Deenergized parts . You must deenergize live parts to which an employee may be exposed shall be deenergized before the employee works on or near them, unless the employer can demonstrate that deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations. Live parts that operate at less than 50 volts to ground need not be deenergized if there will be no increased exposure to electrical burns or to explosion due to electric arcs. - Note 1: Examples of increased or additional hazards include interruption of life support equipment, deactivation of emergency alarm systems, shutdown of hazardous location ventilation equipment, or removal of illumination for an area. - Note 2: Examples of work that may be performed on or near energized circuit parts because of infeasibility due to equipment design or operational limitations include testing of electric circuits that can only be performed with the circuit energized and work on circuits that form an integral part of a continuous industrial process in a chemical plant that would otherwise need to be completely shut down in order to permit work on one circuit or piece of equipment - Note 3: Work on or near deenergized parts is covered by subsection (2) of this section. - (b) Energized parts . If the exposed live parts…

[6] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - (I) The employer ensures that the employee who applied the lock or tag is not available at the workplace; and - (II) The employer ensures that the employee is aware that the lock or tag has been removed before he or she resumes work at that workplace. - (D) You must provide a visual determination that all employees are clear of the circuits and equipment. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-975, filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016 Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 04-15-105 (Order 03-12), § 296-24-975, filed 07/20/04, effective 11/01/04. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), 296-24-975, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; 91-24-017 (Order 91-07), 296-24-975, filed 11/22/91, effective 12/24/91.] ## WAC 296-24-980 Safeguards for personnel protection. ## (1) Use of protective equipment . - (a) Personal protective equipment . - (i) You must provide employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards with electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed, and you must ensure that they use such protective equipment. - Note: Personal protective equipment requirements are contained in chapter 296-24 WAC Part L, and WAC [redacted identifier]. - (ii) You must maintain protective equipment in a safe, reliable condition and you must periodically inspect or test it, as required by chapter 296-24 WAC Part L, and WAC [redacted identifier]. - (iii) If the insulating capability of protective equipment may be subject to damage during use, you must protect the insulating material. (For example, an outer covering of leather is sometimes used for the p…

[7] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - Note: Rubber insulating equipment meeting the following national consensus standards is deemed to be in compliance with subsection (1) of this section: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-120-87, Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves. ASTM D 178-93, Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting. ASTM D 1048-93, Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets. ASTM D 1049-93, Specification for Rubber Insulating Covers ASTM D 1050-90, Specification for Rubber Insulating Line Hose. ASTM D 1051-87, Specification for Rubber Insulating Sleeves. These standards contain specifications for conducting the various tests required in subsection (1) of this section. For example, the a-c and d-c proof-tests, the breakdown test, the water soak procedure, and the ozone test mentioned in this paragraph are described in detail in the ASTM standards. ## (4) In-service care and use . - (a) You must maintain electrical protective equipment in a safe, reliable condition. - (b) The following specific requirements apply to insulating blankets, covers, line hose, gloves, and sleeves made of rubber: - (i) Maximum use voltages must conform to those listed in Table A-5. - (ii) You must inspect insulating equipment for damage before each day's use and immediately following any incident that can reasonably be suspected of having caused damage. You must give insulating gloves an air test, along with the inspection. - (iii) Insulating equipment with any of the following defects must not be used: - (A) A hole, tear, puncture, or cut; - (B) Ozone cutting or ozone checking (the cutting action produced by ozone on rubber under mechanical stress into a series of interlacing cracks); - (C) An embedded foreign object; - (D) Any of the following texture changes: Swelling, s…

[8] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

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Division 2 AO 2-2017 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (A) Arc-rated protection is not necessary for the employee's hands when the employee is wearing rubber insulating gloves with protectors or, if the estimated incident energy is no more than 14 cal/cm2, heavy-duty leather work gloves with a weight of at least 407 gm/m2 (12 oz/yd2), - (B) Arc-rated protection is not necessary for the employee's feet when the employee is wearing heavy-duty work shoes or boots, - (C) Arc-rated protection is not necessary for the employee's head when the employee is wearing head protection meeting [redacted phone](9) and 437003-0134(9) if the estimated incident energy is less than 9 cal/cm2 for exposures involving single-phase arcs in open air or 5 cal/cm2 for other exposures, - (D) The protection for the employee's head may consist of head protection meeting [redacted phone](9) and [redacted phone](9), and a faceshield with a minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm2 if the estimated incident-energy exposure is less than 13 cal/cm2 for exposures involving single-phase arcs in open air or 9 cal/cm2 for other exposures, and - (E) For exposures involving single phase arcs in open air, the arc rating for the employee's head and face protection may be 4 cal/cm2 less than the estimated incident energy. Note to paragraph (8): See Appendix E to Division 2/RR for further information on the selection of appropriate protection. - (9) Fuse handling. When an employee must install or remove fuses with one or both terminals energized at more than 300 volts, or with exposed parts energized at more than 50 volts, the employer must ensure that the employee uses tools or gloves rated for the voltage. When an employee installs or removes expulsiontype fuses with one or both terminals energized at more than 300 volts, the employer must ensure that the employee wears eye protection meeting the requirements of Division 2/I and Division 3/E, uses a tool rated for the …

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