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Electrical

This document is intended as a general guideline to assist Contractors with


understanding and applying Safe Work Practice expectations.





Posted March 29, 2012
2012 Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
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Summary
The Electrical Safe Work Practice describes procedures, methods and practices associated with all
electrical work activities in drilling and production operations, for all employees and contractors.
Contractors are expected to adhere to their own Electrical Safe Work Practice Program.
Contents
Purpose, Scope & Objectives
Procedures
Resources, Roles and Responsibilities
Measurement and Verification
Continual Improvement

Guidelines
The Electrical Safe Work Practice describes procedures, methods and practices associated with all
electrical work activities in drilling and production operations, for all employees and contractors.
These procedures are to prevent injury to personnel.
The electrical safe work practice applies for systems of 50 volts or greater.
Objectives
Safeguard against electrocution, shock, arc flash & arc burns during performance of
electrical work activities.
Provide for protection of personnel & equipment
Establish uniform procedures for doing electrical work
Train personnel carrying out the work, the nature and extent of the job task, the
hazards involved, and any limitations on the extent of the work and the time during
which the job may be carried out.
Specify the precautions to be taken, including safe isolation from potential risks such
as hazardous substances and electricity.
Equipment is considered to be in an electrical de-energized safe state after it is
locked, tried, and tested to be de-energized.
Definition of an Electrical Area:
Class 1 Division 1 locations in which ignitable concentrations of flammable gasses or
vapors can exist under normal operating conditions
Class1 Division 2 location is a location in which flammable liquids or flammable gasses
are handled, processed, or used, but in which the liquids, vapors, or gasses will
normally be confined within closed containers or systems from which they can escape
in case of accidental rupture or break down of such systems or in the case of
abnormal operation of the equipment.


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An Energized Electrical Work Permit WILL be required:
When any physical alteration of electrical equipment is performed while energized such as
making or tightening connections, removing or replacing components, etc., an energized
electrical work permit is required.
Requirements: Energized Electrical Work Permit, appropriate PEP, Electrical Rated: Gloves,
Electrical Face shield, FRC, or PPE according to the level of risk. See table C1 & C2 in forms, tools
section for appropriate level of PPE.
Here are two common examples that require Energized Electrical Work Permits, and the
appropriate PPE while doing them energized:
Removing or replacing a 208 or a 480 VAC MCC bucket, while energized.
Removing or replacing a circuit breaker on a 120/208 VAC lighting panel while energized
If the systems were de-energized then an energized electrical work permit would not be needed,
however the PPE would then be the normal PPE for daily tasks.

The above captures several circumstances that require the need for an Energized Electrical Work
Permit. However, not every scenario can be listed. Many situations will have to be evaluated
individually.
An Energized Electrical Work Permit will NOT be required:
The work tasks listed below may be performed by a qualified worker without an Energized
Electrical permit. Any work tasks other than those listed below must be approved by local
Operations Supervisor, OIM or Field Coordinator (or in Deepwater and Operations Representative
on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been
inspected) and require a written; JSA, general work permit and energized electrical work permit
if the work is to be done while the equipment is energized.

A qualified worker may perform the following jobs:
Use of approved voltage detector to measure voltage on equipment not placed in an
electrically safe working condition
Attaching grounds
Checking electrical phase synchronization (phasing) prior to closing a switch
Using approved live-line tools to perform switching operations
Maintenance troubleshooting and diagnostic testing that must be performed on energized
equipment but require the qualified worker to take special precautions, such as those listed
below:
Voltage phasing
Preventive maintenance observations and meter checks
Predictive maintenance observations and infrared thermography
Taking voltage and current readings with a meter
Re-setting device overloads
Since the above activities listed as exceptions place the worker in close proximity to energized
equipment or exposed live parts, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be worn.
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PPE for employee working on electrical equipment may include:
Electrically rated face shield or flash suit hood
Steel toed shoes, safety glasses, hard hats, goggles
Voltage rated insulating gloves with outer protective leather glove
Long sleeve flame resistant clothing and/or flash suit
Under garments made from non-melting fabric (no polyester or synthetic fabrics which
can melt against the skin)
Procedures
Persons Performing Work under the Energized Electrical Work Permit
Two Electrical Qualified personnel (ie., SCADA Tech, Electrician, Mechanic, or operator who has
attended the Electrical Safe Work Practice Training) actually doing the work will be covered by
the Energized Electrical Work Permit. After discussing the work scope with the OS, OIM, FC. (or
in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit
conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) these persons will agree that there is
no reasonable way to De-energize the equipment, then they must all agree the work the work
can be performed safely while energized, then the OS, OIM and the FC ( or in Deepwater an
Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and
the work site has been inspected) AND both Electrical Qualified persons will sign the Energized
Electrical Work Permit to signify that they have been informed of the appropriate hazards, the
work tasks and associated Safe Work Practice(s) and Permit(s).
Personnel Changes
If at any time anyone who has signed the Energized Electrical Work Permit becomes unavailable
(through crew change, other job duties, illness, etc.) then the Energized Electrical Work Permit is
considered invalid. The process for the new Energized Electrical Work Permit starts all over.
Additionally, the Energized Electrical Work Permit is valid only so long as the specified conditions
are maintained. The intent is to maintain continuity of the safe condition of the job. The same
applies to any other permits that accompany the Energized Electrical Work Permit.
Application process for an Energized Electrical Work Permit
An application for an Energized Electrical Work Permit shall be requested by the Electrically
Qualified Person who will submit the application to the OS, OIM, and FC (or in Deepwater an
Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and
the work site has been inspected) by completing parts 1 and 2 of the Energized Electrical Work
Permit Form.
Lead Time for an Energized Electrical Work Permit
Energized Electrical Work Permit must be applied for prior to work beginning. Since Energized
Electrical Work Permits typically cover one specific task of Very High Risk and requires the OS,
OIM, and FC ( or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on location who acknowledges that
all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected) signatures, as well as 2
electrically qualified persons, specific safe guards, and parameters will need to be filled in on Part
II, it may take several days to get the permit approved.
This requirement is to ensure: That it is absolutely a necessity not to de-energize, sufficient time
is allocated for planning the work, early communication of requirements for preparation of the
energized work, special precautions are identified and appropriate PPE and personnel are
available.
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Duration of Permits to Work
In general, Energized Electrical Work Permit will be issued for a 12 hour period, typically a single
shift. If necessary, the OS, OIM, and FC (or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on
location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been
inspected) can issue a Energized Electrical Work Permit for a longer period of time but not to
exceed 18 hours. This should only be done after careful consideration of the activities, personnel
involved, etc.
Incomplete Work
"Incomplete work" refers to a task/activity that has been started but is not finished and will at
some future time require further work. Precautions left in place shall be noted on the Energized
Electrical Work Permit. A new Energized Electrical Work Permit with references to prior
precautions shall be completed prior to the work resuming on the night shift or the following day.
Completed Work
"Completed work" is the term used to identify those jobs that are finished. No further work will
be required under the work scope as specified on the Energized Electrical Work Permit and
applicable specific permit(s).
If work is complete then it is important that not only is the worksite left clean and hazard free,
but also that the relevant OS, OIM and FC (or in Deepwater an Operations Representative on
location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been
inspected) are informed.
Suspended Work
All Energized Electrical Work Permit will be suspended:
If there is a General Alarm/Emergency
Change in SimOp status (Normal. Alert, Emergency)
For operational reasons as necessary (i.e. use of Stop Work Authority, etc)
When an emergency alarm sounds, work must stop and everyone must proceed to his/her
designated muster stations. Energized Electrical Work Permit will not be reactivated until the
Operations Field Coordinator has verified that it is safe for work to resume. Energized Electrical
Work Permit issued in the area affected by the emergency shall be identified and that work may
be delayed pending the Field Coordinators approval.
In the event of work stoppage due to emergency drill, authorized work may resume upon official
notification by the Field Coordinator that the drill has ended.
Distribution of Energized Electrical Work Permit Copies
A completed copy of the Energized Electrical Work Permit shall be filed with the Permit To Work
in the Permit to Work folder at the main facility or headquarters of the facility where the work is
performed.
A copy of the Permit to Work and all associated permits / forms shall be in the possession of the
Electrical Qualified Person in charge of the Energized work after approval. The Electrical Qualified
Person shall ensure a copy is available at the work site at all times while the work is on-going.

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Retention of Permits
The documents associated with the Permit to Work Process are considered critical documents.It
is a requirement that originals of the permits are retained for a period of thirty-six (36) months
after being signed off unless they are associated with an incident and then they will be filed with
the incident report.
How to Complete Energized Electrical Work Permit Form
Part l - Work Scope
The Energized Electrical Work Permit is completed by the Electrically Qualified Person going to
perform the work.
When completing this section of the form, the following points should be remembered:
Appropriate PPE required
An estimate of when the work will start and how long it will take to complete will help
with planning this work and other work, production controls, communications between
departments/shifts.
Precise location description will help avoid mistakes in identification and process/area
controls.
Clear, concise descriptions of work to be done will limit ambiguity and the possibility of
any conflict with other work in the area. It also helps those who may be involved with
the Permit to Work Process.
The type of equipment that is to be used to carry out the work, (from hand-tools and
scaffolding to communication and welding equipment), must be addressed by the
appropriate Safe Work Practices.
Part ll To be completed by the Electrically Qualified Persons doing the Work
These items will be understood by the Electrically Qualified Persons.
1. Detailed job description procedure to be used in performing the above detailed work
2. Description of the Safe Work Practices to be employed
3. Results of the Shock Hazard Analysis
4. Determination of Shock Protection Boundaries
5. Results of Flash Hazard Analysis
6. Determination of the Flash Protection Boundary
7. Necessary personal protective equipment to safely perform the assigned task
8. Means employed to restrict the access of unqualified persons from the work area
9. Evidence of completion of a JSA including discussion of any job-related hazards
10. Do you agree that the above described work can be done safely? Yes No
If "No", Discuss with Operations Supervisor, or HES representative.
Part lll - Signatures
This is the required signature section. The purpose is to identify the specific job title of positions
that will be involved in the authorizing process. The clear identity of persons is to ensure that
responsibility and communication of planned work is understood by those participating in the
process.
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The required signatures are:
OS, OIM, (signature required prior to work beginning)
Field Coordinator (or in Deepwater an operations Representative on location who
acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and the work site has been inspected)
Two qualified electrical persons that have attended Electrical Safe Work Practice training
These signatures authorize the activity providing the precautions listed are complied with.
Qualified Electrical Persons Performing the Work
This will be the qualified electrical persons performing the task. They sign to acknowledge all
conditions and precautions to be observed and that the Energized Electrical Work Permit scope
and conditions are understood by workers who will be directly involved. They also agree that the
work can be performed safely while energized.
Resources, Roles & Responsibilities
Operations Supervisor, OIM and Field Coordinator (or in Deepwater an Operations
Representative on location who acknowledges that all permit conditions are met and
the work site has been inspected)
These persons are ultimately responsible for all work performed within their area of authority.
While he/she may delegate certain responsibilities, it remains his/her overall responsibility for
the control and monitoring of work conditions within his/her area of authority.
Person Performing Work
The electrically Qualified Persons actually doing the work covered by the Energized Electrical
Work Permit signs the Energized Electrical Work Permit to signify that they have been informed
of the appropriate work tasks and associated Safe Work Practice(s) and Permit(s). They also
agree that the work can be performed safely while energized.

Measurement & Verification
The Operations Energized Electrical Work Permit is evaluated through the Field Verification
Review Process at the Asset level. In addition, Level 2 reviews will be conducted periodically.
Inputs / Leading

Process
Outputs / Lagging

List leading indicators
Electrical Safe
work Practice
List lagging indicators
%Participation of employees trained on the
Electrical Safe Work Practice

PPE Testing, Electrical Rated Gloves Tested every
6 months
Near Misses associated with Electrical
energy

Accidents, injuries associated with
Electrical Energy

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2012 Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

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