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1.0

PURPOSE
The purpose of this SOP compiles the RB standards for working near or on live parts

2.0

SCOPE
This SOP is applicable and complied with, by BOTH RB personnel and outside contractors.

3.0

RESPONSIBILITY
Competent Person

4.0

SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT PRECAUTIONS

PPE Required
Hot sticks
Voltage rated hand tools
Approved high and low voltage testers
Red danger locks
Red danger tags
Temporary protective grounds
Flame resistant (FR) long sleeve shirt and pants (or coveralls)with a minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm
Leather electrical hazard (EH) - rated work shoes/boots
Non metallic safety glasses with side shields
Class E hard hat
Voltage rated gloves with leather protectors
Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)

5.0

DEFINITIONS
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Working on/near Live Parts

Working on live circuits means actually touching energized parts. Working near live circuits means
working close enough to energized parts to pose a risk even though you make be working on deenergized parts. Common tasks where you need to work on or near live circuits include:

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

Taking voltage measurements

Opening and closing disconnects and breakers
Racking breakers on and off the bus
Removing panels and dead fronts
Opening electric equipment doors for inspection
When a person is exposed to a bare (exposed), energized conductor he or she is
at risk of injury not only to themselves, but also to others nearby. The hazards
of working on or near bare energized electrical conductors can result in
electrical shock, electrocution, arc flash burns, arc blast, thermal burns,
respiratory contamination and other physical trauma injuries related to falling or
being struck by objects due to an arc blast.

Energized Work
The definition of energized work is Work on or near (e.g. part of tools being used or workers body
less then the minimum working distance (restricted approach boundary) energized or potentially
energized lines (i.e., grounding, live line tool (hot stick) work, gloving and bare hand work)
Electrically Safe Work Condition
A state in which the conductor or circuit part to be worked on or near has been
disconnected from energized parts, locked/tagged out (or equivalent) in
accordance with established standards, tested to ensure the absence of voltage,
and grounded if determined necessary.
Shock Protection BoundariesLimited Approach Boundary a distance from an exposed live part within
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which a shock hazard exists.

Restricted Approach Boundary a distance from an exposed live part, within
which there is an increased risk of shock due to electrical arc, for personnel
working in close proximity to the live part.
Prohibited Approach Boundary a distance from and exposed live part within
which work is considered the same as making contact with the live part.

5.5

5.6

5.7

6.0

Potential Energy Sources

AC electrical potential above 50 volts, DC electrical potential above 50 volts and
associated mechanical devices.
Flash Protection BoundaryA distance from exposed live parts within which a person could receive a second
degree burn if an electrical arc flash were to occur.
a. At voltage levels above 600 volts the Flash Protection Boundary is physical
limits of the equipment room, inside of which ALL personnel shall be protected.
b. At voltage levels of 600 volts and less the Flash Protection Boundary shall be
4.0 feet
Qualified Person
One who has skill and knowledge related to the construction and operation of
electrical equipment and installation and who has received safety training on
the hazards involved.

PROCEDURE
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6. 1

All energized work requires written task specific procedures approved by the Safety Officer
containing all appropriate safe work practices and PPE as required

6.2

Limits of Approach:
The approach boundaries are specified distances from an exposed energized conductor that identify
established requirements for additional safety measures. The voltages to be used in determining the
approach boundaries are the nominal phase-to-phase voltages. See Table 1 for approach distances for
various system voltages. When working on systems of a lower voltage requires working near a higher
voltage the approach boundaries of the higher voltage are also applicable. If the lower voltage work
requires working inside the restricted approach boundary of high voltage (above 600 volts), the
worker shall be a qualified /competent person (CP) for high voltage work and wear the appropriate
PPE or the high voltage circuits shall be put in a safe work condition.. Overhead conductors on utility
poles shall always be considered exposed (bare) regardless of the appearance of insulation.
Limited Approach Boundary
Any activity within the limited approach boundary is considered working near. A CP shall take
measures as necessary to prevent anyone from entering the limited approach boundary that is not a
qualified person or is knowledgeable of the task to be performed. This may involve the use of
barricades, barricade tape, signs, or other means as necessary to control access. If signs and
barricades do not provide sufficient warning and protection from the electrical hazards, an attendant
shall be stationed to warn and protect employees or a safe work condition re-established.
o The minimum approach distance for an unqualified person is 10 ft (3m).
o An unqualified person, wearing the required PPE, can be allowed to cross the limited
approach boundary only if a qualified person advises him or her of the possible
hazards, provide the proper PPE and provides a continuous escort while inside the
approach boundary.
Minimum Working Distance (MWD) (Restricted Approach Boundary (RAB))
Under no circumstances shall an unqualified person be permitted to cross the restricted approach
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boundary prior to a safe work condition being established. No qualified person shall approach or
take any conductive object, hot stick or voltage rated hand tool closer to the exposed energized
conductor then the restricted approach boundary, unless he or she meets all the following conditions:
o Follow either a standard operating procedure / job hazard analysis
(SOP) or a special permission energized electrical work permit with a
project safety plan written for a specific energized task and signed
by the Safety Officer
o Use only voltage rated tools.
o Use appropriate PPE for protection from shock.
o Use appropriate PPE for arc flash protection.
o Minimize the risk from inadvertent movement by keeping as much of the body out of
the restricted space as possible, using only protected body parts in the restricted space
as necessary to accomplish the work.
o Be certain that no un-insulated part of the body crosses the prohibited boundary.
Prohibited Approach Boundary (PAB)
No un-insulated part of the body shall be allowed to cross the prohibited approach boundary.
Crossing the prohibited approach boundary is considered the same as making contact or working
on. Troubleshooting, taking voltage readings, applying safety grounds, insertion or removal of
revenue meters, installing or removal of individual starter buckets in a motor control center, and any
work involving moving an exposed, energized conductor are also considered working on.
Flash Protection Boundary (FPB)
The flash protection boundary is intended to trigger the need for PPE that can
protect the worker from thermal injury. A conservative default flash protection
boundary has been established at 4 feet for voltages between 50 and 600 volts
& for voltages above 600 volts FPB has been established at 20 feet.
6.3

Prohibited Energized Work Practices:

Gloving above 600 volts and the bare hand technique over 50 volts is prohibited.
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6.4

Required Safe Work Practices for Energized Work

Procedures written for energized work shall identify safe work practices in step by step detail using
the below outline as a guide.
Step 1 Access job site
Only qualified persons shall perform energized work.
Examine job site, look for hazardous conditions, determine means to abate hazards
Notify immediate supervisor prior to starting any energized work, if work is after hours
contact the safety officer.
Step 2 Job site setup
Flash protection boundary for low voltage systems is 4 feet unless determined
otherwise by a flash hazard analysis.
Determine limited approach boundary and restricted approach boundary using table 1.
Limit access within the limited approach and flash protection boundaries to qualified
personnel only.
Identify and clear an escape route to an area 10 or more beyond the flash protection
boundary.
Ensure the area is well lighted
Determine required PPE for specific task per table 2.
Step 3 Job brief
Conduct a pre-job briefing to address all hazards and plan work.
Step 4 Inspect PPE, voltage rated tools and test instruments
Perform a pre-use rubber goods and hot sticks inspection.
Perform a pre-use inspection of other PPE.
Perform a pre-use inspection on voltage rated hand tools.
Perform a pre-use inspection on test instruments.
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Step 5 Don PPE

Remove all conductive articles of clothing or jewelry.
Don all PPE as required in table 2.

6.5

Step 6 Perform task

Follow listed requirements for work within limited approach boundaries..
Follow listed requirements for work within minimum working Distance .
PPE for Electrical Shock and Arc Flash Protection:
Any worker whose normal job includes working on or near exposed energized electrical
conductors/equipment shall wear to work as a minimum long sleeve shirts and pants (or
coveralls) with a minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm, cotton underwear (conventional short
sleeve T shirt and brief/shorts) and leather EH rated safety shoes/boots.

All employees who approach within 4 feet of exposed energized electrical

conductors/equipment operating at a voltage of 600 volts or less shall wear at a minimum
long sleeve shirts and pants (or coveralls) with a minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm, cotton
underwear (conventional short sleeve T shirt and brief/shorts), leather EH rated safety
shoes/boots, a class E hard hat, safety glasses with side shields plus additional PPE as
required by tables 2 and 3 for the specific tasks involved. Flash Protection Boundary for the
conditions when this approach distance is required to be determined by a flash hazard
analysis. Any employee not wearing all the required PPE for any of the specific tasks listed
below shall maintain a distance greater than 10 feet from the task being performed.
Insertion or removal (racking) of CBs from cubicles with doors open for 600 V
class switchgear (with power circuit breakers or fused switches)
Removal of bolted covers (to expose bare, energized parts) of 600V class
switchgear (with power circuit breakers or fused switches)
Work on control circuits with energized parts > 120V(fused contactor motor
starters 2.3 kV through 7.2 kV)
Work on control circuits with energized parts > 120V, exposed for metal clad
switchgear, 1 kV and above.
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All employees within 10 feet of the specific task involved shall wear at a minimum long
sleeve shirts and pants (or coveralls) with a minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm, cotton
underwear (conventional short sleeve T shirt and brief/shorts), leather EH rated safety
shoes/boots plus all the PPE required by table 2.
Employees engaged in performing the specific tasks shall wear the PPE described in the
paragraph immediately above when approaching within 20 feet of exposed energized
electrical conductors/equipment normally operating above 600 volts.
PPE for measuring/testing tasks not listed in table 2 and 3 shall be determined by
performing a flash hazard analysis.
PPE, voltage rated tools, and test instrument pre-use inspection:
All PPE and voltage rated tools shall be visually inspected prior to each days use and immediately
following any incident that can reasonably be suspected of having caused damage. Insulating rubber
goods shall be inspected as required. PPE and voltage rated tools found to have damage that could
affect its performance shall not be used on or near exposed energized conductors. Test instruments
and equipment and all associated test leads, cables, power cords, probes, and connectors shall be
visually inspected for external defects and damage before the equipment is used on any shift. If there
is a defect or evidence of damage that might expose an employee to injury, the defective or damaged
item shall be removed from service and not used until repairs necessary to render the equipment safe
have been made.
Test Instruments:
Test instruments, equipment, and their accessories shall be rated for circuits and equipment to which
they will be connected and designed for the environment to which they will be exposed, and for the
manner in which they will be used.
PPE Requirements for Specific Tasks:

6.6

6.7

6.8
6.9

Table2 in Appendix identifies minimum PPE requirements for specific asks(assuming exposed
equipment is energized, and work is within the flash protection boundary).
Underground Work:
Treat underground structures such as manholes and unvented vaults as confined spaces. Consult
confined space entry SOPs for safety procedures. All equipment inside an underground structure
(including manholes and vaults) operating at high voltage levels should be de-energized before
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allowing entry into the underground structure. This includes insulated conductors. If the equipment
inside the manhole cannot be de-energized, apply the PPE requirements of table 3. Cables must not
be moved, adjusted or disturbed when energized. If a cable in an underground structure has one or
more abnormalities that could lead to or be an indication of an impending fault, the defective cable
must be de-energized before any employee can enter the manhole. Abnormalities such as oil or
compound leaking from cable or joints, broken cables sheaths or joint sleeves, hot localized surface
temperatures of cables or joints, or joints that are swollen beyond normal tolerance are presumed to
lead to or be an indication of an impending fault..

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7.0

8.0

FORMATS
Format number

Title

NA

NA

RECORD
Record number

9.0

Title

REFERENCES
NA

10.0

ABBREVIATION
NA

11.0

12.0

ANNEXURE
Annexure number

Title

Table1 for approach boundary

Table2 for PPE requirements for different purposes.

REVISION HISTORY
Annexure-1
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Table 1. Approach boundaries to live parts for shock prevention

Limited approach boundary
Restricted approach boundary
Nominal system voltage Exposed movable Exposed fixed(allowing for accidental
range, phase to phase conductor
circuit part
movement)

Prohibited
approach
boundary

0 to 50 volts

Not specified

Not specified

Not specified

Not specified

51 to 300 volts

10 ft. 0 in.

3 ft. 6 in.

Avoid contact

Avoid contact

301 to 750 volts

10 ft. 0 in.

3 ft. 6 in.

1 ft. 0 in.

0 ft. 1 in.

751 to 15,000 volts

10 ft. 0 in.

5 ft. 0 in.

2 ft. 2 in.

0 ft. 7 in.

Annexure-2
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