Passing this on. I think we're pretty good about deferring our electrical work to the qualified people.
Hi, everyone. Attached are the summaries of electrical incidents occurring in August within the DOE-complex as derived from the initial ORPS reports. Lessons learned include:
· Follow the procedure in LMS-PROC-152 when performing blind penetrations and follow the Dig Permit and other applicable procedures when performing excavations. Wearing electrical PPE reduces the hazard if an electrical line or raceway should be encountered. · Electrical work must be performed in accordance with the NEC and manufacturer’s instructions. · Modifications to electrical utilization equipment must be approved by a DEEI. · Only qualified electrical workers may work on equipment with energized, exposed electrical parts >= 50 volts. · Strictly follow Lockout/Tagout procedures, the general, simple procedure in LMS-PROC-185 or a complex, written procedure as described in LMS-ESH-7.1. Apply Lockout/Tagout before removing electrical equipment panels or any electrical work is performed. Check the integrity of the lockout devices and that they prevent energization. Zero voltage verification is required to confirm the circuit is de-energized. · New electrical installations need to be inspected for conformance with the NEC in accordance with LMS-ESH-9.3, 9.3.10 to reduce the probability of installation problems that could result in electrical shorts or shock.
When available from the initial reports, I am now starting to include the electrical severity score of each event. There is a tool available that allows the site’s electrical safety SME to calculate such a score based on a number of criteria regarding the incident and include it in the initial report. The SMEs have been involved in developing and using this tool. DOE is now urging us (and will likely soon require) the score to be calculated and reported. The score ranges are:
Significance Level Electrical Severity (ES) High ≥ 1750 Medium 31 – 1749 Low 1 - 30
I will be including the significance level with the score in the summary when available. Please note that in calculating the score, the person involved in the incident wearing the appropriate electrical PPE will usually dramatically reduce the severity and thus the score of an event.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks, Joe Kilar, CSP Electrical Safety Engineer/SME/Trainer ESQ Division Bldg. 202/E140 630.252.3734 Office 630.252.8862 Alt. Office (Bldg. 201/2J16) 630.252.2942 Fax Argonne National Laboratory