Rules / PPE Requirements > Working on Live Electrical Equipment

Live electrical equipment can only be worked on by qualified Journeyman Electricians!

1.Develop a work plan and obtain appropriate permits. Identify the level of PPE for the work task using charts on and tasks from the previous pages.

2.Determine all possible sources of electrical supply to the specific equipment. Check applicable up to date drawings, diagram, and identification tags. After identifying all power sources, complete an electrical hazard risk assessment for energized electrical work using appropriate industry best practices.

3.Identify the flash protection boundary using the Arc Flash Approach Boundaries chart.

4.The flash protection boundary shall be taped off with warning tape, barricaded, or a similar means shall be employed, with an information tag in order to restrict access to authorized personnel only. No person shall cross the arc flash protection boundary during energized electrical work unless this action is deemed necessary by the qualified electrical worker(s) performing the job. Any person who is within the arc flash protection boundary shall wear electrical specific PPE that is appropriate for the arc flash incident energy at the assumed working distance.

5.Higher risk operations include:

a.Racking (in or out) of breakers.

b.Removing or inserting motor starter buckets.

c.Operating electrical equipment with doors open or covers removed; and

d.Any other operation that is deemed to have a higher risk of an arc flash incident.

6.It is recommended that a second electrical worker with suitable training, is present, but outside the arc flash protection boundary, for higher risk operations of electrical equipment, or for any electrical work on energized electrical equipment. This person should have First Aid training and be instructed in the emergency response actions that should be taken in case an incident occurs that injures or incapacitates the first electrical worker.

7.Use an adequately rated voltage equipment to test electrical equipment. Before and after each test, determine that the voltage detector is operating satisfactorily.

8.Once work is compete, a visual inspection must confirm that all tools, mechanical restraints, electric jumpers, and grounds have been removed.

NOTE: All workers within the flash protection boundary (safe limits of approach) are required to suit up to the identified PPE level as selected by using the previous charts.