120-ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

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1 120.1 PURPOSE A. To set forth procedures for the safe use of electrical equipment, tools, and appliances at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) SCOPE A. This program applies to all CNM employees DEFINITIONS A. Affected Personnel - Personnel who normally use and work with electrical equipment, tools, and appliances, but who do not make repairs or perform lock out/tag out procedures. B. Appliances - Electrical devices not normally associated with commercial or industrial equipment such as air conditioners, computers, printers, copiers, coffee pots, microwave ovens, toasters, etc. C. Circuit Breaker - A device designed to open and close a circuit by non-automatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined over current without injury to itself when properly applied within its rating. D. Disconnecting Means - A device, or group of devices, or other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their source of supply. E. Double Insulated Tool - Tools designed of non-conductive materials that do not require a grounded, three wire plug. F. Ground - Connected to earth or some conducting body that serves in place of the earth. G. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) - A device whose function is to interrupt the electric circuit to the load when a fault current to ground exceeds some predetermined value that is less than that required to operate the over current protective device of the supply circuit. CNM shall use GFCIs in lieu of an assured grounding program. H. Insulated - A conductor encased within material of composition and thickness that is recognized as electrical insulation. I. Qualified Person - One that has been trained in the repair, construction and operation of electrical equipment and the hazards involved. J. Strain Relief - A mechanical device that prevents force from being transmitted to the connections or terminals of a cable or extension cord RESPONSIBILITIES A. Maintenance Supervisor/Designee (1) Ensure that only qualified employees perform electrical repairs or installations. (2) Ensure all applicable electrical safety programs are implemented and maintained at their locations. B. Employees (1) Use electrical equipment, tools, and appliances according to this program. (2) Attend required training sessions. (3) Report unsafe conditions to their supervisor immediately. C. Safety Director/Designee (1) Develop electrical safety programs and procedures in accordance with OSHA requirements and/or as indicated by events and circumstances and review it annually. (2) Provide training to applicable employees. Section 120-Rev 0 Electrical Safety Awareness CNM 1 of 9

2 120.5 SAFE WORK PRACTICES A. Inspections (1) Electrical equipment, tools, and appliances must be inspected prior to each use. (2) The use of a hard fixed GFCI or a portable GFCI adapter shall be used with all portable hand tools, electric extension cords, drop lights and all 110 volt equipment. (3) Faulty equipment, tools, or appliances shall be removed from service immediately and tagged Out of Service, dated and signed by the employee applying the tag. (4) Report any faulty equipment or safety incidents to supervisor immediately. B. Repairs (1) Only licensed electricians shall be allowed to make repairs to electrical equipment and wiring systems. (2) Employees shall not enter spaces containing exposed energized parts. (3) Employees shall not wear conductive apparel such as rings, watches, jewelry, etc. (unless they are rendered non-conductive by covering, wrapping, or other insulating means) while working on or near open energized equipment this includes batteries on trucks, forklifts, phone backup systems or other such equipment. C. Extension Cords (1) Use only three-wire, grounded, extension cords and cables that conform to a hard service rating of 14 amperes or higher, and grounding of the tools or equipment being supplied. (2) Only commercial or industrial rated-grounded extension cords may be used in shops and outdoors. (3) Cords for use other than indoor appliances must have a rating of at least 14 amps. (4) Cords must have suitable strain relief provisions at both the plug and the receptacle ends. (5) Work lamps (drop light) used to power electrical tools must have a 3 wire, grounded outlet, unless powering insulated tools. (6) Adapters that allow three wire, grounded prongs, connected to two wire non-grounded outlets are strictly prohibited. (7) Cords must have a service rating for hard or extra-hard service and have the following letter printed on the cord. (a) S, SJ, ST, SO, SJO, SJT, STO, or SJTO (b) S- Extra hard service flexible cord for general use at 600 volts, rated at 140 F. Rubber insulated and jacketed. (c) SJ- Junior hard-service, rubber-insulated pendant or portable cord. Same construction as type S, but 300V. Jacket thickness is different. (d) ST- Extra hard service cord for general use at 600 volts, rated at -4 F to +140 F, PVC thermoplastic insulated and jacketed. (e) SO- Type S, but also rated oil resistant. (f) SJO- Hard service cord for general use at 300 volts, rated at 140F, rubber insulated and jacketed, rated oil resistant. (g) SJT- Hard service cord for general use at 300 volts, rated -4 F to +140 F, PVC thermoplastic insulated and jacketed. Section 120-Rev 0 Electrical Safety Awareness CNM 2 of 9

3 (h) STO- Type ST, but also rated oil resistant. (i) SJTO- Type SJT, but also rated oil resistant (8) Cords may not be run through doorways, under mats or carpets, across walkways or aisles, concealed behind walls, ceilings or floors, or run through holes in walls, or anywhere where they can become a tripping hazard. (9) High current equipment or appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet whenever possible. (10) All extension cords shall be plugged into one of the following (When using outdoors or in a wet/hazardous environment): (a) A GFCI outlet; (b) A GFCI built into the cord; (c) A GFCI adapter used between the wall outlet and cord plug. (11) All extension cords and or power cords shall be inspected before each use, for breaks, plug condition and ground lugs, possible internal breaks, and any other damage. If damage is found, the extension cord or power cord shall be removed from service and replaced. (12) Extension cords should never be used as a permanent wire solution. D. Outlets (1) Outlets connected to circuits with different voltages must use a design such that the attachment plugs on the circuits are not interchangeable. E. Multiple Outlet Boxes (1) Multiple outlet boxes must be plugged into a wall receptacle. (2) Multiple outlet boxes must not be used to provide power to microwave ovens, toasters, space heaters, hot plates, coffeepots, or other high-current loads. F. Double Insulated Tools (1) Double insulated tools must have the factory label intact indicating the tool has been approved to be used without a three wire grounded supply cord connection. (2) Double insulated tools must not be altered in any way, which would negate the factory rating. G. Switches, Circuit Breakers, and Disconnects (1) All electrical equipment and tools must have an on and off switch and may not be turned on or off by plugging or unplugging the supply cord at the power outlet. (2) On all new or buildings renovated circuit breaker panel boxes and disconnects must be labeled with the voltage rating. (3) Every newly renovated/new CNM building breaker within a breaker panel must be labeled for the service it provides. (4) Disconnect switches providing power for individual equipment must be labeled accordingly. H. Ladders & Portable Ladders (1) Only approved, non-conductive ladders, may be used when working near or with electrical equipment, which includes changing light bulbs. (2) Ladders must be either constructed of wood or fiberglass (3) Portable ladders shall have non-conductive side rails. (4) Ladders shall be free from any moisture, oils, and greases. Section 120-Rev 0 Electrical Safety Awareness CNM 3 of 9

4 I. Energized and Overhead High Voltage Power Lines & Equipment (1) A minimum clearance of 10 feet from high voltage lines must be maintained when operating vehicular and mechanical equipment such as forklifts, cranes, winch trucks, and other similar equipment. (2) Minimum approach distance to energized high power voltage lines for unqualified employees is 10 feet. J. Confined or Enclosed Work Spaces (1) When an employee works in a confined or enclosed space, the employee shall isolate the energy source and turn off the source and lock and tag out the energy source. (2) Protective shields, protective barriers or insulating materials as necessary shall be provided. K. Enclosures, Breaker Panels, and Distribution Rooms (1) A clear working space must be maintained in the front, back and on each side of all electrical enclosures and around electrical equipment for a safe operation and to permit access for maintenance and alteration. (2) A minimum three-foot working floor space in front of panels with a width that must be to be as long as the equipment (panel) or 30 inches whichever is greater shall be painted yellow. (3) Employees may not enter work space unless illumination is provided that enables the employees to work safely. (4) Housekeeping in mechanical/electrical rooms must receive high priority to provide a safe working and walking area in front of panels and to keep combustible materials to the minimum required to perform maintenance operations. (5) Combustible materials are prohibited inside electrical/mechanical rooms (Boxes, rags, cleaning fluids, etc.) L. Lock Out/Tag Out (1) No work shall be performed on (or near enough to them for employees to be exposed due to the dangers of tools or other equipment coming into contact with the live parts) live parts and the hazards they present. (2) If any employee is exposed to parts of fixed electric equipment or circuits which have been deenergized, the circuits energizing the parts shall be locked out or tagged or both. (3) Conductors and parts of electrical equipment that have been de-energized but not been locked or tagged out shall be treated as live parts. (4) Per CNM policy all energized electrical work will be outsourced and performed only by qualified and licensed electrical contractors who are familiar with the use of special precautionary techniques, PPE, insulating and shielding materials and insulated tools. Any equipment being made ready for maintenance will be locked out using CNM lock out/tag out program. Designated employees in some branches may be trained by local management to lock out equipment. Only licensed electricians may work on electric circuit parts or equipment. (5) Only authorized personnel may perform lock out/tag out work on electrical equipment and will follow CMN lock out/tag out program. (6) Authorized personnel will be trained in lock out/tag out procedures. Section 120-Rev 0 Electrical Safety Awareness CNM 4 of 9

5 (7) Affected personnel will be notified by the lead employee when lock out/tag out activities are being performed in their work area according to the CNM Lock Out-Tag-Out SOP (See CNM LO/TO program). M. Contractors (1) Only approved, licensed, electrical contractors may perform construction and service work on CNM property. (2) It is the Project Managers responsibility to verify the contractor s qualifications. N. Electric Shock (1) If someone is discovered that has received an electric shock and is unconscious, first check to see if their body is in contact with an electrical circuit. Do not touch a person until you are sure there is no contact with an electrical circuit. (2) Call 911 for help immediately (3) When it is safe to make contact with the victim, if you feel comfortable and have had the proper training, begin CPR if the person s heart has stopped or they are not breathing. O. Electric Welders (1) A disconnecting means shall be provided in the supply circuit for each motor-generator arc welder, and for each AC transformer and DC rectifier arc welder which is not equipped with a disconnect mounted as an integral part of the welder. (2) A switch or circuit breaker shall be provided by which each resistance welder and its control equipment can be isolated from the supply circuit. The ampere rating of this disconnecting means may not be less than the supply conductor ampacity. P. Equipment Grounding (1) Equipment bonding jumpers shall be of copper or other corrosion-resistance material. (2) The transfer of hazardous or flammable material from a metal or plastic container with a flash point of 100 degrees F or less shall have a ground strap from the container and attached to the skid or a ground rod placed in the ground. Q. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (1) All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that are in use by personnel shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. (a) All hand portable electric tools (b) Additionally, approved GFCI s shall be used for 240-Volt circuits in the same service as described above. (c) GFCI s must be used on all 120 volt, single-phase 15 amp and 20 amp receptacles within 6 feet of a sink, damp areas or on installed outdoor equipment. (d) The GFCI must be the first device plugged into a permanent receptacle. (e) The GFCI must be tested before each use. (i) To test, plug in an electrical device that is easy to determine is working (night light) and turn it on. (ii) Hit the test button and the light should instantly turn off. If the device does not shut off the GFCI is not working. Section 120-Rev 0 Electrical Safety Awareness CNM 5 of 9

6 (iii) Hit the reset button to reset the power TRAINING A. All new hired qualified full time and temporary employees will be required to complete online training in electrical safety. B. Employee shall be trained in safety related work practices that pertain to their respective job assignments. C. Employees shall be trained on clearance distances and safe work radiuses PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT & SAFEGUARDS FOR PERSONNEL PROTECTION A. Equipment shall be maintained in a safe, reliable condition. Such protective equipment shall be periodically inspected and/or tested. B. Employees shall wear protective equipment for the hands, body, eyes or face wherever there is danger of injury to the employee from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects or working inside electrical panels. (1) Employees working on any potentially live equipment (HVAC technicians included) must follow the NFPA 70E tables on pages 8-10 of this program. (2) Arc flash PPE includes, but not limited to (PPE category see page 9): (a) V-rated gloves (b) Arc-rated coveralls (c) Hearing protections (d) Hard hat (e) Arc-rated face shield (f) Leather gloves (g) Safety Glasses (3) V-rated gloves must be re-certified by an outside vendor every 6 months to ensure they are in good condition. (4) Note that CNM employees are only allowed to work with electrical condition requiring up to Arc-Flash category 2. C. Each employee shall use insulated tools or handling equipment if they might make contact with conductors or parts. D. Alerting techniques used to warn and protect employees from hazards which could cause injury due to electric shock, burns or failure of electric equipment parts can take the form of safety signs and tags, barricades & attendants). Section 120-Rev 0 Electrical Safety Awareness CNM 6 of 9

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