2 Minute Toolbox Talk: Electrical Safety - Electrical Isolation: LOTO Policy

Summary

This video emphasizes crucial safety practices when working with live electrical parts. It highlights the necessity of de-energizing electrical systems before work begins, with a few exceptions for qualified personnel. Protective measures such as shielding, insulated tools, and electrical gloves are essential to prevent exposure to hazards. The importance of lockout/tagout procedures is also stressed to ensure the safety of workers, requiring proper verification of de-energized systems. The video concludes with safety protocols for re-energizing electrical systems, including standing on the un-hinged side of disconnect switches to minimize injury from potential malfunctions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Exposed, live electrical parts must be de-energized before work is permitted to avoid potential hazards.
• 😀 Only qualified persons can work on live electrical systems under specific conditions, and additional safety measures must be followed.
• 😀 Everyone, including qualified and unqualified workers, must protect themselves from contact with live electrical parts.
• 😀 Protection can be provided through shielding, insulated tools, and protective gloves and clothing.
• 😀 Lockout/Tagout procedures must be followed to isolate electrical energy and prevent accidental energization.
• 😀 Lockout involves using a lock or tag on an energy-isolating device (e.g., disconnect switches) to prevent inadvertent operation.
• 😀 Tags must include a statement prohibiting the energization of equipment until the lockout device is removed.
• 😀 A qualified person must always test equipment to verify that isolated parts are de-energized before work begins.
• 😀 Electrical equipment should never be assumed to be de-energized without verification.
• 😀 For systems over 600 volts, test equipment must be checked before and after use to ensure proper functioning.
• 😀 When re-energizing electrical equipment, workers should avoid standing in front of disconnect switches to reduce injury risks from potential arc flashes.

Q & A

What is one fundamental safety practice related to exposed, live electrical parts?

Exposed, live electrical parts must be de-energized before any work is performed on or near them, with very few exceptions.

Under what conditions can a qualified person work on live electrical parts?

A qualified person may work on live electrical parts only when absolutely necessary due to equipment design or operational limitations, and must follow other protective work practices to ensure their safety.

What methods can be used to protect workers from live electrical parts?

Protection can be provided through shielding, insulated tools, or wearing protective electrical gloves and clothing.

What is required to isolate electrical energy to prevent exposure to hazards?

To properly isolate electrical energy, the system or parts must be locked or tagged out in accordance with the company's Lockout/Tagout Policy.

What does Lockout involve in the context of electrical safety?

Lockout involves placing a lockout or tagout device on an energy-isolating device, such as an electrical disconnect switch, to prevent inadvertent or accidental operation until it is safe to remove the device.

What must be done when working on an electrical system regarding disconnecting devices?

A lock with a tag must be placed on all disconnecting devices, with the lock securely attached and locked, and the tag should state that energization or operation of the equipment is prohibited.

How can a qualified person verify that electrical equipment is de-energized?

A qualified person must test the equipment to verify that the circuit elements and parts that are isolated are indeed de-energized, as electrical equipment should never be presumed to be dead.

What additional safety measures are required when testing electrical systems over 600 volts?

For systems over 600 volts, the test equipment used by the qualified person must be checked immediately before and after testing to ensure proper operation.

What precautions should be taken when re-energizing an electrical disconnect switch?

When re-energizing a disconnect switch, always stand to the un-hinged side of the cabinet, close the switch with your near hand or arm, and turn your head away from the cabinet to reduce the risk of injury from electrical malfunctions.

Why is it important to stand to the un-hinged side of the cabinet when closing a switch?

Standing to the un-hinged side of the cabinet reduces the risk of injury in case of an electrical malfunction, such as an arc release, which could cause serious harm.