I am looking for any specific OSHA or other reference in any other code or document related to electrical saftey concerning the requirement that calls for at least two qualified persons when working on energized electrical systems.

Any help will be appreciated.

Gidday Joe,
Sorry that I can't actually give any Code references or the like.
But this system, called a Second Competent Person system was introduced over here in the late 90's, which pertains to ANY work on live switchboards and Distribution Panels.
This was an Electrical Industry initiative to make live work safer, it's not even written into law here, although it SHOULD be!.
The extra person, just keeping an eye on you and you keeping in constant communication with them, makes it a lot easier, should something go wrong, as can happen.
Is this sort of thing not covered in the OSHA legislation?.
I never do live work alone, neither should anyone else!!.

This response doesn’t directly address your question, Joe, but it partially applicable and worth relating.

I have a very talented associate that conducts some pretty intensive in-house electrical-safety programs, primarily for US Department of Energy Facilities. The course has evolved over about 15 years, and is primarily structured around some very serious electrical accidents that have occurred in those opertions. The coursework is coincident with OSHA 29CFR1910.269 rules for utility workers—for many DOE facilities handle power transmsission and distribution in the 2-345kV range. Richard Harris, the instructor, goes into significant detail...

• 
  ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT {100%} SAFETY RULE: NO Switching, isolating, detecting of energized circuits, applying personnel safety grounds, or other related work shall be performed unless two (2) qualified, experienced individuals are in 100% agreement of the work the that is to be performed and the sequence in which it is to be done. If there is NOT 100% AGREEMENT DO NOT PERFORM ANY WORK, but consult a third +-qualified, experienced individual. Do not perform any work until all three (3) individuals are in 100% agreement. If there is not agreement at this point, continue the process until there is 100% agreement between the parties involved.
  
  DO NOT WORK ALONE in HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS or on HIGH-ENERGY CIRCUITS!

[This message has been edited by Bjarney (edited 08-09-2003).]

Thanks to Trumpy and Bj...

This story is ongoing ... your comments are well taken!!

NIOSH has a CD that includes many case studies of accidents related to electricity and I believe there is a CD available showing Forensic Investigations of electrical accidents. I have been unable to locate it though?

Joe,
Just a wee question.
What sort of work does this pertain to?.
Are we talking Industrial or Commercial panels, Domestic installations?.
I realise that anything more than single phase has it's own dangers.

Nothing in particular, but industrial and commercial would be where the voltages could vary. How do you feel about the following situation?



[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 08-09-2003).]

Joe, on the panelboard pic, the handy back-o'-the-deadfront muffin cooling fan is missing—the one that fits in the bottom eight circuit-breaker pole spaces. {That fan is for loading a 225-amp panelboard to 275 amperes during summers.} ;-) ;-) ;-) {Sorry.}

Here is the OSHA Standard: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owa...ANDARDS&p_i d=9868#1910.269(l)(1)(i)

Here are some OSHA interpretations: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRE TATIONS&p_id=23893 .

It seems that this is for systems over 600V. Does such a standard exist for "low" voltage?

[This message has been edited by ThinkGood (edited 08-09-2003).]

Joe,
Just seeing a panel like that one, makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
For a start, there is a lot of Earthed Metal in the surrounds of the panel that could cause an Arc Fault by workers that are not keeping a good eye on what they are doing.
Having said that, as well as having a Second Competent Person with you when working on a panel like this, I would move that Insulating Cover-up gear(sheets) be used to minimise the chances of contact with other parts within the panel, that are un-related to the task at hand.
I realise that this may sound a trifle "wimpy", but what's wimpy about spending a few months in Hospital, because you couldn't even cover your own b-side during one of these procedures.
TGood,
Those OSHA links that you provided would be a very good foundation to start off a "Low Voltage" Live work procedure Standard.
There is, in my opinion, little difference in the two Voltage scenarios, but in some cases, it's the Arc Flash ferocity that makes the difference.
You should take equal care, no matter wether it's a 120V lighting circuit or a 12.4kV feeder cable

Joe,
That rule should be "2 persons + 1 Fire Extinguisher".

Yes, and make sure it is of the type that can be used on an electrical fire.

I can't do any research as to the type now because I am in the back of a shuttle van going to the Denver Airport.

Joe,
Let me say this,
There is only one type of Fire Extinguisher that should be used on Electrical Fires.
And that is Carbon Dioxide (CO2), it has superior "Knockdown" characteristics, is non-corrosive to Electrical Equipment and it freely disperses after discharge.
It has the dual effect of both cooling and starving the fire of Oxygen.

Joe,
Sorry I'm late on this one, ThinkGood seems to have covered the 1910 ref. for Medium Voltage, you can also find references in the NESC.

The reason you'd have difficulty for under 600V is.... It's NOT allowed. You can search 1926 all you want you'll only find reference to Lockout/Tagout. They make no provisions for working energized equipment.

The concession to MV circuits was made long ago, because 1) the Utility workers are more trained in the aspect and 2) Because they are able to work energized the resulting inconvenience to customers was weighed in as part of the equation.

It also goes a bit deeper than inconvenience. When you interrupt an MV distribution circuit, you may have to reenergize by opening up lots of stuff downstream or risk system failure from overload.....

The very reason on Thursday they could not wait for the system to "Calm down" and simply reclose all breakers, the resulting inrush/locked-rotor would have devastated the system. Trumpy had the term perfect "Hunting". Yes, it is scientifically Sub-synchronous resonance, but since the gen actually "hunts" for the right spot, it is a better term.

Anyone with REALLY old CEE's would find an article on a genset of mine that did just that, at which point I dove in and opened it (it makes a BEG difference if you are the one who would have to repair the gen )

Since anything under 600V is local by nature, OSHA saw no reason to have rules for working energized. Again, it also had to do with how highly trained ALL folks in that field are on the subject. This group here is pretty danged sharp, but there are lots out there that would get hurt.

Now, anyone here ever work it hot????????
Course, not!!!!

George,
Yes, I hear what you are saying about Live work under 600V.
You and I both know, through HV work that the animal of Live work at any voltage is dangerous and should be avoided at any cost.
George, this is a situation that I deal with on a daily basis, just having the maps of all the Distribution Systems where I am working and Direct communications with the "Control Centre"(Gives Line Clearances and advises on switching sequences), makes things for me, a helluva lot safer.
One thing that I would personally agree with you is, the fact of TRAINING, nothing can train you better than 4-5 years of working every day with high voltages and I would hate to see a rash of Electrician's rushing out to "have a go" at Live connection work, after all, your eyes don't tend to work too well after having an Inch of molten copper thrown into them!.