ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 272 guests, and 15 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#150434 03/25/05 11:10 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 123
M
Member
I do factory maintenance and sometimes we draw a real crowd of Looky-Lous. ANy ideas on cutting down the distractions??

My personal thought involve pyrothechincs.

Arc Flash PPE Clothing, LOTO & Insulated Tools
#150435 03/25/05 12:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 354
P
pdh Offline
Member
Unfortunately, any pyrotechnics may just draw even more of them around. You might be better off talking about "your father in-law's hemorrhoid operation that you were a spectator for".

#150436 03/25/05 06:19 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
mvp,
That's a rather interesting point you bring up. [Linked Image]
Having distractions of any sort while doing work in a Hot panel or the like, isn't good at all.
Especially when you get some idiot, that comes up behind you and for a joke, claps thier hands together.
If I'm doing any "serious" sort of work in a panel, I use cones and bordering tape to make the area a "No-Go" zone.
This also gives you a fair degree of working space around behind you.
Failing that, I just politely tell people that I've got work to do and can't afford to be distracted.

#150437 03/28/05 01:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15
D
Member
I think that the idea of "site control" falls appropriately on the shoulders of the qualified worker performing the task. OSHA speaks to barricades and the possibility of attendants if necessary. Safe approach distances are a required part of safe electrical work practices training. You'll be hard pressed to eliminate the on-lookers, however if they are far enough away from you, let them look?

The next question is how far away is safe?

I would think that the limited approach distance or the flash protection boundary (which ever is farther) would be a good place to start. Further consideration would have to be given to the type of work going on around you. This could easily extend your boundary.

#150438 04/07/05 04:12 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
Dan,
Quote
The next question is how far away is safe?
That's a rather good question.
Personally, if I'm doing any Live work, I set the area around the Switch-board panel out like this:
  • Left and Right-Hand side clearance, from the centre of the panel is 3 metres (9ft) each side.
    This includes room for tools, wire and other such things.
  • Rear-ward clearance, this is very important, you don't want people bumping you or getting in your way while you are working in a potentially dangerous situation.
    I use at least a metre (3ft) behind me.

One other thing is, don't let others distract you.
You are there to do a job, lets get it done.
There are some people around that you wouldn't want in the same Zip Code as you while you are doing Panel work.
It is up to the person doing the work to ensure thier own safety.
Running to the Boss because you didn't make things safe and copped it as a result, isn't a legal defence in my opinion.
Look after yourself, because no-one else will.
Just my $0.02 worth. [Linked Image]

#150439 05/01/05 07:10 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
Just an addendum to my last post.
I did a job on a Live 33kV Pad-mount Transformer last weekend, to connect in new 400V Distribution Mains.(Under the Sidewalk)
An elderly fella came out from the house next to the transformer and told me to get the Hell out of the place!. [Linked Image]
I told him I worked for the local PoCo and produced my ID card (Considering I was wearing PoCo overalls and jerkin)
He used to be the old Lines Supervisor at the PoCo!. [Linked Image]
We were talking about different things and I said to him to stop talking while I changed the Auto-Tap Changer.
He said to me that all this Live stuff these days is a joke.
I can't dis-agree with a guy that had 45 years experience with everything from 230V to 33kV and all things in between.
They worked dead in them days, he made sure of it!.
Being a Liney that uses Live Glove and Barrier techniques, where did we go wrong?.
Or are we just puppets, nowdays?.


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5