ECN Forum Forums Safety Discussion and News Occupational Safety Discussion ArcFlash/Maintance

Question
Shutting down mtrs or equipment to do maintenance.
Not disconnecting or working on any Electrical.
This is a Question all over. If not working on electrical on the Equipment or Motors . Is a voltage check as per 70-E
Required????Bearings/Packing seals/ Oiling ect/.
Thanks for imput.

Required, not sure for what you are looking for. At the same time, why not? Takes just a minute. Could be a matter of life or limb

More Info.
Large Industral setting:
There are 3 classifcations.
#1 Fully Qualified (Electrical)
#2 Task Qualified (Limited Electrical for Task)
#3 Unqualified.
Task Qualified is the Question.
Person needs to shut down Equipment BUT not touch electical.
Turns off disconnect, Locks it out , Trys Motor or Equipment , Changes Mechinical part on equipment (Never touchs electrical).
Limited training on lock out tag out, & 70-E .
This is Common on a lot of Larger Industral places.
Some insist Electrican Must Test for voltage & go by all rules of 70-E. Since not touching any live or Electrical????

Yoopersup:

Maintenance procedures, LOTO, PPE, qualified, etc is the domain of the plant management, and probably their insurance company.

Plant safety procedures vary, from 'almost non-existant' to 'the full boat'. Those that are lax usually swing to the correct course upon a visit from either OSHA, or their insurance carrier.

A few of the safety seminars I have been to, require a voltage test to assure mechanical equipment is 'safe', even with LOTO procedures in place. Full 70-E, moon suit and all. That is the 'Perfect World'!!

Now, return to the 'real world' that quite a few of us live in. The scenario goes like you said, 'Task Qualified' mechanic. LOTO, push the 'on' button, no function, go to work.

Actually it depends upon the voltage & the circumstances. Which determine Arc Flash Boundary rating mentioned in 70E ? I work on a large industrial facility & have to fill out a company "hot work permit" . And then follow 70E for appropiate FR clothing.

Unless you are 'touching the electrical', OSHA does not require a voltage test (Subpart J). OSHA does require appropriate PPE. It is up to the employer's Electrical Safe work Practices procedures to determine PPE. While many companies try to use only 70E, it is not a How To manual.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9805
(7) Ensure that the equipment is disconnected from the energy source(s) by first checking that no personnel are exposed, then verify the isolation of the equipment by operating the push button or other normal operating control(s) or by testing to make certain the equipment will not operate.