Working On Energized Equipment

The primary way to protect against arc flash hazards is to work on de-energized equipment.

OSHA requires that live electrical parts be de-energized before the employee works on or near them. OSHA does allow exceptions when de-energizing would increase the risk or create additional hazards. In these cases, the employer is required to develop and enforce work practices to protect the qualified worker from electric shock and arc flashes. These practices include the development of a written electrical safety program, use of special insulated tools, and the use of appropriate PPE.

Note that only qualified persons may work on equipment that has not been de-energized.

Merely opening a switch or closing a valve does not satisfy the requirements for de-energizing a system. A system is not properly de-energized until all of the hazardous energy control requirements in OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.269(d) for generation installations or 29 CFR 1910.269(m) for transmission and distribution lines and equipment have been met and the system is properly grounded per 29 CFR 1910.269(n). Any system not meeting these requirements must be worked on as if it were energized.