Perfection is rare, and quite difficult when humans are involved. Think of a pitcher’s “perfect” game – not one person, in 9 innings of play reaches first base. No hits, no walks. BUT I know there has never been a recorded game where a pitcher did not at least throw a few balls, rather than 81 straight strikes – which would truly be perfect.
Achieving a “perfect” electrical safety environment involves 3 main components:
- Components installed per NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
- Electrical equipment maintained per NFPA 70B, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
- Employees protected and working per NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
Johnny, our electrical maintenance worker, is going to operate an electrical disconnect in a motor control center. “Normal Operation” (NFPA 70E, article 110.2(B)) requires 7 conditions to be satisfied. #1, Johnny needs to make sure that equipment has been “properly installed” per local codes and standards (NFPA 70). #2, he needs to confirm equipment has been “properly maintained” (NFPA 70B, or manufacturer). Already by the 2nd requirement, we have hit the 3 standards I mentioned above.
Best practice for this task would have Johnny “dress to the label” in arc rated PPE, according to the incident energy listed. Labels are mentioned in all 3 of the above standards. Any good engineer will tell you labels are only accurate if a) the equipment is new or b) the equipment has been perfectly maintained (per manufacturer, or NFPA 70B). That takes time and money, which gives some companies a large enough headache to just “skip it.” Large industrial facilities are a MONSTER to maintain properly. A quote I heard years ago sums it up nicely: “Would you rather pay for a planned outage, or an unplanned outage?”
Imagine skipping the PPE because “the door is closed”, skipping the maintenance and just “fix it when it fails” and this leads to Johnny, without PPE, operating a disconnect on gear that fails catastrophically, resulting in severe injuries and an instant “stop” to production. A company would look at multiple fines and potential lawsuits exceeding $7-figure settlements, not taking into consideration production loss.
Getting to perfection might actually be impossible, but if you follow the standards above, and get help from a multifaceted contractor, you can at least move in that direction.
Written by: Brent Mollenhauer, CSP, CESCP | ESCO Power & Safety