FOX Corporation requires the safe use of electrical equipment in all its work activities, in accordance with the requirements in this Procedure.
1.0 SCOPE
FOX Corporation (FOX) is committed to the safe use of all portable electrical equipment. This Procedure addresses requirements for use of these devices.
2.0 Definitions
Dead Front:
without live parts exposed to the person on the operating side of the equipment.
Ground:
a conducting connection between an electrical circuit and the earth or some other body, which serves in place of the earth. Equipment is said to be
“grounded” when it is permanently connected to the earth (or other body) by a connection of sufficiently low impedance that any ground fault current that
might occur, cannot build up to dangerous voltages.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI):
a device for the protection of personnel that functions to deenergize all or part of a circuit, within an established (very short) timeframe, when a
current to ground exceeds some predetermined value that is less than that required to operate any overcurrent protection device (breaker) on the supply
circuit.
Overcurrent:
any current in excess of the rated current of the equipment or the conductor. These might result from overload, short circuit, or ground fault.
3.0 Responsibilities
In addition to required Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Program responsibilities discussed in EHS001, EHS Policy, the responsibilities
described below are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the procedure.
3.1 Department Heads
Affected Department Heads will ensure that their personnel are aware of these requirements.
3.2 Employees
All FOX employees will observe the requirements specified in this Procedure for the use of portable electrical equipment.
3.3 Environmental, Health and Safety Department
The EHS Department will:
- Develop appropriate standards for the use of portable electrical equipment in all FOX activities
- Review and update this Procedure annually, or as necessary, to comply with regulatory changes.
4.0 Procedure
These requirements pertain to the use of portable electrical equipment in all work settings.
4.1 General Requirements
Equipment will not be used contrary to the directions of the manufacturer or the requirements of this Procedure.
1. Electrical equipment must be free from recognized hazards.
- Unless approved for the purpose, no electric conductors or equipment may be:
- Located in damp or wet locations
· Exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that could have deteriorating effects
- Exposed to elevated temperatures.
- All electrical equipment must be marked with the manufacturer’s name or other identifying description. Other markings must provide voltage, current,
wattage, or other applicable ratings.
4.2 Cord
and Plug Equipment
4.2.1 Type of Equipment
Cord and plug sets containing exposed metal parts must not be used. Non-metallic cord and plug sets with ground connections must be used, unless the
equipment is double-insulated and grounding is not required.
Double-insulated equipment must be distinctively identified. Common examples of this equipment include:
· Portable, hand-held, motor-operated tools (e.g., drills, sanders and saws)
· Portable electric equipment used in damp or wet locations
- Portable equipment used in hazardous locations
- Portable hand lamps.
4.2.2 Grounding Methods
Cord and plug equipment must be grounded by one of the following methods.
- By means of the metal enclosure of the conductors supplying such equipment if:
· A grounding-type attachment plug, with one fixed grounding contact, is used for grounding the metal enclosure, and
· The metal enclosure of the conductors is secured to the attachment plug and to the equipment by connectors approved for the purpose.
- By means of a grounding conductor run with the power supply conductors in a cable assembly or flexible cord, properly terminated in a ground-type
attachment plug with one fixed ground contact. - By means of a separate flexible wire or strap, insulated or bare, protected, as well as practicable, against physical damage.
4.2.3 Multi-Outlet Power Cords
Multi-outlet power cords (power strips) may be used only under the following conditions:
- The total current (start-up amps) of all equipment connected to the power strip must not exceed the rated capacity of the power strip or of the circuit
into which the power strip is connected. - Power strips may not be used in series (pig-tailed).
- Only one power strip may be connected to a single outlet receptacle.
- The outlet must be protected with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
- The receptacle “box” must be designed for its intended use.
4.3 Flexible Cords
and Cables
- Flexible cords and cables (extension cords) must be of the three (3)-wire type, with dead front plugs and receptacles.
- A fixed ground connection must be present.
· Cords used with temporary or portable lights must be designed for hard- or extra-hard usage (types S, ST, or SO).
- Flexible cords and cables may not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.
- Permitted uses for flexible cords include:
- Connection of portable lamps or appliances
· Connection of stationary equipment to facilitate their frequent interchange
· Connection of fixed or stationary appliances of which the fastening means and mechanical connections are designed to permit removal for maintenance or
repair.
- Flexible cords and cables may not pass through windows, doorways, or openings in walls, ceilings, or floors unless they are protected from damage and
do not present any other hazards (i.e., tripping hazards).
5. Flexible cords and cables must be protected from accidental damage.
- Flexible cords and cables, where their use is permitted, must be attached so that strain or pull is not transmitted to joints or terminal screws.
- Cords and cables must be elevated or otherwise organized so that they do not present tripping hazards.
- Worn, frayed, or damaged electrical cords must not be used.
- Cords may not be attached to building surfaces, hung from nails, or suspended by wire.
Only non-conductive attachments may be used.
- Cords must never be attached to perimeter cables.
- Receptacles, cord connectors, and plugs must not be attached to a piece of equipment or a device of different voltage or current rating than that for
which the equipment/device is designed. - Non-grounding receptacles must not be used for grounding-type attachment plugs.
- Only qualified personnel must make splices and repairs.
- All splices or repairs must be made so that the insulation on the repaired section is equivalent to the original insulation rating of the device.
- Documentation of these repairs and required testing must be maintained.
4.4 Grounding
- The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures must be permanent and continuous.
2. Electrical safety for each Department must be assured by either an assured grounding conductor program or global use of GFCIs.
a. For GFCIs – ALL one hundred twenty (120)-volt, single-phase, fifteen (15)- and twenty (20)-amp receptacles that are not part of
permanent wiring must be protected by GFCIs.
b. For an Assured Grounding Program – Each Department is responsible for developing its own Assured Grounding Program, as desired.
c. The Program must be in writing, and must address extension cords use, receptacles, and cord- and plug-connected equipment.
d. The Program must include the following elements:
- A written description of the program
· The name of at least one competent person within the Department to implement the program
· Requirements for daily visual inspections for defects of extension cords, and cord- and plug-connected equipment.
· Equipment found damaged or defective must be removed from use, and not used until repaired.
· Requirements for continuity testing, every three (3) months, of the equipment grounding conductors or receptacles, extension cords, and cord- and
plug-connected equipment
· Procedures for compliance with the regulatory requirements for grounding of systems, circuits, and equipment.
- If the equipment grounding conductor program option is chosen, the Department’s designated competent person must maintain inspection records.
5.0 REFERENCES
EHS 001, EHS Policy
6.0 ATTACHMENTS
None.