12 Aug Electrical Work – JSA

Electrical Work Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

Job / Task

Installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, modification, and other work involving electrical equipment, systems, wiring, circuits, or components.

Purpose

This Job Safety Analysis (JSA), also known as a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), identifies hazards associated with electrical work and establishes controls to prevent electric shock, electrocution, arc flash, arc blast, burns, fires, falls, and other injuries.

Personnel Qualifications

Electrical work shall be performed only by employees who are qualified for the specific task. Employees shall understand the electrical hazards, equipment, work practices, energy-control requirements, and PPE applicable to the work.

Employees shall:

• Identify electrical hazards before beginning work.
• Use qualified persons for tasks requiring electrical knowledge or training.
• Follow established lockout/tagout and hazardous-energy-control procedures.
• Treat electrical equipment and circuits as energized until properly de-energized, locked/tagged, and verified.
• Use properly rated tools, test instruments, equipment, and PPE.
• Maintain required approach boundaries and restricted work areas.
• Stop work when an unsafe condition is identified.

Required PPE

PPE shall be selected based on the electrical hazard assessment and task and may include:

• Safety glasses with side protection.
• Arc-rated clothing and other arc-flash PPE when required by the electrical hazard assessment.
• Voltage-rated rubber insulating gloves with appropriate leather protectors when required.
• Insulated or voltage-rated tools when required.
• Safety footwear appropriate to the work.
• Hearing protection where an arc-flash or electrical task may create significant noise exposure.
• Head and face protection appropriate to the hazard.
• Additional PPE required by the task, equipment, or worksite.

PPE shall not be used as a substitute for de-energization, engineering controls, guarding, or safe work practices.

JSA – Job Steps, Hazards, and Controls

Step 1 – Plan the Electrical Work

Potential Hazards

• Electric shock or electrocution.
• Arc flash or arc blast.
• Unexpected energization.
• Contact with other energy sources.
• Inadequate qualifications or equipment.

Required Controls

• Review the task and identify electrical and other energy hazards before work begins.
• Determine whether the work can be safely performed de-energized.
• Identify the equipment, circuit, voltage, sources of supply, and potential alternate or backfeed sources.
• Select qualified personnel and appropriate tools, test equipment, PPE, and procedures.
• Review drawings, labels, available equipment information, and site requirements when applicable.
• Establish boundaries and control access to the work area.

Step 2 – Identify and Isolate Energy Sources

Potential Hazards

• Unexpected energization.
• Backfeed.
• Stored electrical energy.
• Multiple sources of supply.
• Shock and arc-flash exposure.

Required Controls

• Identify all sources that can energize the equipment.
• Open or disconnect the required energy-isolating devices.
• Apply the applicable lockout/tagout or hazardous-energy-control procedure.
• Control stored or residual energy, including capacitors and other sources.
• Prevent unauthorized operation of disconnecting means.
• Do not assume that opening one disconnect eliminates all sources of electrical energy.

Step 3 – Verify De-Energization

Potential Hazards

• False indication of zero energy.
• Improperly identified circuit.
• Shock or arc-flash exposure.

Required Controls

• A qualified person shall verify the circuit or equipment is de-energized before work begins when verification is required.
• Use a properly rated test instrument and inspect it before use.
• Verify the test instrument on a known energized source before testing, test the circuit or equipment, and verify the instrument again on a known energized source as appropriate.
• Test all phases and relevant conductors, including possible backfeed sources.
• Do not begin work until the required verification has been completed.

Step 4 – Inspect Electrical Equipment and Work Area

Potential Hazards

• Damaged equipment.
• Exposed conductors.
• Wet conditions.
• Poor access or lighting.
• Trip and fall hazards.
• Fire hazards.

Required Controls

• Inspect equipment, enclosures, cords, plugs, tools, test instruments, and protective devices before use.
• Remove damaged electrical equipment from service.
• Keep electrical equipment and connections protected from water and other damaging conditions.
• Provide adequate lighting and safe access.
• Keep the work area clean and free of unnecessary materials.
• Maintain required clearances from energized equipment and other hazards.

Step 5 – Establish the Electrical Work Area

Potential Hazards

• Unauthorized entry.
• Contact with energized parts.
• Arc-flash exposure.
• Struck-by or trip hazards.

Required Controls

• Use barriers, barricades, signs, or other controls appropriate to the hazard.
• Keep unqualified persons outside restricted work areas.
• Maintain applicable approach and flash-protection boundaries.
• Position tools, materials, and personnel so they do not create additional hazards.
• Keep exits and access routes clear.

Step 6 – Perform De-Energized Electrical Work

Potential Hazards

• Unexpected energization.
• Stored energy.
• Cuts and pinch points.
• Falls.
• Contact with adjacent energized parts.

Required Controls

• Maintain locks and tags in accordance with the applicable energy-control procedure.
• Verify equipment remains in a safe condition before and during work.
• Protect or guard nearby energized components that cannot be de-energized.
• Use appropriate insulated tools and PPE where residual electrical hazards remain.
• Maintain good housekeeping and stable footing.
• Do not bypass protective devices or interlocks unless an approved procedure specifically requires it.

Step 7 – Perform Energized Electrical Work Only When Necessary and Authorized

Potential Hazards

• Electric shock.
• Arc flash.
• Arc blast.
• Burns.
• Fire.
• Falls caused by electrical reaction.

Required Controls

• Avoid energized work whenever it is feasible to safely de-energize the equipment.
• Energized work shall be performed only by qualified persons using established procedures and required authorization.
• Conduct an electrical hazard and risk assessment before the task.
• Establish shock and arc-flash boundaries as applicable.
• Use appropriately rated PPE, insulated tools, test instruments, and protective equipment.
• Keep body parts and conductive objects outside prohibited or restricted areas as applicable.
• Use appropriate barriers and control access.
• Do not work energized when the task cannot be performed safely under the established controls.

Step 8 – Use Electrical Tools, Cords, and Test Equipment

Potential Hazards

• Electric shock.
• Short circuit.
• Arc flash.
• Damaged insulation.
• Incorrect test readings.

Required Controls

• Use tools and test instruments rated for the voltage and environment.
• Inspect cords, plugs, probes, leads, and housings before use.
• Remove damaged equipment from service.
• Keep cords and test leads away from sharp edges, heat, water, and traffic.
• Use appropriate ground-fault protection where required.
• Follow manufacturer instructions for test instruments and electrical tools.
• Do not use makeshift electrical connections or damaged extension cords.

Step 9 – Install, Repair, or Modify Electrical Components

Potential Hazards

• Shock
• Arc flash.
• Incorrect connections.
• Equipment failure.
• Fire
• Overheating

Required Controls

• Use components suitable for the electrical system and application.
• Follow approved drawings, specifications, manufacturer instructions, and applicable procedures.
• Make secure electrical connections and properly terminate conductors.
• Maintain required insulation, grounding, bonding, enclosure, and protective-device requirements.
• Do not leave exposed energized conductors or incomplete connections.
• Inspect completed work before energizing.

Step 10 – Work Near Overhead or Other Energized Lines

Potential Hazards

• Electrocution
• Arc flash.
• Equipment contact.
• Unexpected energization.

Required Controls

• Identify overhead and nearby energized lines before work begins.
• Maintain required clearance distances.
• Use a qualified person to determine safe approach distances when applicable.
• Use barriers, spotters, insulated equipment, or other controls when required.
• Do not position ladders, lifts, tools, materials, or equipment where they can contact or encroach on energized lines.

Step 11 – Re-Energize and Test Equipment

Potential Hazards

• Arc flash.
• Unexpected equipment movement.
• Electrical fault.
• Shock.
• Fire.

Required Controls

• Verify that the work is complete and all tools, jumpers, grounds, and temporary materials have been removed as appropriate.
• Confirm guards, covers, and enclosures are installed.
• Ensure personnel are clear of the hazard area.
• Remove locks and tags according to the applicable energy-control procedure.
• Energize equipment using established procedures and from a safe position when practicable.
• Test equipment for proper operation and immediately de-energize if an unsafe condition is identified.

Step 12 – Complete the Work and Restore the Area

Potential Hazards

• Remaining hazards.
• Exposed conductors.
• Unsecured equipment.
• Trip hazards.
• Unauthorized access.

Required Controls

• Install or restore covers, guards, labels, and protective devices.
• Remove temporary barriers only when the area is safe.
• Clean the work area and remove waste materials.
• Store tools and test equipment properly.
• Report deficiencies and complete required documentation.
• Notify affected personnel that the equipment has been returned to service.

Prohibited Practices

• Perform electrical work without required training, qualification, or authorization.
• Work on energized electrical parts when the equipment can be safely de-energized.
• Assume a circuit is de-energized without completing required verification.
• Remove, bypass, or defeat required guards, interlocks, grounding, or protective devices.
• Use damaged electrical tools, cords, plugs, test leads, or equipment.
• Use test instruments that are not properly rated for the circuit or environment.
• Enter an electrical hazard area without required authorization or PPE.
• Use makeshift electrical connections or repairs.
• Allow unqualified personnel to enter a controlled electrical work area.
• Work in wet conditions where electrical hazards cannot be adequately controlled.
• Leave exposed energized conductors or incomplete electrical work unattended.
• Ignore electrical warning labels, boundaries, procedures, or manufacturer’s instructions.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of electric shock, arc flash, electrical fire, equipment failure, or another electrical emergency:

1. Do not approach a person who may still be in contact with an energized source until the energy source has been safely isolated.
2. Stop the operation and isolate electrical energy when it is safe and authorized to do so.
3. Activate the site emergency response process and obtain emergency assistance when necessary.
4. Warn personnel and keep unauthorized persons away from the hazard.
5. Provide first aid or CPR/AED assistance within the limits of training once the electrical hazard has been controlled.
6. Use appropriate fire-extinguishing equipment only if trained and it is safe to do so.
7. Do not re-energize damaged equipment until it has been evaluated and determined safe.
8. Report the incident or near miss according to established procedures.

Training Requirements

Employees performing electrical work shall receive training appropriate to their assigned tasks, qualifications, and electrical hazards.

Training shall address:

• Recognition of electrical hazards.
• Qualified and unqualified person responsibilities.
• Electrical safe work practices.
• Lockout/tagout and hazardous-energy control.
• Verification of de-energization.
• Shock and arc-flash hazards.
• Approach boundaries and controlled work areas.
• Selection and use of electrical PPE and insulated tools.
• Safe use of electrical tools and test equipment.
• Emergency response, first aid, CPR, and incident reporting as applicable.

Additional training shall be provided when employees are assigned new electrical tasks or equipment, demonstrate unsafe practices, or when changes in the work create new hazards.

JSA Review

This JSA shall be reviewed with affected employees before work begins.

The JSA shall be revised or supplemented when:

• The electrical system, equipment, voltage, or work method changes.
• New hazards are identified.
• An incident or near miss occurs.
• Existing controls are ineffective.
• Employees identify additional hazards.
• Site conditions change in a manner that affects electrical safety.