SD.I.10065.pdf

United States Section International Boundary and Water Commission

Directives Management System

Volume I : Mission Support Part 1000 : Protective Services Chapter 1006 : Occupational Safety and Health Directive 10065 : Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing Directive Citation : SD.I.10065 Proponent : Safety and Security Division Effective Date : 1 March 2015

1. Introduction: There are many different types of flame resistant (FR) clothing and they can be required for various job activities such as performing electrical line work or low voltage cabinets work in a USIBWC facility. Where there is a potential for arc flash, proper flame resistant (FR) clothing must be worn. Potential sources of ignition include; Open flames, electric arc flashes, sparks, and radiant heat. The types of flames-resistant clothing to be used varies greatly and should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

It shall be noted that the wearing of FR clothing will not ensure a worker will not be injured by arc flash burns. Following this SOP, National and State Codes, and wearing Personal Protective Equipment will significantly reduce the possibility and/or severity of arc flash burns.

2. Purpose: All electrical work and/or maintenance must be done using the proper Lock-out/Tag-out (LOTO) procedures as established under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 and USIBWC Directive Appendix O, SD.I.10061-M-1. Working on energized conductors and/or electrical equipment should be only performed when one of the following conditions applies:

A. It is impractical to de-energize the equipment due to design or operational limitations.

B. De-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards.

C. It is deemed safe to do so using proper techniques that will ensure the personal safety of those involved.

3. Scope: This program shall apply to all Power Plant USIBWC employees that may be exposed to an arc flash or other means of radiant heat. This written plan was developed to supplement the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard (29 CFR 1910.132), the

National Electric Safety Code (NESC410), Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE 1584), and NFPA 70E. This program is to provide guidance for facilities affected by this subject and serve as a resource for employee training.

4. Determination of Hazard: USIBWC has not conducted a survey to calculate arc flash hazards for the power plant facilities. USIBWC has assessed the dangers of electrical hazards and has determined that FR clothing will be part of the power plants PPE. All employees must comply with this FR clothing policy to protect themselves.

Job functions that require Flame Resistant (FR) clothing and arc flash suits: (including but not limited to)

A. Switching

B. Transformer installation/maintenance

C. Substation maintenance

D. Primary/secondary maintenance and construction

E. Operating fused breakers

F. Opening/exposing of low voltage electrical cabinets

5. Responsibilities:

A. Employer: The employer has a duty to:

(1) Adopt and implement policies and procedures to protect employee health and safety through compliance with applicable OSHA safety and health standards.

(2) Assess work area hazards.

(3) Select suitable PPE.

(4) Furnish employees PPE in accordance with established policies and procedures.

(5) Require employees to use PPE where hazards exist.

(6) Inspect work place for the proper use, maintenance, storage and disposal of

PPE.

(7) Maintain records to document regulatory compliance.

B. Employee: The employee has a duty to:

(1) Inspect, use, maintain and store PPE in accordance with established practices, training received and applicable safety and health standards.

(2) Use PPE where required.

(3) Inspect PPE before each use.

(4) Clean and properly store PPE.

(5) Not use damaged, defective or soiled PPE.

(6) Place damaged or defective FR clothing in the appropriate receptacle.

(7) Perform and document a monthly inspection of all arc flash clothing.

(8) Notify the line supervisor anytime arc flash apparel needs to be replaced.

6. Selecting FR clothing: Employees covered by 29 CFR 1910.269 (OSHA Electrical Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Standard), shall not wear clothing that will contribute to the severity of a skin burn if ignition occurs. For example, acetate, nylon, polyester, or polypropylene fabrics are unacceptable according to NESC 410 (A) (3) and OSHA 1910.269(l)(4)(iii). Employees covered by 29 CFR 1910.331-335 shall be provided with FR clothing based on the probability of being exposed to an arc flash.

Areas and operations shall be identified where an arc flash could occur with sufficient energy to ignite clothing. Where suitable distance can’t be maintained, FR clothing shall be provided. When exposure is infrequent, separate protective clothing shall be used. Where the exposure is routine, or frequent, the employee’s regular work clothing shall be FR.

7. Protection Boundaries:

A. Flash protection boundary: All personnel that are not wearing arc flash/FR clothing must be at a minimum of 15 feet from work where there is a potential for an arc to occur. All clothing must meet the hazard risk category while the employee is working within the flash protective boundary. For USIBWC purpose ALL power plant employees shall wear FR clothing.

B. Limited Approach Boundary: The distance from an exposed live part within which a shock hazard exists. A person crossing the limited approach boundary and entering the limited region must be qualified to perform the job or task. The limited approach boundary determines the area that can be entered by qualified persons escorted by a qualified person.

C. Limited Approach Boundary: The distance from an exposed live part within which a shock hazard exists. A person crossing the limited approach boundary and entering the limited region must be qualified to perform the job or task.

D. Restricted Approach Boundary: The distance from an exposed live part within which there is an increased risk of shock for personnel working in close proximity to the live part. Any person crossing the restricted approach boundary and entering the restricted space must have a documented work plan approved by authorized management and must use PPE that is appropriate for work being performed and rated for the voltage and energy level involved.

E. Prohibited Approach Boundary: The distance from an exposed live part within which work is considered the same as making contact with the live part. The person entering the prohibited space must have specified training to work on energized conductors or live parts. Any tools used in the prohibited space must be rated for direct contact at the voltage and energy level involved.

8. Training: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) require training for employees who use PPE. Since FR clothing may be considered PPE, the PPE training shall cover FR clothing. Attendance and general understanding of FR clothing shall be documented during the training program. This documentation shall be kept as part of the employee’s safety training history.

9. Power Plant FR Clothing Uniformity: In order to present a uniformity presence at USIBWC power plants the following FR clothing style, color, are to be the standard:

A. Khaki Color Shirt

B. Long Sleeve Shirt

C. Blue Denim Jeans

10. Care and Maintenance of FR Clothing:

All FR and Arc Flash clothing shall be maintained within the manufactures guidelines.

Arc Flash suites, coats, bibs, coveralls, aprons will be responsibility of USIBWC maintenance.

It will be the Employee’s responsibility to maintain personal issued FR clothing (Shirts and Pants) in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Employees must read and understand the guidelines issued for each attire. Employees need to understand that if the guidelines are not followed, the attire may not provide protection against electrical hazards.

11. List of Flame Resistant (FR) clothing (Including but not limited to):

A. Long sleeve shirts

B. Pants

C. Sleeves

D. Faces and Head Protection (face shield and hardhat)

E. Coveralls

F. Arc Flash suites

G. Coats

H. Bibs

I. Gloves – leather gloves

12. Accountability: IBWC Form 022 will be used to account for all FR clothing issued to personnel.

13. Supersession: This is a new Directive

Approved:

///ORIGINAL SIGNED/// 03/02/2015

Edward Drusina, P.E. Date Commissioner