Appendix A: Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP) Instructions

Introduction: The EEWP is a tool for documenting the electrical hazards and controls associated with a specific task, and providing authorization to perform the work. The best way to avoid these hazards is to work on the equipment while it is de-energized. If the equipment must be worked on energized, this permit is required, unless the task falls under the exceptions described below. The EEWP is required by NFPA 70E, Standard For Electrical Safety in the Workplace. See PUB 3000, Chapter 8, Section 8.7.

This permit applies to all LBNL employees, students, and subcontractors. Subcontractors will submit a Safety Plan / Checklist, Electrical Safety Workbook, or JHA that describes all electrical exposures anticipated within the scope of work. Any testing and troubleshooting by a subcontractor must be approved within the Safety Plan / Checklist or JHA. Any energized electrical exposures to a subcontractor outside of observation, or testing and troubleshooting may only be approved using this permit.


Line#
Description
Instruction
N/A Energized work defined Energized work is any activity within the Limited Approach Boundary (see L.A.B. table on permit).
N/A Limited approach boundary (L.A.B) defined The L.A.B. is the approach limit at a distance from an exposed uninsulated live part within which a shock hazard exists. It is important to understand that simply removing or opening the cover of an equipment enclosure can constitute energized work.
N/A Exposed Live Part (Defined) Capable of being inadvertently touched or approached nearer than a safe distance by a person. It is applied to parts that are not suitably guarded, isolated, or insulated.
N/A Exceptions Permit not required for exposures of less than 50-volts, exposures of less than 5 milliamps (meaning that the equipment is not capable of supplying 5 milliamps), for visual inspections, or for testing and troubleshooting. This does not mean that testing and troubleshooting activities are any less hazardous. Only trained and authorized employees may perform these activities using appropriate safe work methods and personal protective equipment (PPE). Specific testing and troubleshooting authorization is provided in an AHD. Any testing and troubleshooting that is outside the scope of the AHD, or is performed by subcontract personnel will require this energized work permit; Check box 11A or 11B.
N/A Visual Inspection If the purpose of crossing the Limited Approach Boundary is only for visual inspection and the Restricted Approach Boundary will not be crossed, then an energized electrical work permit is not required. If the Restricted Approach Boundary will be crossed, then an energized electrical work permit is required.
N/A Testing (defined) The use of instruments to measure electrical characteristics, such as voltage and current. Testing may also involve measurement of non-electrical characteristics, such as temperature. This also includes testing for the absence of voltage, such as when verifying zero energy while performing LOTO.

N/A		 Troubleshooting (defined) Actions taken by qualified and authorized personnel to isolate a malfunctioned component of a system. Includes observation of relay operation and similar activities. When the problem has been identified and corrective work has begun, the activity is no longer considered to be troubleshooting. All subsequent repair and corrective actions will be performed with the power source secured or under an EEWP.
11A Check if work is testing/ troubleshooting that is NOT covered in an AHD and skip to line 18 Specific testing and troubleshooting authorization is provided in the AHD, and does not require this permit. However, any testing and troubleshooting that is outside the scope of the AHD will require this energized work permit.

After checking this box, skip lines 12-17, and complete 18-31, as applicable. The only signatures required are lines 32-36.

12 JUSTIFICATION of why the circuit/equipment cannot be de-energized or the work deferred until the next scheduled outage The permit must show that either:
  1. Deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards (for example, interruption of life support equipment, deactivation of emergency alarm systems, and shutdown of hazardous location ventilation equipment).

    Or,


  1. Deenergizing is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations (for example, work on circuits that form an integral part of a continuous process that would otherwise need to be completely shut down in order to permit work on one circuit or piece of equipment).

Be specific in your description of the justification. Explain exactly what the increased hazards would be if the equipment were deenergized. Specify the characteristics of the equipment and /or process that would make it infeasible to deenergize. It is important to understand that inconvenience does not constitute infeasibility.
14 Equipment supervisor The Equipment Supervisor is the individual who has responsibility for the equipment or area affected by the circuit, and is requesting that the work be done energized.

The equipment supervisor provides the justification required in Line 12.

For work involving subcontractors, the Project manager is the equipment supervisor.
15 Deputy Division Director of Electrically qualified employees assigned to work For subcontractors, this line shall be signed by the project foreman or company owner.
18 Exposed voltage Describe the voltage levels of all exposed live parts
18a Locations Describe where the exposed voltages are present within the equipment
19, 20 APPROACH BOUNDARIES TO LIVE PARTS FOR SHOCK PROTECTION (from NFPA-70E)
SYSTEM
VOLTAGE:		 LIMITED
APPROACH
DISTANCE		 RESTRICTED
APPROACH
DISTANCE		 PROHIBITED
APPROACH
DISTANCE
[ ] less than 50 [ ] Not spec’d [ ] Not spec’d [ ] Not spec’d
[ ] 50 to 300 volts [ ] 3’ 6” [ ] avoid contact [ ] avoid contact
[ ] 301 to 750 [ ] 3’ 6” [ ] 1’ 0” [ ] 0’ 1”
[ ] 751 to 15 kV [ ] 5’ 0” [ ] 2’ 2” [ ] 0’ 7”
[ ] 15.1 kV to 36 kV [ ] 6’ 0” [ ] 2’ 7” [ ] 0’ 10”
21 Closest distance that worker will come to any exposed live parts

Include any part of worker, including gloved hands and any tools.
Part III Flash Hazard Analysis The Flash Hazard Analysis is obtained by consulting the information label on the panel being worked on, or the first labeled panel upstream of any unlabeled equipment, but not past the first transformer.

Alternatively, the Flash Hazard Analysis may be calculated by an engineer using the methods described in NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584.
31 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS, including any Hold Points Use this space to describe any details that are not covered in the rest of the permit form.

Hold points: Any time that an unexpected condition or change occurs in the job, stop the work and make sure that all of the hazards and controls described on the permit still apply.

Describe any expected hold points, such as a pause in the process when another person or additional materials are required.

36 Job Briefing All persons named on this permit must attend a pre-job briefing. The briefing shall be conducted by the lead person or a cognizant supervisor. Everyone involved in the work shall understand and agree with the permit. If there is not 100% agreement on how to safely perform the work, do not initial the briefing, and STOP the job until all issues are resolved.

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