Safe Work Procedure

Electrical Safety
RSS 18.11.3
Program/Services Safe Work Procedures Department:
Facilities, Trades Risk and Safety Services
Personal Protective Training Requirements Applicable Documents Effective Date:
Equipment or Devices • CSA Standard C22.2 No.
Used April 17, 2019
160-M1985 (Reaffirmed
1992), Voltage and
• Safety Glasses Polarity Testers Date Reviewed
• Work Boots • CSA Standard CAN/CSA-
• Work Gloves C22.2 No. 231 Series- Revision Date Revision # Authorized
• Hard Hats M89, CSA Safety Aug. 22, 2024 3 Safety Advisor
• Close fitting clothing Requirements for
Electrical and Electronic
or protective
Measuring and Test
clothing Equipment
• Work Safe BC Regulation
19 (9.1 to 19.43)
• CSA Z462-12-Workplace
electrical safety

ELECTRICAL HAZARD EXPLOSIVE

Make sure volatile

Do not attempt to service chemicals are stored and
electrical wires. handled correctly.
Proper grounding must be
used for all containers

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3

 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this procedure, the following definitions apply:

• “Approved” as applied to electrical equipment, means that the equipment meets the requirements of the Electrical Safety Regulations.
• "Conductor" means a wire, cable or other metal component installed for the purpose of conveying electric current from one piece of
equipment to another or to the ground.
• "Control system" means a manual, remote, automatic or partially automatic system for controlling the operation of equipment.
• "Damp location" means an exterior or interior location that is subject to condensation of moisture in, on or adjacent to portable electrical
equipment.
• "Electrical equipment" includes machinery, plant, works, wires, pipes, poles, conduits, apparatus, appliances and equipment, designed or
used, or intended for use, for or in connection with the generation, transmission, supply, distribution or use of electrical energy for any
purpose.
• "Electrical worker" means a person who meets the requirements of the Electrical Safety Regulation for installing, altering or maintaining
electrical equipment.
• "Electrofishing" means the capture or control of fish by the use of electrical equipment.
• "Exposed" as applied to electrical equipment or conductors, means that the conductor or a part of the equipment is
Electrically connected to a source of voltage difference or electrically charged to have a voltage different from that of earth, guarded or
insulated in an approved manner.
• In a location where a person or any tool, equipment or material the person is touching or using might come closer than a safe distance away
from the conductor or part.
• "Hardwired" means the electrical connection of components within a system by means of electrical conductors so that the only way the
system can be modified is by changing the connections.
• "High voltage" means a potential difference (voltage) of more than 750 volts between conductors or between a conductor and ground.
• "Isolated" means that normal sources of energy have been disconnected by opening and securing all associated switches and that
mechanical equipment has been rendered and secured non-operative by disconnecting, stopping, depressurizing, draining, venting or other
effective means.
• "Low voltage" means a potential difference (voltage) from 31 to 750 volts inclusive, between conductors or between a conductor and
ground.
• "Mimic display" means a symbolic representation of the configuration and status of all or part of a power system, complete with device
designations.
• "Power system" means all plant and equipment essential to the generation, transmission or distribution of electricity, including any plant or
equipment that is out of service, being constructed or being installed.
• "Safety protection guarantee" means an assurance that a power system or part of the power system is isolated and will remain isolated.
• "Safety watcher" means a qualified person whose sole task is to observe the activity when equipment, vegetation or material will be
moved relative to energized electrical equipment or conductors, and signal in a clear and predetermined manner to stop the movement
whenever contact with electrical equipment, conductors or guarding appears probable, or whenever conditions prevent the watcher from
having a clear view of the movement relative to the electrical equipment.
• "Service room" means a room or space in a building provided to accommodate building service equipment, and meeting the requirements
Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3
 of the BC Building Code or other applicable legislation.
• "Vault" means an isolated enclosure, either above or below ground, with fire-resisting walls, ceilings, and floors for the purpose of housing
transformers and other electrical equipment.
• "Wet location" means an exterior or interior location in which uncontrolled liquid may drip, splash or flow on or against portable electrical
equipment.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments are to ensure that:

• The Electrical Safety Guidelines are implemented which includes the appointment of testing personnel to perform the testing requirements.

Testers of Electrical Equipment are to ensure that:

• All plug-in type and fixed electrical equipment within the work area under their control are inspected, tested, tagged and recorded in
accordance with this policy and procedure.
• Any faulty electrical equipment is decommissioned and tagged appropriately from service until it satisfies the testing requirements.

Staff and Students are to ensure:

• Any electrical equipment that has been tagged with a Danger/Out of Service Tag must not be used and must be removed from service until an
appropriately licensed person has completed repairs.
• All privately owned electrical equipment of the plug-in type is presented for inspection, testing and tagging prior to use.

All users of electrical equipment should:

• Visually inspect all electrical equipment prior to use to check:

• There is no obvious external damage, particularly to plugs, sockets, cords or other connectors.
• The flexible supply cord is free of damage, anchored correctly and no inner core insulation is visible.
• Covers and guards are correctly secured.
• Ventilation inlets or exhaust are not obstructed.
• Ensure the appropriate department supervisor is notified of any faults and when equipment is out of service for maintenance or repair.
• Use the correct appliance for the specific task.
• Ensure that electrical appliances are dry and clean.
• Do not use double adaptors or “piggy-back” plugs (an appropriate power board may be used
where more than one appliance is required to be connected to a single GPO).
• Not withdraw a plug from a socket by pulling the cable.

Workplace Advisory Committees shall:

• Monitor and review the progress of the electrical safety program in their area(s) of responsibility.

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3

 MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

• The general principles of risk management (identification, assessment, control, and review)
will be applied to electrical hazards. These guidelines outline the controls specific to certain
hazards concerned with electrical safety.

Access to Electrical Switchboard

• Access to University switchboards and resetting of circuit breakers is restricted to Facilities staff and approved contractors only.
• Reports of tripped circuits and requests for resetting tripped circuits must be directed to Facilities.

TESTING OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Electrical testing equipment may be used if it meets the requirements of

o CSA Standard C22.2 No. 160-M1985 (Reaffirmed 1992), Voltage and Polarity Testers
o CSA Standard CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 231 Series-M89, CSA Safety Requirements for Electrical and Electronic Measuring and Test Equipment.

Electrical testing equipment not meeting a standard specified in subsection (1) may be used if it has:

• Fusing or circuitry designed to protect the operator in the event of a fault resulting from inadvertent misuse of the meter, or a fault on the
circuit being tested.
• Clearly and unambiguously marked measurement ranges.
• Lead wire insulation rated to the maximum voltage reading of the meter.
• Lead wires that are not cracked or broken, and having a current carrying capacity that meets or exceeds the maximum current measurement
of the meter.
• Minimum exposure of metal on lead wire probes.
• Appropriate safe work procedures must be established and followed for testing electrical equipment and circuits.

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT TO BE TESTED

Electrical equipment which requires testing and tagging

• Utilizing a risk management approach, not all electrical equipment is required to be tested. In some situations, electrical equipment does not
present a risk to the operator, due to:

o The permanent nature of their location

o The way the equipment is used
o The working environment in which the equipment is used

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 • A risk assessment is to be carried out by a ‘competent person’ in accordance with the risk management and consultation provisions of the
Regulation. The risk assessment will determine whether the electrical equipment requires testing and tagging as recommended in Table 1:
Examples of Equipment that do require Inspection and Testing and Table 2: TRU Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment Intervals
(Modified from AS3760).

Examples of equipment where electrical testing and tagging may not be required due to no cord flexion or connection activity include:

• Desktop computers and monitors

• Scanners
• Photocopiers
• Lamps
• Radios
• Fridges
• Freezers

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 Table 1: Examples of Electrical Equipment That Requires Inspection and Testing

Category of equipment Examples of Electrical Equipment

Handheld electrical equipment • Hand-held power tools

• Hairdryers
• Kitchen appliances
• Laboratory equipment

Portable electrical equipment moved while in operation • Floor polishers

• Vacuum cleaners
• Portable lighting equipment

Electrical equipment that is moved between operations in such a • Portable electronic whiteboards
manner that could damage the flexible supply lead • Overhead projectors
• Laptop computers
• Electrical plant used in factory
type environments
• Welding machines
• Extension cords
• Power boards
Electrical equipment that is used in a hostile working environment • Electrical equipment used in
where damage to the equipment or the electricity supply to that wet or dusty areas
equipment could occur such as in wet or dusty conditions. • Electrical equipment used
outdoors
• In kitchens
• Laboratories (chemical
damages)
• Certain factory-type
environments

Where the equipment is new the supplier shall be deemed responsible for the initial electrical safety of the new equipment. New equipment
should be tagged to determine the initial test date and noted in the department's asset register. If however, new equipment is identified
as a potential hazard, electrical testing should occur to ensure the article is safe.

Electrical inspection and testing of personal equipment are required to be tested as per Table 2. Use of personal equipment at the
University is to be approved by the applicable Head of Department. Cost for the inspection and testing of approved personal equipment
is the responsibility of the Department.

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3

 Personal equipment which is not approved by the Head of Department is prohibited from use at the University.

Table 2 – TRU Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment Intervals (Modified from AS3760)

Risk Factors

High level Low Level of Wet or No cord flexion, no

of cord cord flexion corrosive area frequency of connection,
Type of environment and or flexion AND/OR or uses water fixed or stationary
equipment AND/OR frequency of or a corrosive equipment
frequency connection substance in its
of operation
connection

1. Workshops, places of work

or repair, manufacturing, 6 months 12 months 6 months Not Required
assembly, maintenance or
fabrication

2. Laboratories, health care & 12 months 2 years 12 months Not Required

educational establishments

3. Office environment 12 months 5 years 12 months Not Required

4. Hire equipment Visually inspect before each hire. Test every 3 months.

5. Repaired/serviced/second- After repair or service which could affect electrical health and safety, or on re-
hand equipment introduction to service

6. Equipment used for 6 months 12 months 6 months Not Required

commercial cleaning

7. Accommodation houses 12 months 2 years 12 months Not Required

8. Theatre environment
6 months 5 years 12 months Not Required

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3

 TESTING INTERVALS FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Intervals for testing and inspection of electrical appliances, as applicable in 8.1, shall not exceed those specified in Table 2. This table has
been derived from AS3760, however, it incorporates a risk management approach. Factors considered in determining appropriate inspection
and test intervals include mobility of equipment, flexion of cord and the environment the equipment is used to evaluate risk to health and
safety.

The intervals in Table 2 are the minimum requirements for testing at the University. Additional tests may be undertaken to determine the
safety of electrical equipment if it is felt necessary. This is at the discretion of the relevant supervisor in consultation with staff members.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING PERSONNEL

Work Safe BC Regulations states the inspection and testing of electrical equipment should be carried out by a competent person. For this
reason, electrical testing will only be carried out by a qualified electrical or electronic tradesperson or any person trained to use a portable
appliance tester (PAT).

Training in portable appliance testers is available through the University’s Career Development Unit.

INSPECTION AND TEST PROCEDURES

Inspection and testing of electrical appliances are to be in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.231 Series-M89.

COMPLIANT ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Electrical equipment which is compliant with the inspection and testing procedure is to be fitted with an appropriate tag. The tag must include
the asset identification number, the identity of the person carrying out the testing, the date tested and the date due for a retest.

NON-COMPLIANT ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

Electrical appliances which are non-compliant with the inspection and testing procedure are to be fitted with a danger tag warning persons of
a potential hazard.

The item is to be withdrawn from service and quarantined to ensure that it cannot be used. Removal of the plug may be applicable to ensure
that equipment cannot be used. This should only be completed when the equipment is unplugged from the power point and is safe to do so.

Repair of equipment shall only be completed by authorized repair agents or suitably qualified electrical personnel. Personal equipment is to be
repaired at the owner’s expense.

The equipment must be re-tested for compliance and then tagged accordingly prior to re-introduction to service.

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3

 RECORD KEEPING

Records of inspection and testing of electrical equipment are required as detailed in the OH&S Regulation 2001. The University recommends
the use of PAT testing equipment compatible with PatGuard Plus (electric testing records database) to aid in the maintenance of testing records.

Records of maintenance should be kept throughout the working life of the equipment. Copies are to be retained by the department.

Records are to include at a minimum:

• The date of inspection and test

• Clear identification of the equipment tested
• The results of the test (whether the equipment passed or failed)
• The identification of the person carrying out the testing and
• The date retest is due

Form 1 – Record of Maintenance

Form 2 – Register of Failed Equipment, is an example of how records should be maintained

REPORTING OF ELECTRICAL INCIDENTS

All electrical incidents are required to be reported to TRU Safety & Emergency Management Department (S&EM) Hence, any injury or incident
involving electricity on the university campus must be reported to the S&EM immediately or as soon as possible after the event. This can be
achieved by contacting S&EM during normal business hours or if after hours, telephoning Security. As soon as practicable, a Hazard and
Incident Report Form is to be completed and forwarded to the S&EM Department.

On receipt of a report, the Safety department will investigate immediately to ensure all corrective actions have been taken to prevent further
injury.

It is also important that any person, who has suffered an electric shock, seeks medical treatment as soon as possible after the event, as
effects from electricity may have a delayed effect.

Whenever an electrical incident has occurred, Facilities electrical personnel are to be contacted to inspect the electrical outlet and appliance.
Any equipment which causes an electric shock or is faulty is to be inspected and tested prior to re-use.

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3

 RECORDS/VERIFICATION OF UNDERSTANDING
• Records
• All training records will be held with the workers Supervisor.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Revision # Date Change (include section #) Issued By

09/15/2014 NEW OHS Officer

1

2 04/17/2019 Review and revisions – New format Safety Officer

08/22/2024 RSS update Safety Advisor

3

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 Form 1 – Record of Maintenance

Date of Inspection: Location:

Tested By:

Building Compliant/
Equipment P. Tag Visual Machine
& Room Non-
Description E Applied Inspection Test
No. Compliant

Next Inspection Due By: Signature of Inspector:

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3

 Form 2 – Register of Failed Equipment in Building

Action Re-test

Danger Repair Disposal

Room Equipment
P.E Tag Comments Compliant/
Number Description
Applied
Non-
Compliant

Date of Inspection: Signature of Inspector

Electrical Safety RSS 18.11.3