Electrical | Distances for Access and Clearance

Electrical workers need to be able to move quickly away from a hazardous situation. They also need to be protected from grounded surfaces. That is why OSHA requires you to provide and maintain sufficient access and working space about electrical equipment for safe operation and maintenance of the equipment. There are two aspects to the OSHA requirements:

• Sufficient access.
• Space for working on live electrical equipment.

OSHA does not define what "sufficient access" means but they do say that you can't use the space for storage. Other than that, for equipment that is "buttoned up" and does not have exposed live components, there are no other requirements. You may want to mark the area on the floor that is required to be kept clear when employees are working on the equipment.

If equipment is normally closed but is open for inspection or servicing while energized, you must guard the area.

The OSHA regulations are very specific as to the space required for working on electrical equipment. Those requirements are in the electrical standard at §1910.303(g) for equipment 600 volts or less and .303(h) for equipment over 600 volts. Following is an overview of the working space requirements.

Equipment 600 volts or less

• The depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts is determined by the voltages involved and the relationship to other equipment and surfaces in the area. Table S-1 of §1910.303(g) determines the actual working space requirement. Distances are always measured from the live parts.
• The width of the working space must be the width of the equipment or 30 inches whichever is greater. The working space must allow at least a 90° opening of doors and hinged panels.
• The height of the working space must be clear and extend from the floor to six feet, six inches (Note: For installations built before August 13, 2007, the height must be 6 feet, 3 inches.)
• At least one door must be provided to give access to the working space about electrical equipment if it is located in a room. A second entrance is required for equipment rated 1200 amperes under certain conditions.

Equipment exceeding 600 volts must comply with all of the applicable requirements for 600 volt and less installations and with additional requirements. Here is an overview of those additional requirements:

Equipment over 600 volts

• The depth of the working space is determined by the voltages involved. The requirements in Table S-2 range from three to 12 feet minimum clear work space.
• The width of the space must not be less than three feet wide.
• The height of the working space must not be less than six feet, six inches.
• The workspace must be adequate to permit at least a 90° door opening.

Electrical Hazards | Facility Audit

Electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread occupational hazard; practically all members of the workforce are exposed to electrical energy during the performance of their daily duties, and electrocutions occur to workers in various job categories. Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.

Electrical injuries consist of four main types: electrocution (fatal), electric shock, burns, and falls caused as a result of contact with electrical energy.

Recognizing Electrical Hazards

The first step toward protecting workers is recognizing the many hazards they face on the job. To do this, you must know which situations can place workers in danger. Knowing where to look helps you to recognize hazards. Keep an eye out for:

❑	Inadequate wiring — An electrical hazard exists when the wire is too small a gauge for the current it will carry. When you use an extension cord, the size of the wire you are placing into the circuit may be too small for the equipment.
❑	Exposed electrical parts — Wires and parts can be exposed if a cover is removed from a wiring or breaker box. Some overhead wires coming into a building may be exposed. Electrical terminals in motors, appliances, and electronic equipment may be exposed. Older equipment may have exposed electrical parts.
❑	Overhead power lines — When dump trucks, cranes, work platforms, or other conductive materials (such as pipes and ladders) contact overhead wires, the equipment operator or other workers can be killed. If you do not maintain required clearance distances from powerlines, you can be shocked and killed.
❑	Wires with bad insulation — Usually, a plastic or rubber covering insulates wires.
❑	Electrical systems and tools that are not grounded or double-insulated — One of the most common OSHA electrical violations is improper grounding of equipment and circuitry. The metal parts of an electrical wiring system that we touch (switch plates, ceiling light fixtures, conduit, etc.) should be grounded and at 0 volts. If the system is not grounded properly, these parts may become energized. Metal parts of motors, appliances, or electronics that are plugged into improperly grounded circuits may be energized. When a circuit is not grounded properly, a hazard exists because unwanted voltage cannot be safely eliminated. If there is no safe path to ground for fault currents, exposed metal parts in damaged appliances can become energized.
❑	Overloaded circuits — A circuit with improper overcurrent protection devices — or one with no overcurrent protection devices at all — is a hazard.
❑	Damaged power tools and equipment.
❑	The wrong PPE.
❑	Using the wrong tool.
❑	Ladders that conduct electricity.
❑	Wet conditions — electrical hazards can be made worse if the worker, location, or equipment is wet.