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 and indirectly with the use of conductive wearing apparel, conductive materials or equipment,
conductive tools, or some other conductive object. These work practices should include
considerations such as employee alertness, illumination of the work space, wearing of conductive
apparel, likelihood of contact with conductive materials and equipment, use of insulated tools,
use of protective shields, use of proper portable ladders, work in confined spaces (such as
manholes and vaults), work on overhead lines, and performance of housekeeping or janitorial
duties.
6.4.1.3 Work on Electric Circuit Parts or Equipment (Has Not Been Deenergized and
Locked or Tagged Out). Personnel should not be permitted to work on electric circuit parts or
equipment that has not been deenergized, locked out and tagged out, unless they are qualified and
trained to use safe work practices on such circuit parts or equipment. Safety related work
practices should be used to prevent electric shock or other electrically induced injuries when
personnel work on electric conductors or equipment that has not been deenergized. Only
qualified personnel, who have been trained to work safely on energized circuits, should be
permitted to work on conductors or circuit parts that have not been deenergized and locked out or
tagged out in accordance with the procedures in subparagraph 6.4.1.1. The personnel, when
appropriate, must also be trained to use proper protective equipment (i.e., insulating shielding
materials and insulated tools). Only qualified personnel trained to work safely with test
instruments and equipment on energized circuits should be permitted to perform test work on
electric circuits or equipment where there is danger of injury due to accidental contact with
energized parts or improper use of the test instruments and equipment.
6.4.1.3.1 Qualified personnel are those individuals that the Utilities Superintendent and
Electrical Foreman judge to have sufficient experience for an assigned task.
6.4.2 Environmental Regulations. The major environmental regulations in force in the
U.S.A. are those enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The materials used in
electrical materials and equipment are very similar to those used in various other industries and
in commercial products. The exception to this is Askarel, which is a polychlorinated biphenyl
(PCB) that is strictly regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Askarel is a
generic term (also a trademark of the Monsanto Co.) for a group of synthetic, fire resistant,
chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons used as electrical insulating liquids. Askarels are now
prohibited for use in new electrical equipment, however, their use continues in existing
equipment. Askarels were most often used as the insulating liquid in capacitors, as well as in
indoor liquid-immersed transformers. The TSCA classifies capacitors and transformers into
three categories and regulates them accordingly: (1) Non-PCB equipment, containing less than
50 parts per million (ppm) PCB, is not regulated by the TSCA; (2) PCB contaminated
equipment, containing from 50 to 500 ppm PCB, is regulated by the TSCA; and (3) PCB
equipment, containing 500 ppm or more PCB, is regulated by the TSCA. The TSCA has
prohibited the use of askarels in existing electrical equipment in a few industries, such as in the
food processing and handling industry and in the livestock feed industry. Disposal of askarels is
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