Basic Electrical
(For Non-Electricians)
Revised: 04/12/2010
BASIC ELECTRICAL
Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard University
Revised April 12, 2010
Harvard University
Department of Environmental Health & Safety
46 Blackstone Street
Cambridge MA, 02139
Phone: (617) 495-2060 / FAX: (617) 496-5509
BASIC ELECTRICAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION ............................................................................................................ 1
3.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.................................................................................................... 1
3.1 General Responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 1
3.2 Standard Specific Responsibilities ................................................................................................. 2
4.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................ 2
4.1 Personal Protective Equipment ...................................................................................................... 2
4.2 Operating Requirements ................................................................................................................ 2
4.2.1 Electrical Panels ...................................................................................................................... 2
4.2.2 Plates, Covers & Receptacles ................................................................................................. 3
4.2.3 Access And Storage In Electrical Rooms And Closets ........................................................... 3
4.2.4 Trouble Shooting Electrically Energized Systems................................................................... 3
4.2.5 Investigating Branch Circuit Breaker Trips .............................................................................. 3
4.2.6 The Use Of Portable Electric Power Tools.............................................................................. 4
4.2.7 The Use Of Power Strips And Extension Cords...................................................................... 4
4.3 Maintenance Requirements............................................................................................................ 5
5.0 INSPECTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 5
5.1 Operational Inspections .................................................................................................................. 5
5.2 Physical Inspections ....................................................................................................................... 5
6.0 STANDARD DOCUMENTATION ...................................................................................................... 5
7.0 TRAINING .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Occupational Safety Standards Basic Electrical (For Non-Electricians)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Harvard Universitys Environmental Health and Safety Department has developed the
Basic Electrical Safety Standard to define the safety and training requirements for
Harvard Employees who work with or near electrically energized equipment.
The National Fire Protection Associations publication 70E is the Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace.
2.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
This Standard is specifically FOR Authorized and Unauthorized Employees and NOT
FOR electricians or high voltage workers.
Unauthorized Employee
An untrained employee who does not work with or around electrically
energized equipment
Authorized Employee
An employee trained in basic electrical safety who works with or around
electrically energized equipment on a regular basis; authorized employees
have a strong technical background (i.e., plumbers, HVAC mechanics,
Facilities Managers)
The standards in this document should be applied using a collaborative effort between
Environmental Health & Safety and Facilities Management to ensure employees are
aware of and are following safe work practices. Compliance will be accomplished
through training and inspections.
3.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific roles and responsibilities appear below.
3.1 GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Environmental Health and Safety
Update Basic Electrical Standard annually
Provide basic electrical safety training (Tools & Machinery)
Conduct audits and inspections
Facilities Management
Ensure facilities are compliant with the standards defined in this
document
Occupational Safety Standards Basic Electrical (For Non-Electricians) 1 of 5
Attend basic electrical safety training
Ensure employees attend basic electrical safety training
Only assign tasks that involve basic electrical safety to trained employees
3.2 STANDARD SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Unauthorized Employee
Unauthorized employees are prohibited from entering electrical
rooms/closets, working on electrically energized equipment and accessing
electrical panels
Do not need to attend basic electrical safety training
Authorized Employee
Attend Basic Electrical Safety Training
Work within the guidelines set forth in this Standard
4.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
4.1 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Authorized employees are not permitted to wear synthetic fabric clothing,
which has a propensity to melt when exposed to heat. At a minimum, natural
fabric clothing/uniforms are to be worn by maintenance personnel at the
University.
In order to perform certain tasks PPE may be required by an accompanying
Safety Standard, i.e. using a grinding wheel will require safety glasses, cut
resistant gloves etc.
4.2 OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
Below are Specific Requirements applicable to Authorized Employees.
4.2.1 ELECTRICAL PANELS
Electrical panels must be kept free of obstructions
3 ft of clearance for panels <150 V
4 ft of clearance for panels 150V-600V
Electrical panel doors must be able to open at a minimum of 90
Circuit breaker panel doors must be kept closed when not being worked on
Circuit breaker blanks need to be installed in open panel slots
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New breakers and blanks are only to be installed by licensed electricians;
authorized employees are only permitted to open and close circuit breakers
4.2.2 PLATES, COVERS & RECEPTACLES
All exposed wiring and electrically energized components must be properly
guarded unless:
The exposed wiring/components are greater than 8 ft above
ground
The room has controlled access that is only accessible to
licensed electricians (Locked Doors)
Knockouts that are not properly connected to conduit need to be covered or
the receptacle needs to be replaced
2 prong outlets are prohibited; all receptacle outlets must have 3 prongs
GFCI receptacles must be installed when a water hazard is present
4.2.3 ACCESS AND STORAGE IN ELECTRICAL ROOMS AND CLOSETS
Storage of materials is prohibited in rooms designated for electrical
equipment
High voltage rooms (>600V) are only to be accessed by licensed electricians
Authorized Employees are permitted to enter high voltage electrical
rooms under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician.
High voltage rooms must be locked at all times
High voltage rooms must have permanent signs at the entrances with the
words DangerHigh VoltageKeep Out
4.2.4 TROUBLE SHOOTING ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZED SYSTEMS
Authorized Employees are allowed to de-energize a system/equipment by
adhering to Harvard Universitys Lockout-Tagout Standard
After de-energizing the equipment, Authorized Employees may work on
issues that pertain to their skill set (i.e. a plumber working on a pump)
During the trouble shooting process if it is determined that a problem is
related to an electrical power supply problem, a Licensed Electrician must be
contacted to perform the work
Authorized employees are permitted to work on system controls of 50v or less
4.2.5 INVESTIGATING BRANCH CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPS
Note: Tripped multi-ganged circuit breakers must be investigated by an electrician.
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A branch circuit is a single pole breaker, 20A or below
Check the breaker panel
Determine if any of the breakers have been tripped
Verify with all maintenance, building personnel and contractors in the facility
that no one accessed the panel
Determine what caused the breaker to trip, unplug equipment from any
overloaded circuits
Reset the circuit breaker after determining that it is safe to do so
If the breaker trips again contact a licensed electrician to investigate the cause
4.2.6 THE USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRIC POWER TOOLS
Electric power tools are required to be plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (either at the extension cord, outlet, or at the circuit breaker
panel) whether they are used outside or inside
Extension cords used with portable power tools need to be outdoor rated
extension cords with an intact ground pin
Ensure that the extension cord is rated for the tool that you are using; most
power tools require a heavy duty extension cord
4.2.7 THE USE OF POWER STRIPS AND EXTENSION CORDS
Power strips are to be used within the manufacturers guidelines
Power strips can be mounted provided clips are integrated into
the device for hanging
Power Strips should not be used for equipment drawing a heavy
load, i.e. space heaters, microwaves
Power strips must be UL tested and approved
Only power strips with internal circuit breakers are permitted to
be used at the University
Extension cords are NEVER to be used as a permanent means to supply
power to a piece of equipment or system; only licensed electricians are
allowed to install hard wiring to equipment
Extension cords and power strips are never connected to other extension
cords and power strips
Always inspect an extension cord or power strip before using it
Discard damaged extension cords immediately; damaged outer insulation can
be repaired with electrical tape; damage to internal wires cannot be repaired
and the cord must be removed from service
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4.3 MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Basic Electrical Safety Standard does not define any maintenance requirements.
5.0 INSPECTIONS
Inspections will be conducted on a regular basis by Environmental Health & Safety,
Facilities Management/Supervisors/Managers.
5.1 OPERATIONAL INSPECTIONS
Operational inspections are conducted when a job or task is being performed
to observe compliance with safe working procedures
5.2 PHYSICAL INSPECTIONS
Physical inspections are conducted and documented using DBO2 software by
supervisors, managers and Environmental Health and Safety Officers.
6.0 STANDARD DOCUMENTATION
There are no specific documentation requirements in the Basic Electrical Safety
Standard.
7.0 TRAINING
Basic Electrical Safety is a component of Tools and Machinery training.
Tools and Machinery Training
Subjects Covered
Basic Electrical
Lockout-Tagout Control of Hazardous Energy
Hand and Portable Power Tools
Machine Guarding
Compressed Gas and Compressed Air
Duration
2 Hours
Refresher Requirements
2-Years
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