Hazardous Energy Control (Notes)



Hazardous Energy Control

(Updated through 8/7/04)

Lockout/Tagout for Emergency Operations

▪ Hazardous energy exposures include electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic.

▪ OSHA 1910.147 is the lockout/tagout standard.

|Potentially Fatal Energy Sources (Examples) |

|Electrical |Electric Meters, Generators, Circuits, Sub- Stations, Electric Fixtures, Batteries, Breaker Boxes, Mechanical Equipment, |

| |Electro-magnetic (M.R.I.) |

|Mechanical |Wreckers, Winches, Hoisting Systems, City Equipment, Fire Equipment |

|Hydraulic |Power Tools, Water Systems, Augers, Shears, Presses, Lifts/ Jacks, Elevators Fluid Based Systems (Chemical, Piping, Valves), Dam|

| |and Reservoir water release conduits |

|Pneumatic |Air Compressors, Air Tools/Vetter Bags & Plugs, Heavy Equipment, Fire Equipment, Wreckers |

|Chemical |Radiation Sources, Tank Batteries, Ammonia Systems, Drug Lag, Industrial facilities, Chlorine cylinders (1 TON), Transport |

| |vessels, Chemical Reactions, O.N.G. Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas |

|Thermal |Refrigeration Units, transport vessels, Incinerators, Laser Units, Heat Treaters, (Oil Fields) Cryogenic Liquids (Tanks, Lines, |

| |etc., Sterilization Units, Commercial Ovens) |

▪ Lockout/tagout ensures firefighters are protected through de-energization and isolation from unexpected start-ups by locking/tagging to a state of ZERO energy.

▪ Firefighter Stand By System is used when lockout/tagout is not possible and OCFD responders must physically supervise the device.

▪ The IC consults with facility maintenance personnel.

▪ The OCFD Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring employees receive training, program is evaluated annually, proper use of lockout/tagout equipment, and that program procedures are followed.

▪ Company Officer and/or IC is responsible for ensuring employees comply with the lockout/tagout program.

▪ The lockout/tagout rule requires the program to have energy control procedures, a training program, and periodic inspection of procedure usage.

▪ Equipment and energy sources must be isolated and inoperative before any operations can take place if unexpected energization could cause injury.

▪ IC or designee is responsible for ensuring zero energy state.

▪ Citizens and non-OCFD employees should be told not to operate locked/tagged equipment.

▪ Lockout/tagout is performed only by trained and authorized OCFD employees.

▪ The facility's lockout/tagout policy for emergencies (NOT OCFD policy) will be used if possible.

▪ Secondary control measures used when lockout/tagout is not possible include removing circuit element, removing fuses, blocking switches, or opening an extra disconnecting device.

▪ Limitations of tagout systems are: tags provide NO physical restraint, a false sense of security, and may become detached.

▪ IC provides lockout/tagout devices.

▪ Locks/tags are found in the ISO bag on suppression Chief's vehicles, and on R8 and HM5.

▪ Locks/tags shall indicate the employee or company identity and hazards if equipment is energized.

▪ When lockout is not possible, the device will be tagged and secondary measures will be taken (ie-firefighter stand by).

▪ With plug-in power sources, tags will be attached to the plug.

▪ Lockout/tagout equipment (provided by IC) includes: locks, tags, chains, wedges, key blocks, adapter pins, self-locking fasteners, and other hardware.

▪ Lockout/tagout equipment must be durable, standardized, substantial, identifiable, and contain proper wording of the hazard.

▪ The criteria for standardization of lockout/tagout devices is color, shape, and size.

▪ Tagout devices are standardized by print and format.

▪ Lockout devices should prevent removal without the use of excessive force (ie-bolt cutters).

▪ Tagout devices must be attached to nylon, non-reusable, self-locking cable ties with a minimum unlocking strength of no less than 50 pounds.

▪ Examples of tagout device wording includes: "Do Not Energize", "Do Not Start", "Do Not Open", "Do Not Energize", "Do Not Operate".

General Procedures for Lockout Tagout

1. IC or designee notifies affected employees that operations will occur on a machine and it must be shut down and locked.

2. If machine or equipment is operating, shut it down normally (ie- stop button).

3. De-activate the energy isolating device (ie-switches/valves) so machine is isolated from the energy source.

4. Lock or tag out energy isolating device.

5. Dissipate or restrain stored or residual energy (ie-capacitors, springs, elevated machine members, rotating flywheels, hydraulic systems, and air, gas, steam, or water pressure, etc.) by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, shoring bleeding down, etc.

6. Ensure equipment is disconnected from energy source by first checking no personnel are exposed, then verify isolation of equipment by operating it normally or by testing to ensure non-operation.

7. Machine is now locked or, tagged out

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▪ An authorized OCFD employee must verify all electrical circuit parts are de-energized through the use of test equipment.

▪ Use of test equipment is also used to determine if any energized condition exist due induced voltage or voltage feedback.

▪ If a tag is used without a lockout device to isolate an electrical circuit, there must be secondary measures in place.

▪ Non-emergency personnel refer to Support SOP book, Fleet Maintenance section for procedures.

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Testing/Positioning of Machines for Emergency Operations

1. Check machine and immediate area to ensure nonessential items are removed and machine components are operationally intact.

2. Check work area to ensure all employees have been safely positioned.

3. Verify controls are in neutral.

4. Remove lockout/tagout devices and re-energize machine for testing/positioning.

5. If testing/positioning complete, de-energize machine and reapply control measures.

6. If OCFD leaves the scene with energy isolating devices left in place, the occupant of the facility must be notified of proper procedures to reenergize the machine.

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▪ Start up or re-energizing the equipment is the responsibility of the business owner or occupant, NOT OCFD.

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Restoring Equipment After Training or Non-Emergency Operations

1. Check machine and immediate area to ensure nonessential items are removed and machine components are operationally intact.

2. Check work area to ensure all employees have been safely positioned.

3. Verify controls are in neutral.

4. Remove the lockout/tagout devices and re-energize machine.

5. Notify affected employees/civilians that OCFD has competed operations.

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▪ IC or designee will be responsible for disposal of used OCFD tags.

▪ The removal of some forms of blocking may require re-energizing machine before removal.

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ALTERNATE PROCEDURE FOR LOCKOUT/TAGOUT DEVICE REMOVAL

Lockout/tagout devices must be removed only by authorized employee who applied the devices. However, when that employee is not available and device must be removed, use the following procedure:

1. IC or designee must verify employee has left the scene or facility.

2. Lockout/tagout device must be removed by authorized OCFD responder

3. Reasonable effort must be made to tell employee lockout/tagout device has been removed.

4. IC or designee must ensure employee has been informed of lockout/tagout device removal before he/she resumes work or training.

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Procedure for Group Lockout/Tagout

When operations are performed by more than 1 person, use the following procedure:

1. 1 authorized employee (usually Company Officer) is designated for a set number of employees working under the protection of a group lockout/tagout device.

2. Each employee in group must review lockout/tagout procedure to be used.

3. If more than 1 Company/shift is involved, the IC or designee will ensure all control methods are applied and ensure continuity of group protection.

4. Each authorized employee must affix a personal lockout/tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox, or comparable device before beginning work, and must remove it upon completion of their work.

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Procedure for Shift/Personnel Changes

IC ensures:

1. On-coming authorized OCFD responder must exchange lockout or tagout devices with off-going OCFD responder or authorized facility employee.

2. Re-testing must be done to ensure de-energized state.

3. Employees must discuss status of maintenance/servicing and any notification of start-up or testing to be performed.

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Annual Program Review

Each year an authorized employee, who is not involved in the procedure being inspected (possibly OKC Risk Management or another OKC Department), must conduct an inspection of the lockout/tagout procedure.

The inspection procedure must include:

▪ Discuss responsibility under the lockout/tagout program with inspector.

▪ Discuss limitations of the tagout system or firefighter standby system with inspector.

▪ If deficiencies are noted during program inspection, corrective actions and retraining must be done immediately.

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LOCKOUT/TAGOUT GLOSSARY:

Affected Employee – (All OCFD emergency responders and support personnel)

• Performs duties in an area in which energy control procedure is used.

• An authorized employee and an affected employee may be the same person if affected employee performs operations on a machine which is locked or tagged.

• Affected employees do NOT perform operations on machines.

• An affected employee becomes an “Authorized” Employee when they perform operations on machines which must be locked or tagged.

Capable of Being Locked Out– An energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out if:

• It is designed with a hasp (lock can be attached); or

• designed with an integral part through which a lock can be affixed; or

• has a locking mechanism built into it; or

• can be locked without dismantling, rebuilding, or replacing the energy isolating device or permanently altering its energy control capability.

Energized - Machines and equipment are energized when (1) they are connected to an energy source or (2) they contain residual or stored energy.

Energy-isolating Device – Any mechanical device that physically prevents transmission or release of energy. (ie-manually operated electrical circuit breakers, disconnect switches, line valves, blocks).

Energy Source - Source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy.

Lockout Device - Any device that uses positive means such as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an energy-isolating device in a safe position. When properly installed, a blank flange or slip blind are considered equivalent to lockout devices.

Tagout Device - Any prominent warning device, such as tag and means of attachment securely fastened to an energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure.

A Firefighter's Guide for Emergencies Involving Electricity

▪ Dispatch makes the determination whether to send a company out of service or on the radio to a power line emergency.

▪ Dispatch automatically calls OG&E on electrical emergencies.

▪ The company officer must make the determination whether to stay in service at an electrical emergency.

▪ OG&E does not send employees to work on energized facilities until they have served an apprenticeship under a foreman with many years experience.

▪ OG&E has direct phone lines from the fire department to their service desk.

▪ Electricity is the flow of electrical charge through a conductor placed between two objects having a difference in voltage.

▪ Examples of conductors include air, light bulb elements, and humans.

▪ Ground voltage is also called zero voltage (ground/earth).

▪ Voltage is a measure of the pressure that pushes the electrical charge through a conductor.

▪ Any object with a voltage above 0 is called "energized".

▪ Getting shocked by low or high voltage can cause cardiac arrest or fibrillation of the heart.

▪ An arc is an electrical charge trying to conduct through the air.

▪ Sparking produces excessive heat and ultraviolet rays.

▪ The heat from an electrical flash can burn flesh several feet away.

▪ Electrical arcs have the capability of fusing a contact lens to the cornea of the eye.

▪ In many cases, power should be left on as long as possible.

▪ Never touch a rescue ladder from the ground when it is maneuvering its ladder near power lines.

▪ If contact is made with a power line, the rescue ladder operator should immediately swing the ladder clear of the line.

▪ Coverings on wires is meant for tree contact or weather purposes only.

▪ Higher voltage lines are generally stored higher on utility poles.

▪ Power cables operating at 34,000 volts may be attached to poles BELOW telephone cables.

▪ Normal water is a conductor of electricity.

▪ Assume every fallen wire is energized.

▪ Objects in contact with power lines may be energized as well.

▪ Persons in cars contacted by power lines should stay inside.

▪ If person must leave a vehicle in contact with power lines, they must jump free of the vehicle before touching the ground.

▪ When fighting fire in a vehicle contacting a power line, use a spray or fog nozzle at least 6 feet away.

▪ Wires that are cut may coil up into its original shape ("reel curl") and get out of control.

▪ Never cut wires except to protect life.

▪ Wires are frequently energized from both directions.

▪ Wires may be energized from a privately-owner generator within a building.

▪ Removing fuses, opening circuit breakers, opening main switches, or waiting for OG&E is preferred over cutting wires.

▪ When cutting wires, cut on the supply side where they connect to the building's wires to allow quicker reconnection later.

▪ OG&E has specialized equipment to remove victims without causing further injury.

▪ Wires should be cut (using specialized equipment) on both sides of an entangled victim to ensure no electrical charge remains.

▪ Victims separated from an energized facilities does not retain an electrical charge.

▪ Pet rescue requests should be forwarded to OG&E.

▪ Specialized tools used must be rated for the voltage level involved and be clean and dry.

▪ Specially treated goggles shield eyes from electrical arcs.

▪ Rubber gloves used in electrical emergencies must be electrically tested and be free of pinholes and dirt.

▪ There is no danger of using fire streams with 120 volt facilities unless the nozzle is within a few inches of the source.

▪ Solid streams should be operated at 40 feet or more from facilities up to 34,000 volts.

▪ Spray/fog streams should be operated at 6 feet for facilities up to 34,000 volts and 11 feet for voltages up to 220,000 volts.

▪ Pole mounted facilities range from 120 volts to 34,000 volts.

▪ The highest voltage lines on a pole are generally mounted 30 feet or more above the ground.

▪ Never use a solid stream on electric transmission tower facilities energized above 34,000 volts.

▪ Porcelain insulators may flashover (arc) or even explode if hit by a solid stream.

▪ Dry chemical and carbon dioxide are non-conductive.

▪ Foam, soda acid, and loaded-stream extinguishers are conductive and should not be used around energized facilities.

▪ Privately-owned transformers may be filled with flammable oil or non-flammable liquids such as askarel.

▪ High voltage installations may contain 600 to 13,000 volts or higher.

▪ Askarel may generate poisonous fumes.

▪ Low voltage installations are considered to be 600 volts or less.

▪ Open the main switch to shut off the entire building when electrical service is no longer useful.

▪ Use dry equipment such as rope, pike poles, or handles of axes to open switches.

▪ Attach warning tags to switches that have been intentionally turned off.

▪ Pull electrical meters only as a last resort.

Emergency Control of Natural Gas

▪ Low pressure natural gas systems carry approximately 5.3 ounces per square inch of pressure.

▪ Medium pressure is the most common method of distributing natural gas.

▪ Medium pressure natural gas line pressures range from 1 to 60 psi.

▪ Gas mains are regulated by Title 49, CFR Part 191 & 192.

▪ Natural gas is not toxic or poisonous.

▪ Natural gas is about 65% as heavy as (35% lighter than) air, which means it will rise and dissipate.

▪ Humidity can cause natural gas to dissipate slowly.

▪ Natural gas is usually odorless.

▪ Chemicals are added to natural gas to give it a pungent odor and is noticeable at a concentration of less than 1% in air.

▪ Natural gas has a flammable range of 5% to 15%.

▪ Burning natural gas produces very high radiant heat.

▪ The ignition point of natural gas is 1,100oF to 1,200oF.

▪ When calling ONG, indicate whether the leak is inside or outside a building.

▪ Citizen precautions may include extinguishing all open flames, not smoking, not operating electrical switches, and not operating vehicles.

▪ Manholes and vaults can usually be vented by temporarily removing covers.

▪ The best method of controlling an outdoor gas fire is to shut off the flow of gas.

▪ Do not use water on burning natural gas at the point of escape.

▪ Do not operate gas valves in streets.

▪ If it is necessary to extinguish a flame from an escape, use dry chemical at the base of the flame and wet the surrounding area with fog to prevent reignition.

▪ With gas escapes inside structures, ventilate at the point where gas concentration is strongest.

▪ Ensure that shutting off gas service will not create further hazards by interrupting production processes.

▪ With gas burning inside a structure, shut off the flow to the building.

▪ With structure fires that are impinging on gas lines, the officer may make the decision to shut down gas flow.

▪ Odors from petroleum products, marsh gas, sewer gas, and industrial gases may be mistaken for natural gas.

▪ Test manholes, vaults, and sewers for gas and oxygen concentration before entering.

▪ When opening manhole covers, open them in both directions until one can be found to be free of gas.

▪ When gas is found in an underground compartment, check adjoining building basements for seepage.

▪ Do not ring doorbells, operate electrical switches, or use telephones where combustible gases are suspected.

▪ Never cut off or restrict a relief valve on a gas meter.

▪ Regulators on gas meters throttle down pressure and maintain a fixed downstream pressure.

▪ Major gas control points with relief valves are sometimes referred to as district regulating stations, city gate stations, or town border stations.

▪ Low pressure gas meters may be located outside, in basements, or in underground meter boxes.

▪ Low pressure meters are used on single dwelling homes and small commercial buildings.

▪ Cutoff valves on low pressure meters are closed by turning them 1/4 turn or 90 degrees.

▪ Multiple dwelling meters have a master control valve to turn off all gas or individual cutoffs to turn off single occupancies.

▪ High pressure meters contain pressure of over 60 psi.

▪ The phone numbers to the ONG are (405) 551-6500 or (405) 551-4000.

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