Have an application where personnel generally work/break near fully enclosed 4160V switchgear (AF cat 0) and 480V MCC (AF cat 3). Standard practice requires normal PPE, clearing area and barricading for any energized work or switching procedures.
Staff are trying to use the proximity of the electrical gear as a safety justification to push the funding for construction of a new work space. After a seemingly exhaustive search of standards and codes have found that they address exposed energized equipment, but not the normal operation of enclosed equipment.
Are there any references, codes, or the like that would address this application apart from the vague note and only 600V or less in the latest NFPA 70E... [130.7(A)]that states: “it is the collective experience of the Technical Committee on Electrical Safety in the Workplace that normal operation of enclosed electrical equipment, operating at 600 volts or less, that has been properly installed and maintained by qualified persons is not likely to expose the employee to an electrical hazard.”
For further clarification, temporary or permanent equipment is not stored within the clear working space of the electrical gear.
Looking for resource to support the conclusion that the equipment is inherently safe?
Staff are trying to use the proximity of the electrical gear as a safety justification to push the funding for construction of a new work space. After a seemingly exhaustive search of standards and codes have found that they address exposed energized equipment, but not the normal operation of enclosed equipment.
Are there any references, codes, or the like that would address this application apart from the vague note and only 600V or less in the latest NFPA 70E... [130.7(A)]that states: “it is the collective experience of the Technical Committee on Electrical Safety in the Workplace that normal operation of enclosed electrical equipment, operating at 600 volts or less, that has been properly installed and maintained by qualified persons is not likely to expose the employee to an electrical hazard.”
For further clarification, temporary or permanent equipment is not stored within the clear working space of the electrical gear.
Looking for resource to support the conclusion that the equipment is inherently safe?