ESC Safe Work Practices & Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP)?
- To satisfy billing requirements for insurance purposes
- To document justification, hazard analysis, and PPE requirements when energized work is unavoidable (Correct answer)
- To replace the need for a job hazard analysis
- To authorize any worker to perform energized tasks
Correct answer: To document justification, hazard analysis, and PPE requirements when energized work is unavoidable
An EEWP formally documents why energized work cannot be avoided, identifies the arc flash hazard level, and specifies the PPE and procedures required.
Question 2: When using voltage-rated gloves for electrical work, what additional protection must always be worn over them?
- Cotton liners only
- Leather protector gloves (Correct answer)
- Rubber sleeves
- Heat-resistant gauntlets
Correct answer: Leather protector gloves
Leather protector gloves must be worn over rubber insulating gloves to protect the rubber from punctures, cuts, and abrasions that would compromise their insulating properties.
Question 3: A qualified electrician is about to verify that a circuit is de-energized. In what order should the steps be performed?
- Test the meter on a known live source, test the suspect circuit, test the meter on a live source again (Correct answer)
- Test the suspect circuit first, then verify with a known live source
- Visually inspect the breaker position, then record the result
- Apply LOTO first, test the circuit, then remove LOTO
Correct answer: Test the meter on a known live source, test the suspect circuit, test the meter on a live source again
The test-before-touch procedure requires verifying meter functionality on a known live source both before and after testing the de-energized circuit to confirm the meter is working correctly.
Question 4: Under OSHA standards, what minimum approach distance applies to unqualified workers near overhead power lines operating at 50 kV or below?
- 3 feet
- 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 15 feet
- 25 feet
Correct answer: 10 feet
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1408 requires unqualified workers to maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from overhead power lines operating at 50 kV or below.
Question 5: Which action is prohibited when using portable ladders near energized electrical equipment?
- Using fiberglass ladders
- Using metal or conductive ladders within the limited approach boundary (Correct answer)
- Securing the ladder base on a flat surface
- Having a spotter hold the base of the ladder
Correct answer: Using metal or conductive ladders within the limited approach boundary
Conductive (metal) ladders must never be used near energized electrical equipment because they create a path for electrical current to flow through the worker.
Question 6: What does 'arc flash boundary' specifically define?
- The distance at which a shock hazard exists
- The distance at which a person could receive a second-degree burn from an arc flash incident (Correct answer)
- The minimum PPE category required for all electrical work
- The area requiring full rubber blanket coverage
Correct answer: The distance at which a person could receive a second-degree burn from an arc flash incident
The arc flash boundary is the distance from an arc source at which an unprotected person could receive a second-degree burn (1.2 cal/cm²) from incident energy.
Question 7: A contractor is working on equipment with multiple energy sources including electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic. Which LOTO procedure applies?
- Electrical LOTO only, since electricity is the primary hazard
- A complex (multi-energy) lockout procedure addressing all energy sources (Correct answer)
- A single padlock on the main electrical disconnect
- Tagging only, since isolating all sources is impractical
Correct answer: A complex (multi-energy) lockout procedure addressing all energy sources
When equipment has multiple energy sources, a complex lockout procedure must identify, isolate, and lock out every energy source—electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal, gravity, and stored energy.
ESC Safe Work Practices & Procedures 3
What is the primary purpose of an Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP)?