worksheet #1

Question 1

What is the only accepted standard for working with electricity in Canada?

Answer 1

CSA – Z-462 – 18

Question 2

Is it mandatory for companies to follow the CSA Z-462-18 standards?

Answer 2

No, it is not mandatory, only an option.

Question 3

If a company does not use the CSA Z-462 standards, what must they follow?

Answer 3

They must follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and its Regulations.

Question 4

Will the Ministry of Labour (MOL) use Z-462 standards in their investigation if an incident involving electrical contact occurs?

Answer 4

Yes, along with the laws and guidelines outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Question 5

When is an Energized work permit required?

Answer 5

When you can prove that de-energizing is infeasible, due to design, and/or it creates a larger hazard, such as life support systems.

Question 6

Who can sign off on an Energized work permit?

Answer 6

Electrician Employee, Night watch guard, Owner, Safety Officer, Responsible Management, Supervisor.

Question 7

Do you need an Energized work permit to perform testing, troubleshooting, and voltage measurements?

Answer 7

No, provided you meet certain requirements.

Question 8

What are the requirements to perform testing, troubleshooting, and voltage measurements without an Energized work permit?

Answer 8

You must be qualified, wear what makes you feel safe, be provided with and use safe work practices, wear the prescribed PPE (Clause 4), and feel comfortable working around electricity.

Question 9

Is there a likelihood of occurrence when testing voltage on a 15 amp circuit at 120 Volts?

Answer 9

YES

Question 10

Do we require additional protective measures to test for voltage on the circuit listed in question 21?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

What are the required additional protective measures (PPE) up to 12 cal/cm²?

Answer 11

Refer to the CEC folder found in week #1 Reference Materials.

Question 12

Does the CEC permit electricians to work on energized equipment?

Answer 12

No, unless disconnect is unfeasible and/or introduces a hazard.

Question 13

Does the CEC prescribe safe work practices regarding electricians performing energized work?

Answer 13

NO

Question 14

Does the CEC require electricians to label and create warnings regarding Arc flash and Shock risks?

Answer 14

Yes

Question 15

What types of work does appendix B of the CEC state are not feasible to be done in a de-energized state?

Answer 15

Troubleshooting and voltage testing.

Question 16

Does the CEC in appendix B advise you of Z 452, the only accepted standard for working around energized equipment?

Answer 16

Yes

Question 17

How does the MLITSD define trouble shooting?

Answer 17

Strictly visual

Question 18

What does the MLITSD considerate if you are utilizing a tool such as a multi-meter when work testing for voltage on a circuit?

Answer 18

Energized work

Question 19

Have charges been laid against individuals that consider testing and troubleshooting that believed themselves to be exempt from the category of working energized?

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

Does the Ministry of labour have laws regarding working around energized equipment? And what are they referred to as?

Answer 20

Yes, and Lock-out, and Tag out.

Question 21

Who is responsible for hiring a competent supervisor?

Answer 21

Employer

Question 22

Who is responsible for creating procedures, and ensuring those policies are reviewed, and workers are aware of all potential hazards, and prescribed safe working information including PPE requirements, and training is provided for the worker?

Answer 22

Employer

Question 23

What rights do workers in Ontario have regarding safety?

Answer 23

The right to know, the right to participate, and the right to refuse work.

Question 24

If you are a worker and you have not been made aware of policies, procedures, PPE requirements in writing by your employer, and you are asked to perform energized voltage testing, what are the 2 things you can do?

Answer 24

Request your company’s safe working practices in writing, and you can also refuse to perform the task.

Question 25

If your company does not give you an answer, and or threatens to fire or punish you, and or makes you feel as though you have been demoted or your job changes in an offensive way, what are the 2 things you can do?

Answer 25

Report the unsafe work practices to the MOL, and or seek a Reprisal through Ontario’s Labour relations board. Make sure there is a paper trail.

Question 26

Can we assume that the circuit we are working on is de-energized?

Answer 26

NO

Question 27

When working on or near electrical equipment, who’s responsibility is it to ensure that it is de-energized?

Answer 27

The worker

Question 28

Is PPE required anytime you are verifying the circuit is de-energized and potentially energized exposed bare conductive parts are exposed?

Answer 28

Yes

Question 29

List the PPE requirements from the procedure for testing a 120/240 Vac single phase panel.

Answer 29

Arc flash hood and visor with hardhat, and Voltage rated gloves, with ARC flash rated jacket.

Question 30

Why is there multiple voltage readings required when following this procedure?

Answer 30

Your testing all components of the system, just because one aspect of the system is de-energized doesn’t mean there is not an alternate source.

Question 31

Why do you test your meter on a known live source before and after verifying your voltage reading?

Answer 31

You want to ensure your meter is working properly throughout the testing procedure.

Question 32

Once the testing is complete and zero voltage has been detected, and your Loto has been applied, can you work without PPE?

Answer 32

Yes

Question 33

Is it possible to verify correct circuit function or troubleshooting without having you energize your circuit, and not wear any PPE?

Answer 33

Yes

Question 34

Is verifying that the circuit is absent of Dead Shorts, or ground faults before your initially energize a circuit for the first time, a good and safe practice?

Answer 34

Yes

Question 35

Is knowing the specific resistance of a device coil a fast method for identifying faulty equipment?

Answer 35

Yes

Question 36

Does using energized voltage for troubleshooting add unnecessary risks?

Answer 36

Yes

Question 37

What is the first step in troubleshooting any electrical circuit?

Answer 37

Situational awareness

Question 38

What does 'Safety of personnel' refer to in situational awareness?

Answer 38

Is anyone in immediate harm, or am I putting myself in harm’s way.

Question 39

What does 'Protection of property' mean in situational awareness?

Answer 39

Is there any damage due to the malfunction, do I require to de-energize or make any other equipment at a zero energy state before I proceed.

Question 40

What is required for de-energizing circuits?

Answer 40

Permission must be granted by an owner responsible manager in writing.

Question 41

What is 'Owner’s pressure' in the context of troubleshooting?

Answer 41

Companies may pressure you to work energized to minimize operational impacts.

Question 42

What is the 'Duty to report' for electricians?

Answer 42

Electricians have an obligation to report hazards to the Electrical Safety authority if the owner will not give permission to de-energize.

Question 43

What is visual assessment in electrical components?

Answer 43

Using your sense of vision allows you to detect deformities such as burn marks, distortion, and melted wires. You can also check if breakers are tripped, if power is on, or if there are blown fuses.

Question 44

What can the sense of smell indicate in electrical components?

Answer 44

Electrical components can give off unique smells. A blown coil has a distinct smell, while burning plastic or rubber may indicate overheating or a jam in the system.

Question 45

How can temperature readings be taken in electrical assessments?

Answer 45

Specialized equipment like thermal scanning tools can be used for touch-free and accurate temperature readings, replacing the need for physical contact.

Question 46

What role does sound play in electrical assessments?

Answer 46

Electricians can detect issues by listening to the sounds of motors and devices, identifying problems like under-voltage or mechanical strain.

Question 47

Why is operator or local knowledge important in electrical assessments?

Answer 47

Local knowledge helps in understanding the normal functioning of equipment. It's beneficial to ask operators or nearby personnel for insights into issues.

Question 48

What is manual actuation in troubleshooting?

Answer 48

Devices like contactors can be manually actuated to determine if problems lie in the motor, field wiring, or control wiring, effectively reducing troubleshooting time.

Question 49

What is a dangerous practice electricians sometimes engage in?

Answer 49

Electricians may dead short circuits to identify disconnects or flip a tripped breaker without following procedures.

Question 50

What are safe practices for electricians?

Answer 50

Follow all policies and procedures, wear required PPE, and understand equipment function by reading schematics and asking questions.

Question 51

What should electricians do before energizing a tripped circuit?

Answer 51

Establish and correct the cause of the trip or blown fuse.

Question 52

What specialized equipment can electricians use to find breakers?

Answer 52

Circuit tracers.

Question 53

Why is understanding labeling important for electricians?

Answer 53

Accurate labeling helps in identifying circuits and ensuring safety.

Question 54

What should electricians do if they are uncertain about something?

Answer 54

Ask someone they trust for information, such as a co-worker or technical support.

Question 55

What is the most dangerous trait of an electrician on a worksite?

Answer 55

Not being able or willing to say 'I don't know.'

Question 56

What should electricians do with their mistakes or close calls?

Answer 56

Share them with others to protect people or property.