Safety Information

All documents included with Switchgear Safety remote operating devices shall be fully read, understood, and followed prior to performing a remote operation on energized electrical equipment. All safety alerts, both contained within documents and affixed to the remote operating device, shall be observed at all times when performing a remote operation on energized electrical equipment. If there are any questions regarding the contents of the documents, please contact Switchgear Safety at 888-SG-SAFETY (888-747-2338) or info@switchgearsafety.com prior to performing a remote operation on energized electrical equipment.

Qualified Person
A remote operating device is intended only to be operated by a “qualified person(s)” with relevant skills, experience, and training in the electrical industry. A “qualified person(s)” is defined by NFPA 70E-2018, Article 100 as “One who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations, and has received safety training to identify the hazards and reduce the associated risk.” In addition to the defined qualifications, a qualified person must also be:

1. Trained and authorized to energize, deenergize, clear, ground, and tag circuits and electrical equipment in accordance with established safety practices.
2. Trained in the proper care and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as rubber gloves, hard hat, safety glasses or face shields, flash clothing, etc., in accordance with established safety practices.
3. Trained in rendering first aid if necessary.

Electrically Safe Work Condition
The process for establishing and verifying an “electrically safe work condition” as defined by NFPA 70E-2018, Article 120.5, shall include all of the following steps, which shall be performed in the order presented, if feasible:

1. Determine all possible sources of electrical supply to the specific electrical equipment. Check applicable up-to-date drawings, diagrams, and identification tags.
2. After properly interrupting the load current, open the disconnecting device(s) for each source.
3. Wherever possible, visually verify that all blades of the disconnecting devices are fully open or that drawout-type circuit breakers are withdrawn to the fully disconnected position.
4. Release stored electrical energy.
5. Release or block stored mechanical energy.
6. Apply lockout/tagout devices in accordance with a documented and established policy.
7. Use an adequately rated portable test instrument to test each phase conductor or circuit part to verify it is deenergized. Test each phase conductor or circuit part both phase-to-phase, and phase-to-ground. Before and after each test, determine that the test instrument is operating satisfactorily through verification on any known voltage source…
8. Where the possibility of induced voltages or stored electrical energy exists, ground the phase conductors or circuit parts before touching them. Where it could be reasonably anticipated that the conductors or circuit parts being deenergized could contact other exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, apply temporary protective grounding equipment…

Safety Program Guidelines
A remote operating device is intended only to supplement an existing safety program – remote operating device use in and of itself is NOT intended to act as a standalone safety program or to replace an existing safety program. Always follow all applicable industry standards when incorporating remote operating devices into an existing safety program and note the following recommended safety program guidelines from Switchgear Safety:

1. Each user has the responsibility to instruct and supervise all other personnel associated with preparation, installation, operation, and maintenance of the remote operating device. Furthermore, each user has a responsibility to follow all safety programs utilizing the remote operating device on all safety programs.
2. Only supervised and qualified personnel trained in the preparation, installation, operation, and maintenance of the electrical equipment shall be allowed to perform a remote operation. It is mandatory that this document and all others included with the remote operating device be fully read, understood, and followed.
3. Remote operation may only be performed on energized electrical equipment when users are stationed outside the flash protection boundary. If the flash protection boundary is not known, refer to the most up to date edition of NFPA 70E for more information.
4. Electrical equipment shall be properly maintained and in good working order before performing a remote operation. Electrical equipment maintenance programs shall be in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, including service advisories and instruction bulletins. A routine maintenance program is essential for safe use of remote operating devices.
5. Service conditions shall also be considered in the development of safety programs incorporating remote operating devices. Variables to be considered include temperature, humidity, continuous current, thermal cycling, number of operations, interrupting duty, and any adverse local conditions including excessive dust, ash, corrosive atmosphere, and animal or insect infestations.