Electrical Safety – Medium Voltage

Medium Voltage Electrical Safety

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has two Electrical Safety programs. The Electrical Safety in the Workplace program is designed for low voltage electricians and the Medium Voltage Electrical Safety program is designed for medium voltage electricians.

The purpose of the Medium Voltage Electrical Safety program is to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.269 Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution. The program is designed to identify and control power generation, transmission, and distribution electrical hazards (600 volts and above). All qualified medium voltage electrical employees must be enrolled in the program.

What you need to know

  • UNC Charlotte employees are prohibited from performing maintenance, repair, installation, or removal of lines that are energized at 600 volts or more. UNC Charlotte employees may ONLY perform Inspection and Switching operations on lines or equipment energized at 600 volts or more when such work can be performed safely and in compliance with OSHA 1910.269.
  • A workplace hazard assessment should be conducted to determine which work locations and tasks expose employees to electrical hazards
  • You must be enrolled in the Medium Voltage Electrical Safety program if you are performing medium voltage electrical work. Contact EHS to determine enrollment status.
  • Training is required initially and periodically thereafter
  • CPR and first aid training are required
  • Safe Operating Procedures for Medium Voltage Electrical Distribution Equipment are available for campus medium voltage equipment and must be adhered to
  • Job briefings must be documented prior to starting work
  • Electrical safe gloves must be tested every 6 months
  • Visual inspection of tools, equipment, and instruments must be completed
  • Live line tools must be removed from service every 2 years for testing
  • Annual inspection
  • Safety hazard warning signage is posted on electrical panels
  • PPE must be made available and worn by employees
  • PPE must be stored and maintained in accordance with manufacturer requirements

Services

The Environmental Health and Safety Office offers the following services:

  • Consultative hazard assessment
  • Program enrollment
  • Job briefing authorization
  • Training
  • Limited equipment testing
  • Written programs, plans, and procedures
  • Inspections

Resources