Employee Qualifications

DOE-HDBK-1092-98

10.7

EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS

This section provides guidance for determining the qualification process for persons involved with

specialized electrical equipment, configurations or work tasks associated with experiments. The

guidance provided in this section is in addition to the minimum qualifications described in Section

2.8, "Training and Qualifications of Qualified Workers."

10.7.1 HAZARDS

The hazards associated with R&D equipment are sometimes unique because the equipment itself is

unique. These hazards are sometimes made worse because of an uncommon design or the fact that

it may be one of a kind. Special efforts are thus necessary to identify all the potential hazards that may

be present in a specific unique design. These hazards should be identified and a plan developed to

mitigate the associated risk. Personnel working on R&D equipment shall be qualified to work on this

equipment, depending on its unique safety problems.

10.7.2 ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Personnel assigned to tasks involving R&D equipment shall be apprised of the hazards identified in

Section 10.7.1. It is suggested that they participate in developing mitigation plans to reduce the risks

associated with the hazards.

A list of additional experience qualifications should be developed by the appropriate personnel

including the worker(s). This list should identify specific training requirements necessary for

unusual equipment or tasks.

10.8

GENERIC R&D EQUIPMENT

There are many possible types of electrical ac and dc power source hazards in complex R&D systems

and the various design philosophies preclude establishing hazard classifications based on voltage

alone.

10.8.1 POWER SOURCES

10.8.1.1

HAZARDS

1. Internal component failure can cause excessive voltages. Internal component open-circuit

failure in capacitor banks and Marx generators can result in full voltages across components

that may not be appropriately discharged in the usual manner.

2. Internal component shorts in capacitor banks and Marx generators can result in excessive fault

current, causing extreme heat, overpressurization of capacitor cans, and explosion.

3. Overloading or improper cooling of power supplies can cause excessive temperature rise.

4. Output circuits and components can remain energized after input power is interrupted.

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