Introduction - hdbk109220040018

DOE-HDBK-1092-2004

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1

PURPOSE

The Electrical Safety Handbook presents the Department of Energy (DOE) safety standards for

DOE field offices or facilities involved in the use of electrical energy. It has been prepared to

provide a uniform set of electrical safety guidance and information for DOE installations to effect

a reduction or elimination of risks associated with the use of electrical energy. The objectives of

this handbook are to enhance electrical safety awareness and mitigate electrical hazards to

employees, the public, and the environment.

1.2

SCOPE

This handbook provides general information to enhance understanding of DOE Orders, national

codes, national standards, and local, state, and federal regulations. This handbook shall not

supersede more stringent requirements in those applicable codes, standards, and regulations.

Each entity should reference its contract documents and determine what legal requirements are

to be followed in the area of electrical safety. These requirements may vary from location to

location. In this document, "shall" refers to requirements from regulatory standards such as

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and relevant DOE Orders

that may or may not apply to your specific location. "Should " refers to guidance from consensus

standards such as the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), National Electrical Safety Code

(NESC, ANSI C2), and Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E) which may

or may not apply to your specific location (depending upon your contractual requirements). No

section or portion of this document is intended to stand alone. Each section or portion interacts

with others that are appropriate to support referenced material.

The design of new facilities shall conform to relevant DOE Orders and should conform to

industry-recognized engineering design standards. Existing facilities should evaluate their

systems and operations in relation to this handbook, applicable DOE Orders, national codes,

national standards, and local, state, and federal regulations to determine if they comply or if a

safety problem exists. If the evaluation determines that a safety risk exists, corrective actions

should be initiated to bring the systems or operations into compliance with current standards. In

the case of a major renovation of an existing facility, the modification shall comply with current

standards.

Existing facilities shall conform to relevant DOE Orders and should comply with the National

Electrical Code (NFPA 70), National Electrical Safety Code (NESC, ANSI C2), and Standard for

Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E). The OSHA standards have specific

requirements that shall apply to all electrical installations and utilization equipment regardless of

when they were designed or installed and identify other mandatory provisions and specify

effective dates. Installations in compliance with the code at the time of design or installation

(code of record), do not need to be upgraded to the updated code unless required to correct a

known hazard or a major modification is being performed unless otherwise directed by OSHA.

This handbook is being provided to identify those DOE Orders, national codes, national

standards, and local, state, and federal regulations that will provide employees with guidance on

requirements pertaining to electrical systems. It is the responsibility of each site to evaluate

compliance with the above requirements.

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