|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policy and Procedure ManualChapter 290, Health and Safety Services Responsible Department: Facilities Operations
and Maintenance This section supplements State regulations contained in the California Code of Regulations, Titles 8 and 22, and the National Electric Code. Those who direct or perform electrical construction or repair are expected to be familiar with and follow applicable regulations and codes. This section applies to all electrical work at UC Davis. Cowell Student Health Center is also covered by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) standards, and UC Davis Medical Center is also covered by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) regulations. A. Authorized person--a qualified person specifically designated to do electrical work. (Note: The person's job description should include electrical work.) B. Qualified person--a person who by reason of experience or instruction is familiar with the operation to be performed and the hazards involved. A. Electrical systems and equipment that are hard-wired to building electrical systems All work with electrical systems and equipment that are hard-wired to building electrical systems or to the electrical distribution network must be managed by the Office of Architects & Engineers or Facilities Services Department's Plant Operations Division. Unauthorized work will be removed and replaced by the Plant Operations Division at the expense of the department that performed the work. B. Repair and fabrication of department-owned electrical equipment Repair and fabrication of department-owned electrical equipment must be conducted by a qualified individual who is authorized to do the work. Materials and methods must be appropriate for the type of use and the location. C. Connections to campus power sources and use of electrical equipment Cord and plug equipment should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Exceptions for extension cords and multiple outlet strips are noted in VI-C, below. All equipment, whether personal or University-owned, used on University property or for University projects, including extension cords and multiple outlet strips, must be certified by a national testing laboratory such as Underwriter's Laboratory (UL), and use must be consistent with the conditions of certification. D. Lockout/tagout Consult Section 290-86, Hazardous Operations, for electrical lockout/tagout requirements. A. Campus departments 1. Department chairs Implement these electrical safety policies and procedures as a part of the department's comprehensive health and safety programs, in accordance with Section 290-15. 2. Supervisors and principal investigators a. Assure employees have needed electrical safety training. b. Assure that repair and fabrication of department-owned electrical equipment is done by a qualified individual who is authorized to do the work. Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) can provide assistance with evaluating qualifications to work. 3. Employees a. Perform electrical work only if qualified and authorized. b. Use materials and methods appropriate for the type of use and the location. For example, damp locations may require watertight fittings, and cords exposed to sunlight should be UV-resistant. B. Office of Environmental Health & Safety With assistance from the Facilities Services Department, provides electrical safety consultation and assistance to the campus and will assist supervisors in evaluating the qualifications of employees to perform VI. Procedures for Electrical Work and Use of Electrical Equipment A. Purchase of electrical supplies and equipment Electrical supplies and equipment must be purchased by departments on a Purchase Requisition in DaFIS. B. Appropriate applications for extension cords Extension cords may be used to supply power to appliances under limited conditions. These include: 1. Temporary situations such as laboratory experiments lasting no longer than 90 days. 2. Situations in which permanent wiring is inappropriate because equipment is moved frequently. 3. Power tools or other portable appliances used on a transient basis. C. Proper selection and use of extension cords Extension cords: 1. Must be three-pronged, appropriately sized for the anticipated load, in good condition, free of splices, repairs, and signs of excessive wear. 2. Must not pass through doors or windows. 3. Must not be stapled or attached to a floor, wall, or ceiling. 4. Must not be connected in series. 5. Must not create a tripping or other safety hazard. 6. Must be protected where exposed to foot or wheel traffic to minimize tripping hazards and damage to the cords. D. Use of multiple outlet surge protectors Multiple outlet surge protectors: 1. Must be equipped with an automatic circuit breaker. Outlet strips with fuses or without overcurrent protection are not acceptable. 2. Must have a cord no more than 6 feet long and must be directly plugged into a wall receptacle. 3. May only be used for appliances that draw a total of 200 watts or less per outlet, such as typewriters, computer terminals, or calculators. Surge protectors typically come equipped with 6 outlets. Each outlet is rated at 200 watts for a total electrical rating of 1200 watts. Plug mold or "U" mold with hard wired multiple outlets are not limited by the restriction for multiple outlet surge protectors. Do not connect higher wattage appliances such as coffeepots, space heaters, microwave ovens, hot plates, refrigerators, or copy machines. 4. Must be protected where exposed to foot or wheel traffic to minimize tripping hazards and damage to the cords. 5. Must not be connected in series. E. Equipment in patient care areas 1. Portable equipment for use in patient care or clinical laboratory areas must have a hospital-grade plug. 2. Personally owned line-powered devices are not allowed in designated patient care areas. F. Electrophoresis equipment Electrophoresis equipment must have a lid or cover with safety interlocks to prevent accidental contact with energized electrodes or buffer solutions. The equipment must be labeled "WARNING [OR DANGER]--ELECTRICAL HAZARD." Power supplies must only be operated in accordance with the manufacturer's written directions. G. Damp or wet locations: greenhouses, animal rooms, around swimming pools and fountains, and similar locations Equipment in wet areas must be designed and approved for use in damp locations. When it is not possible to ensure protection from contact with water, the equipment must be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter. Equipment used for large construction projects or for projects outdoors that may be exposed to rain or wet conditions must be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters. H. Fire prevention and combustible materials Place heat-producing equipment at a safe distance from combustible materials such as paper, wood, and plants. I. Tripped circuit breakers Report all problems with tripped electrical circuit breakers to the Facilities Services Department at (530) 752-1655. Tripped circuit breakers can indicate a serious electrical hazard. J. Damaged equipment, plugs, and cords Equipment with damaged plugs or cords or other conditions that constitute an electrical hazard must be removed from service until repaired. K. Electrical circuit panels or disconnects Electrical circuit panels or disconnects should not be blocked. L. Restrictions on use of UL (or equivalent) listed equipment Use of equipment must be consistent with the restrictions of the certification. In many cases when equipment is certified by a testing laboratory such as UL, there are restrictions on the use of the equipment. The restrictions are listed on the equipment label adjacent to the UL listing. For example, equipment may be certified only for home use or only for use when mounted vertically. A. California Code of Regulations, Title 8. B. California Code of Regulations, Title 22. C. National Electric Code. D. Standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Copyright © 2006 The Regents of the
University of California, Davis Campus. All Rights Reserved. |
|
