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The Definition of Clearance is: A verbal notice from a Tacoma Power Dispatcher to a Qualified employee stating that a line or piece of equipment is considered what?
- Killed cleared and tagged under stated conditions.
- Safe to test for dead and install shorts and grounds.
- The control for that line or equipment has been turned over to the employee receiving the clearance.
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Definition of a Clearance limit?
A visible air break or physical separation from a known source of electrical potential that has been Red Clearance tagged for a Qualified employee.
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Definition of a Qualified employee?
- A person familiar with the construction of and or operation of lines or equipment that concern their position.
- Fully aware of the hazards associated therewith.
- Or, one who has passed a journey status examination of the electrical trades with which they may be connected.
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Definition of a Visible Air Break?
A secured opening in a circuit that can be readily seen; to include air break switches, fused cutouts, and manually operated disconnect switches.
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What is the responsibility of the System Dispatcher?
- Identify themself to the crew.
- Obtain the names of the person(s) requesting clearance(s)
- Assure themself that each person is qualified to receive such a clearance and is fully aware of the limits of the clearance.
- Ensure that all switching communications are repeated back to the dispatcher word for word.
- Issue and release clearances on Tacoma Power electrical lines and equipment over 600 volts.
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What is the responsibility of the Switch Person?
- To perform all switching and tagging as directed and in the sequence given by the dispatcher.
- Identify themselves to the dispatcher by name, radio call number, and location.
- Ensure the clearance tags are properly filled out and placed.
- Provide for their own personal safety.
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What is the responsibility of the Clearance Holder?
- Plan for their clearance.
- Provide the dispatcher with adequate information about the scope of work and clearance limits needed.
- Contact and inform customers affected by clearance and make necessary arrangements.
- Perform switching and tagging, in some cases.
- Obtain name of dispatcher issuing the clearance.
- Repeat all communications back to dispatcher word for word.
- Provide for the safety of the crew.
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General rules for switching and tagging:
- Complex switching situations or operations shall be discussed with the Dispatcher before hand.
- Switching orders involving OH, URD, and UG systems shall be conducted over normal radio channels whenever possible.
- Scheduled outages will be discussed with the Dispatcher at least 1 hour prior to switching to allow the Dispatcher time to prepare a Job and Outage Report.
- After all switching and tagging for a clearance has been performed and a clearance issued, the lines or equipment shall be tested to ensure they are de energized.
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The proper placement of Red Clearance Tags include:
- The switch handle of a gang operated switch.
- Each phase of lifted and parked load break elbows.
- The ring of a hook operated switch, (on the center phase if all three phases are open).
- An open jumper using a hot clamp.
- The tag holder on the control panel door of a rolled out PCB.
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What information is necessary on properly filled out Red Clearance Tags?
- TAGGED FOR: person who will hold the clearance.
- LOCATION: description of line or equipment being cleared.
- DEVICE: designation of the switch or equipment being opened, checked open, or removed.
- TIME and DATE: when the switch was opened, checked open, or removed.
- TAGGED BY: person performing switching and tagging.
- ORDERED BY: name of dispatcher, (first initail and last name).
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Yellow Caution Tags shall be used when necessary to indicate a hazardous situation, potential hazard, or unsafe condition that presents a threat of employee injury and placed on equipment or device so it can be easily seen. Examples where they are used:
- Info Tag: provide information about an abnormal condition.
- Hot Line Work: indicate a reclosing relay is out of service when Hot Line Work is being performed.
- Hold Open: indicate a hold open on device or equipment when work is to stop for extended periods of time.
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Hold Opens are used when a line or equipment is to be out of service for an extended period of time or while waiting for work to be performed at a later date. What is a hold open designed to protect?
- Equipment from damage, not personnel!
- Maintenance or work WILL NOT be performed under a Hold Open.
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