NATIONAL ELECTRIC SAFETY CODE (ANSI C2 / NESC) 2012 EDITION Jim Tomaseski EEI Safety and Health IBEW Director of Safety and Health Committee Conference NESC 2012 IMPORTANT DATES SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 - Preprint published MAY 1, 2010 - The final date to submit comments on the submitted change proposals and the subcommittee recommendations. NESC 2012 Preprint for 2012 NESC – All submitted CPs recorded – Subcommittee action on each CP – Preprint distributed for public comments – Public comments submitted to IEEE for review NESC 2012 • Subcommittees will meet in 2010 to consider all submitted comments • Final ballot distributed to Main Committee and ANSI in 2011 • 2012 Edition published on August 1, 2011 • Effective January 1, 2012 NESC FOUR PARTS • Part 1 – Rules for the Installation of Electric Supply Stations and Equipment • Part 2 – Safety Rules for the Installation and Maintenance of Overhead Electric Supply and Communication Lines • Part 3 – Safety Rules for the Installation and Maintenance of Underground Electric Supply and Communication Lines • Part 4 – Rules for the Operation of Electric Supply and Communications Lines and Equipment NESC COMMITTEE STRUCTURE  Main Committee  Executive Committee  Subcommittee 1 – Purpose, Scope, Application, Definitions, and Reference  Subcommittee 2 – Grounding Methods  Subcommittee 3 – Electric Supply Stations  Subcommittee 4 – Overhead Lines – Clearances  Subcommittee 5 – Overhead Lines – Strength and Loading  Subcommittee 7 – Underground Lines  Subcommittee 8 – Work Rules  Interpretations Subcommittee NESC 2012 NESC Part 4 Rules for the Operation of Electric Supply and Communications Lines and Equipment (Subcommittee 8) NESC 2012 2 SIGNIFICANT ISSUES 1) ARC HAZARD 2) MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCES (MAD) NESC 2012 Arc Exposure (2007 NESC) Effective as of January 1, 2009, the employer shall ensure that an assessment is performed to determine potential exposure to an electric arc for employees who work on or near energized parts or equipment. If the assessment determines a potential employee exposure greater than 2 cal/cm2 exists (see Neal, Bingham, and Doughty [B59]), the employer shall require employees to wear clothing or a clothing system that has an effective arc rating not less than the anticipated level of arc energy. NESC 2012 Low voltage arc exposure <1000 Volts (2007 NESC) The effective arc rating of clothing or a clothing system to be worn at voltages 1000 V and above shall be determined using Tables 410-1 and 410-2 or performing an arc hazard analysis. EXCEPTION 2: For secondary systems below 1000 V, applicable work rules required by this part and engineering controls shall be utilized to limit exposure. In lieu of performing an arc hazard analysis, clothing or a clothing system with a minimum effective arc rating of 4 cal/cm2 shall be required to limit the likelihood of ignition.