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This is another milestone is the 15 year evolution of the CSA Z462 Workplace electrical safety Standard.

My electrical safety journey started back in 2005 when I became a Founding Member, the first Vice-Chair and Voting Member of the CSA Z462 Technical Committee.  17 years of the 32 years I have be working an an Electrical Engineer have been devoted to electrical safety.

Please reach out to me by email, terry.becker@twbesc.ca if you have any questions.

Regards;

Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member

1-587-433-3777.

Highlights of Key Changes

Changes in the CSA Z462 Workplace electrical safety Standard 2024 Edition are going to change the structure and content of CSA Z462 in some positive and potentially negative ways with respect to user interpretation. 

The CSA Z462 2024 Edition will NOT be 100% technically harmonized with the 2024 Edition of NFPA 70E, there is additional divergence from the 2021 Edition. Many of the changes listed below in the CSA Z462, 2024 Edition are not included in NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition. CSA Z462, 2024 does include most of the changes to NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition and some content from the 2021 Edition that was not included in CSA Z462, 2021 Edition (e.g. content on capacitors in Clause 6 and new CSA Z462, Annex W Working With Capacitors).

The following information is provided for the benefit of the reader in understanding the CSA Z462 Workplace electrical safety Standard and the updates/changes to the 2024 Edition and in order to update an employer’s established Electrical Safety Program. A compliant Electrical Safety Program’s Internal Electrical Safety Audit would identify the need to update the Electrical Safety Program whenever a new edition of CSA Z462 publishes. 

The information provided in this article is the technical interpretation of the author and is not an official interpretation from the CSA Group. The author takes no liability for the information presented. The information presented is based on changes that are published in CSA Z462 2024 Edition, March 28, 2024. It is also noted this article doesn’t include all changes or updates.

The CSA Z462 Workplace electrical safety Standard will publish its 6th Edition March 28 2024.  Since its inception in 2006 following CSA and NFPA executing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to harmonize Standards for North America CSA Z462 has had a positive impact on electrical safety and the identification and effective management of arc flash and shock hazards. 

In Canada. Lives have been saved! 

The first edition published in January 2009. Over the first five editions significant evolution of the standard has occurred. CSA Z462 moved from focusing on hazard identification and PPE selection to a more mature standard aligned with occupational health and safety management system standards (e.g. CSA Z45001, ISO 45001, CSA Z1002, ISO 31000) to include a mandatory risk assessment procedure. CSA Z462 pending 2024 Edition is 100% job and discrete work task risk assessment based, including two unique risk assessments completed under the overall Job’s risk assessment specific to the work task(s) that will be performed: Shock Risk Assessment and Arc Flash Risk Assessment.

Technical harmonization of the core Clauses and Articles for the most part between CSA Z462 and NFPA 70E has been maintained in the first four editions. CSA Z462 includes additional Annexes that were not adopted into NFPA 70E, changes to CSA Z462 Annexes that have occurred again in the 2024 Edition of CSA Z462 are not included in the NFPA 70E, 2024 Annexes. In the 2021 Edition of CSA Z462 additional changes were included of a technical nature related to the arc flash PPE category method that are not published in NFPA 70E (e.g. arc flash PPE Category 5 (min. 75.0 cal/cm2ATPV) new Annex V and ac electrical equipment Table V.1). The NFPA 70E 2021 Edition included a significant new Article 360 Safety-Related Requirements for Capacitors and associated Annex R Working With Capacitors this will most likely now be included in the CSA Z462 2024 Edition (e.g. Clause Annex W Working With Capacitors).

It is noted that the CSA Z462 2024 Edition public review draft was open for comment from June 1 to July 31, 2023. You are encouraged to submit public comments directly and influence the direction of the CSA Z462 Standard, 2027 Edition. The CSA Z462 Technical Committee met on May 3-4, 2022, and November  8-9, 2022 to review and approve any final amendments to the draft from committee member dockets and a final vote occurred to the draft. A final review meeting of the Technical Committee occurred on April 26 and NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition content additional reviewed and voted on. The 2024 Edition of CSA Z462 as noted above will publish in January 2024. NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition published early this cycle on May 13, 2023, because there were not that many changes and any changes did not have any rejections from NFPA Members requiring NITMAM.

The following potential changes and updates are noted. Not all changes are included in this article.

Global Changes

The following global changes are included: gender neutrality language/wording throughout the entire document, deleted the term “arc flash PPE category” in its’ entirety and replaced it with the term “arc flash PPE minimum arc rating (ATPV),” leather protectors change to “protectors” and “live line tools” added wording when words “hot stick” used. 

The term “arc flash PPE category” has been replaced with “arc flash PPE selection table method.” 

Table #s were updated throughout the document due to Table 2 being moved to Annex F.

Clause 3 Definitions

The following definitions have been altered or updated: arc flash hazard, arc rating, battery effect, electrical equipment, electrical hazard, shock hazard, voltage, nominal, and working on.

Please note where “()” are used the list definition only applies to the specific electrical equipment noted.

The following definitions are new: arc rating limit, boundary, hearing protection (as applied to capacitor hazards), boundary, lung protection (capacitors), charge transfer (as applied to capacitors), dielectric absorption (as applied to capacitors), ground stick (as applied to capacitors), grounding, hard (Low-Z) (as applied to capacitors), grounding soft (High-Z) (as applied to capacitors), hazard, arc blast (as applied to capacitors),  laser, protector, radiation, ionizing, radiation, non-ionizing, resistor, bleeder (as applied to capacitors), temporary protective grounding equipment, time constant (as applied to capacitors), and time, discharge (as applied to capacitors).

Note: Some new definitions are from NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition.

Clause 4 Safety-related work practices

Clause 4.1.6 Electrically safe work condition. Major rewrite, simplifying the content. If voltages >30VAC or >60VDC then priority is to put the electrical equipment into an electrically safe work condition. The detailed list of exceptions will be deleted from the Clause and new text added employer shall demonstrate “not practicable.”

Clause 4.1.7.9.2 Job safety planning. Note was added that an example is included in Annex I, Figure I.2. This example was actually added in Annex I, 2021 Edition. This note is relocated from Clause 4.1.7.9.4 Change is scope. Additional requirement added that emergency response plan needs to be included in the job safety planning form used.

Clause 4.1.7.9.3 Job briefing. Note added to reference job briefing checklist example in Annex I, Figure I.1.

Clause 4.1.8.3.2 First aid, emergency response, and resuscitation. Notes added reference supporting Standards related to first aid training, CSA Z1210 and emergency preparedness and response, CSA Z1600.

Clause 4.1.13.2 Maintenance and construction and Clause 4.1.13.3 Outdoors. In Clause and notes voltage changed from 125-volt, 120-volt.

Clause 4.2.4.6 Elements of control, b) Stored energy, text added related to capacitors in new CSA Z462 2024 Edition, Clause 6.7 and Annex W.

Clause 4.2.5 Process for establishing and verifying electrically safe work condition. From NFPA  70E, 2024 Edition, g) adds words … test each phase conductor or circuit part at each point of work to verify absence of voltage. It is important to correctly interpret where the “point of work” actually is in the electrical equipment that will be worked on. Two locations may require absence of voltage to be verified.

Clause 4.3 Work Involving Electrical Hazards. Clause 4.3.2.2 Elements of work permit (EEWP), Part II content was revised deleting specific content that would be included on Energized Electrical Job Safety Planning (EEJSP) form that doesn’t need to be included in Part II of the EEWP.

Clause 4.3.2.3 Exemptions to work permit (EEWP). Additional exemptions were added related to electrical equipment design. Wording changes to improve clarity. Exemptions added: normal operation of electrical equipment, performance of tasks that do not involve repairs, modifications, or any alterations of the electrical equipment, performance of tasks involved in establishing an electrically safe work condition, including the verifying absence of voltage and the installation or temporary protective grounding, and opening hinged covers for the purpose of inspection provided the restricted approach boundary is not crossed. The employer’s compliant Electrical Safety Program shall document these exemptions and potential other exemptions, so they are policy.

Clause 4.3.5.1 Estimate of likelihood and severity. Notes updated, references to Annex F, implications related to closed doors, and language updates with respect to “improper installation or improper or inadequate maintenance could result in calculated incident energy exceeding the arc rating of the selected PPE.

Clause 4.3.5.3 Additional protective measures. Table 2 Estimate of the likelihood of occurrence of an arc flash incident for ac and dc systems is moved to Annex F, Table F.3.

Clause 4.3.5.5 Arc flash boundary. Updated wording due to the term “arc flash PPE category” being deleted in CSA Z462 2024 Edition. Arc flash PPE selection table method can be used. Reference in Notes to Annex V.

Clause 4.3.5.6.1 General. Wording changes due to the term “arc flash PPE category” being deleted from CSA Z462 2024 Edition.

Clause 4.3.5.6.1 Incident energy analysis method. Notes updated to add wording that changes that can affect incident energy calculations are utility data, transformer sizing, and modifications to electrical protective devices. The employer’s Electrical Safety Program Management of Change (MOC) process shall be followed.

Table 3 renumbered to Table 2, because Table 2 relocated to Annex F, Table F.3. New Table 2 applies to both incident energy analysis and the arc flash PPE selection table method.

Clause 4.3.5.7 Equipment labelling. Wording changes because of Table number changes for the new term arc flash PPE selection table method. Also added that equipment label material must be sufficient durability for the environment involved.

Clause 4.3.7.3.1 General. In the Note it advises what can be done if incident energy exceeds the available ATPV of arc flash PPE, language updated to advise non-contact capacitive test instrument or permanently mounted metering device can be used before contact test instrument is used to test for the absence of voltage. This is a consideration related to the qualitative risk assessment procedure in the employer’s Electrical Safety Program.

Clause 4.3.7.3.3 Head, face, neck and chin protection. Note updated to confirm CSA approved Class E and Class G hard hats are non-conducting.

Clause 4.3.7.3.5 Hearing protection. Language updated “workers inside the arc flash boundary shall wear hearing protection.” The Qualified Person will wear ear canal insert ear plugs while they are performing an energized electrical work task that may expose them to an abnormal arcing fault and arc flash.

Table 4 (updated number) added in ‘Gloves – Non-Leather Protectors.” The term “leather” has been deleted as there is a new ASTM F2675. An arc-rated glove will NOT be v-rated!

Clause 4.3.7.3.15 Arc flash PPE category method. Entire Clause DELETED. Content relocated to Annex V.

Table 6A and 6B moved and renamed in Annex V, Table V.2 and Table V.3. Table 6C deleted.

Clause 4.3.7.5 Alerting techniques. Relocated to Clause 4.3.8.15.

Clause 4.3.8.13 Reclosing circuits after protective device operation. Language changed to advise “Qualified Person” determines safe to energize. No manual reclosing until fault has been cleared.

Clause 4.3.11 Cutting or drilling. Language updated that we need to “establish and verify an electrical safe work condition and risk control methods, additional protective measures and any required shock and arc flash PPE identified for use.

Clause 4.3.12 Cutting, removing, or rerouting of electrical conductors and circuit parts. Language updated in Clause title and content to align with other CSA Z462 wording/terminology. Note content added. Clarity.

Clause 5 Safety-related maintenance requirements

No changes. Note CSA Z463 Maintenance of electrical systems Standard is under revision and the next Edition will most likely be published in 2024. Note USA NFPA 70B just published as a Standard in April 2023.

Clause 6.0 Safety requirements for special equipment

Capacitor information from NFPA 70E, 2021 Edition Article 360 and Annex R are now added to CSA Z462, 2024 Edition as Clause 6.7 Safety-related requirements for capacitors and Annex W Working With Capacitors.

Clause 6.3 Safety requirements related to batteries and battery rooms or battery enclosures. Clause 6.3.1 General. Clarifies voltage of concern exceeds 100V, nominal or exceeds a short-circuit power of 1000W. Additional ten (10) Standards added under the Note.

Clause 6.3.2.1 Energy thresholds. Thermal hazard identified related to working on batteries and battery short-circuit power. New battery risk assessment flow chart added to CSA Z462 20-2024 Edition Annex F Risk assessment and risk control.

Clause 6.3.2.2 Battery risk assessment. Note added pointing to new battery risk assessment flow chart added to CSA Z462 2024 Edition Annex F, Figure F.8. Electrical hazards related to batteries are electric shock, thermal hazard and abnormal arcing fault and arc flash.

Clause 6.3.4 Tools and equipment. Language added that insulating hand tools used for battery terminations, length and insulation selected to minimize inadvertent contact.

Clause 6.4 Safety-related work practices for use of lasers. Significant content additions and language updates. From NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition.

Clause 6.5 Safety-related work practices for power electronic equipment. Significant content additions and language updates. From NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition.

Clause 6.7 Safety-related requirements for capacitors. NEW CONTENT from NFPA 70E, 2021 Edition. Also NEW CSA Z462 2024 Edition Annex W Working With Capacitors.

Annexes 

In the CSA Z462 2024 Edition several existing Annexes are updated. A new Annex W is added with respect to capacitors. Significant changes to Annex V.

Annex B Content updated. Figure updated. B.5 new content added with guidance on “Assessing the Condition of Maintenance.” New content from NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition.

Annex F New content added, F.7 Factors that affect the likelihood of occurrence of an arc flash incident as a forward to the relocated Clause 4.3 Table 2 which is now Table F.2. New section F.8 Battery risk assessment added, and Figure F.8 added “Assessing Hazards Associated with Work on Batteries.” This content was in NFPA 70E. 

Annex H Content updated due to the deletion of term “arc flash PPE category method” and Annex V changes. Table H.1, 40.0 cal/cm2 updated to 75.0 cal/cm2.

Annex J Example EEWP Part II updated to reflect updates to Clause changes.

Annex K Content changes to related to K.2 Electric shock with respect to electric shock sequela. Under K.3 Arc flash new content for additional electrical hazard classification added related to thermal energy, blast pressure energy (content was already included), and acoustic (sound) energy, light energy. K.5 Additional information additional references added.

Annex O Some updated content added.

Annex V Renamed to “Arc Flash PPE Selection Table Method.” This Annex has had substantial changes and updates with Table 6A, 6B added. Table 6C is deleted, there is no longer an “arc flash PPE category” in CSA Z462. 

Annex W Working With Capacitors. This is a NEW Annex. Resource referenced in new Clause 6.7 Safety-related requirements for capacitors.

In closing the CSA Z462 Workplace electrical safety Standard has made a significantly positive impact in Canada since 2009 to worker safety related to energized electrical work. Many employers are referencing CSA Z462 when developing their Electrical Safety Programs and in determining the hierarchy or risk control methods to apply to energized electrical work tasks to eliminate exposure to arc flash & shock for Qualified Persons or to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

As above this article is not an official interpretation from the CSA Group and is based on the interpretation of the author of this article. Not all changes to CSA Z462, 2024 Edition are included, and descriptions of changes may not be complete and require additional review for interpretation. You are advised to contact the CSA Group for any official interpretation. 

I will continue my efforts to communicate information in Electrical Safety Measures and share the knowledge and experience I have in an effort to “Get it Right!!” My electrical safety journey and mission will continue!! 

If you are interested in discussing the information presented in this article or would like a specific topic presented do not hesitate to contact me at terry.becker@twbesc.ca or 587-433-3777.

Reference the TW Becker Electrical Safety Consulting Inc. website for information on the electrical safety consulting, Electrical Safety Program licensed product, External Electrical Safety Audit, 1 and 2 Day Low & High Voltage Arc Flash & Shock training and FREE RESOURCES.

www.twbesc.ca

Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member is the first past Vice-Chair of the CSA Z462 Workplace electrical safety Standard Technical Committee and currently a Voting Member and Clause 4.1 and Annexes Working Group Leader. Terry is also a Voting Member on the CSA Z463 Maintenance of electrical systems Standard and a Voting Member of the IEEE 1584 Guide for Performing for Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations. Terry is also a voting member on CAN/ULC S801. Terry has presented at Conferences and Workshops on electrical safety in Canada, the USA, Italy, India and Australia. Terry is a Professional Engineer in the Provinces of BC, AB, ON and PEI Terry is an Electrical Safety Specialist, Management Consultant, and can be reached at 1-587-433-3777 or by email terry.becker@twbesc.ca.