Quarry Electrical Safety 4

[Elec17]

I'm in the process of preparing guidelines to the quarrying industry on electrical issues. Has anyone any general experience of quarry electrical safety that's peculiar to that industry and should be covered?

 

[Marmite]

It's going to depend on the regulations in force in your particular jurisdiction. Here in the UK mines and quarries are considered to be special cases requiring their own specific regulations. Some general guidance applicable to the UK is available on

http://www.hse.gov.uk/quarries/electricity.htm

Regards
Marmite

 

[Zogzog]

In the US they fall under MSHA standards, more restrictive than OSHA (In most cases)

 

[rockman7892]

In the quarry I am involved with (covered by MSHA) grounding and equipment grounding is an important area, especially with mobile equipment. With all of our mobile equipment we have ground check monitors on the service feeding this equipemnt to verify that there is indeed a ground reference at the mobile equipment from the source.

From what I understand annual earth resistance tests are supposed to be performed at any substation located in a facility covered by MSHA. The most popoular is a fall of potential test.

 

[Zogzog]

Yes,there are several different types of FOP tests hat can be performed. Did you have a specific question on these tests?

 

[dpmac]

The info I have states Mine Safety and Health Administration Mandatory Standards #55, 56.57.12-28, a facility is required to maintain certain records concerning continuity and resistance tests of grounding systems immediately after installation. repair, modification and annually thereafter. The way I understand it, it would include 3 Point FOP tests on ground rods and continuity tests on each motor ground conductor. These standards may be older. Please review latest standards.

 

[Elec17]

Many thanks for helpful answers.
Question for Maramite. Do you know why the HSE dropped their 1990 Code of Practice to replace them with the 2008 Guidelines shown above?
Qustion for Zogzog-I hear FOP tests can be difficult and there are other grounding tests that could be used. Any info?

 

[Zogzog]

FOP tests are easy if you have the right equipment. Any NETA testing company can do these for you and it is a cheap test.

Another method that is popular is the clamp on methos but it is usually not done properly and has limitations on when it can be used. I am actually in the middle of developing a commercially available training module on the subject.