What is new in CSA Z462 year 2015 edition?

The following is an overview of the major revisions to the 2015 edition:

• The 2015 edition of CSA Z462 reflects a major shift towards risk assessment. In support of this four new definitions were added to Clause 3: Hazard, Hazardous, Risk, and Risk Assessment. The definitions harmonize with other safety Standards such as CSA Z1000 and Z1002. The content in the standard was revised to ensure that these terms are used consistently and in accordance with the definitions.
• The term prohibited approach boundary was deleted throughout the document as shock protection requirements apply only at the limited and restricted approach boundaries; the prohibited approach boundary did not trigger any additional requirements.
• The requirement to establish an electrical safety program was moved forward to the front of Clause 4.1 to emphasize this key organizational component of electrical safety. Additionally, the electrical safety program must now be implemented as part of the employer's overall occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), when one exists. [Clause 4.1.5.1]
• The electrical safety program must now include elements that consider condition of maintenance. [Clause 4.1.5.2]
• The hierarchy of risk control found in CSA Z1000 and CSA Z1002 was added to Clause 4.1.5.7 Risk assessment and to the training requirements for qualified persons in Clause 4.1.6.4.1.
• Audits of field work to verify compliance with the procedures of the electrical safety program must be performed at intervals not to exceed 1 year. [Clause 4.1.5.9.2]
• The requirement to use Class A GFCI protection when operating or using cord- and plug-connected tools supplied by 125-volt, 15-, 20-, or 30-ampere circuits was expanded to include activities related to maintenance and construction activity. [Clause 4.1.8.3.2]
• The location, sizing, and application of temporary protective grounding equipment is required to be identified as part of the employer's job planning. [Clause 4.2.3.1]
• The contents of Clause 4.3.4 were reorganized to be under Clause titles limited approach boundary and restricted approach boundary to provide clarity and ease of use.
• The Nominal System Voltage range in Table 1A - Approach boundaries for ac systems was revised in the second row from 50 - 300 Vac to 50 - 150 Vac. The range in the third row was correspondingly revised from 301 - 750 Vac to 151 - 750 Vac. This was done to provide a dimension for the restricted approach boundary for 240 Vac single-phase systems and 208 Vac three-phase systems.
• Clarification was added that either the incident energy analysis method or the arc flash PPE category method, but not both, can be used on the same piece of equipment for the selection of arc flash PPE. The Clause prohibits using an incident energy analysis to specify an arc flash PPE category in Table 5. An informational note directs those that perform an incident energy analysis to Table H.2 and H.3 for the selection of arc flash PPE. [Clause 4.3.5.4.1 and Clause 4.3.5.4.2]
• Field-marked equipment labeling requirements were revised to require the label to be updated when the arc flash hazard risk assessment identifies a change that renders the label inaccurate. &The owner of the electrical equipment has been made responsible for the documentation, installation, and maintenance of the field-marked label. [Clause 4.3.5.5]
• The requirement prohibiting the wearing of conductive articles being was clarified as applying to the restricted approach boundary or where the articles present an electrical contact hazard. [Clause 4.3.6.4]
• The hazard/risk category method was revised to become the arc flash PPE category method. Table 4A was split into two tables: Table 4A Arc-flash hazard identification and Table 4B Arc-flash PPE categories for ac systems and Table 4B became Table 4C Arc-flash PPE categories for dc systems.  Table 4A is now used solely to identify when arc flash PPE is likely to be required. When Table 4A indicates that arc flash PPE is required then Table 4B or Table 4C is used to identify the category of PPE for ac and dc equipment respectively. The PPE categories identified in Table 4A and Table 4B are based on specific listed minimum working distance, maximum fault current, and maximum fault clearing time parameters. Table 4B and Table 4C continue to identify an Arc Flash Boundary distance for each type of equipment.
• Hazard/risk category 0 has been deleted.
• The requirement to use insulated tools or handling equipment has been changed from the limited approach boundary to restricted approach boundary. [Clause 4.3.7.4.2]
• Barricades cannot be placed closer than the limited approach boundary. When the arc flash boundary is greater than the limited approach boundary, barricades cannot be placed closer than the arc flash boundary. [Clause 4.3.7.5.2]
• A new requirement was added for an employer to perform a risk assessment before cutting or drilling into equipment, floors, walls, or structural elements where a likelihood of contacting energized electrical lines or parts exists. [Clause 4.3.10]
• Clarification is provided that the equipment owner or the owner’s designated representative is responsible for maintenance of the electrical equipment and documentation. [Clause 5.2.3]
• A risk assessment must be performed prior to any work on a battery system to identify the chemical, electrical shock, and arc flash hazards and assess the risks associated with the type of tasks to be performed. [Clause 6.2.4.3]