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Power Operations Arc Flash Protection

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
2019-15642
Report Type
Inspection / Evaluation
Description
Due to the risk of personnel injury from arc flash hazards, we performed an evaluation to determine if (1) TVA’s arc flash procedures were being performed as required, (2) required personal protective equipment (PPE) was available and properly maintained, and (3) required training was completed. We determined some requirements of TVA’s arc flash procedure were not being performed. Specifically, we determined (1) some arc flash hazard analyses were not complete, reviewed timely, updated, or verified and submitted for record; (2) some identified arc flash hazards were not communicated accurately to workers; and (3) arc flash hazards were not consistently documented. In addition, we determined arc flash training needs improvement. Specifically, we determined (1) not all personnel assigned arc flash training had completed the training curriculum, (2) TVA’s identified population of individuals required to have arc flash training was incomplete and not a reliable indicator as to who is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to receive the training, and (3) TVA does not require retraining at the frequency suggested by industry guidance. Also, while PPE was generally available and in good condition, PPE management practices could be improved.
Joint Report
Yes
Participating OIG
Tennessee Valley Authority OIG
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

Execute the plan to update arc flash hazard analyses at plants currently overdue on their review cadence to ensure the analyses are reflective of current plant operating conditions and comply with requirements for a 5-year review.

Implement a consistent method for placing updated arc flash labels at plants to provide workers accurate arc flash values in a timely manner.

Consider implementing processes to maintain plant-level inventory listings of arc flash PPE and implementing a PM program to routinely inspect PPE.

Develop and implement a control to ensure arc flash hazard analyses are accurate, approved, and submitted for record into ECM.

Develop and implement a control to ensure arc flash hazard analyses contain all updated calculations at those respective plants.