CSA Z462:21 PDF Download

CSA Z462:21 is the fifth edition of the Workplace Electrical Safety standard. It supersedes previous editions and is based on NFPA 70E, harmonized with Parts I, II, and III of the Canadian Electrical Code, CSA Z460, and CSA M421. The standard specifies requirements for safety management systems, safe work procedures, and selection of personal protective equipment for individuals exposed to hazards associated with energized electrical equipment. It also includes criteria for identifying and training qualified electrical workers.

The major revisions in the 2021 edition include the addition of definitions for certain terms, a requirement for employers to create an electrical safety policy, organizational changes to improve clarity and flow, modification of the term "normal operating condition" to "normal equipment condition," additional means of training, change in the threshold for potentially hazardous energy, a new method for selecting arc-flash personal protective equipment for AC voltages, added guidance on reducing the occurrence of arcing events and exposure, modifications to tables for voltage ratings and equipment categories, rewriting of Clause 5, complete rewriting of Table A.1, addition of a job safety planning checklist in Annex I, rewriting of Annex O for clarity and additional safety options, addition of Annex P for electrical switching and isolation guidance, and addition of Annex T for temporary protective grounding guidance.

The scope of the standard covers workplace electrical safety during activities such as installation, maintenance, operation, and demolition of electrical equipment, as well as work near energized electrical equipment. However, it does not apply to certain installations and equipment such as ships, railway rolling stock, and installations under the exclusive control of an electric utility. Users of the standard are responsible for judging its suitability for their specific purposes and should use it in conjunction with other related Canadian electrical safety standards and relevant safety regulations.

The standard is organized into three main clauses and one annex, with additional annexes included for information purposes. The units of record in the standard are in SI units, with values in parentheses provided for comparison.