mepav engineering & operations workshop...electricities, the energy behind public power, is a...

MEPAV Engineering & Operations Workshop

October 24, 2019

Delivering value to public power

communities through collective strength,

wisdom and action while promoting a more

successful future for our citizens.

PURPOSE

2

1.2 MILLION PEOPLENC Public Power illuminates the

homes and workplaces of more than

1.2 million people

3

Governance Structure

ElectriCities, the energy behind public power, is a not-for-profit membership organization

that consolidates many of the administrative, technical, legal and legislative services

needed by municipally owned electric utilities.

Governed by a 16-member

board of directors

ABOUT ELECTRICITIES

4

MEMBER SERVICESENERGY EDUCATION & SUPPORT

BUSINESS AND KEY ACCOUNTS

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

SAFETY & TRAINING

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

RATES & REVENUES

COLLABORATION

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

RENEWABLES

5

MEMBER SERVICESENERGY EDUCATION & SUPPORT

BUSINESS AND KEY ACCOUNTS

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

SAFETY & TRAINING

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

RATES & REVENUES

COLLABORATION

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

RENEWABLES

• Arc Hazards: NESC part 4 rules were updated in 2017 with more detailed info on low voltage arc

hazards, mainly concerning 480v arcs. Table 410A3 ensures employers perform assessments to

determine potential exposure to electric arcs. This will help employers determine PPE for exposed

employees.

• Fall Protection: 2017 NESC update for rule 420K requiring employees to use appropriate fall

protection while climbing or working on poles or towers. This coincides with OSHA fall protection

rule that went into effect in 2014.

• Minimum Approach Distances: Changes were made in 2017 to align with OSHA on the definition of

“reach” and “extended reach” as it pertains to 72.5KV and above. Rule 441 is now clearer and

easier to understand.

• New NESC App: The new app has been introduced which includes: Access to contents of the

manual, all diagrams and charts, all formulas and equations, as well as a dictionary feature. It is

available in the APP Store at NESC 2017 IEEE.

NESC UPDATE

July 21 – 24, 2020; Held in Lexington, NC

Course outline:• NESC purpose, organization and application

• Significant revisions contained in the 2017 NESC

• NESC compliance, legal liability and risk management

• Rule interpretations and source of help for compliance

• Recognition and correction of code violations

• Integration of NESC requirements into design, construction and maintenance

• Safety and work rules for construction and operations personnel

• Code interpretation and compliance issues contributed by course participants

• Distribution pole strength requirements calculations

• Pole line design and conductor clearance calculations

NESC OVERVIEW & OVERHEAD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TRAINING

Safety Training: Career Development

• Overhead Lineworker Career Development Program

• Now available online

• Used as part of many state-registered apprenticeship programs

• Flexible, great for rain days

• Testing coordinated with ElectriCities Safety team

• Other Career Development Programs:

• Underground (online)

• Meter Technician (live)

• Substation (online)

8

Safety Training: Schools & Workshops• Basic Lineworker

• Intermediate Lineworker

• Advanced Lineworker

• Basic Underground

• Advanced Underground

• Basic Electric Meter

• Advanced Electric Meter

• Climbing

• Substation Operations

• Substation Maintenance

• Transformer

• Trenching Competent Person/Confined Space

• NESC Overview and Overhead Distribution Systems Training

• Troubleshooting Workshop

• Protective Grounding Workshop

9

Safety Associate Member Add-On3-Year Added Services Program Includes:

• Annual Crew Evaluation

• Access to monthly Safety Meetings delivered via webinar

• Annual on-site OSHA training by ElectriCities Staff (one-day)

• APPA Safety Manuals at discounted rate

• Discounted Safety School Rate ($150 off)

• Up-to-date information on OSHA regulation changes

10

Collaboration

• Annual Member Conference

• Connections Summit

• Committees & Subgroups:

• Safety Team

• Utility Directors Advisory Committee

• Operations Standards Team

• Communications Taskforce

11

Mutual Aid

• Benefit from a network of 70+ NC members participating in emergency response

• Associate members are welcome to reach out to our network when in need of assistance

12

www.electricities.com

STAY CONNECTED

@ncpublicpower

@Electricities

@ElectriCitiesNC

ElectriCities of NC

NC Public Power Channel