6.2. ERMUSR 12-09-2008~i
Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330-0430
December 1, 2008
To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Jerry Takle
John Dietz
Jerry Gumphrey
From: Troy Adams
Subject: Clothing Policy
Phone: ?63.441.2020
Fax: 763.441.8099
Recently, there have been some questions by staff regarding Elk River Municipal Utilities
clothing policies pertaining to meter change out and their impact to employee safety.
At the April 17, 2008 Elk River Municipal Utilities Meeting, the commission reviewed and
approved changes to ERMU Policy Manual Section 7.1 -Clothing Policy and ERMU Employee
Handbook Section 30 -Employee Clothing (both attached for reference). The changes to both
documents resulted from an analysis of the arc flash assessment that had just been completed by
USG. Based on the results of the arc flash assessment and an effort to reduce operational costs,
delineation was drawn between the ERMU outside operation employees that work around
energized electrical equipment and those who don't. Per the approved changes to the ERMU
Handbook Section 30, the outside operation employees that do not work around energized
electrical equipment would not receive fire retardant clothing. Also, short sleeve shirts would be
substituted for pants. In the approved changes to the Clothing Policy under item #6, the 8 calorie
clothes system is not required for residential meter change out.
For many reasons, it makes sense to consider having one clothing system for all outside
employees. Currently, ERMU employees that do not receive the 8 calorie fire retardant clothing
system change out residential electric meters on a regular basis. There is also the possibility that
any ERMU employee may need to work around energized electrical equipment, even if it's only
in an all-hands-on-deck situation. The risks of arc flash are obviously less with the reduced
frequency of exposure, but the fact is the risks are still there. Also to consider, the costs of the 8
calorie clothes system are more than the non fire retardant clothing. So there needs to be some
balance between risk and cost. At present time, there are 17 employees that receive the 8 calorie
clothes system and 7 employees that receive the non fire retardant clothes. Attached are current
prices for both clothing systems for your reference and consideration.
FR Non FR D ifference
Parka $ 275.00 $ 85.00 $ 190.00
Coat $ 428.00 $ 64.00 $ 364.00
Lined Bib $ 210.00 $ 78.00 $ 132.00
Unlined Bib $ 110.00 $ 65.00 $ 45.00
$1,023.00 $ 292.00 $ 731.00
Carhartt now has an FR Coat for $160 $ (268.00)
$ 755.00 $ 292.00 $ 463.00
Option to FR:
Lab Tech Coat -Knee Length $ 100.00
* Yearly Max
FR Non FR Difference Cost Difference
Sweatshirt $ 149.00 $ 58.00 $ 91.00 $ 182.00
Pants $ 59.00 $ - }
FR gets pants non-FR gets SS Shirts $ 65.00
Short Sleeve Shirt $ - $ 46.00 }
Lon Sleeve Shirt $ 52.00 $ 38.00 $ 14.00 $ 14.00
T-Shirts $ 38.00 $ 12.50 $ 25.50 $ 127.50
Totals $ 298.00 $ 154.50 $ 130.50 $ 388.50
Employees 7
Total $ 2,719.50
"Yearly Max Cost Difference does not
include outer wear which is re laced as need ed.
Elk River Municipal Utilities
Arc Flash Assessment and Clothing Requirements
When working on or near energized equipment, operational personnel of the Elk River
Municipal Utilities shall wear clothing having a minimum rating of 8 calories. Employees shall
wear natural fiber (cotton, wool) undergarments. Eight calorie clothing system shall include
long sleeve FR shirt, FR pants, safety eyewear, leather safety boots, and appropriate rubber
gloves and sleeves, face shield optional. The following working condition shall apply:
1) Working in Substations
a) While operating electrical equipment and 8 ft. or more from energized equipment, 8
calorie clothing shall be worn (face shield is optional).
b) While operating electrical equipment less than 8 ft. from energized equipment, 8
calorie clothing, face shield and FR coat shall be worn.
c) A minimum of cotton FR tee shirt clothing in substations shall be worn for the
following tasks.
1. Changing setting on feeder re-closure controller (non reclose, hot line tag, ground
trip block etc.)
2. Changing or verifying settings on LTC or 69KV breaker.
3. Meter reading.
2) Working general overhead lines, 8 calorie clothing shall be worn (face shield optional).
3) Working underground primary when moving elbows, fusing, phase testing, 8 calorie
clothing with face shield shall be worn.
4) Working underground 3 phase secondary.
a) Secondary testing and placing locating clamp, 8 calorie clothing with face shield shall
be worn.
b) Metering or power quality testing in transformers, employees shall work in a 2 person
crew. Both employees shall wear 8 calorie clothing with a fire retardant coat, face
shield and appropriate rubber gloves and sleeves.
5) Meter change out -leather gloves shall be worn. When changing out an energized
meter, the employee shall use a meter puller or wear an arc flash face shield.
6) For single phase residential meter change out, the 8 calorie clothes system is not required.
Undergarments and outerwear shall be of natural fibers. Leather gloves shall be worn.
When changing out an energized meter, the employee shall use a meter puller or wear an
arc flash face shield.
If clothing becomes ripped, frayed, etc. it shall be replaced. In regard to clothing appearance to
our customers, no cut-off shirts, muscle shirts, or white safety shoes shall be worn.
• Riding on any type of mass transit while on Utility business;
• Working at any Utility or municipal building or worksite;
• Working at any off-site on behalf of the Utility;
• Performing emergency or on-call work at times other than normal business
hours;
• Working at private residences or business at anytime other than normal
business hours; and
• Attending training or conferences on behalf of the Utility.
The carrying of a BB gun, shotgun, or rifle on or about the person in a public place is
prohibited.
Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action including termination of
employment.
29. EMPLOYEE SAFETY
All regulations and laws of the State of Minnesota and rules of the Utilities Commission
governing the safety of employees and the public shall be complied with by the employee
and the Utilities Commission.
The Utilities will provide one pair of safety glasses at the time of employment. The
employee shall provide the correct prescription for the safety glasses.
The Utilities will pay the cost of new safety lenses, upon a change in the prescription. If
needed, frames will be replaced every four years.
Safety glasses that are broken or damaged while the employee is on the job will be
replaced by the Utility.
30. EMPLOYEE CLOTHING
The Utilities will, after an initial issue of five fire retardant long sleeved shirts, five fire
retardant pants, and five fire retardant tee shirts per outside employee exposed to electric
hazards, replace annually. As an option, one fire retardant hooded fleece may be
substituted for two fire retardant long sleeved shirts and sweatshirt may be substituted for
long sleeve shirt with a maximum of two. The Utilities will also replace as needed: fire
retardant lined and unlined bib overalls, fire retardant lined parka and hood, fire retardant
lined bomber jacket, and hats with the appropriate emblems and identification. The policy
also includes the following additional items: lineman's climbing boots, summer work
boots, rubber boots, rubber overshoes, insulated winter boots, and coveralls (used for
maintenance on trucks). It is expected that the employee wear these work items during
working hours. Worn out items to be turned in. The Utilities will issue a check to the
supplier for the covered items. For outside operational employees whose job duties do
not require fire retardant clothing, non-fire retardant clothing items will be furnished.
Short sleeve shirts will be provided instead of pants.
\\ermuserver\home$\peggy\Misc. Manuals\MISC MANUAL ITEMS\Employee Handbook 2007.doc 10
Revision April 2008