CSA Z462 2021 Edition Technical Committee Meeting

Dec 14, 2020

By Terry Becker

COVID-19 has changed the way we meet. For the second time in 2020 the CSA Z462 Technical Committee met virtually via the Internet. The second meeting this year was held on October 27, 2020 to review the committee’s mail ballot voting on the changes related to the 2021 edition and approve it for publishing.

I am a founding member and the First Past Vice-Chair of the CSA Z462 Technical Committee and remember our first meeting in Toronto in 2006. There are many of us who have been there since the beginning and many new faces that are positively contributing to this valuable standard.

Looking back from that first meeting in Toronto to the October 27, 2020, wow! We moved from having no idea what the arc flash hazard was and where we neglected the shock hazard to today where the expectation is that a worker exposed to arc flash and shock completing commissioning, maintenance or electrical equipment isolation work tasks may have to wear minimum arc flash and shock PPE and use other insulating or insulated hand tools and equipment. Learn more about changes and updates to CSA Z462 Workplace Electrical Safety Standard, 2021 Edition here.

Personally, I left a corporate job as a staff electrical engineer and ventured out on my own with ESPS Electrical Safety Program Solutions Inc. and now TW Becker Electrical Safety Consulting Inc. Over the past 13 years I have worked for companies in all industry sectors across Canada providing electrical safety consulting and compliant arc flash & shock training!

In January 2021 the 5th edition of CSA Z462 will publish. Twelve years later I believe that CSA Z462 has made a difference and the next edition moves the standard ahead with enhancements, clarifications and new material that will further advance electrical safety in the workplace.

I encourage you to buy the 5th edition when it is available, and that you update your electrical safety program, and train your workers on the requirements of the electrical safety program.

Terry Becker, P.Eng., CESCP, IEEE Senior Member is the first past Vice-Chair of the CSA Z462 Workplace electrical safety Standard Technical Committee and currently a Voting Member and Working Group Leader for Clause 4.1 and the Annexes. Terry is also a Voting Member on the CSA Z463 Maintenance of electrical systems Standard and a Voting Member of the IEEE 1584 Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations. Terry has presented at Conferences and Workshops on electrical safety in Canada, the USA, India, and Australia. Terry is a Professional Engineer in AB, BC, SK, MN and ON. Terry is an Electrical Safety Specialist, Management Consultant at TW Becker Electrical Safety Consulting Inc. and can be reached at 1-587-433-3777 or by email terry.becker@twbesc.ca.