At voltages equal to or greater than 50 volts, energized conductors must be placed into an electrically safe work condition before any work if the worker is within which boundary?

• A. Restricted boundary
• B. Limited Approach boundary
• C. Prohibited boundary
• D. Reach boundary

Answer: (B)

When you’re working near exposed energized parts, you must control the shock hazard by using boundaries that define how close you can get to the live parts. If the voltage is 50 volts or more and you’re within the Limited Approach Boundary, you are required to place the conductors into an electrically safe work condition before any work begins. This means de-energizing the equipment, applying lockout/tagout, discharging stored energy, and verifying with testing that the parts are truly de-energized and cannot be re-energized while the task is performed. Only after establishing this electrically safe condition can work proceed, with appropriate PPE and procedures as needed for the remaining hazards.

The other boundaries define closer or more restrictive zones, which involve different protective requirements, but the specific trigger for requiring an electrically safe condition when within 50 V or more is being inside the Limited Approach Boundary.