12 Essential Safety Rules

TDBL-HS-B-S-001

Author: Andrej Krnetic, T&D HSE Business Partner

Approver: Omar Al Hashmi, T&D Executive Director
Version No: 1.0 Issue Date: April 2022
Amendment Summary: N/A

Next Review Date: April 2024

Scope: TAQA Group and TAQA Group Personnel

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CONTENTS

Para Page

1 Purpose 3
1.1 Safety Culture 3

2 Scope 4
3 Terminology and Deviations 4
4 Key Responsibilities 5
4.1 All Employees 5
4.2 All Managers 5
4.3 All Supervisors and individuals in charge of work 5

5 Compliance Monitoring, Audit and Assurance 6

6 Standard 7
RULE 1 – PERMIT TO WORK 8
RULE 2 - ENERGY ISOLATION 9
RULE 3 – EXCAVATIONS & GROUND DISTURBANCE 10
RULE 4 - CONFINED SPACE ENTRY 11
RULE 5 - WORKING AT HEIGHT 12
RULE 6 - LIFTING OPERATIONS 12
RULE 7 - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 14
RULE 8 - DRIVING SAFETY 15
RULE 9 - MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE 17
RULE 10 - RESTRICTED AREA ENTRY 18
RULE 11 - SYSTEM OVERRIDE 19
RULE 12 – WORKING NEAR UNDERGROUND & OVERHEAD UTILITIES 20

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1 Purpose
According to TAQA Corporate HSSE policy:
“No operational priority is more important than protecting the health, safety and
security of our people and our communities, and respecting our environment.”
Everyone who works for, or on behalf of, TAQA is responsible for their safety and the
safety of those around them.
Having consistent safety rules across TAQA Businesses is a powerful way of ensuring
a common approach to controlling high risk activities.
TAQA Essential Safety Rules are based on analysis of the most common causes of
accidents in our industry. These safety rules will be strictly enforced to ensure the
safety of our people and our communities. TAQA expects everyone on our sites,
including employees, suppliers, and any other visitors - including delivery drivers and
clients, to meet these Essential Safety Rules.
TAQA Essential Safety Rules are presented in Section 6 of this document.
The purpose of TAQA 12 Essential Rules is to protect its employees as well
Contractors who are doing high risk activities on / near TAQA’s assets. If the 12
Essential Rules are not applied, or applied incorrectly, there is a good chance for
critical incidents or even fatalities to occur. This standard lists out the 12 Essential
Rules and the necessary controls the employees need to take when being in such an
environment to protect their lives.

1.1 Safety Culture

TAQA Essential Safety Rules must be utilised within a positive safety culture to ensure
they work effectively and to keep our people safe. TAQA strives to nurture an effective
safety culture. TAQA Businesses shall promote the development of a culture that
encourages individuals to intervene and that only allows work to be carried out when
it is safe to do so.
We are all empowered to make decisions that will create a safe workplace, even if it
means stopping work to make a situation safe.

THINK SAFE, WORK SAFE, AND BE SAFE

COMPLACENCY KILLS, DO NOT CUT CORNERS

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2 Scope
This document applies to all TAQA Businesses and any third parties doing work on
TAQA’s behalf. Compliance is mandatory for everyone while on any TAQA site.
TAQA operates in Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution, and onshore and
offshore Oil & Gas. These rules apply throughout our operated businesses.
Each TAQA Business should consider their operations, activities and high
potential event histories and determine which Essential Safety Rules will be
most effective and relevant to their individual operational and environmental
requirements. If a particular business needs specific rules not detailed in the 12
Essential Safety Rules, those additional rules can be created and implemented
in that business or operating company.
It is expected throughout TAQA’s Businesses that these rules are implemented in a
way which is best suited to individual TAQA Businesses. Each TAQA Business shall
ensure that people who manage, supervise, operate, and maintain our plants fully
understand how their tasks can be carried out safely using these rules.
If any national/local law requires an even higher level of safety compliance, that legal
requirement must always be met.

3 Terminology and Deviations

The following terminology is used throughout all TAQA Management System (TMS)
documents.

Term Use of Term Infers

Must Mandatory
Legislative requirement, standard or TAQA’s Safety Rules.
Shall Mandatory
Minimum requirement.
Should Strongly Recommended
Best practice or recommended/
preferred option.
May Suggested
Possible course of action.

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4 Key Responsibilities

4.1 All Employees

For everyone to remember:

• think before you start work, know the risks

• you have a responsibility to yourselves and others to act and work safely

• you should use proactive approach when it comes to health and safety. If you are
unsure of the proper procedure or the safety hazards, ask for assistance and/or
instructions.

• you are authorised to stop work if you notice any violations to safety standards or
procedures

• you are authorised to stop work if you are in doubt about the safety of an activity

• you should look out for each other, health and safety is about team work

4.2 All Managers

If you are a manager, you shall:

• measure, set targets and drive continuous improvement across a range of

occupational safety measures

• visit the workforce and make the discussion of safety a priority

• understand and act on investigations into near misses and incidents

• communicate important lesson learned regularly

• improve our HSSE performance by regular campaigns focused on specific

categories of hazards

• empower all employees and contractors to stop unsafe acts to reduce incidents
and personal injury, without fear of reprisal.

4.3 All Supervisors and individuals in charge of work

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall:

• support and attend pre-shift meetings, briefings, and toolbox talks

• plan work carefully as it will prevent unsafe situations.

• Stop the work/production where safety is compromised, regardless of cost,

• and encourage others to do the same

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5 Compliance Monitoring, Audit and Assurance

This standard shall be subject to internal compliance monitoring in accordance with
the TAQA T&D HSE Assurance Framework (TBDL-HS-C-S-004).

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6 Standard

RULE

01 PERMIT TO WORK

02 ENERGY ISOLATION

03 EXCAVATIONS & GROUND DISTURBANCE

04 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

05 WORKING AT HEIGHT

06 LIFTING OPERATIONS

07 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

08 DRIVING SAFELY

09 MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE

10 RESTRICTED AREA ENTRY

11 SYSTEM OVERRIDE

12 WORKING NEAR UNDERGROUND & OVERHEAD UTILITIES

TAQA Essential Safety Rules are built around lessons learned across industry and
they clearly define expectations which help keep us all safe when undertaking
hazardous work. These provide the interpretation of some of the most common risks,
implementing lessons learned and translating some of the key corporate expectations
into common safety practices.
It is a requirement that these rules are read and acted upon by everyone that works
for TAQA.

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RULE 1 – PERMIT TO WORK

A work permit describes what you must do to stay safe whilst undertaking specific
tasks.
Before conducting work that involves specific tasks e.g. confined space entry,
energized systems, ground disturbance, locations where buried hazards are known to
exist, hot work or non-routine cold work, working at height, working with chemicals,
lifting operations, a permit must be obtained.
You shall:
• be trained on the work permit procedure in the respective operating company and follow it
• confirm that the work permit is valid
• confirm with the supervisor or the person in charge of the work that it is safe to start work
• stop work and notify your supervisor if conditions change and the permit controls are
affected
• do not commence work without the necessary safety documentation, PTW procedure
training and certification, and authorization from the Supervisor

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall:
• confirm if a work permit is required for this work and if it is, work permit is displayed at the
work site
• confirm that the workplace has been inspected before work starts
• confirm that the work permit is authorised by responsible person(s)
• confirm that all risks have been identified before allowing any work to commence
• verify all necessary control measures are in place to eliminate or mitigate hazards and all
work parties have been fully briefed and understand the required controls
• link the work to other associated work permits, simultaneous (con-current/parallel)
operations
• aid with the pre-job communication of applicable information to everyone involved with the
work
• confirm that it is safe to start work.
• confirm that there is adequate control over the return to normal operations
• confirm that a new work permit is prepared and authorised when the work or the situation
changes
• confirm that the work is completed
• monitor and audit compliance with the permit requirements at the work site
You shall explain how the work permit will keep the workforce safe

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RULE 2 - ENERGY ISOLATION

Before conducting any work on an equipment, verify it can be done while equipment is
in dead condition. If yes, isolate the equipment and verify it is in dead condition before
work begins and use the specified life protecting equipment.
Isolation separates you from danger (such as electricity, pressure, toxic materials,
poisonous gas, chemicals, hot liquids, or radiation) to keep you safe. Life-protecting
equipment specified by the work permit (such as breathing apparatus, electrical arc
flash protection or chemical resistant suits) protect you from danger but are the last line
of defence.
Release Energy, Lock, Tag & Test
You shall:
• be trained on the lock-out-tag-out or isolations procedure in your respective operating
company and abide by its requirements
• understand the isolations that protect you from danger
• confirm with the supervisor or the person in charge of the work that isolations are in place
• confirm with the supervisor or the person in charge of the work it is safe to start work
• stop work and notify your supervisor if conditions change or the isolation has been violated

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall confirm:
• all energy sources including electrical, mechanical, potential (e.g. gravity), kinetic, etc. are
correctly identified
• the right equipment and energy sources have been controlled
• any stored energy has been safely released
• the method of isolation and discharge of stored energy are agreed and executed by a
competent person(s)
• all energy sources that could cause harm have been properly isolated at the source using
LOTO (Lock out Tag Out) or equivalent process
• the isolation has been done properly before testing for any remaining stored energy
• no stored energy or other dangers remain
• a test is conducted to ensure the isolation is effective
• the test is conducted with approved and calibrated equipment
• minimum local regulatory requirements are met
• it is safe to start work
• isolation effectiveness is periodically monitored and recorded
• isolation compliance is monitored to ensure it meets the isolation standard
• all guards and safety systems are put back when the work is completed

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RULE 3 – EXCAVATIONS & GROUND

DISTURBANCE

Obtain authorisation before starting excavation activities.

Excavation activities may contain hazards such as electrical cables, confined space,
collapse of walls or excavated material. Check that it is safe to start work.
An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression, formed by earth
removal (e.g. digging).

You shall
• never enter an excavation without prior permission
• confirm with the supervisor or person in charge that it is safe to start work
• follow applicable work permit requirements
• stop work and notify your supervisor if anything unexpected happens

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall confirm:
• the working party has obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from local authorities
before commencing work
• all work permit requirements are in place (e.g. confined space, isolation)
• barriers and signs are in place to restrict access to excavation sites
• a work site risk assessment has been conducted by a competent person(s) including
identified hazards e.g. cable/pipeline route marking, soil classification and testing
• any explosive (powder or gas) actuated tools are used only by persons who have been
instructed and trained in their safe use
• soil/ground movement is controlled to prevent collapse (e.g. shoring, sloping, soil
placement)
• appropriate escape paths are provided at appropriate distance determined by risk
assessment
• ground and environmental conditions are continuously monitored for change
• ground stability is inspected before work and after adverse weather conditions
• an emergency response plan is in place
• atmospheric tests are conducted to check for harmful gases or lack of oxygen prior to entry

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RULE 4 - CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

Obtain formal authorisation before entering a confined space.

A confined space (such as a vessel, tank, excavation, cellar or pipe) can contain
explosive gas, poisonous air or other dangers such as a lack of oxygen, things that can
fall on you or you can fall from. Authorised access keeps you safe.
You shall:
• be trained on the confined space procedure in your respective company
• confirm with the supervisor or the person in charge of the work that it is safe to start work
• confirm with the supervisor or the person in charge of the work that air is tested
• understand how continuous air monitoring will take place e.g. personal detectors,
continuous fixed monitoring, routine gas test
• be authorized to operate gas detection and lifesaving equipment you require
• confirm with the attendant/sentry that you can enter a confined space
• follow the requirements of the work permit
• stop work if gas is detected by your gas monitor or if you smell it or conditions change then
inform your supervisor
If you are an attendant, you shall:
• approve and control access to a confined space
• limit the duration of occupancy as per allowable occupancy standards
• have means of communication with people in the confined space
• have means of raising the alarm and asking for help
• maintain register of the persons in the confined space
If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall:
• confirm work only takes place in a confined space if all other ways of performing the task
have been ruled out
• understand the entry and safe work requirements for the confined space you are going to
work in
• verify the work party understand the entry and safe work requirements for the confined
space
• confirm the requirements of the work permit are in place and the permit is issued with
authorization by a responsible person(s)
• verify a qualified attendant/sentry who can instigate an emergency response is always
present at each entry point when people are in a confined space.
• confirm the attendant/sentry maintains a register of the persons in the confined space
• confirm rescue equipment is ready within an accessible distance
• confirm all persons involved are competent to do the work and operate any safety
equipment
• confirm all sources of energy affecting the space have been isolated
• confirm testing of atmospheres is conducted, verified, and repeated as often as defined by
the risk assessment and/or specified on the work permit
• prevent any unauthorized entry (entry points are blocked when a valid work permit to work
is not in place)
• confirm it is safe to start work
Note: Entering a confined space includes inserting your head into the space to look or inspect. The act of
inserting your head into the confined space requires formal authorization as would full body entry.

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RULE 6
5 - LIFTING
WORKING AT HEIGHT
OPERATIONS

Protect yourself against a fall when working at height. Use fall protection equipment
when working outside a protective environment where you can fall over 1.8 meters (6
feet) (as per OSHAD requirements). A protective environment includes approved
scaffolds, stairs with handrails, and man lifts.
You shall:
• have authorisation to work at height outside a protective environment
• be aware of what fall protection equipment to use and how to use it.
• Always wear head protection where required
• check equipment before using it
• always use fall protection equipment when at height outside of a protective environment
• secure all tools and equipment to prevent them from falling/being dropped
• stop work and notify your supervisor if access or PPE equipment is damaged or conditions
change
There is a significant risk of dropped objects when using tools and portable equipment
at height. Preventing objects from falling keeps you and people working below safe.
If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall confirm:
• platforms, scaffolds, and other temporary structures are only constructed and modified by
competent and authorised persons
• A fixed platform is used with guard or handrails. Alternatively, if limited work is required
outside fixed platform (or the handrails are not present) then:
• Fall arrest equipment must be used, and have:
▪ an engineering approved anchor – mounted, preferably above head
▪ full body harness as per OSHAD requirements at each connection
▪ synthetic fibre lanyards
▪ shock absorber
• a visual inspection of the fall arrest equipment and system is completed and any equipment
that is damaged or has been activated is taken out of service
• person(s) are competent to perform the work
• barriers are used around areas where there is a potential for objects to be dropped from
above
• the site is regularly inspected to ensure that precautions are taken to prevent objects from
falling from height (e.g. hand tools are tied off, no loose objects, no holes in grating, toe
boards are in place)
• head protection is worn where required
• the control measures identified in the work permit or by risk assessment are in place
• it is safe to start work at height

Create awareness of the risk of dropped objects and understanding of what actions need
to be taken (for example during team/toolbox meetings)
Follow prescribed
Note: In the UK the 1.8mlift plan.
rule does not apply since the regulations are more stringent and all work above ground
level requires to be risk assessed and appropriate measures put in place

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A lift plan describes how to lift and hoist safely. For routine lifts, there needs to be a
general lift plan. For non-routine lifts, including complex and heavy lifts, the plan is
specific.
Lifting operators shall:
• understand the lift plan before starting the work, and follow it
• confirm that the load does not exceed the capacity of the lifting equipment
• confirm that the crane is level and positioned on a solid surface
• verify that safety devices on lifting equipment are installed and operational
• stop work and notify your supervisor if conditions change from those in the lift plan
• never allow anyone to stand below the load including crane booms; between loads and
walls,
• bulkheads etc and always ensure an escape route is available
• not touch a load until landed; use appropriate hands free devices and never attempt to
manually stop a swinging load

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall confirm:
• proper risk assessment is in place and the working group is aware of the involved risks
and control measures
• a general or specific lift plan is in place, depending on the type of lift
• the lifting device is capable, and has the capacity, to lift the load
• an assessment of the lift has been completed and the lift method and equipment has been
determined by a competent person(s)
• the crane operator understands and complies with the lift plan
• people who supervise or perform lifting operations and who inspect and maintain lifting
equipment are trained and competent.
• operators of powered lifting devices are trained and certified for that equipment
• equipment to be used for lifting and hoisting has been inspected, maintained, and certified
(lifting devices and equipment should always be certified for use for a minimum of 12
months)
• rigging of the load is carried out by a competent person(s)
• the signalling methods and communications are agreed and clear
• barriers are in place where a load is to be lifted over any area where persons are likely to
be present
• it is safe to start work

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RULE 7 - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

No operation may commence until all persons involved are using the required Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) based on the following minimum criteria.

You shall:
• comply with the minimum requirements as per your respective operating company policy
and procedures
• comply with minimum applicable local standards
• apply the controls identified in the job specific risk assessment and/or permit to work
• verify comfort and fit of equipment is compatible with the length of the time it needs to be
worn, the need to see or hear, and any other PPE required
• verify PPE has been inspected prior to use in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations to ensure that it is not defective:
• defective PPE shall be discarded and replaced
• equipment used by more than one person must be cleaned and disinfected before
each usage

If PPE becomes damaged or conditions change then stop work and notify your supervisor.
Audit and monitor that effective PPE is being used correctly

Wear the correct PPE properly at all times.

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RULE 8 - DRIVING SAFETY

Always drive safely to protect you, your passengers and people outside the vehicle.
When any vehicle is driven on company premises or on company business it must be
in safe working order and driven with care. In high risk locations, like in some
developing countries a Journey Management Plan is essential.
All categories of vehicle must meet the following standards:
• vehicle is fit for purpose, inspected, and confirmed to be in safe working order
• number of passengers must not exceed manufacturer’s design specification for the vehicle
• loads are secure and do not exceed manufacturer’s design specifications or legal limits for
the vehicle
•
Seatbelts are installed and worn by all occupants unless the equipment has been
specifically assessed as adequate without seatbelts (i.e. large buses). *Note 1
• Safety helmets are worn by riders and passengers of motorcycles, bicycles, all-terrain
vehicles, snowmobiles and similar types of vehicle

Drivers must only operate a vehicle on company business or property when they:
• are trained, certified, and medically fit to operate the class of vehicle
• are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and are not suffering from fatigue
• plan their journey with suitable rest breaks to prevent fatigue
• do not use cell phones when the vehicle is moving
• wear seatbelts, and confirm all passengers have done so, before proceeding with your
journey (unless otherwise confirmed by an authorized medical practitioner that wearing a
seatbelt is a hazard for the concerned person)
• abide by local regulatory traffic rules , as well as nature of the road
• all passengers are at or above legal age in your respective company

Journey Management Requirements *Note 2

At high risk locations where driving standards are low, road conditions are poor or there are
significant security risks a journey management plan is required. The plan is for the driver to
follow and is designed for everyone to travel and arrive safely.

You shall:

• confirm if a journey management plan is required before starting the journey

• discuss the journey management plan with the authorised person
• understand the journey management plan before starting the journey
• comply with the duty, driving and rest hours, and any other restrictions, specified in the
journey management plan
• follow the route specified in the journey management plan
• tell the authorised person immediately if changes occur

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If you are the supervisor or person in charge you shall routinely check that:
• the journey management plan is in place and is being followed
• the driver understands and complies to the journey management plan
• drivers are trained, certified, and medically fit to operate the class of vehicle
• vehicles are fit for purpose, inspected and in safe working order

Note 1 - Wearing seat belts includes safety belts in (rental) cars, taxis, (mini) buses, trucks, cranes, or forklift trucks, and
involves persons in moving vehicles when engaged on company business. Exceptions include vehicles where only lap
seatbelts are available or in public transport where seat belts are not available.
Note 2 - A journey management plan is only required when indicated by risk assessment for all higher risk driving situations.

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RULE 9 - MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE

Work arising from temporary and permanent changes (such as changes to system
processes, personnel, procedures, (bypass of) equipment, permanent set points and
alarms, products, materials and substances) cannot proceed unless a Management of
Change (MoC) review is completed, including the below, as applicable.

You shall:

• confirm a risk assessment conducted by knowledgeable representatives for all activities

impacted by the change
• confirm that a workplan has been developed. This should clearly specify the timescale for
the change and any control measures to be implemented regarding:
• equipment, facilities, and process

• operations, maintenance, inspection procedures

• training, personnel, and communication

• documentation

• labelling of equipment or plant and verifying that labelling is correct as per layout
drawings, and end-to-end e.g. field to sub-station for electrical equipment

• authorization of the work plan by the responsible person(s)

If you believe you are about to make a change which should be covered by a
Management of Change review, then stop work and notify your supervisor
The situation shall be re-assessed if there is an unexpected change in circumstances.
If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall:
• verify temporary and permanent changes to processes, procedures, equipment, and
organization are risk assessed and approved before being implemented.
• Communicate any changes to relevant parties
• Confirm that competent personnel have been select to participate in the MoC process

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RULE 10 - RESTRICTED AREA ENTRY

Do not enter restricted buildings or cross barriers for restricted openings or areas
unless appropriate precautions are taken, and you have been given permission.
You shall:
• Verify, if you are setting up a temporary restricted area, that the restricted zone is adequate
• for the work you are carrying out and it is well marked/ barriered and/or sign posted
• not cross into restricted areas which are designated by signs, physical barriers, or hazard
tape
• if required by procedure, only authorized people should be within the restricted zone e.g.
for radiography its necessary for the competent technicians to be inside the restricted area
part of the time, but no-one else should be
• only enter restricted buildings e.g. substations once you have been trained and are
authorised
• always remain alert and looking for any barriers in the workplace and do not cross them
by mistake
• if you are working around or adjacent to a restricted area, ask and understand why the
barrier is in place so you know and appreciate what the hazard is you are working close to
• confirm with the person in charge that it is safe to enter and/or work in the restricted zone

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall:
• confirm that access to areas posing danger is restricted and that barriers are clear and
fully in place
• verify that only authorised personnel are working in a restricted zone
• confirm that people working adjacent to restricted area are aware why the barriers are in
place
• regularly check the barriers are in place and not been damaged or breached

No-one should ever be within a restricted area unless required by procedure, the correct
precautions have been taken, and the person is authorized.

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RULE 11 - SYSTEM OVERRIDE

Obtain authorisation before overriding or disabling safety critical equipment / Control

and Emergency Shutdown systems
Safety-critical equipment/systems must work correctly to keep you safe.
Examples of safety-critical equipment include, but are not limited to, isolation devices,
emergency shut-down valves, lock out/tag out devices, trip systems, relief valves, fire and gas
alarm systems, certain level controls, alarms, crane computers, in-vehicle monitoring systems.
You shall:
• obtain authorisation from the supervisor or person in charge before overriding or disabling
safety-critical equipment
• confirm system override has been recorded as per local procedure
• If you suspect a system is about to be overridden without appropriate authorization, then
stop work and notify your supervisor

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall:
• point out the safety-critical equipment in your workplace.
• confirm the authorisation comes from the right level of authority
• verify overrides are:
• utilised under appropriate control measures and operational procedures
• applied by competent personnel
• risk assessed and logged as required
• managed in accordance with local procedure
• removed or normalised when they are no longer required
• not used to keep a system or equipment operational when the conditions are
outside of the ‘operating envelope’ or in an unsafe condition
• handed over to the next shift if left in place during a shift change
• inspected and the status verified at a regular frequency

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RULE 12 – WORKING NEAR UNDERGROUND &

OVERHEAD UTILITIES

Do not work near underground or overhead utilities within minimum safety clearance
without assessing the risks and putting adequate controls in place
Working with equipment immediately near underground or overhead utilities without
proper controls in place is unsafe as any breach of safety clearance distances, will result
in serious consequences to the working party.
Maintain adequate documented controls with competent supervision to keep you safe.

You shall:

• obtain all utility drawings including any permissions to work within the planned excavation/
working zone, understanding the limitations of the drawings. They should be used as a
guide only
• identity and map all underground and overhead utilities within the excavation / working
zone. This includes the entry and exit points within the excavation / working zone.
• use appropriate detecting tools / trial pits and mark all utilities within the planned
excavation/ working zone before commencing excavation / work. Goal posts for overhead
utilities
• always use safe digging techniques following ground markings to expose utilities
• never use mechanical equipment within the designated safety clearance, only blunted
hand tools should be used as appropriate under direct supervision of the required
Supervisor
• never work with mechanical equipment under or near overhead lines, within minimum
safety clearance unless specific controls are in place and authorised to do so by your
supervisor
• If working is required within the safety clearance, request utility company to de-energise
the overhead line
• confirm a permit to work has been issued and the control measures have been put in place
• for any specialised excavation such as non-destructive road crossing etc, only approved
equipment operated by approved competent personnel can be used

If you are the supervisor or person in charge of the work, you shall:
• supervise the work activity to a level of control and direction whereby you are continuously
observing and providing instruction in the presence of the working party with the ability to
directly intervene.
• not allow work under or near underground and overhead utilities within the minimum safety
clearance unless precautions have been taken, confirmed that it is safe to start work.
Examples of precautions: permit to work has been issued by utility, approved competent
workforce in place, safe digging techniques are being applied, drawings have been
obtained and limitations understood, power lines are electrically switched off/isolated; work
is outside the safety clearance distance as per local guidelines/standards, safety
documents are issued.

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• verify barriers are set to mark the clearance distance; and/or safe passageways are
created
• only allow and control equipment (e.g. cranes, tipping trucks, trucks with overhead boom
connections for filling or emptying, ground moving equipment, mobile weather towers)
within the clearance distance of live overhead power lines, cables or conductors when
identified as acceptable in the risk assessment /relevant procedures
• confirm that the correct precautions have been taken and that it is safe to start work

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References

(1) Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) Life - Saving Rules, Report No. 459, February 2012
(2) Land transportation safety recommended practice, OGP Report № 365
(3) Guidelines on permit to work systems, OGP Report № 189
(4) DuPont Golden Safety Rules
(5) Lifting & hoisting safety recommended practice, OGP Report № 376
(6) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Control of Work Systems
(7) Confined spaces: A brief guide to working safely - Published by the UK Health and
Safety Executive 01/13 INDG258(rev1)
(8) Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
(9) Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre
(10) Occupational Health and Safety Management System, ISO 45001

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