ELECTRICAL SAFETY RULES Rev 06

4.0 RULES FOR INITIATION OF WORK

4.1 ACCESS

4.1.1 ACCESS TO HIGH VOLTAGE ENCLOSURES AND EQUIPMENT

Barriers, including plates on access ladders, restricting access to enclosures or
cubicles containing Live High Voltage conductors shall be kept locked.
No person except a Senior Authorised Electrical Person or a person acting under
his direct supervision shall have access to any such enclosure or cubicle in which a
Live conductor is exposed. Unlocking is permissible only under a Sanction for Test
or Limitation of Access.

All busbar shutters shall be locked shut and where the possibility of backfeed exists,
the feeder shutters shall also be locked shut. If the design of switchgear does not
have this locking facility, other precautions to prevent Danger shall be taken e.g.,
padlocking of cubicle doors.

4.1.2 CLIMBING OF TOWERS AND GANTRIES

Gates and devices to prevent climbing of towers and gantries supporting High
Voltage conductors shall be kept locked except when opened by an Authorised
Electrical Person. Unlocking is permissible only under an Electrical Permit to
Work, Sanction for Test or Limitation of Access.

4.1.3 CLIMBING OF WOOD POLES

Before any pole is climbed, it shall be sounded. No pole badly impaired by decay or
damage shall be climbed until the person in charge is satisfied that it has been made
safe. No person shall work upon any pole or tower without using an Approved
safety harness, which shall be examined to ensure it is in good order prior to use.

4.2 SWITCHING

4.2.1 GENERAL
Switching shall only be carried out with the agreement of the Control Person
responsible for that section of the electrical system.

4.2.1.2 In normal circumstances, where Switching operations could involve significant

disruption as a consequence of a Switching error or where the Switching is
considered complex, Switching shall only be carried out after a written Switching
Programme has been agreed.

All Switching operations detailed in a Switching Programme shall be confirmed

upon completion or at agreed stages.

4.2.1.3 The Control Person who gives agreement for High Voltage Switching, shall
communicate directly with the person who is to carry out the Switching.

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Switching to the instruction of the Control Person or with his consent, shall be
carried out without undue delay.

4.2.1.4 The remote opening and closing of High Voltage circuit breakers may be carried out
by unaccompanied Authorised Electrical Persons.

All other High Voltage Switching shall be carried out by an Authorised Electrical
Person who shall be accompanied by an Electrical Person during the Switching
operations.

4.2.1.5 When operating pole mounted switchgear by mechanical means from ground level,
the Electrical Person shall wear Approved insulated rubber gloves and a safety
helmet.

4.2.1.6 Making Live or Dead by signal or prearranged understanding after an agreed time
interval is strictly forbidden.

4.2.1.7 When switchgear or any other High Voltage or Low Voltage equipment shows any
sign of distress, its condition shall be reported immediately to the responsible Area
Electrical Section Head, Senior Authorised Electrical Person or Control Person
who will conduct an examination of the equipment.

4.2.2 SWITCHING ACROSS ELECTRICAL BOUNDARIES

Before Switching is carried out on any system which may affect other electrical
systems, the Control Person requiring the Switching, shall communicate with the
Control Person of the other area. All Switching shall be recorded by both parties.

When telephone or radio messages are being used to co-ordinate Switching, each
message shall be repeated in full and written down before Switching is performed.
Each operation shall be reported to the Control Person at the other end before the
next operation is executed.

4.2.3 SWITCHING UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS

Under emergency conditions, when danger to persons or damage to equipment or
electrical installations can only be avoided or reduced by taking immediate action,
the following deviations from normal procedures are permitted.

(a) For totally enclosed Electrical Equipment, an Electrical Person may

perform emergency Isolation operations.
(b) A Senior Authorised Electrical Person may perform emergency switching
operations without being accompanied.

(c) For Switching in High Voltage outdoor switchyards, a second Electrical

Person shall always be present.

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In all cases when emergency Switching has been carried out to avoid imminent
Danger to persons or equipment, the Control Person or Senior Authorised
Electrical Person for the electrical system concerned shall be informed as soon as
possible of any action taken. The Area Electrical Section Head shall report in
accordance with the Incident Investigation and Reporting Procedure.

4.3 WORK AND TESTING ON HIGH VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT

4.3.1 Work on Live High Voltage equipment is prohibited.

4.3.2 Work on High Voltage equipment such as repairs, maintenance, alterations,

cleaning, testing, etc., may only commence after such part of that equipment has
been subjected to the following:

(a) Switched off from all points of supply.

(b) Isolated and secured with Safety Padlocks from all points of supply,
including voltage and auxiliary transformers, common neutral equipment
and any other source from which the equipment and conductors may be
made Live, stored mechanical energy released and Caution Notices
attached at all points of Isolation.
Keys for the Safety Padlocks shall be placed in a Lock Out Box or other
secure retention device.
(c) Proved Dead with an Approved voltage testing device suitable for the rated
voltage of the circuit. The testing device must be checked for correct
operation in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, immediately
before and after use.
(d) Connected to Earth at all points of disconnection from High Voltage
supplies to such equipment, or between such points and the points of work
or testing.
(e) Screened where necessary and Danger Notices attached to Live equipment
in close proximity to the point of work.
(f) Released for work by the issue of an Electrical Permit to Work to an
Authorised Electrical Person who shall be accompanied by a Competent
Electrical Person at all times during progress of the work.
(g) Released for testing by the issue of a Sanction for Test to an Authorised
Electrical Person who shall be accompanied by another Authorised
Electrical Person at all times during progress of the testing. If a High
Voltage testing supply is to be used then Rule 4.7.2 shall also apply.
(h) The Electrical Permit to Work or Sanction for Test shall be explained
and issued to the person in charge of the work who shall confirm that he
fully understands the content and is conversant with the nature and extent of
the work or testing to be carried out.

4.4 WORK AND TESTING ON LOW VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT

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4.4.1 Work on Low Voltage equipment such as repairs, maintenance, alterations, cleaning,
testing, etc., may only commence after such part of that equipment has been
subjected to the following:

(a) Switched off from all points of supply.

(b) Isolated from all points of supply. The Isolation shall normally be carried
out by opening circuit breakers or switches and by removing fuses or links.
The operating handles of circuit breakers or switches shall, where practical,
be locked in the open position with Safety Padlocks or similar type locking
devices and Caution Notices attached at all points of Isolation.
(c) Proved Dead with an Approved voltage testing device. The testing device
must be checked for correct operation in accordance with the manufacturers
instructions, immediately before and after use.
(d) Earthed where necessary.
(e) Screened where necessary to prevent Danger, and Danger Notices
attached to Live equipment in close proximity to the point of work.
(f) Released for work to the Electrical Person in charge of the work when the
above precautions are complete.
(g) The Electrical Person in charge of the work is made fully aware of the
nature and extent of the work to be done, and understands the precautions
that he and his Working Party shall take to avoid Danger from Live
equipment.

4.4.2 An Electrical Permit to Work shall be issued to a suitably authorised Competent

Electrical Person in charge of work on Low Voltage equipment and conductors
when it is necessary to apply a Circuit Main Earth to the Isolated High Voltage
windings of a transformer feeding the Low Voltage equipment.

The Competent Electrical Person shall be accompanied by another Electrical

Person during progress of the work.

4.4.3 Notwithstanding the requirements of Rule 4.4.1, essential testing or adjustments may
be made with Low Voltage equipment Live, provided that safe methods are adopted
and suitably insulated tools for the rated voltage of the circuit are used.
Under such conditions, the Electrical Person carrying out testing or adjustment shall
use an Approved insulated mat and wear Approved insulated rubber gloves and
face visor.
If the testing or adjustment of Low Voltage equipment requires covers to be
removed such that Live terminals, windings or connections are exposed, then
suitable precautions shall be taken to prevent persons coming into accidental contact
or interfering with that equipment, and a Limitation of Access shall be issued.
The Electrical Person in charge of the testing or adjustments shall be accompanied
by another Electrical Person during progress of Live testing or adjustment.

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4.5 EARTHING

4.5.1 GENERAL
High Voltage Earthing switches shall be operated and Circuit Main Earths shall
be connected or removed by a Senior Authorised Electrical Person. A suitably
authorised Authorised Electrical Person may remove and apply Circuit Main
Earths when working under a Sanction for Test.

4.5.2 HIGH VOLTAGE EARTHING

The point of Earthing shall be proved Dead using an Approved testing device
before an Earth is applied. Where provided, integral Earth switches shall be used

for Earthing High Voltage equipment. For High Voltage equipment without
Earthing facilities, the following Approved means of Earthing shall be adopted.

(a) A circuit breaker may be used to make an Earth connection. The circuit
breaker shall have the trip feature made inoperative before closing to Earth,
unless this is not practical, when it shall be done after closing. The circuit
breaker shall be locked closed in the Earth position and a Circuit Main
Earth Notice attached.
or
(b) Apply Approved Earthing leads by an Approved insulated pole to all
phase conductors.
If this method of Earthing is to be used, the following precautions shall be
taken.
(i) Check that the circuit to be Earthed is Isolated.
(ii) Ensure that each phase of the circuit is Dead with an Approved
testing device. The testing device must be checked for correct
operation in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions,
immediately before and after use.

(iii) Examine the Earthing leads prior to use to ensure that they are of the
correct type and rating and in good condition.
(iv) Connect the Earthing leads to the Earth system before securing them
to the phase conductors. Care must be taken to ensure that good
contact is made.
(v) Earth and short circuit all phases even if work is to be carried out on
one phase only.
(vi) When removing Earthing leads, they shall first be disconnected from
the phase conductors before being disconnected from the Earth
system.

4.5.2.1 ACCOMPANIED EARTHING

If a Circuit Main Earth is to be applied using Earthing leads in accordance with
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Rule 4.5.2(b), then the Senior Authorised Electrical Person carrying out this
operation shall be accompanied by an Authorised Electrical Person.
4.5.3 EARTHING OF LOW VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT
When work is to be carried out on the incoming switchgear, busbars or bus coupler
of a Low Voltage switchboard supplied by a transformer from a High Voltage
system, the following requirements will apply.
(a) Points of Earthing shall be proved Dead using an Approved testing device
before an Earth is applied.
(b) Apply a Circuit Main Earth to the High Voltage side of the transformer

feeding the Low Voltage equipment in accordance with Rule 4.5.2.

(c) Apply Approved Earthing leads to the Low Voltage equipment by an

insulated pole or other Approved equipment to all phase and neutral conductors or
busbars with the following precautions.
(i) Check that the circuit to be Earthed is Isolated.
(ii) Prove that each phase and neutral of the circuit is Dead with an
Approved testing device. The testing device must be checked for
correct operation in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions,
immediately before and after use.

(iii) Examine the Earthing leads prior to use to ensure that they are of the
correct type and rating and in good condition.
(iv) Connect the Earthing leads to the Earth system before securing them
to the phase and neutral conductors or busbars. Care must be taken to
ensure that good contact is made.
(v) Earth and short circuit all phases and neutral even if work is to be
carried out on one phase or the neutral only.
(vi) When removing Earthing leads, they shall first be disconnected from
the phase and neutral conductors or busbars before being disconnected
from the Earth system.

4.6 APPROACH TO EXPOSED LIVE HIGH VOLTAGE CONDUCTORS OR

SUPPORTING INSULATORS

4.6.1 SAFETY DISTANCES

(a) A Safety Distance of one metre shall be maintained at all system voltage
levels between any part of a person or object, and the nearest Live High
Voltage conductor.
(b) A distance of 30cm shall also be maintained at all system voltages, from the
portion of insulators supporting Live High Voltage conductors which is
outside the appropriate Safety Distance from the conductors. See appendix
4B.
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(c) In addition to the specified Safety Distance, a working distance of 1.5

metres shall be maintained for any work carried out in proximity to a Live
conductor. No work shall be carried out within 2.5 metres of a Live
conductor. See appendix 4A for examples.

4.6.2 APPROACH OF PERSONS

No person shall allow any part of his body to approach exposed High Voltage
conductors or insulators supporting such conductors within the Safety Distance
specified in Rule 4.6.1, unless the conductors have been Isolated, made Dead, and
Earthed and an Electrical Permit to Work or Sanction for Test has been issued.
When an Approved voltage testing device or phasing device is being applied to
High Voltage conductors contained within enclosed switchgear, it is allowable for
those parts of the body to approach within the Safety Distance specified in Rule
4.6.1.

4.6.3 TESTING OF CONDUCTORS

The only objects to approach exposed Live High Voltage conductors or insulators
supporting them, within the Safety Distance specified, shall be Approved voltage
detection devices.

When exposed High Voltage conductors are Isolated but not proved Dead, the only
objects which shall approach them or the insulators supporting them, within the
Safety Distance, shall be Approved voltage detection devices and fuse extractors.

4.6.4 WORK NEAR LIVE CONDUCTORS

When work is to take place in the vicinity of Live High Voltage conductors, the
Senior Authorised Electrical Person shall, taking into account the nature and
location of the work and the tools or objects to be used, determine how the safe
working distance is to be maintained by the persons carrying out the work.
If doubt exists about the effectiveness of the safety provision, then work shall not
commence and the exposed conductors shall be isolated, made Dead and Earthed.

4.7 TESTING OF HIGH VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT BEFORE CONNECTION TO

AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4.7.1 The commissioning and testing of High Voltage equipment, electrically and
physically segregated from existing High Voltage equipment, does not come within
the scope of the Electrical Safety Rules. However, for the commissioning and
testing of High Voltage equipment and for cables to be glanded into existing High
Voltage equipment, a Sanction for Test is required.

4.7.2 The Authorised Electrical Person, when applying a test voltage to High Voltage
equipment, shall ensure that adequate precautions are taken to guard the equipment
to prevent Danger to personnel.
These precautions shall include the following:

(a) Defining the test area by means of barriers to restrict access to authorised
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personnel only.
(b) Danger Notices attached to the equipment during the period High Voltage
testing is taking place.
(c) All equipment, particularly cables, is discharged to Earth before and after
the application of the High Voltage test voltage.
(d) Any temporary conductor used for applying a test voltage shall be suitably
insulated and of adequate cross sectional area, installed in a safe manner
observing sufficient clearance and be clearly visible to personnel.
(e) Test connections shall not be applied in a cell or compartment in which
there are exposed Live High Voltage conductors.

When such testing is being carried out, the Authorised Electrical Person shall be
accompanied by another Authorised Electrical Person.

APPENDIX 4A - Guidance on Working and Access Clearances

The working and access clearances given in the table of appendix 4A are derived
from the Safety Distance specified in Rule 4.6.1 with the addition of working
distances for the particular activity to be undertaken in High Voltage switchyards
and in the vicinity of exposed Live High Voltage conductors.

IMPORTANT NOTE

This appendix has been produced to give Senior Authorised Electrical Persons
operational guidance when they are issuing Electrical Safety Documents in the
situations covered in this appendix.

The working and access clearance figures should be used as a minimum requirement,
and should be increased if practicable in all such situations.

The importance of Authorised Electrical Persons understanding the intention of

Rule 4.6 in particular Rule 4.6.4, is essential when using the clearances given in this
appendix.

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APPENDIX 4A

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APPENDIX 4B

MINIMUM SAFETY
NOMINAL SYSTEM VOLTAGE
DISTANCE ‘X’
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Up to and including 66kV 1.0 metre

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