Electrical safety rules

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Electrical safety rules

2015

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ActewAGL Distribution ABN 76 670 568 688 a partnership of Jemena Networks (ACT) Pty Ltd ABN 24 008 552 663 and Icon Distribution Investments Limited ABN 83 073 025 224.

The material contained in this publication has been developed for the use of ActewAGL, its contractors and all others working on or near ActewAGL’s electricity network. It should be read in conjunction with any applicable Laws, Regulations, Technical Guidelines, Australian Standards and Internal Procedures.

ActewAGL believes that to the best of its knowledge, the information contained herein is correct and current as at the date of its publication. However, ActewAGL gives no warranty as to the completeness, accuracy or suitability of the information contained herein.

No party outside ActewAGL should act based on the information contained in this publication without first considering his or her own circumstances and if necessary, obtaining professional advice as to his or her legal obligations. Note however, that the Safe Approach Distances tabled within, are to be considered a minimum standard for all work near ActewAGL assets.

Except for any liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law, ActewAGL excludes all liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising from or relating in any way to reliance on the information contained in this publication.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT

The development of these Electrical Safety Rules was based on the ‘Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for the Distribution Businesses in the Victorian Electricity Supply Industry (The Green Book)’.

Copyright of The Green Book is jointly owned by the Victorian Major Electricity Companies.

CitiPower Pty Ltd SP AusNet

Powercor Australia Ltd Jemena

United Energy

These Victorian Major Electricity Companies, known as the Victorian Electricity Supply Industry (VESI) collectively, are members of the Distribution Sub-Committee of the Electrical Safety Committee in Victoria. The Distribution Sub-Committee has given its written permission to ActewAGL for The Green Book to be used as the basis for the development of ActewAGL’s Electrical Safety Rules. ActewAGL thanks the VESI for its cooperation in this regard.

BLUE BOOK ISSUES REGISTER

For all queries or issues identified please email the Work Practices Group at [email protected]

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2 Blue Book 2015 SM4605 – REVISION 1 UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED

The ActewAGL Life Saving Rules are

important rules that must never be broken.

Breaking one of these rules could result in a serious injury or a fatality. They are non-negotiable rules that require constant reinforcement by managers, supervisors, team leaders and workers.

Breaking a Life Saving Rule will result in consequences for the rule breaker/s.

For those that see a Life Saving Rule being broken and choose to ignore it or let it go, they will also face consequences.

Depending on the investigation results, consequences can range from education, coaching and counselling up to formal disciplinary action, including the

possibility of employment termination.

ActewAGL’s

Life Saving Rules

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Report incidents and near misses

actively participate in a site job assessment before commencing every job, every day

test and prove de-energised before commencing any non live work

check and confirm equipment / apparatus is safe to energise

only work on or near the electricity network when trained and authorised to do so

implement required controls to manage site hazards

have current training and authorisation for the plant and equipment that is to be operated

check and wear PPE that is appropriate for the job abide by drug and alcohol rules

The Life Saving Rules are:

I will always...

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PURPOSE

The purpose of these Electrical Safety Rules (The Blue Book) is to specify the safe working

requirements and minimum standards for workers working on, near or in the vicinity of ActewAGL’s electrical apparatus within the Australian Capital Territory and the surrounding region into which ActewAGL’s electricity networks may extend. These rules do not apply to customer installations beyond the network boundary with the exception of equipment for the purpose of metering.

These Electrical Safety Rules are to be read in conjunction with associated documents detailing work practices and procedures. The rules and associated documents are intended to thoroughly specify the safe working requirements and minimum standards that will permit the ActewAGL electricity distribution network to be operated and maintained safely at a high standard.

Safety incidents that occur in the electricity industry drive home the need for workers at all levels to understand and implement the requirements set out in these Electrical Safety Rules.

These rules were created with recognition that they will need periodic revision. They shall be reviewed annually, with amendments to be communicated and issued.

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Hierarchy of documentation for electrical safety Acts, Regulations

and Utility Services Licence

Technical Codes, Standards and

Guidelines

Electrical Safety Rules (The Blue Book)

ActewAGL Policies and Procedures

These Electrical Safety Rules (The Blue Book) define principles and are the basis for additional development of electrical safety procedures.

Work shall be carried out in accordance with these rules and relevant approved procedures and/or approved practices.

ActewAGL’s compliance with these Electrical Safety Rules assists in meeting obligations imposed by the Work Health and Safety Act, the Utilities Act and the electricity distribution licence issued to ActewAGL by the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission.

It is not expected that there would be any conflict between these Electrical Safety Rules and an Act or Regulation. If anyone identifies such a conflict, they are asked to immediately notify Work Practices or the General Manager Energy Networks, ActewAGL.

In order to comply with the requirements of these Electrical Safety Rules, ActewAGL workers and its contractors shall either:

a. apply the rules and procedures contained within these Electrical Safety Rules; or b. vary the procedures by:

• completing a hazard identification and risk assessment to ensure that workers are not exposed to any increase in risk; and

• ensuring that community and business standards for managing risk are met; and

• documenting the procedure through SWMS or other means; and

• ensuring any variations are endorsed by the General Manager Energy Networks and that the Safety Committee is informed in writing.

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Contents

Acknowledgement of copyright 1

Blue book issues register 1

Purpose 4

Scope 5

1. Definitions 11

2 Safe approach distances to electrical apparatus 19

2.1 General 19

2.2 Safe approach distances – persons 22

2.3 Safe approach distances – mobile plant 26

2.4 Emergency situations 28

2.5 Contact with live high voltage (HV) conductors by means of appliances 28

2.6 Approach to live high voltage (HV) insulated cables 28

2.7 Work in the vicinity of electrical apparatus 29

2.8 Handling objects/loads 29

2.9 Erection or dismantling of overhead conductors 30

2.10 Possibility of leakage currents on poles 30

2.11 Work by instructed persons 30

3 Training and authorisation 31

3.1 General 31

3.2 Ordinary persons signing onto electrical access permits 31 3.3 Instructed persons signing onto electrical access authorities 32

3.4 Authority to receive an electrical access authority 32

3.5 Authority to receive a sanction for testing 32

3.6 Authority to operate low voltage (LV) and/or high voltage (HV)

electrical apparatus and issue access authorities 32

3.7 Authority to operate the network 33

3.8 Authority to work on live high voltage (HV) overhead lines using

glove and barrier or stick procedures 33

3.9 Authority to work on live low voltage (LV) electrical apparatus 33

3.10 Authority to enter confined spaces 34

3.11 Withdrawal and/or restriction of an authorisation 34

3.12 First aid 34

3.13 Perform rescue 35

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4 General safety requirements 37

4.1 Hazard identification, risk assessment and control 37

4.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE) 37

4.3 First aid kits 38

4.4 Fire extinguishers 38

4.5 Emergency rescue kits 38

4.6 Communications 38

4.7 Labelling of electrical apparatus 38

4.8 Ladders 38

4.9 Use of safety observers 38

4.10 Working alone or without a safety observer 39

4.11 Fit for work 40

4.12 Danger of materials which can conduct electricity 41

4.13 Storage of materials 41

4.14 Work in the vicinity of electric and magnetic fields 41

4.15 Portable electric tools and equipment 42

4.16 Design, construction and commissioning 42

4.17 Danger tags 42

5 Operation of electrical apparatus 45

5.1 Workers authorised to operate high voltage (HV) electrical apparatus 45

5.2 Operator protection 45

6 Earthing of high voltage electrical apparatus 47

6.1 Earthing hierarchy 47

6.2 General 47

6.3 Earthing for access to high voltage (HV) electrical apparatus 48 6.4 Removal of earth when working under an electrical access authority 49

6.5 Earthing of overhead lines 50

6.6 High voltage (HV) metal-clad switch units 51

6.7 Precautions prior to work near aerial communication cables 51

6.8 Equipotential bonding 51

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7 Issue of access authorities 53

7.1 General 53

7.2 Electrical access permit 53

7.3 Sanction for testing 58

7.4 Permit to work 61

7.5 Electrical apparatus out of commission 64

7.6 High voltage (HV) operating sticks 64

7.7 Barriers and signs 65

7.8 Working on insulated network, service or supervisory cables (SCADA) 69 8 Access for work on or near high voltage electrical apparatus 75

8.1 General 75

8.2 Live work – high voltage (HV) 78

8.3 Use and testing of operating and live-line equipment 81

8.4 Insulated sticks 81

8.5 Work on or near de-energised high voltage (HV) electrical apparatus 81 8.6 Preparing high voltage (HV) electrical apparatus for access 82

8.7 Suppression of auto-reclose on HV overhead feeders 84

9 Access to low voltage electrical apparatus 85

9.1 General 85

9.2 Temporary supply of electricity 85

9.3 Work on or near live low voltage (LV) conductors 88

9.4 Notification of work on de-energised low voltage (LV) electrical apparatus 89 9.5 Work on de-energised low voltage (LV) electrical apparatus 90 10 Testing, commissioning and decommissioning electrical apparatus 95

10.1 Correct supply, polarity, and rotation 95

10.2 Use of testing devices 95

10.3 Clearance for service 96

10.4 Connections to electrical apparatus 97

10.5 Work on pilot cables 97

10.6 Prior to making apparatus live for service 97

11 Work in electrical stations 99

11.1 Entry of electrical stations 99

11.2 General working practices 99

11.3 Hazards within electrical stations 101

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12.2 Metering – new installations 105

12.3 Metering – changes to existing installations 105

12.4 Metering – work on live equipment 105

12.5 Metering – work on transformer operated equipment 106

13 Public lighting 107

13.1 General 107

13.2 Precautions to be taken 107

13.3 Testing conductive objects 107

13.4 Changing tubes or lamps from an elevating work platform 108 14 Work by other personnel not under the supervision of ActewAGL 109

14.1 General 109

14.2 Work on abandoned cables 109

14.3 Permit to work issued to non-ActewAGL personnel 109

14.4 Work by tree surgeons requiring the isolation of overhead conductors 110 14.5 Work by electrical contractors requiring the isolation of electrical apparatus 110 14.6 Statement of condition of apparatus and plant (SCAP) 110

Appendix A – ActewAGL policy and procedure list 115

Appendix B – Reference documents 117

B1 Legislation and regulations 117

B2 Industry guidelines 117

B3 Australian standards 118

Version register 119

List of tables

Table 2.1 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for ordinary,

instructed persons and authorised workers 21

Table 2.2 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for vehicles and mobile plant 25 Table 3.1 Frequency of assessment – training and authorisations 36

Table 5.1 Protection for electrical operations 46

Table 8.1 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for authorised

glove and barrier workers 79

Table 10.1 Insulation Resistance Values 98

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List of figures

Figure 2.1 Safe approach distance – persons and workers 20

Figure 2.2 Safe approach distance – mobile plant 24

Figure 3.1 Hierarchy of access authorities 31

Figure 4.1 Typical PPE requirements 37

Figure 4.2 Example of ‘Danger – Do Not Operate’ tag 43

Figure 5.1 Example of HV operating Gloves 45

Figure 6.1 Earthing hierarchy 47

Figure 6.2 Typical overhead earthing 50

Figure 7.1 Examples and diagram illustrating correct entry to a safe work area 66 Figure 7.2 Examples of various HV apparatus which is taped and/or danger tagged to

control access to various parts of the apparatus 67

Figure 7.3 Isolation and restoration process 70

Figure 7.4 Blank Access Authority form as an Electrical Access Permit or Sanction for

Testing or Permit to Work 72

Figure 9.1 Low voltage (LV) network topography and permit requirements 91

Figure 9.2 Examples of LV earthing or bonding 94

Figure 11.1 Example of operational earths in zone substation 100 Figure 11.2 Example of vehicle earthing in a zone substation 103

Figure 14.1 Example of a SCAP form 113

List of flowcharts

Chart 7.1 Access authority sign-on checklist 71

Chart 8.1 General workflow for high voltage (HV) access 76

Chart 9.1 General workflow for low voltage (LV) access 86

Chart 9.2 General workflow for service access 92

Chart 14.1 Process for the issue of a SCAP 112

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1. DEFINITIONS

Access Authority means any form of authorisation which allows an authorised or instructed worker access to test or work on or near electrical apparatus.

Access Authorities used in these rules are:

Electrical Access Permit means a form of authorisation that allows persons and workers access to, and to work upon, electrical apparatus.

Permit to Work means a form of authorisation providing permission to approved persons and workers, working near or up to safe approach distances of electricity apparatus.

Sanction for Testing means a form of authorisation to allow energisation of electrical apparatus for testing purposes.

ActewAGL means ActewAGL Distribution ABN 76 670 568 688

Appliance means any instrument or device designed for use near or in direct contact with live conductors and/or electrical apparatus.

Approved means having appropriate organisation endorsement in writing for a specified function (see Written or in Writing).

Approved Examiner means a person who has the permission of ActewAGL as appropriate for the duty concerned, to act on its behalf.

Authorised Worker means a worker with technical knowledge or relevant trade experience who has been approved, or has the delegated authority to act on behalf of ActewAGL, to perform the duty concerned. (Sign on, work and receive an Access Authority).

Barrier means a rope, tape, barricade or alternative erected barrier in accordance with approved procedures for the purpose of issuing an access authority.

Bonded means connected together in such a manner as to ensure that all bonded parts are maintained at the same electrical potential.

Cable means an insulated conductor, or two or more such conductors, laid together, whether with or without fillings, reinforcements or protective coverings.

Note: Cable, in these rules, also means low voltage and high voltage aerial bundled cable (ABC), covered conductor thick (CCT) and covered conductor (CC).

Competent means the ability to perform particular tasks and duties to the standard of performance expected in the workplace. Competency requires the application of specified skills, knowledge and attitudes relevant to effective participation for completing a task.

Conductor means a wire, cable, bar, tube or form of metal designed for carrying electric current.

Confined Space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:

a. is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and

b. is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and

c. is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from:

i. an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or

ii. contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or

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1

DEFINITIONS

iii. harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or iv. engulfment.

Contractor means a Company and its employees or an individual, engaged by ActewAGL but not on a basis of employment, to carry out work, or provide services, for ActewAGL.

Danger – Do Not Operate Tag means a tag attached to the controls of an electrical apparatus to warn and prevent workers from inadvertent or unauthorised operation.

De-energised means not connected to any source of electrical supply but not necessarily isolated, earthed, discharged or out of commission.

Discharged means having been connected to the general mass of earth in such a manner as to remove any residual electrical energy in a conductor or conducting object.

Earthed means the electrical connection of conductors and/or electrical apparatus connected directly to the general mass of earth to ensure and maintain the effective dissipation of electrical energy.

Earthing Device means an approved device used for the earthing of conductors and/or electrical apparatus.

Earths

Operational Earth means approved earthing and short circuiting equipment applied to apparatus, as a requirement for the issue of an electrical access authority, for the purpose of proving the electrical apparatus to be de-energised and earthed.

Note: All earths applied in a Zone Substation and on the underground network between a point of supply and the work site shall be regarded as ‘Operational Earths’.

Working Earth means approved earthing and short circuiting equipment applied to apparatus that is under an electrical access authority.

System Earth means a permanent electrical connection which would be anticipated to have standing fault or earth return currents in it during normal service.

Electrical Apparatus means any HV or LV electrical equipment, including overhead lines and underground cables, the conductors of which are live or can be made live.

Electricity Network means an interconnected system or transmission and/or distribution conductors and electrical apparatus (see Mains).

Electrical Operator means a worker tested and deemed competent against an approved training standard who has written authorisation to carry out electrical operating work on HV and/or LV electrical apparatus.

Electrical Operating Work means work:

a. involving the operation of switching devices, links or fuses other than on a service; and b. providing access to the Electricity Network; and

c. proving electrical conductors and/or electrical apparatus is de-energised; and

d. where earthing and bonding, locking and/or tagging of electrical apparatus and erection of barriers and/or signs will be required.

Electrical Operator’s Authority means written authorisation issued by System Control to allow an electrical operator to carry out electrical operating work.

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Electrical Station means any location, in which HV supply is switched, converted, controlled or transformed, or in which any similar electrical apparatus or plant is installed.

Stations more commonly referred to include:

Bulk Supply Station means the station at which a HV customer purchases their electricity.

Electricity can be purchased at any voltage. The electricity is metered and controlled within the station but not necessarily transformed.

The electrical network and electrical apparatus beyond the bulk supply station may or may not be owned and/or operated by ActewAGL.

Distribution Substation means a station in which electricity is controlled and transformed.

The highest voltage in the station does not exceed 22,000V.

Distribution Switching Station means a station in which electricity is controlled and possibly metered. The highest voltage in the station does not exceed 22,000V. For the purposes of these rules the requirements of a substation apply to a switching station.

Zone Substation means a station in which electricity is controlled metered and transformed.

The highest voltage in the station exceeds 22,000V.

Zone Switching Station means a station in which electricity is controlled and metered. The highest voltage in the station exceeds 22,000V. For the purposes of these rules the requirements of a zone substation apply to a zone switching station.

Electrical Worker means a worker who is qualified to work on or near live electrical apparatus for specific work to which the qualification pertains.

Embedded Generating Unit means a generating unit that is connected directly to and/or operating in parallel with the distribution network that is, or can be, connected directly to the electricity network by means of an operating switch or switching device. The generating unit may include photovoltaic (PV) systems via inverters, rotating machines, solar, thermal and other renewable generation, such as wind power generation or fuel cells.

Micro PV Generator means a Class 1 PV Generator which is up to 10kW single phase or 30kW three phase.

Energised means connected to a source of electrical supply, or subject to hazardous induced or capacitive voltages.

Equipotential Bonding means electrical connections intended to bring exposed conductive parts or extraneous conductive parts to the same or approximately the same potential, but not intended to carry current in normal service.

Exposed Conductor means an electrical conductor, approach to which is not prevented by a barrier of rigid material or by insulation which is adequate under a relevant Australian Standard specification for the voltage concerned.

Extra Low Voltage (ELV) means a nominal voltage not exceeding 50 volts alternating current or 120 volts ripple-free direct current.

Fallen means dropped or come down from a higher place.

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) means a switch which relies on Sulphur Hexafluoride Gas (SF6) as the insulating medium.

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DEFINITIONS

Glove and Barrier (Live HV Line) Worker means a worker tested against an approved training standard who has written authorisation to carry out live line work using Glove and Barrier or Stick techniques on HV electrical apparatus.

Hazard means a situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person.

High Voltage (HV) means a nominal voltage exceeding 1,000 volts alternating current or 1,500 volts direct current.

Immediately Available means the item is located within a few metres of the work and is available without any delay such as the time taken to open doors and/or remove securing straps etc.

Instructed Person means a person with technical knowledge or relevant trade experience to perform the task concerned under direct supervision of an authorised worker to enable them to avoid the dangers which electricity may create. (Sign on, work but not receive an Access Authority)

Insulated means separated from adjoining conducting material by a non-conducting substance which provides resistance to the passage of current, or to disruptive discharges through or over the surface of the substance at the operating voltage, and to mitigate the danger of shock or injurious leakage of current.

Insulated Stick means a stick of insulating material specifically designed, approved and tested for use in physically bridging the distance between the Glove and Barrier Worker and energised apparatus, between the energised apparatus and earth, between adjacent phases and to enable physical loads to be taken or tools to be applied to the stick (see Operating Stick).

Isolated means disconnected from all possible sources of electricity supply by means which will prevent unintentional re-energisation of the electrical apparatus and which is assessed as a suitable step in the process of making safe for access to the electricity network.

Isolator means a device which, for reasons of safety, provides in the open position, breaks to the circuit of a length appropriate to the voltage and the insulating medium. This device is not intended to make or break load currents.

Live means energised or subject to hazardous induced or capacitive voltages.

Live Work means all work performed on apparatus energised or capable of becoming energised without implementing the full protective practice of isolating, proving de-energised and earthing at the worksite.

Low Voltage (LV) means a nominal voltage exceeding 50 volts alternating current or 120 volts ripple- free direct current, but not exceeding 1000 volts alternating current or 1500 volts direct current.

Mains means a cable or conductor which has more than one service connected to it, excluding fused underground Tee’d Service Cables (see Electricity Network).

Main Switchboard means a switchboard from which the supply to the whole electrical installation can be controlled.

Mobile Plant means cranes, elevating work platforms, trucks (tipping) or similar plant, any equipment fitted with a jib or boom and any device capable of raising or lowering a load.

Note: Mobile plant can only be considered as a vehicle when in the normal travelling mode and not in the working mode when determining safe approach distances.

Near means a situation where there is a reasonable possibility of a person, either directly or through any conducting medium (for example via mobile plant), coming within the relevant safe approach distances.

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Network Boundary means the boundary between ActewAGL’s Electricity Network and a customer’s premises:

a. at the point of attachment of an overhead service line to the customer’s building or structure; or b. at the point of entry of an underground service cable to the customer’s building or structure; or c. as otherwise agreed in accordance with the Electricity Network Boundary Code if neither (a) nor

(b) apply.

Not Electrically Connected means disconnected from all sources of supply by the removal or absence of conductors appropriate to the voltage and insulating medium and not able to be made live by normal operating means, or bridging.

Operating Stick means a stick specifically designed, approved and tested for carrying out operations on live electrical apparatus (see Insulated Stick).

Ordinary Person means a person without sufficient training or experience to enable them to avoid the dangers which electrical apparatus may create. (Sign on to an Access Authority but not work)

Out of Commission means electrical apparatus that is unserviceable and not fit for its intended use/

purpose/service in its current condition. A commissioning process is required before it can be re- energised.

Out of Service Tag means a tag fitted to unserviceable or faulty tools, plant and equipment to warn against inadvertent operation.

Overhead line means any aerial conductor or conductors with associated supports, insulators and other apparatus erected, or in the course of erection, for the purpose of the conveyance of electrical energy, excluding poles or supporting structures or anything in an Electrical Station.

Person in Control (PIC) means a person who is nominated, responsible for and in control of a work site. This person shall remain at the site for the duration of the work to ensure:

a. the work is completed as per the safe work method statement and procedures; and

b. all hazards are identified, specific controls are implemented and that these controls remain effective for the duration of the work.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) means approved clothing, equipment and/or substances, which when worn or correctly used, protect parts or all of the body from foreseeable risk of injury or disease at work or in the workplace.

Plant means machinery, equipment, appliances, containers, implements and tools and includes all components or anything fitted or connected to any of those items (see also mobile plant).

Potential (electrical) means a difference of electrical charge or a difference in voltage between two points.

Practicable means capable of being done, or put into practice successfully; feasible.

Procedure means the documentation of a systematic series of actions (or activities) directed to achieve a desired result.

Recipient means an authorised worker to whom an access authority has been issued and is the worker responsible for compliance with the requirements of the access authority.

Representative means a licensed electrician or a person who has been granted permission by ActewAGL to accept a SCAP, other than employees or contractors of ActewAGL.

Risk means the possibility that harm (death, injury or illness) might occur when exposed to a hazard.

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DEFINITIONS

Safe Approach Distance means the minimum distance that shall be maintained by a person, worker, vehicle or mobile plant (including its load, controlling ropes and any other accessories) when approaching electrical apparatus other than for work in accordance with an access authority.

Safety Observer means a worker with sufficient knowledge and experience of the task being

performed and assessed as competent for the duty of observing and warning against unsafe approach to electrical apparatus or other unsafe conditions.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) means a system providing remote control of apparatus.

Service means a dedicated radial electrical apparatus running from the point of connection from ActewAGL’s LV electricity network to the customer’s network boundary (see Network boundary).

Shall, shall not or must is to be interpreted as ‘mandatory’.

Should is to be interpreted as ‘advisory or discretionary’.

Statement of Condition of Apparatus and Plant (SCAP) means a declaration regarding the status of particular plant and/or apparatus connected to a private network, issued by an ActewAGL authorised worker to a representative, other than employees or contractors of ActewAGL.

Supply means supply of electricity.

Switch means a device capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit conditions. It is also capable, in the open position, of satisfying the isolating requirement for an isolator.

System Control means the functional area within ActewAGL that is responsible for the operation and security of the electrical systems, and controls access to the HV and LV electrical networks and apparatus (includes both Control and Dispatch).

Tester in Charge means an authorised worker to whom a sanction for testing has been issued and is the worker responsible for compliance with the requirements of the sanction for testing.

Testing Device means an approved device to be used for testing on the Electricity Network.

Vehicle means a truck (non-tipping), car, utility, or other general purpose conveyance used for the carriage of persons or goods (see also mobile plant).

Vicinity means a situation where it is unlikely that a person or worker will, either directly or through any conducting medium (for example via mobile plant), come within the relevant safe approach distances.

Within Reach means at such a distance that can be touched by any part of the body or clothing or with any conducting object or non-approved object held in the hand.

Work Site means a place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work.

Worker means a person who carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business or undertaking, including work as:

a. an employee; or

b. a contractor or subcontractor; or

c. an employee of a contractor or subcontractor; or

d. employees of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work in the person’s business or undertaking.

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Working Alone means any worker working or travelling for work purposes on their own and without regular interaction with other people because of time, location and/or the nature of their work.

A person is considered to be alone when they are:

a. on their own; or

b. cannot be seen or heard by another person; or

c. do not expect a visit from another person for some time; or

d. in circumstances where emergency assistance is not immediately available if needed.

Written (or in Writing) means recorded on paper or in an electronic form that is capable of being represented, reproduced or converted to writing.

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DEFINITIONS

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Safe approach distances to

electrical apparatus

PRINCIPLE

Workers shall observe an appropriate safe approach distance when working, or operating vehicles or mobile plant, near electrical apparatus. Work in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus shall be carried out in a safe manner and control measures taken shall be consistent with the risk

2 ^Section

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2.1 General

The safe approach distances in these Electrical Safety Rules are based on an ‘exclusion zone’ principle.

This defines an area around the electrical apparatus into which no part of the worker, mobile plant or object (other than approved insulated objects) may encroach unless in accordance with Sections 8 and 9.

When working at these distances work practices shall be established to ensure workers, mobile plant and unapproved objects do not encroach on the safe approach distances.

Refer to Table 2.1 – Safe approach distance (mm) to exposed live conductors for ordinary persons, instructed persons and authorised workers.

Unnecessary approach to electrical apparatus shall be avoided.

Necessary approach to electrical apparatus shall be kept to a minimum and shall be restricted to the period required to perform the work.

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SECTION 2 Safe approach distances to electrical apparatus

CONDUCTOR

When working on live conductors or electrical apparatus, workers must be trained and authorised

WORKING ON

Working within the Safe Approach Distances in accordance with an Access Authority

WORKING NEAR

Where there is a reasonable possibility of a person (either directly or through any conducting medium) coming within the Safe Approach Distances

DANGER ZONE SAFE APPROACH DISTANCE

means the minimum distance that shall be maintained by a person, vehicle or mobile plant when approaching conductors or electrical apparatus other than for work in accordance with an access authority.



Movement Authorised worker

or instructed person

IN THE VICINITY

Where a person is unlikely (either directly or through any conducting medium) to come within the Safe Approach Distances

Ordinary person

SAFE APPROACH DISTANCE

Figure 2.1 Safe approach distance – persons and workers

ACCESS AUTHORITY

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Table 2.1 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for ordinary, instructed persons and authorised workers

Voltage

Ordinary person^1-4

Instructed person^1-3

Authorised worker^1-3 Nominal phase to phase AC (kV)

LV – including communications. catenaries

connected to LV neutrals 1500 No contact Insulated contact

Insulated LV 100 No contact Insulated contact

Earthed metallic screened HV –

insulated conductor 100 Insulated contact

Unscreened HV insulated conductor –

up to and including 66 2000 700⁵

HV – up to and including 22 2000 700

66 3000 1000

132 3000 1500

Notes:

1. Deliberately avoid movements that could result in distances being infringed.

2. The distances specified are based on conductors not protected by a barrier of rigid material.

For electrical apparatus protected by a barrier of rigid material the safe approach distance is the barrier itself (for example substation shell). Safe to touch tests and procedures shall be applied at all times.

3. The distances specified are based on work from a stable surface. Appropriate allowance shall be made for conductor sag and sway.

4. These figures are the minimum safe approach distance that shall be used by ordinary persons.

For approach closer than these distances an ordinary person would need to become an instructed person.

5. When operating electrical apparatus with approved tools (for example Magnefix MD4 Operating Handle) the safe approach distance may be reduced to 300mm in conjunction with the

requirements of Table 5.1 Protection for electrical operations.

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2.2 Safe approach distances – persons

2.2.1 Safe approach distance – ordinary persons

The safe approach distances for an ordinary person approaching insulated, covered or exposed live conductors are shown in Table 2.1 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for ordinary, instructed persons and authorised workers.

These are the distances beyond the reach of any part of the ordinary person's body or any conducting or unapproved object touching any part of the ordinary person's body. To maintain these minimum distances from overhead conductors, appropriate allowance shall be made for sag and sway under a variety of conditions.

2.2.2 Safe approach distance – instructed persons and authorised workers

Instructed person safe approach distances apply whilst undertaking duties under supervision or instruction by an authorised worker.

Where continuous direct supervision is not provided to instructed persons, consideration shall be given to applying greater safe approach distances than those given in Table 2.1 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for ordinary, instructed persons and authorised workers, and if practicable, greater clearances should be maintained.

The safe approach distances for an authorised worker approaching insulated, covered or exposed live conductors are shown in Table 2.1 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for ordinary, instructed persons and authorised workers.

These are the distances beyond the reach of any part of the instructed person or authorised worker's body or any conducting or unapproved or uninsulated object touching any part of the instructed person or authorised worker's body. To maintain these minimum distances from overhead conductors, appropriate allowance shall be made for sag and sway under a variety of conditions.

2.2.3 Safe approach distance – glove and barrier electrical workers

Refer to Clause 8.2 Live work – high voltage (HV).

2.2.4 Safe approach distance – vegetation clearing – general

Vegetation limbs shall be considered as conductive objects when within the safe approach distances of HV conductors.

Before undertaking vegetation clearing activities, a risk assessment shall be conducted to assist in the identification and control of hazards to ensure that the work can be performed safely.

Issues that shall be considered prior to commencing work:

a. the suppression of auto-reclose; and

b. positioning any mobile plant in use such that the safe approach distance can be maintained in all circumstances; and

c. the use of safety observers and barriers and signs; and

d. consideration of weather and environmental conditions (for example rain, wind, light, sag or sway of conductors); and

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e. movement of trees or other vegetation when cut; and

f. the use of insulated barriers, protective covers and insulated equipment; and g. de-energising the electrical apparatus; and

h. isolating and earthing the electrical apparatus.

Subject to the outcome of a risk assessment, vegetation below, but not contacting HV conductors, may be cut. Additional means of controlling the movement of limbs being cut should be assessed and action taken as appropriate. At no time shall personal safe approach distances be reduced.

Vegetation above, adjacent and/or contacting HV conductors shall only be cut by authorised workers in accordance with Clauses 2.2.4.1 and 2.2.4.3 below.

Vegetation contacting bare live LV conductors may be cut only after a risk assessment has been performed.

Vegetation overhanging LV conductors can be cut while the conductors remain live provided the movement of limbs being cut can be controlled.

2.2.4.1 Safe approach distance – vegetation clearing by instructed person or authorised workers

Workers performing vegetation clearing activities shall apply safe approach distances as identified in Table 2.1 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for ordinary, instructed persons and authorised workers and Table 2.2 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for vehicles and mobile plant, applicable to their level of training and authorisation and the type of plant and equipment being used.

Those same workers when not contracted in vegetation cutting activities for ActewAGL are to refer to Section 14 Work by other personnel not under the supervision of ActewAGL, for guidance.

Instructed person or authorised workers:

a. are not to clear tree limbs overhanging HV conductors with the conductors energised, unless complying with Clause 2.2.4.3 below; and

b. are not permitted to clear vegetation from an elevating work platform positioned over the top of live HV conductors.

2.2.4.2 Safe approach distance – vegetation clearing by workers not contracted to ActewAGL

Instructed persons or authorised workers not contracted to ActewAGL are to refer to Section 14 for guidance before performing vegetation cutting activities in the vicinity of ActewAGL electrical apparatus.

2.2.4.3 Safe approach distance – vegetation clearing by authorised live HV workers Only authorised HV glove and barrier or stick line workers are permitted to clear vegetation from an elevating work platform positioned over the top of live HV conductors (refer to Clause 2.3 Safe approach distances – mobile plant).

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CONDUCTOR

When working on live conductors or electrical apparatus, workers must be trained and authorised

IN THE VICINITY

Where a person is unlikely (either directly or through any conducting medium) to come within the Safe Approach Distances

WORKING ON

Working within the Safe Approach Distances in accordance with an Access Authority

WORKING NEAR

Where there is a reasonable possibility of a person (either directly or through any conducting medium) coming within the Safe Approach Distances

DANGER ZONE

SAFE APPROACH DISTANCE

means the minimum distance that shall be maintained by a person, vehicle or mobile plant when approaching conductors or electrical apparatus other than for work in accordance with an access authority.



Mobile plant Movement Safety observer

SAFE APPROACH DISTANCE

Figure 2.2 Safe approach distance – mobile plant

ACCESS AUTHORITY

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Table 2.2 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for vehicles and mobile plant¹

Voltage Vehicles Mobile plant

Nominal phase to phase AC (kV)

Ordinary person

Instructed person or authorised

worker^2-4

Ordinary person

Instructed person or authorised worker^2-4 Uninsulated Insulated

LV 600 3000 1000 Contact

HV – up to and

including 22 900 700 3000 1200 700

66 2100 1000 3000 1400 1000

132 2100 1200 3000 1800

Notes:

1. The distances specified are based on work from a stable surface. Appropriate allowance shall be made for conductor sag and sway and for uncontrolled movement of vehicle or plant due to any reason.

2. A safety observer is required.

3. Any part of the covered pole shall remain at least 300mm clear of any live, covered HV conductor/s, allowing for sag and sway of the conductors, as the pole is being erected.

4. An appropriate risk assessment shall be undertaken before work is performed.

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2.2.5 Ordinary persons in vehicles

An ordinary person in control of any vehicle, excepting mobile plant when in working mode, shall ensure that no part of the vehicle or its load is placed or moved within the distances shown in Table 2.2 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for vehicles and mobile plant.

2.2.6 Instructed persons or authorised workers in vehicles

Instructed persons or authorised workers in control of any vehicle, excepting mobile plant when in working mode, shall ensure that no part of the vehicle or its load is placed or moved within the distances shown in Table 2.2 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for vehicles and mobile plant.

2.3 Safe approach distances – mobile plant

Because of the physical capabilities of, and potential hazard to mobile plant working adjacent to live conductors and/or electrical apparatus, specific consideration (including earthing) shall be given to the use of mobile plant during the planning of the work.

For safe approach distances to exposed live conductors for mobile plant refer to Table 2.2 Safe approach distance (mm) to live conductors for vehicles and mobile plant.

2.3.1 Use of mobile plant

Mobile plant shall only be used in the vicinity of live conductors and/or electrical apparatus after precautions appropriate to the particular circumstances have been considered and action taken to control the associated hazards and risks.

When mobile plant is operated in working mode in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus, the

possibility of inadvertent contact with live conductors shall be taken into account during the planning and execution of the work.

The control measures to be considered within a risk assessment shall include:

a. isolating and earthing electrical apparatus; and

b. positioning the mobile plant such that the safe approach distance can be maintained in all circumstances; and

c. the use of safety observers, barriers and signs; and

d. the use of other precautions such as physical restrictions or control devices in conjunction with barriers; and

e. the suppression of auto-reclose; and

f. de-energising the conductors and/or electrical apparatus.

When mobile plant may come near live electrical apparatus, the mobile plant shall be earthed.

This shall be achieved by an approved earthing conductor directly connected to a station earth or other approved earthing system refer Clause 6.1 Earthing hierarchy.

Mobile plant and where appropriate, vehicles, shall be earthed by a trailing earthing conductor to protect against the hazards presented by induced voltages refer Clause 11.2 d. Work in electrical stations – general working practices.

When mobile plant is operated from outside the mobile plant, precautions shall be taken to protect the operator from hazardous step and touch potentials. No worker other than the mobile plant operator shall touch the mobile plant whilst in operation.

Electrical safety rules