Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Management
Safety Code of Practice
HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEMS
August 2011
Executive Summary
VERSION 2
Introduction
a clearly defined safety policy for the operation of and the servicing of the
High Voltage distribution network and equipment, High Voltage Code of
Practice.
VERSION 2
VERSION 2
References
The references below are statutory requirements and related documentation, this list
is not exhaustive.
MSA 19 PCBs and you. Do you know how to work safely with PCBs? HSE
publication.
VERSION 2
Definitions
Earth the conductive mass of earth, whose electric potential at any point is
conventionally zero.
VERSION 2
Safety Lock - a unique lock normally red in colour used for locking off the points at
which a circuit can be energised and is different from all other standard locks used
on the system.
Switching - the operation of circuit breakers, switchgear or other methods of making
(closing) or breaking (opening) an electrical circuit conductor(s) and/or the
application and removal of Circuit Main Earths (CME's).
Switching Schedule - a document prepared by the Authorised Person, and
approved by the other Authorised Person/Authorising Engineer which defines the
work to be done, the sequence of operations, the earthing required and any
alternative supply arrangements.
Switching Device (switchgear) equipment which has been designed and
manufactured specifically for the purposes of switching electrical energy.
Sub-Station any premises, or part of premise in which electrical energy is
transformed or converted to or from high voltage, or contains high voltage
switchgear.
Supervision
Immediate attends the work site at all times but not necessarily in the
presence of the person being supervised.
VERSION 2
Personal at all times in the presence of the person being supervised so that
if appropriate they can physically restrain them.
VERSION 2
Plymouth University will appoint one Authorising Engineer and two Authorised
Persons (one of which is to act as the Designated Person) to maintain, monitor and
operate their high voltage distribution systems as detailed.
4.1
Define the exact extent of the system and installations for which each
Authorised Person is responsible.
The Designated Engineer will have the same role and responsibilities as that of the
Authorised person (see 4.4 4.7) but will have overall ownership and responsibility
for the Universities HV distribution systems. The Designated engineer will not be the
Authorising engineer.
4.4
Ensure that all records concerning high voltage systems are kept up to date
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4.6
Ensure that the necessary safety posters are displayed in Sub-Stations at all
times
Routine inspection and testing of all high voltage protection systems including
batteries
Qualifications and Training of the Authorised Person
The Authorised Person shall be formally appointed by the Authorising Engineer for
the defined systems and installation. Appointment will be the issue and acceptance
of a certificate signed by the Duty Holder.
4.7.1 Suspension or cancellation of appointment of an Authorised
Person
The appointment of an Authorised person may be suspended or cancel by the
Authorising engineer who should inform them in writing giving the reason for
the suspension or cancellation.
4.8
Competent Person
4.9
Be familiar with the type of systems and equipment on which work is required
to be undertaken
4.10
the relevant parts of the Electrical Safety Code of Practice for high voltage
systems
have adequate knowledge of, and within the preceding three years have
received training in, first aid treatment for electric shock.
Where a Contractor has been appointed to provide Competent persons for a system
and installation it will be the Authorised persons responsibility to ensure that each
Competent person is of a standard equivalent to that required by this Code of
Practice.
VERSION 2
If the Authorised Person is of the opinion that a Contractors Competent Person is not
working in accordance with the requirements of the Safety Code of Practice for high
voltage systems or is working in an unsafe manner, the Authorised Person has the
authority to stop the work.
VERSION 2
5.1
Safety Procedures
The Authorised Person who will be responsible for issuing of the safety documents
for all programmed work or testing on high voltage systems shall prepare in duplicate
a safety programme detailing the activities which are to be carried out.
When the safety programme has been completed it should be countersigned by
another Authorised person who has detailed working knowledge of the particular
system involved.
5.3
Safety Documents
The function of safety documents Permit to Work, Sanction for Test and Limitation
of Access is to ensure that any work authorised on or in close proximity to high
voltage systems or equipment is strictly controlled.
Only one pad for each type of safety documentation shall be used.
The documentation is to be kept in a locked cabinet in the Authorised persons office.
A safety document must not be issued for work on any equipment which is already
the subject of any other safety documentation.
If at any time additional work is required the University Authorised person must
cancel the existing safety documentation and issue a new safety document to cover
the additional work.
The issuing and cancellation of all safety documentation is to be recorded in the
logbook.
VERSION 2
All completed safety documentation pads must be kept locked away in the
authorised person office for a minimum of three years from the date of the last
document issued.
5.4
Safety Equipment
Safety equipment to facilitate the safe operation and servicing of high voltage
systems should be readily available to the Authorised persons, this should include:
5.5
A log book for recording all switching operations, safety precautions, repairs
and any unusual occurrences concerning the high voltage system
All substations must be kept locked at all times and all access keys kept in a secure
key locker controlled by the Authorised Person(s).
The University operates a standard ASSA locking system E key for low voltage
electrical distribution cupboards, risers, etc. or an Onity card lock is which is used on
all access doors to these areas. In a some areas the high voltage distribution
system/equipment is within an area accessible with an E key or card and in such
cases the high voltage area has been segregated a separate ASSA HV lock and
key held only by Authorised person(s).
No person shall enter any Sub-Station containing high voltage equipment or cables
unless they are suitably authorised to do so or personally supervised by someone
who is.
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VERSION 2
6.1
Operational Procedures
The following details the procedures relating to the normal operation of Plymouth
Universities High Voltage Distribution Network.
A Switching Schedule shall be prepared by the Authorised person and approved for
every switching operation involving the high voltage distribution network.
Switching shall only be carried out by an Authorised person or an Approved
Contractor Senior authorised person with the appropriately completed Authority to
Operate form.
Safety documents shall be issued by Authorised persons as required.
The works covered by the Permit to Work or the Limitation of Access will be carried
out by the persons authorised by the Authoring Engineer or Authorised Person.
Safety documents will be cancelled by the Authorised person.
The high voltage distribution system shall be fully restored to the status as defined
on the Switching Schedule and any Normally Open Point put back as appropriate.
Full records will be kept of all operations, Safety Documents, Switching Schedules,
and Diagrams in the High Voltage files and recorded in the Logbook.
All persons carrying out work on the Universitys high voltage network shall have
written authority from the Authorised Person to do such work. In some cases it may
be operationally beneficial for the University to sign over its high voltage system to
the approved contractor and in such cases this permission may be granted by
completing the appropriate Authority to Operate form supplied by the approved
contractor.
At the time of writing the two contractors authorised to work on the Universitys high
voltage network are:
SSE Contracting Ltd - 01752 755550
Western Power Distribution - 01752 502010 or 502023
At the time of writing SSE Contracting Ltd are contracted to offer an emergency callout service for Plymouth University for their high voltage systems.
No person shall commence work without fully understanding the instructions
received. In no circumstances shall these instructions be exceeded. Should any
person consider that the instructions given cannot be carried out safely, that person
has the right to have the matter referred to the University Authorised Person for a
decision before proceeding.
No apprentices will work on University high voltage systems unless under the
personal supervision of a qualified Authorised person.
VERSION 2
Normal switching of the Universities high voltage switchgear shall only be carried out
by Authorised Persons and no such switching shall be carried by others except in
cases of emergency.
Switching of the Western Power Distribution (DNO) high voltage equipment shall not
be carried out by University staff.
The person authorising the switching shall communicate directly with the person
carrying out the switching. A switching schedule shall be produced and safety
documents issued.
Where switching will cause a temporary or complete interruption of supply to a
building(s) the Directorate/Faculties(s) affected will be notified in writing giving 30
days notice. All power outages will be co-ordinated by the Authorised person with the
users of any University buildings affected.
All safety equipment, tools, safety locks, test instruments shall be made available to
the person authorised to carry out the switching operations.
Any high voltage systems/equipment showing signs of any distress or poor condition
shall be reported to the Authorised Persons for a further decision/action.
VERSION 2
6.3
Switching Schedules
Prior to the operation of any high voltage systems, equipment, switchgear or the
issue of a Permit to Work for high voltage systems or a low voltage system, a
switching schedule must be written.
For all programmed work or tests on high voltage equipment, the Authorised person
completing the switching schedule is to have the original countersigned by another
Authorised person, the Designated engineer or Authorising engineer who has
knowledge of the particular system and installation, and access to a current
schematic diagram of that system and installation.
The Authorised person is to refer to the original of the switching schedule while
carrying out the programme and must completed and sign for each operation. The
Authorised person must not deviate from the switching schedule.
On completion of the programme, the original switching schedule is to be scanned
on to the computer and stored on the shared drive high voltage folder. The original
paper copy is to be filed in the Authorised persons office.
The switching schedule is to be written and is to indicate:
the equipment that the proposed sequence of operations will make safe
A schematic diagram showing the specific work area to include all points of
isolation, circuit main earths that have been applied, etc.
for work or tests on high voltage equipment, the name of the countersigning
Authorised person or Authorising engineer together with the sequence of
operations proposed indicating:
6.4
Live Working
Dead
Isolated; and all practicable steps taken to lock off from all points of supply, including
back-up generators and other sources from which the apparatus and conductors
may become live. Caution Notices shall be fixed at all points of isolation.
Earthed; by approved means at all points of isolation or between such points and the
point of work.
Identified; at the point of work by approved means including labels, record drawings,
signal injection of cables, etc.
6.5
Live phasing tests are to be undertaken only by the authorised persons or the
approved contractor, in receipt of an Authority to Operate form. A Permit to Work is
not required, but the approved contractor is to be accompanied by another person
who has adequate knowledge or experience to avoid danger, and who has been
instructed in the action to be taken in the event of an accident.
VERSION 2
Safety Documentation
7.1
A Permit is not to be issued for an item of equipment which is already the subject of
another Permit to Work or a Sanction for Test on live equipment.
Authorised persons undertaking tasks requiring Permits are to issue them to
themselves or preferably to each other.
The issue and cancellation (or loss) of every permit is to be recorded in the central
high voltage files in the dedicated Authorised person(s) Office.
A Permit to Work is to state precisely and legibly:
the location and identity of the equipment that has been made safe and
upon which the work or test is to be performed;
Prior to accepting the Permit, the prospective Competent person, having understood
the work or test to be undertaken, and being prepared to undertake it, is to initial any
special instructions or safety measures noted in the Permit, and is to sign, thus
rendering the Permit valid for the defined work or test.
The acceptance of a Permit makes the Competent person personally responsible for
directly supervising or undertaking the defined work or test. The Competent person
is therefore not to leave the working place or to undertake other work or tests while
the defined work or test is in progress. During any temporary absence of the
Competent person from the working place, the work or test is to be temporarily
suspended and adequate safety precautions taken until the work or test is resumed.
VERSION 2
Having completed the work or test, and having withdrawn all persons, instruments
and tools from the working place, the Competent Person is to sign, and return the
original Permit to the Authorised Person.
The Authorised Person is to check that the work or test has been completed
satisfactory and that the equipment is safe and, in a Hazardous Area, is to be
satisfied with the integrity of the explosion protected of all equipment that may have
been affected by the work. The Authorised Person is then to cancel the Permit to
Work by destroying the original and signing the duplicate retained in the pad.
7.2
At times it may be necessary for Competent persons to enter or carry out work within
a high voltage sub-station (e.g. to test the emergency lighting or other work that does
not affect HV equipment). In such cases a Limitation of Access is to be issued to the
person carrying out the work to clearly state what it is they are permitted to
undertake and any safety precautions that need to be taken.
They are to be informed of the dangers of working in a high voltage sub-station and
are not to touch any of the apparatus. They are also to be informed that the
substation is not to be left unattended at any time. A risk assessment may be
necessary if the work is not simple in nature.
The person may be issued with the relevant high voltage sub-station key (but not the
HV master key).
No University sub-stations have any automatic fire suppression systems fitted that
need to be isolated before work can commence.
All Limitations of Access must be issued by the Authorised person at the SubStation.
7.3
procedures apply, each CME removed by the recipient of the SFT shall whenever
reasonably practicable be replaced before signing the clearance section of the SFT.
Whenever any high voltage equipment is to be subjected to test voltage before being
connected or reconnected to the high voltage system, whoever is responsible for
applying the test voltage shall ensure that such equipment and the associated test
equipment, leads and connections are adequately guarded to prevent danger and
that danger notices are attached in conspicuous positions during the test. All cables
and capacitors shall be discharged before and after the application of test voltage.
Temporary conductors used for testing shall be adequately sized and easily visible.
Where high voltage tests are to be undertaken, the areas containing exposed live
conductors, test equipment and its high voltage connections are to be regarded as
high voltage enclosures.
Safety equipment is to be provided by the Contractor and is to be readily available at
all times to those who need it. It is to be worn or used whenever necessary to avoid
danger.
Only approved safety equipment is to be used.
Safety equipment is to be inspected by the user for visible defects on each occasion
prior to use. Any suspect item is to be reported to the Authorised person who is to
consider its withdrawal and its re-provision.
VERSION 2
System Maintenance
To help ensure the high voltage systems of the University are kept in good condition
and safe working order it will be necessary to inspect and maintain it at regular
intervals. A visual inspection of all sub-stations shall be undertaken at least once
every quarter with an official annual inspection by an approved High Voltage
Contractor who is to submit a written report following the inspections together with
any recommendations. The annual inspections are to include oil samples from
transformers and switchgear, earth resistance measurements.
All oil filled switchgear shall be maintained (including renewal of oil) by an approved
High Voltage Contractor between four and six years.
All vacuum, sulphur hexafluoride gas (SF6) switchgear to be maintained in
accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.
All main switches are to be operated once every 12 months by the Authorised
Person(s) using a written switching schedule.
VERSION 2
Records
A schematic diagram of each University HV network shall be kept in the APs Offices
showing the present status of the networks. These schematics shall be amended
after each switching operation (if appropriate) and a record kept in the logbook of the
amendments and the date the operation took place. All switching operations shall be
committed to a switching schedule and a copy kept on the file 1130/1.
All documentation including switching schedules and safety documents must be
retained in the central files located in the dedicated Authorised Person Office in 18
Endsleigh Place:
Completely filled logbooks and safety documentation are to be retained in a lockable
cabinet in the Authorised Person Office for a minimum of three years after the date
of the last entry.
9.1
Underground Services
All excavation work should be carried out in accordance with the Plymouth University
Safe to Dig Leaflet information and the HSE HSG 47 Avoiding Danger from
Underground Services.
The Contractors/Employees required to carry out any excavation work to dig should
approach the work systematically, using plans and other positive information (e.g.
the existence of lamps and junction boxes, cable locators and safe digging
VERSION 2
Plans
Contact Estates to obtain plans (where they are available) showing the approximate
line of known cables. The plans together with any positive signs such as junction
boxes can give a good indication of the location and configuration of cables to be
found at a particular site. It may be possible to avoid cable routes at the planning
stage of your work.
9.3
Trace the position of the cables as accurately as possible with a cable locating
device in conjunction with any available cable plans. The cable locator should
always be available for use on the site. The line of any cable should be noted and
marked (using paint, wooden pegs, waterproof chalk- but not sharp spikes). Cables
rarely follow an exact straight line.
9.4
Underground cables can often be found just below the surface. Even the shallowest
excavation may be a source of danger.
Once you have determined their approximate positions using plans and cable
locators, you can expose buried cables by using hand tools with care. Use spades
and shovels rather than forks or picks. Keep a careful watch for evidence of cables
during digging work and repeat checks with a cable locator.
Where practicable, do not use power tools within 0.5m of the indicated line of a
cable, and never over the line of the cable. If necessary, dig carefully by hand under
the surface to locate the cable.
If you have to break away or disturb concrete in which cables are embedded, the
cables should be made dead or an alternative safe method of excavation agreed
before work starts.
If you are in any doubt about whether an exposed service is a live or dead cable,
a water pipe or other service, treat it as a live cable.
VERSION 2
10
All University Authorised and Competent persons are to have attended a basic first
aid course covering effective treatment for electric shock.
Every electrical contractor on site must ensure that adequate first aid is available and
that there operatives have been suitably trained. It is sensible for all contractors to
make arrangements with the main contractor to provide first aid (if possible).
First aid arrangements will vary with the degree of risk on the site, but should usually
include as a minimum:
information for workers on site about first aid arrangements, including the
location of the nearest telephone.
VERSION 2
Signed:
Chris Bunce
Acting Director
Directorate of Estates and Learning Facilities
VERSION 2
Dated..