electricity - iosh

Electricity

The SHAWW (General Application) Regs, 2007

(S.I. 299 ) Part III – Electricity.

The SHAWW (General Application) Regs,

(Amendment), 2007 (S.I. 732)

The National Rules for Electrical Installations.

Code of Practice produced by the Electro-

Technical Council of Ireland (ETCI).

LEGISLATION

The Electro-Technical Council of Ireland (ETCI), is the National body responsible for the harmonisation of standards in the electro-technical field, in collaboration with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

ETCI is the Irish Member of the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and the European Committee for Electro-Technical Standardisation (CENELEC)

Electrical Standards

Part 3 of the General Application

Regulations 2007 requires

precautions to be taken against the

risk of death or personal injury and

to prevent danger so far as is

reasonably practicable from

electricity used in work activities.

Statutory requirements – SI 299 of 2007

• SUITABILITY OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT &

INSTALLATIONS

• IDENTIFICATION AND MARKING

• PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK

• SWITCHING AND ISOLATION

• PRECAUTIONS FOR WORK ON EQUIPMENT MADE DEAD

• PERSONS TO BE COMPETENT

S.I. No. 299 of 2007

PART 3 -- ELECTRICITY

The Disconnection and

Separation of electrical

equipment from every source of

electrical energy in such a way

that the disconnection and

separation is secure.

Isolation

Means the connection of the

exposed conductive parts of an

installation to the conductive

mass of the earth

Earthing

Regulation 75: Application of Part 3 2) This Part does not apply to—

(a) any electrical equipment or electrical installation used exclusively for electrical testing or research purposes, or

(b) medical electrical equipment,

but persons using equipment referred to in subparagraph (b) shall ensure that the equipment or installation is constructed, installed, maintained, protected and used, with adequate precautions being taken, so as to prevent danger.

Statutory requirements – SI 299 of 2007

Regulation 76:

An Employer shall ensure that-

All electrical equipment and electrical installations are –

a) Designed

b) Constructed

c) Installed

d) Maintained

e) Protected, and

f) Used so as to prevent danger.

Statutory requirements – SI 299 of 2007 Regulation 78:

An employer shall ensure that –

a) All electrical equipment is suitably identified where

necessary to prevent danger,

b) All electrical equipment, other than cables & overhead

lines, displays the makers name together with all ratings

necessary to show that it is suitable for the purpose for

which it is used, and

c) All electrical circuits are suitably identified at their source

to allow those circuits to be safely and securely

de-energised and isolated

Statutory requirements – SI299 of 2007 Regulation 79:

An employer shall ensure that all live parts which may

cause danger –

a) Are suitably covered with insulating material and

so protected as to prevent danger

Or

b) Are the subject of precautions taken to prevent

danger, including, where appropriate, the live parts

being suitably placed to prevent danger.

Regulation 81:

(1) An employer shall ensure that –

(a) a circuit supplying portable equipment or a socket

outlet intended to supply portable equipment, including

any circuit supplied by an electrical generator, and in

which is used alternating current at a voltage-

(i) exceeding 125 volts and

(ii) not exceeding 1000 volts,

is protected by one or more RCD’s having a tripping

current not exceeding 30mA’s operating within such a

period of time so as to provide the necessary

protection to prevent danger to any person coming into

direct or indirect contact with any live part of the circuit.

Regulation 81:

(b) portable equipment is maintained in a manner fit for

safe use.

(c) portable equipment which is-

(i) exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to

result in danger,

and

(ii) supplied at a voltage exceeding 125V AC is –

- Visually checked by the user before use,

and

-Periodically inspected by a competent Person,

appropriate to the nature, location and use of the

equipment.

Regulation 81:

(2) An employer shall ensure, where appropriate, that a competent person—

(a) tests any portable equipment described in paragraph (1)(c)(i) and (ii), and

(b) certifies whether or not the portable equipment (including any cables and plugs) was, on the day of test, as far as could reasonably be ascertained, safe and without risk to persons coming into direct or indirect contact with any live part of the equipment.

Regulation 81:

(3) If the certificate of the competent person referred

to in paragraph (2) indicates that the portable

equipment tested was not, on the day of the test,

safe and without risk, as described in that

paragraph, the employer shall ensure that the

equipment is not used until it is made safe and

certified as such in compliance with paragraph (2).

Regulation 81:

(4) An employer shall ensure that –

(a) Portable equipment, other than portable

transformers and portable Generators, supplied at

a voltage exceeding 125V ac is not used in –

(i) Construction work,

(ii) External quarrying activities, or

(iii) Damp or confined locations

Unless its rating exceeds 2kVA

Statutory requirements – SI299 of 2007

Regulation 81:

(b) Portable hand lamps supplied at a voltage

exceeding 25 volts ac or 50V dc is not used in –

(i) Construction work,

(ii) External quarrying activities, or

(iii) Damp or confined locations,

and

Regulation 81:

(c)

Where a transformer or engine driven generator

is used to supply electricity to portable equipment

at a voltage greater than 25 volts, but not

exceeding 125 volts AC, the neutral (star) point

of the secondary windings of three-phase

transformers and generators, or the midpoint of

the secondary windings of single-phase

transformers and generators, shall be connected

to earth and in the case of transformers these

shall be of the double wound isolating type.

Isolating Transformer

220V

E

110V

55V

55V

Ph.

N

Portable transformers supplied at a voltage

exceeding 125 volts AC come within the

application of Regulation 81(1) and a

maximum cable length of two metres should

be used on the high voltage or supply side.

Where an extension lead is required, this

should be used on the low voltage or

secondary side of the transformer and it

should be suitable for the environment in

which it is used.

Regulation 86 :

An employer shall ensure that-

(a) Work activity, including the operation, use and

maintenance of electrical equipment or electrical

installations, is carried out in a manner that

prevents danger.

(b) Before work is carried out on live electrical

equipment the equipment is, where appropriate ,

made dead so as to prevent danger.


Regulation 86 :

(c) Adequate precautions are taken to prevent

danger arising from-

(i) Electrical equipment which has been made dead

becoming live while work is carried out on or

near that equipment, and

(ii) Any electrical equipment inadvertently becoming

live,


(d) Where it is necessary for work to be carried out on or

near any live part, other than one suitably covered with

insulating material so as to prevent danger, of electrical

equipment, a person is not engaged in work activity

unless-

(i) it is unreasonable in the circumstances for it to be

dead;

(ii) it is reasonable in the circumstances for such a person

to be at work on or near it while it is live, and

(iii) suitable precautions are taken to prevent danger,

including, where necessary, the provision of

protective equipment.


Regulation 87:

An employer shall ensure that-

(a) Adequate working space, adequate means of

access and egress and adequate lighting are

provided at all electrical equipment …..

and

b) Emergency lighting is fitted in all switchrooms in

order to give an adequate degree of lighting in the

event of a loss of electrical supply.


Regulation 88:

An employer shall ensure that no person is

engaged in any work activity to which this part

relates where technical knowledge and

experience is necessary to prevent danger

unless that person is competent or is under

such degree of supervision as is appropriate,

having regard to the nature of the work


Regulation 89:

An employer shall ensure that—

(a) a new electrical installation and a major

alteration of, or extension to, an existing

electrical installation is, after completion,

inspected and tested by a competent person

and a report of the test is completed verifying

that the relevant requirements of this Part

have been complied with,

Regulation 89

(b) an existing electrical installation is tested by

a competent person in an appropriate

manner—

(i) from time to time where required having

regard to the nature, location and use of the

installation, or

(ii) if an inspector so requires and a report of

the test is completed by the competent

person carrying out the test,

Regulation 91:

(2) An employer shall ensure that only an

authorised person or a person acting with

his or her consent, or under his or her

supervision, can enter any part of a

substation or switchroom in which there

may be danger


It is absolutely essential that they have safe work methods and procedures in place to ensure the safety

of all who work on electrical equipment or

installations:

Electrical Safety

It is an employer‟s duty to provide staff with Safe Systems of Work

Electrical Safety

When it comes to Electrical Work

there are only two scenario‟s:

Working on Equipment „Dead‟

Working on Equipment „Live‟

Therefore a Safe Operating Procedure is required for both.

There is no in between

1 Disconnect from the power supply

2 Prevent re-connection (lock-off)

3 Check for absence of voltage

4 Earth and short circuit (if appropriate)

5 Protect from adjacent live parts

It is always preferable to work on „dead‟

equipment or installations (SI 299). Any

Procedure for making Electrical Equipment

„Dead‟ e.g. Lockout/Tagout Procedure should

be based on the 5 golden rules:

Working on Equipment „Dead‟

Lockout and Tagout

PURPOSE

To comply with Health and Safety

legislation

To protect employees from any unintended

release of potentially hazardous energy

while setting up, adjusting, repairing,

servicing, maintaining or installing

equipment or machinery.

Procedure based on 5 Golden Rules

Lockout and Tagout When to use:

Lockout and Tagout must be used where the unexpected

energising, start up or release of stored energy could

occur and cause injury.

Who should use:

All personnel authorised to implement a Lockout and

Tagout system.

Personnel trained in the identification of energy sources,

location and operation of isolating equipment and

utilisation of Lockout and Tagout devices.

Lockout and Tagout

What is Lockout:

The placement of a Lockout Device on an energy

isolation device to ensure that the isolation device

and the system it controls cannot be accidentally or

inadvertently operated.

What is Tagout:

The placement of a Tagout Device on an energy

isolation device to indicate that the isolation device

and the system being controlled should not be

operated until the Tagout Device is removed.

Lockout and Tagout

Lockout devices must:

Be approved type and robust enough for the

environment in which they will be used.

Only be removed by the person who applied them.

Only have one available

key in the possession of

the approved person

Lockout and Tagout

Tagout devices must:

Be securely attached with a self locking device

Be able to withstand the environmental conditions

Only be removed by the person who applied them.

Be prominently displayed

and identify the person who

attached the Tagout device

Hold-Off Notice

Joe Bloggs

087- 00000000 23/09/15

Withdrawn 20kV CB of Trafo T-421

A.N.Other

087-1111111

Lockout and Tagout

A Lockout/Tagout Procedure

can take two forms

1. Lockout Procedure where all

workers apply their own locks.

2. Lockout Procedure with

Lockout Permit.

An example of

ESB‟s

Telemess form

An Example of a HV

Permit to Work

Valid Public Liability Insurance

Contractor Safety Statement

Contractor Job Method Statement

Risk Assessment

Site Induction

Permit to Work – Lockout Permit

Competent workers (with Safe Pass)

Suitable Safety Equipment & PPE

Suitable (certified & tested) Instruments

Electrical Contractor Management

Electrical equipment or installations are

deemed to be „Live‟ if they are not „Dead‟

i.e. switched off, locked off and verified

that it is off.

Live Working should be the exception

and only carried out when it is

unreasonable for the electricity supply to

be switched off and suitable precautions

are taken to minimise the risks.

Working on Equipment „Live‟

Live Working Precautions The use of people who are properly trained and

competent to work safely on live equipment.

The provision of adequate information to the person

carrying out the work about the live parts

involved and the likely risks.

The use of suitable tools including insulated tools,

equipment and protective clothing.

The use of suitable insulated barriers or screens.

The use of suitable instruments and test probes.

Accompaniment by another person if their presence

could contribute significantly to ensuring that danger is

prevented.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Arc Flash Protection Overalls These overalls are designed to protect the body from burn injuries resulting from electrical short circuit. EN 61482

Electrical Insulated Gloves These gauntlet type latex gloves should comply with the international standard EN 60903. They should be stamped with the live working symbol along with Class 0 to indicate they will insulate up to 1000 volts. Before use each glove should be visually examined and inflated to check for damage and punctures. Any glove that fails the tests must be cut up and scrapped immediately. Live Working Symbol =

Electrical Insulated Mat The insulated mat provides effective means of improving protection against second point of contact. It should be stamped with the live working symbol and the level of voltage to which it will insulate.

Electrical Insulated Boots The insulated boots should comply with the international standard EN 50321. They should be indelibly stamped on the inside of each boot with the live working symbol, the level of voltage to which they will insulate and the month and year of manufacture. The boots must be checked for cuts, punctures or worn soles before use.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Face and Eye Protection A full face visor complying with the international standard EN 166 must be worn where there is a risk of face or eye damage from electrical short circuits.

Insulated Shrouding Shrouding is designed for temporary protection against accidental contact during work. It should be stamped with the live working symbol and indicate the level of voltage to which it will insulate.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Test Instruments All test instruments used on Live electrical equipment Must be fully insulated to a minimum voltage level of 1000 volts. They should comply with the international standard EN 61243

Test Instrument Leads and Probes Test equipment connecting leads and probes should be sufficiently protected to prevent accidental contact when being applied to and removed from live parts e.g. maximum of 3mm exposed metal tip of probe.

Earthed

body

230

Volts to

earth

Standard

flex / cable

230 Volt

supply

“Cowboy” Contractor

RCD and

overcurrent

protected

110 Volt supply

55 volts to earth

Double

insulated tool

Armoured

cable

Regularly inspected as

per SI 299 of 2007

Low Voltage can still kill.

Electrical Safety

Signs of overheating

(burn marks & discolouration)

Damage to sealing around

cable sheath or loose

connection where it enters

plug or tool

Damage to plug e.g.

bent pins, cracked or

loose casing or signs

of overheating

Damage to power lead

insulation or taped repair

Outer sheath of cable not

securely gripped at plug or

at entrance to tool

Damage to tool casing,

loose parts or missing

screws

Check by means

of microtag or

similar indicator

that tool is

within inspection

period Only use a tool for it‟s designed

purpose

Double

Insulated

Electrical Tools Inspection

Damaged

equipment

should be

replaced

immediately

Damaged/Defective Equipment

Repairs should

be carried out by

someone

competent

Repairing Damaged/Defective Equipment

Pushing the Test

button

periodically can

help maintain the

effectiveness of

the RCD

Residual Current Devices (RCD‟s)

Ensure Equipment

is up to the correct

standard

(e.g. BS1363 /

IS401 for plug-

tops)

13A Plug Tops

Protect children from

Electric shock in the

home by installing

plastic inserts into

unused outlets

13A Sockets

Ensure equipment

is Isolated from the

supply before

attempting repair

e.g. bulb

replacement

Isolating Supply before Repair

Overloaded

Socket outlets are

a Fire Hazard

Avoid using

Adaptors

Adaptors

Testing of Tools/Equipment

Portable Appliance Testing

USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT

It is the duty of every employer to ensure that

in the case of work equipment which is

exposed to conditions causing deterioration

liable to result in a danger to safety or health,

that periodic inspections and, where

appropriate, testing is carried out.

The results of inspections should be kept

for 5 years from date of inspection.

110V = yellow

230V

400V

4 or 5 pin

25V

Industrial Socket Outlets

1-20 kV 0.75 m 2.6 m

38 kV 1.0m 2.9 m

110 kV 1.2 m 3.35 m

220 kV 2.1 m 4.35 m

400kV 3.5 m 6.4 m

Voltage Radial Horizontal

High Voltage can “jump”

you don‟t need to make actual contact.

High Voltage - close proximity

Access to HV Apparatus must be

restricted to authorised personnel only

Doors & gates to rooms, cubicles and

compounds:

Must be kept locked to prevent entry

by unauthorised personnel, and,

Key must be controlled.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY-High Voltage

Where work is to be carried out close to a live line, ESB

Networks insist on the line being switched out for the

duration of such work.

In some situations work will be allowed but only after

detailed consultation and with the understanding that

strict safety precautions will be employed.

In addition to all previously mentioned precautions a

barrier of timber or an earthed steel net will be erected

under the supervision of ESB at a height also determined

by ESB.

Working beneath a Live Line

Sites where there will be no work or passage of

plant under a live line require barriers to prevent

close approach.

Sites where plant will pass under a live line

require defined passageways under the line to

be made.

Sites where work will be done beneath a live line

require further precautions in addition to the

provision of barriers and passageways.

Working in Proximity to Overhead Lines

Contractor should erect wooden or non-

conducting material goal posts at the

entrance to the passage on each side of the

line.

The goal posts should be in line with the

protection barrier.

The passageway should be as narrow as

possible, not exceed 10 metres and should be

fenced or have steel drums on either side.

Passage beneath a Live Line

Working in proximity to Overhead Lines

Overhead lines generally

bare conductors

Work should not commence on any excavation until

all precautions to avoid contact with underground

cables have been taken

Excavation Work

The basic elements of a safe system of work involves:

a. Correct use of Plans (to aid location of power cables)

b. Use of Cable Locating Devices

c. Use of Safe Digging Practice

Farm buildings have special safety requirements

for electrical installations and equipment.

Farm working conditions and hazards place much

heavier demands on electrical equipment. Special

wiring rules for farm buildings must be followed to

avoid the risk of accidents.

Domestic equipment is not suitable for use in farm

buildings.

A comprehensive booklet 'Farm Well Farm Safely'

is available that gives detailed advice on using

electricity safely in and around the farm.

Farms

If you are having a new house wired or

having existing wiring renewed or

extended you should get an ETCI

Completion Certificate from your

electrical contractor. This certificate is

your contractor's statement that the

installation complies with the National

Wiring Rules. This certificate will also be

required before a new supply can be

connected.

New Installations

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Communicating Electrical Safety to your Staff

Motivate and encourage staff to be conscious of

electrical safety.

Ensure staff are familiar with the Company safety

statement and are aware of their obligations.

Ensure staff know the location of emergency

switches and isolating devices.

Train staff in the safe use of electrical equipment.

Train staff in First Aid and CPR in the event of an

electric shock accident.

Provide staff with appropriate personal protective

equipment ( PPE ) and ensure they are trained in its

use and maintenance.

Safety Procedures

Put procedures in place to ensure the safety of

staff, the electrical installation and the equipment connected to it.

Maintain an up to date record of the electrical installation and update the safety statement where necessary.

Restrict access to areas where electrical installation work is being carried out.

Safety Procedures

Keep work locations clean and tidy especially those where electrical equipment is being worked on.

Keep clear all access routes to emergency switches and distribution boards.

Ensure that portable electrical tools and equipment are low voltage - supplied via suitable transformers.

Identify the location and routes of underground cables, including ESB cables, before any site construction work or excavation work is commenced.

Consult the proper authorities, including ESB Networks before any construction work is commenced in the vicinity of overhead wires, lines or cables.

Your Electrical Installation

It must comply with the Electro Technical

Council of Ireland (ETCI) wiring regulations.

Restrict the operation of, and work on, to those competent and qualified to do so. Employ only competent contractors.

Ensure that all circuit breakers, fuses, isolators and switches are labelled and cross-referenced to the circuits they control.

Hazardous areas, such as explosive, highly flammable and wet locations require special electrical fittings.

Switch-rooms

Keep securely closed and locked.

Restrict access to authorised personnel.

Must be adequately lit and ventilated.

Access routes must be kept free and clear at all times - never use as storage space.

Distribution boards and Fuse boards

Keep doors and covers securely closed.

Access must be kept free and clear at all

times.

Assign somebody to be in charge of the

Electrical Installation

- “Controller” or “Authorised Person”

Allow No Work to take place on the Electrical

Installation unless this person has given

permission & the work is carried out under a

Permit

Fault Switching - Same Permission applies

Appointed Person

Posters /Stickers available from

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

20kV Overhead Line

In November 2004, two members of the public were electrocuted

when the mobile lighting tower they were moving made contact with

an overhead 20kV line. Three others who were assisting, were injured

in the incident but their injuries are not life threatening.

A man working with a gutter and fascia contractor was electrocuted

on this construction site. At the time of the incident the victim along

with two others was manoeuvring a 17.9 metre long single section of

seamless aluminium guttering into position on a newly constructed

two storey development. Scaffolding had been erected around the

outer walls of the two storey building, and during the positioning of

the guttering, and while the three men were aloft on the scaffolding,

one end made contact with an overhead 10kV 3-phase line. The victim

was electrocuted; the other two men received shocks.

Sources of Further Information

CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation), 35 Rue de Stassartstraat, B-1050 Brussels,

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 Rue de Varembé, PO Box 131,CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland

The Irish Standards Catalogue published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) may be purchased from: NSAI, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

I.S. 370:2007, Colour Code for Buried Plastics Piping


Electro-Technical Council of Ireland Ltd (ETCI), ETCI Offices, Unit H12,Centrepoint Business Park, Oak Road, Dublin 12

ET 101: National Rules for Electrical Installations, 4th edition 2008

ET 105: National Rules for Electrical Installations in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres, 2nd edition

ET 106: National Rules for Electrical Installations in Medically Used Rooms

ET 202: Guide to the Selection of Electrical Apparatus for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres

ET 206: Good Practice Guide on the Management of Electrical Safety at Work

ET 209: A Recommended Maintenance & Inspection Routine for Electrical Installations in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres

ET 210: Code of Practice for the Selection and Installation of Low Voltage Generators


European Communities (Electrical Equipment

for Use in Explosive Atmospheres) Regulations

1999

(S.I. No. 83 of 1999)

Building Regulations Technical Guidance

Document B: Fire Safety, published by the

Department of the Environment, Heritage and

Local Government

HSA Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger

from Underground Services,

To report an emergency, please phone ESB at 1850 372 999

http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/home/contact_us.jsp

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