Electrical Safety
What are the Electrical Lifesaving Rules Working with electricity Always have a valid permit to work where required Always test before applying earths Quick reminder of the logo’s that provide recognition of the ELSR – presenters can reinforce how they fit in to the corporate LSR Never assume equipment is isolated – always test before touch
Why Do we Need Electrical Life Saving Rules Every year, on average, there are 1.2 incidents on AC electrified lines which result in fatalities or life changing injuries to industry staff On the DC network we have a far higher volume of less severe but often life changing incidents involving staff We are embarking on a major programme of electrification for which our designs and processes must be legally compliant to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Target zero on fatalities and major injuries by the end of CP5. This slide provides brief detail on the NESIP programme and why we need ELSR – Clarifying the issues and the risk from Electrical safety , as our industry grows with an electrical interface so the risk begins to grow
Always have a valid permit to work where required Network Rail have robust systems to allow you to work on electrical systems You must be competent to issue and hold an electrical permit You must understand the content of the permit If you are the permit holder you must confirm the permit is valid You must not start work until the permit has been issued , the permit is valid and you have the authority to start work from: AC – Nominated Person ( NP) DC ( Conductor Rail Permit) – Engineering Supervisor (Level A holder) It must be noted that on Mersey Rail and Euston to Watford lines where the traction current is DC the NP will issue Conductor Rail Permits. This slide provides detail on why we need a permit to work and explains the process behind a permit , who should issue them and who should hold them – You must emphasise no Permit = No work-
Always test before applying earths After an Isolation has been given the authorised person (AP) will be given authority by the NP to apply earth (AC), the Level A holder will give authority to the strapman (DC) A Switching Testing Earthing Details Form (STED) for AC and the Engineering Supervisors certificate form DA for DC (Form B Mersey Rail) Before the AP/Strapman applies the earth,he/she must Test before Earth Before the test is carried out the test equipment must be proved This test is undertaken so that the AP/Strapman has assurance that the area to be earthed has been isolated You must be competent to undertake earthing/strapping Live Line Indicator AC Seaward Tester DC This slide provides detail on Test before Earth and the process to be followed and the equipment that should be used – Remember the equipment can not be used until it has been proved first and visual checks carried out – Staff must be competent to use this equipment .Staff need to have authority from the NP or the level A to apply earths/straps (Level A holder is the Engineering Supervisor)
Never assume equipment is isolated – always test before touch Once the Isolation has been implemented and the earths have been applied a permit to work is issued – Form C (AC) & Mersey Rail (DC) – Conductor Rail permit (DC) Before work can commence Test before Touch must be carried out This Test before Touch gives staff assurance that the electrical conductor system, has been switched off You Test before Touch by using the Live Line Indicator (AC) and the Seaward tester (DC) – You must be competent to undertake and use this equipment If you are working on and around the conductors you should test again, additionally when you move past section insulators, Auto Transformer Feeders (AC), section gaps, floaters (DC) and similar potential residual electrical hazards Currently this test on AC must be carried out at ground level – Boots on Ballast This slide details the final test to be undertaken before work starts – Again emphasis to be given on Trained competent staff – proved equipment , visually checked equipment and the issue of the correct permit – Emphasise the correct AC Test before Touch approach during the LLI trial which is boots on ballast
Why Apply The Rules :- Legislation mandates that we apply all legal requirements to our undertakings the electrical Life saving rules enhance and remind us about these requirements : - HASAW etc Act 1974 - states 2(2)(a)-Provision & maintenance of safe plant & systems of work that are so far as reasonably practical safe and without risk to health –This is your permit to work - Regulation 13 of the EAWR 1989 deals with precautions for work on equipment made dead and states (197) Where work is to be done on or near conductors that have been isolated, the conductors should be proved dead at the point of work before the work starts- In reality this means before you apply an Earth and before you work on Electrical Equipment you will Test to make sure the electrical continuity is DEAD The slide emphasises the legal requirements that sit within the LSR , it is easy to forget that the LSR are there for a reason , they are there to remind staff that we all have to comply with the law – reg 7 of the HASAW etc act 1974 states – That it shall be the duty of every employee at work to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work- this is fundamental in the application of all the LSR
The Electrical Life Saving Rules The Electrical Lifesaving rules are there to support you and keep you safe Working with Electricity is the unseen danger Remember the rules Apply the Rules Don’t become a statistic - Ask Kieran Brown If In Doubt Test it Out Some quick bullet points re-emphasising ELSR and why they must be followed