1. Changes to DSR Procedures 2018/1
Bulletin number HSS 406 OB 160
Changes to DSR Procedures 2018/1
Dudley Sparks

2. You said – We did Excavating in a Secondary Substation
Background to this change:
There was a request from the business, through the Operational SAT, to allow staff with the competency “Carry out Excavation Activity Only” to excavate in a secondary substation without a Limitation of Access. With the current procedures in place (DSR and DSR ) it is unclear whether this is possible due to there being no definition of “electrical competency”.
In 2008, HSS 406 OB 55 was issued following three incidents of HV cable damages whilst excavating in or around our substations. This went on to be incorporated into DSR
After looking at the current training for this competency, checking the risk assessment and revisiting the original bulletin we agreed to the following changes.
Operational Safety Team
DSR Excavating Near Electricity Cables
DSR – clarification. Electrical Competency is defined as being eligible to hold a copy of the DSRs as per DSR
Note: text in red and underlined is additional to the current version of DSR
You said – We did
DSR – Issue of DSRs
DSR Appendix A – eligibility for DSRs
A person with the competency “Carry Out Excavation Only” regardless of other competencies held is now eligible to hold a copy of the DSRs.
This means, in conjunction with the clarification above, that when excavating in a secondary substation, a Limitation of Access (LoA) is only required if the technically competent person putting the person to work considers it necessary..

3. Tree cutting & DSRs
Staff with “Tree Cutting Near Overhead Line Systems” now require a set of DSRs regardless of any other competencies they hold.

4. DSR 01 015 - Identification of Points of Work
It has been noted that on some types of early SF6 RMUs the gas circuit breaker (GCB) will trip on low gas and cannot be reclosed without re-gassing. Where the unit is being replaced, to prevent having to re-gas in order to comply DSR as it stands, a method has been added (new section 8.2.2).

5. DSR 01 016 - How to Ensure Low Voltage Customers Have Correct Polarity and Phase Rotation
The following procedure (which must be read as part of DSR section 7.2) gives guidance when a cross polarity is discovered by a person working alone.

6. DSR 01 018 Identification of LV Cables
The changes are due to the issue of HSS (Identification of Neutral Conductor on LV Underground Cables).
Section Positive Electrical Identification using an Approved Signal Device
1st paragraph has been reworded regarding the use of new LV cable identifiers.

7. DSR 01 020 – Connecting Cables to LV Boards
This change will affect relevant staff working in the LPN licence area
With immediate effect, the permission to issue a Limitation of Access (LoA) safety document for work on the LV tails of a distribution transformer when an isolated circuit breaker is used as a point of isolation on the HV side of the transformer has ceased and a Permit to Work (PTW) shall be issued.
There are also some additional requirements to aid the auditing process. Please see procedure for details.

8. General notes about these changes
The DSR procedures on the intranet have been updated
A new wire bound DSR procedure book will be re-issued in due course
If you are DSR holder
This bulletin constitutes part of the approved procedures and must be kept with your DSR procedures
Mark in your DSR procedures book where the changes have been made
Any further questions? Please refer to one of the members of the Operational Safety Team
Thank you