DSR 01 010 Work in Live Substations - Safe Zones …library.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/library/asset/d0163abb-… · Web viewWork in Live Substations – Safe Zones of Work Owner Name

UK Power Networks DSR 01 010v6.0

Work in Live Substations – Safe Zones of WorkOwner

Name Peter VujanicTitle Head of Health and Safety

Signature

Date 01 May 2016

Authoriser

Name Dudley SparksTitle Operational Safety Manager

Signature

Date 01 May 2016

This document forms part of the UK Power Networks Integrated Management System and compliance with its requirements is mandatory. Departure from these requirements may only be taken with the written approval of the above authoriser.

Revision RecordVersion number 6.0 What has changed?

Document reviewed minor word changes to s8 for clarity.

Why has it changed?

Re issue of DSRs

Date published 01/05/2016

Next review date 01/05/2019

Prepared by C Shackell

Version number 5.0 What has changed?Owner and Authoriser updated. Stores codes added in Appendix 1 where applicable.

Why has it changed?



Prepared by N. Saunders

Version number 4.1 What has changed?Minor word changes

Why has it changed?Document reviewed



Prepared by N. Saunders

This printed document is valid at 18/05/23, check after this date for validity.Page 1 of 17


Who needs to know?

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Contents

1.0 Introduction and Purpose................................................................................................32.0 Scope.................................................................................................................................33.0 Objective............................................................................................................................34.0 References........................................................................................................................35.0 Definitions.........................................................................................................................36.0 Responsibilities................................................................................................................37.0 Records.............................................................................................................................38.0 Process Detail...................................................................................................................3



1.0 Introduction and Purpose This procedure gives further guidance to the setting out of work zones in High Voltage (HV) substations with exposed Live Conductors.The Distribution Safety Rule (DSR) 4.5.1 specifies how a zone of work shall be identified and delineated. The rule calls for the use of approved barriers or chains to be used.Each of the distribution companies and National Grid (NG) had evolved a different method of doing this and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified some risk of confusion where work is being done on shared sites. The Energy Networks Association (ENA) produced a recommended barrier and roping system and UK Power Networks has implemented a system that is consistent with the ENA recommendations. It is supplemented by further requirements, where these have not been catered for in the ENA recommendations (e.g. for Limitation of Access).UK Power Networks (UKPN) has shared sites with NG. The NG standard (NSI6) is extremely comprehensive and complex and designed to cover the very complex situations that NG will encounter.Some network operators may not have adopted the ENA recommendations. Therefore all UKPN staff must be aware that they may encounter different barrier and roping systems on shared sites.

2.0 ScopeThis document applies to all UKPN Licence areas and private networks that are owned or managed by UKPN.

3.0 ObjectiveTo define the approved barrier and roping system used in UKPN, that delineates the temporary zone of work required by DSR Rule 4.5.1.

To ensure that people working in UKPN substations with exposed HV live conductors can clearly understand where they are to work.

4.0 References

DSR Distribution Safety Rules

ENA Energy Networks Association, position paper 01

NRSWA New roads and street works act.

5.0 Definitions

DSR Section 2 Words in bold type are defined in the DSRs

6.0 ResponsibilitiesIt is the responsibility of all UKPN employees and Managers and contractors working for UKPN, to comply with the requirements of this procedure.

7.0 RecordsAn on-site record, in the form of a list as detailed in appendix A, will be kept of the barrier and chain equipment.

8.0 Process Detail8.1 Compared to other areas in the electricity supply industry, substation compounds with live

exposed HV conductors have been shown to have some of the highest risks of major injury or death.



8.2 Open compound type substations contain many pieces of apparatus that are identical in make and version. When work is done under a permit to work, often most of the apparatus remains live and a small part of the substation is made dead and earthed in accordance with DSR 4.1.

8.3 DSR 4.5 defines how work shall be managed by the Senior Authorised Person (SAP), to ensure that all persons working in the substation understand what apparatus they are to work on and also under which safety document they are to work.

The three safety documents are:

Permit to Work (PTW) All apparatus and conductors detailed on the document are dead and earthed and shall remain so for the duration of the work.

Sanction for Test (SFT) Apparatus and conductors have been made dead and have been earthed initially but may become live at any time with dangerous test voltages.

Limitation of Access (LOA) Apparatus and conductors have not been made dead and have not been earthed. Safety is ensured by maintaining safe working clearances to the live conductors.

8.4 It is a requirement that a suitably authorised person shall issue the safety document for work in a substation compound containing live exposed HV conductors.

8.5 This Document provides a different demarcation system for each case. The purpose of this is to give sufficient visual markers, to avoid confusion.

8.6 The different demarcation systems are not a substitute for the Senior Authorised safety document issuer and the recipient of the safety document, ensuring that members of the working party understand the nature of the work and the risks and dangers that are involved. The demarcation systems are an important additional safety feature whose purpose is to aid the safe management of the work site.

8.7 Marking the Work Zone and Access Route



8.7.1 Barrier and chain systems are not designed to be a physical barrier to stop intruders gaining access to the apparatus or to keep members of the working party in the work zone. The systems are designed to be a marker or indicator of where the work zone is. However, at no time should any person climb over the barrier chain or any part of the substation permanent enclosure to access the work zone. Authorised entry must always be through the designated entrance.

8.7.2 To ensure that members of the working party can clearly know whether they are inside the work zone, markers shall be placed inside the work zone (PTW and SFT only).

8.7.3 All apparatus adjacent to the outside of the work zone shall be clearly marked with Danger Notices. The notices shall be placed to be visible to anyone approaching the zone and anyone inside the zone.

8.7.4 If the work zone can sensibly be extended to within one metre of the gates of the substation compound without compromising safety, then this should be done to limit movement of people in the compound. The remaining gap between the gates and the start of the work zone will allow others access to the other parts of the compound that are outside of the demarcated work zone.

8.7.5 If the work zone cannot be sensibly extended to within one metre of the gates of the compound, then an access route may be marked out, if it is necessary to prevent Danger.It is important that all people working on the site understand that this marked access route may pass close to, or under live conductors and that the safety rules 4.5.4 and 4.5.5 regarding movements of long objects etc. must be complied with.

8.7.6 The entrance to the work zone will be formed by two purple coloured cones. The rest of the access route shall be indicated by two rows of yellow cones fitted with a white sleeve with black lettering saying ‘ACCESS ROUTE’. The width of the entrance and access route shall not be more than 1m wide for pedestrians. If vehicular or plant access is required, the entrance may be widened but should not normally exceed 1.5m. A notice shall be placed at the entrance showing who the safety document holder is and how to contact them.

In the case of a Permit to Work, the notice will state that no person shall enter the work zone whilst work is taking place, until they have made contact with the safety document holder and been fully inducted into the work.

In the case of a Sanction for Test, the notice will state ‘no entry without the permission of the safety document holder as identified below’.

8.7.7 If the access route passes under live exposed conductors, then the warning notice for overhead live equipment notice shall be displayed at the beginning of the route for access and end of the route for egress, so that it can clearly be seen when travelling along the route in either direction. In addition, danger notices shall be attached to apparatus containing live conductors and conductor supports along and adjacent to the access route.

8.8 General Specification (PTW and SFT only)



8.8.1 The barrier will be a yellow and black plastic chain with closed links.8.8.2 As the ground will probably contain cables and earth conductors, any supports

for the barrier will be self-supporting and not penetrate the ground8.8.3 The supports will be yellow plastic cones. They will be weighted at the base with

facility to add weight where required. The supports will have a slot moulded into the top to attach the chain.

8.8.4 When erected, the cones shall be sufficiently close so that the chain is at least 500mm. above ground level.



8.9 Permit to Work Zone

Perimeter boundary: Yellow cones.Yellow and black chain.

Entrance: Zone will have an open entrance, denoted by two purple cones leading to the entrance.Access notice to be positioned next to the entrance. Blue text on white background.

Inside the zone: Yellow cones with green sleeves.Live conductors over work area notice (if required). Black text on yellow background (additional signs made of a magnetic material for ease of fixing, may also be used).

Fig.1 Ideal layout showing cones and chain for a PTW zone.

8.9.1 Figure 1 shows an idealised layout of the cones and chain for a PTW zone. It is the duty of the Senior Authorised Person to arrange the chain and cones to make it as clear as possible where the work zone is.

8.9.2 The DSR expressly forbids attaching the chain to any structure supporting electrical apparatus or conductors. It should be obvious that if the chain was attached to a structure, then it is not clear if the structure is included or excluded from the work zone.

Where possible the zone shall be arranged so that no structure carrying Live exposed conductors is within the zone. This includes any conductors that over sail the work zone. If this is not possible, then the structure will be clearly marked with Danger Notices and Danger Do Not Climb bands (additional signs for example, made of a magnetic material for ease of fixing may also be used).



In addition, yellow signs warning of live conductors over work area shall be placed at the entrance to the zone.

It is permitted to attach the chain to the earthed fence surrounding the substation compound.

8.9.3 The area shall also be adequately lit.8.10 Sanction for Test zone

Perimeter boundary: Yellow cones.Yellow and black chain.

Entrance: Zone entrance will be closed by yellow and black chain. The entrance will be denoted by two purple cones leading to the entrance. Qualified ‘No entry’ sign. White text on red background.

Inside the zone: Yellow cones with red sleeve having white text denoting ‘Test Area’. Live conductors over work area notice (if required). Black text on yellow background.

Fig.2 Ideal layout showing cones and chain for a SFT zone.

8.11 Working and Access Clearances

8.11.1 The work zone barrier shall be sited to comply with the requirements of section 4.5 of the Distribution Safety Rules and establish the necessary Working and Access Clearances.

8.11.2 The movement of materials and tools etc., through the access route, shall be controlled to comply with the requirements of section 4 of the DSR.

8.12 Management of Work under a PTW or SFT



8.12.1 Where physical demarcation is to be used this must be:-

Erected after completion of all safety precautions and before any safety document is issued

Removed after the clearance of the safety document(s).

8.12.2 The safety document shall be issued as defined in section 4 of the DSR by the Senior Authorised Person.Once the safety document has been issued, the issuer shall satisfy himself that the work is being done safely. The work shall be visited at regular intervals by the issuer, or a person with equivalent authorisation and knowledge of the job. For extended periods of work, the time between visits shall not exceed three days, whenever actual work is in progress.

8.12.3 For compounds or enclosures where there is only one item of equipment, it will not be necessary to deploy the yellow cones and chain to mark out the work zone. All other requirements must be implemented e.g. signs at work zone entrance, cones with appropriate sleeves inside the zone to indicate what type of zone has been established, etc.

As there must only be one entrance to a demarcated zone, if there is more than one gate or door to this compound or enclosure, then an appropriate Do Not Enter, This is a PTW/SFT Zone warning sign must be place at these other gates or doors.

8.13 Limitation of Access Work Zone

8.13.1 General

A limitation of access is a safety document that is defined in the DSR. It is used to explain how a person can work safely in the vicinity of live exposed conductors and other places in substations.

The equipment that presents danger will not have been made safe in accordance with section 4.1 of the DSR. Instead, safety is achieved by staying a safe distance away from the conductors.

This safe distance should normally be much greater than the working and access clearances defined in the DSR.

Within a substation (s/s) that has exposed live HV conductors the LOA is often issued to allow work at ground level. The work may or may not include excavations.

It is permissible to write a LOA that simply explains where the work is to be done and where the dangers are.

For some work, it might be desirable to limit the access of the person, by erecting a barrier. It is possible that a person, who was previously working in a PTW zone one day, might just mistakenly believe that the apparatus inside the LOA zone that he is currently working in is dead!

Many of the people who will work under a LOA will be contractors, whose main work is non electrical. However well these people are trained, they will not have the same level of practical experience as people whose work is predominantly electrical. The awareness that an experienced person develops will not be there.

For this reason, it is imperative that any work under a LOA must be carefully managed. In fact work under a LOA should attract a higher level of management and supervision than work under a PTW. Traditionally this has not been the case



and work under a LOA is looked on as being less of a management problem than most.

8.13.2 If the LOA zone is all the Substation

Where the LOA is written to allow access to the whole s/s, no specific barrier systems need be erected. The recipient of the LOA will be issued with the document on site. Furthermore, the recipient is required to show the issuer that he understands the document and how the work is to be done. The recipient will demonstrate that he understands the dangers within the s/s and that any safety precautions to prevent contact with live exposed conductors are fully understood.

The issuer will also satisfy himself that any other members of the working party have sufficient understanding of the work and the dangers. The issuer will check that all members of the working party can demonstrate competence in the work activity.

If there is equipment in the s/s that has a known danger due to catastrophic failure, then a LOA will not be issued covering the whole s/s.

The issuer will satisfy himself that the recipient understands the work and that it is practical to do the work without infringing sensible safety clearances. The exact clearances must be determined by the issuer, taking into account:

The nature of the work

The arrangement of the conductors The experience and competence of the recipient and the other

members of the working partyThe issuer, or a person with at least the same level of authorisation and knowledge of the work, will visit the site during the work, to ensure that the safety precautions are being complied with. Where the work takes place over an extended period, the period of time between visits shall not exceed three days, whenever actual work is in progress.

8.13.3 Defining a Work Zone Area for Work under a LOAThe work zone will be indicated by the use of blue coloured cones (no plastic chain). The cones shall be 750mm in height.

The area indicated by the cones does not form an island within which the person will work but helps better explain those parts of the compound the recipient and working party are allowed to work in. Where such an area of work is being indicated by the cones and is within a substation enclosure or compound containing live exposed HV conductors, then the LOA must be issued by a suitably Authorised Person.

8.13.4 Work under a LOA within Indoor Areas

Where work is controlled by a LOA inside rooms where no exposed conductors are present, then there is no need to erect barriers. However, if the LOA confines the work to a specific area, or item of apparatus or plant, then this will be made clear on the LOA. The equipment shall be labelled clearly to show where the work is to be done.



8.14 Non-Electrical Work Zones (i.e. Civil Works)

Non electrical hazards e.g. civil works will be demarcated using red and white demarcation or barrier systems. Suitable barrier systems would be those which comply with NRSWA requirements.

Non electrical hazards such as broken cable trench covers may initially be guarded by yellow cones fitted with a red and white sleeve, with the word ‘HAZARD’ in black lettering.

These temporary hazard cones should be replaced as soon as possible by the red and white barrier system mentioned above.

8.15 Routine Ground Level Activities

Activities such as the application of vegetation inhibiting chemicals and pumping out of transformer bunds are routine ground level activities and do not require the issue of a safety document, provided the person undertaking the work:

i) Holds a current competency for performing this activity.

ii) Holds a current competency for “Enter Substations & Avoid Danger Inside “or legacy “access into substations containing live exposed conductors”.

iii) The person undertaking the work completes an on-site risk assessment.



Appendix 1UK Power NetworksSubstation Barrier Kit to meet the requirements of DSR 01 010Specification for Materials132kV Standard kit

ITEM NOTE NUMBER SUPPLIER REF/Stores code

Yellow cone 1 25 a

Purple cone 2 2 a

Blue cones 3 10 b

Yellow/black plastic chain (m) 4 65 2173W

Green sleeve 5 8 c

Red sleeves (TEST AREA) 6 8 c

White sleeve (ACCESS ROUTE) 7 2 c

Red and white sleeve (HAZARD) 8 1 c

Road cones (red and white) 9 10 21727W 18”

21728G 30”

Cone mounted yellow notice (LIVE CONDUCTORS OVER WORK AREA)

10 2 d

Cone mounted blue notice (ACCESS POINT) 11 1 d

Cone mounted red notice (TESTING AREA) 12 1 d

Magnetic yellow/blue notice (DANGER Treat as Live)

13 6 e

Magnetic red/yellow notice (DANGER DO NOT CLIMB/LIVE CONDUCTORS OVER WORK AREA)

14 6 e

Warning notice (DO NOT ENTER PTW) 15 1 e

Warning notice (DO NOT ENTER SFT) 16 1 e



33kV Standard kit

ITEM NOTE NUMBER SUPPLIER REF.

Yellow cone 1 23 a

Purple cone 2 2 a

Blue cones 3 10 b

Yellow/black plastic chain (m) 4 55 2173W

Green sleeve 5 8 c

Red sleeves (TEST AREA) 6 8 c

White sleeve (ACCESS ROUTE) 7 2 c

Red and white sleeve (HAZARD) 8 1 c

Road cones (red and white) 9 10 21727W 18”

21728G 30”

Cone mounted yellow notice (LIVE CONDUCTORS OVER WORK AREA)

10 2 21681H

Cone mounted blue notice (ACCESS POINT) 11 1 21682S

Cone mounted red notice (TESTING AREA) 12 1 21683C

Magnetic yellow/blue notice (DANGER Treat as Live)

13 0 21684M

Magnetic red/yellow notice (DANGER DO NOT CLIMB/LIVE CONDUCTORS OVER WORK AREA)

14 0 21685W

Warning notice (DO NOT ENTER PTW) 15 1 21686G

Warning notice (DO NOT ENTER SFT) 16 1 21687R



Cones and sleevesNote 1. Yellow plastic cones shall be 1275mm high, weighted at the base with facility to add

weight where required. Yellow cones shall have slots moulded in the top to attach chain.

Note 2. Purple cones are otherwise as yellow i.e. 1275mm high, weighted and with moulded slots.

Note 3. Blue plastic cones shall be 750mm high, weighted as above but with no facilities for the attachment of chains.

Note 4. Yellow and black plastic chain (6mm gauge) with closed links to fit in slots in cone tops.

Note 5. Plain green sleeve 1000mm high from the base of the cone.

Note 6. Red sleeve 1000mm high from the base of the cone with white text saying TEST AREA printed with the letters arranged vertically one above the other.

Note 7. White sleeve 1000mm high from the base of the cone with black text saying ACCESS ROUTE printed with the letters arranged vertically one above the other.

Note 8. Sleeve 1000mm high from the base of the cone with red and white bands with black text saying HAZARD printed with the letters arranged vertically one above the other.

Note 9. Road cones to NRSWA requirements

Cone mounted noticesNote 10. Cone mounted warning notice with black lettering on a yellow background. Text is: -

LIVE CONDUCTORS OVER WORK AREA and a “thunderbolt” symbol is enclosed in a triangle (See illustration). Notice dimensions are 700mm high, 600mm wide for cone mounting. The notice will be shown on both sides of the cone.



Note 11. The cone mounted access point notice shall show who the safety document holder is and how to contact them. Text is ACCESS POINT NOTICE. ACCESS ONLY BY THE WORKING PARTY. NO PERSON SHALL ENTER THIS WORK ZONE, WHILST WORK IS TAKING PLACE, UNTIL THEY HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE SAFETY DOCUMENT HOLDER AND BEEN FULLY INDUCTED INTO THE WORK. SAFETY DOCUMENT HOLDER. CONTACT DETAILS. A weatherproof facility is needed to mark the name of the document holder along with his contact details. The cone mounted notice will have blue text on a white background and will appear on one side only of the cone to the dimensions shown above.

Note 12. The cone mounted testing area notice is a qualified “No entry” sign with white text on a red background. Text is: - TESTING AREA. NO ENTRY WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE SAFETY DOCUMENT HOLDER AS IDENTIFIED BELOW. SAFETY DOCUMENT HOLDER. CONTACT DETAILS. A weatherproof facility is needed to mark the name of the safety document holder and the contact details. The cone mounted notice will have white text on a red background and will appear on one side only of the cone to the dimensions shown above.

Signs for attachment to structures, gates or doors

Note 13. Notice DANGER Treat as Live. Notice is as the illustration below (i.e. yellow/blue on a white background) with dimensions of 275mm X 350mm and printed on magnetic material for attachment to steel cabinets and steel structures.



Note 14. Two part red/yellow magnetic notice 250 x 430mm. Notice in magnetic material with two parts: - right hand part - white lettering on a red background with a crossed red circle and the text: -

DANGER

DO NOT CLIMB

Left hand part - black lettering on a yellow background with a “thunderbolt“symbol in a triangle and the text:-

LIVE CONDUCTORS

OVER WORK AREA

Note 15. Weatherproof warning notice with white lettering on a red background: - Dimensions 300mm X 350mm.

DO NOT ENTER

THIS IS A PERMIT TO WORK ZONE

Note 16. Weatherproof warning notice with white lettering on a red background: - Dimensions 300mm X 350mm.

DO NOT ENTER

THIS IS A SANCTION FOR TEST ZONE



Supplier Detailsa) Glasdon UK Ltd, Preston New Road, Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 4UL,

Tel: 01253 600410

b) Greenham Limited, see internet for local depots

c) JSP Ltd, Worsham Mill, Minster Lovell, Oxford, OX29 0TA, Tel: 01993 826050

d) Pro-tect Safety Signs, Puxton Barn, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset,

BS24 6TA, Tel: 01934 834200

e) Brissco signs and graphics, Block 9 Unit 25 Cater Road, Bishopsworth, Bristol,

BS13 7TX, Tel: 0117 3113 777


Documents

DSR 01 010 Work in Live Substations - Safe Zones …library.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/library/asset/d0163abb-… · Web viewWork in Live Substations – Safe Zones of Work Owner Name