Electrical Awareness for Construction Activities

Overhead Power Lines & Underground Cables

Electrical Awareness for Construction Activities

Agenda
Electrical appreciation
Overview of the electrical distribution and supply network of SP Energy Networks

The Consequences of getting it wrong & Emergency Procedures Basic overview of legislation & guidance
Summary of applicable Health & Safety legislation GS6 & HS(G)47 requirements

The HSE Approach

Distribution Network
Power Station 400,000- 275,000 Volts 400,000- 275,000 to 132,000 Volts Grid Substation 132,000 Volts 132,000 to 33,000 Volts Bulk Supply Point

DANGEROUT DEATH KEEP OF

DANGER OF DEATH KEEP OUT

DANGER OF DEATH KEEP OFF

DANGER OF DEATH KEEP OFF

11,000 to 415 -230 Volts Secondary Substation

--------------------DANGER OF DEATH KEEP OUT

33,000 to 11,000 Volts Primary Substation

Heavy Industry 33,000 or 11,000 Volts

11,000 Volts Overhead Line 11,000 to 415 -230 Volts Pole Transformer
DANGER OF DEATH KEEP OFF

Schools ,Offices etc.

415 Volts Farm 415 Volts

Houses 230 Volts

Street Lighting 230 Volts

415-230 Volts Link Pillar

DANGER OF DEATH DANGER OF DEATH

Emergency Contact Numbers: Scotland 0845 2727999. England & Wales O845 2722424

Power Line & Cable Enquiries 0845 273 4444

400kV 275kV Transmission Line

132 kV Overhead Line

132kV to 33kV Bulk Supply Point

11000 to 415/230 Volt substations

11KV OVERHEAD LINE COMPONENTS

INSULATOR: PREVENTS POLE/CROSSARM FROM BECOMING LIVE CONDUCTOR: CARRIES ELECTRICITY

CROSSARM: SUPPORTS INSULATORS & CONDUCTORS

JUMPER: CONNECTS ONE PIECE OF APPARATUS TO ANOTHER

TRANSFORMER: REDUCES HIGH VOLTAGE to LOW VOLTAGE

OVERHEAD LINE APPARATUS

POLE MOUNTED AUTO-RECLOSER (PMAR)
Purpose to protect the line against faults

33kV Overhead Lines

Low Voltage Overhead Line

415kV 230 kV Link Pillars

Underground HV Cables

The Consequences of getting it wrong

Consequences of getting it wrong..

Consequences of getting it wrong..

June 1997,concrete pumping machine operator was electrocuted in Dumfries & Galloway

11000 volts

Task - Construction of large silage pit Height of line complied with statutory requirements Site staff were aware of the presence of O/H line, concerns had been raised but driver was satisfied with the safety distance Immediate treatment for electric shock may have prevented fatality

Examples of Non Compliance

House with an unusual feature

Scaffold built adjacent to LV overhead line

Plant & equipment adjacent to overhead lines

Storing materials below overhead lines

Emergency Procedures

Central & Southern Scotland Power Loss & Emergencies Telephone: 0845 272 7999 Cheshire, Merseyside & North Wales Power Loss & Emergencies Telephone: 0845 272 2424

Basic overview of legislation & guidance

Guidance
Guidance Note GS 6 & HS(G) 47

Guidance & Information for those in control of any kind of work under or near to overhead electric lines Legal Obligations Hierarchy of control Precautions (specific to site activities) Pictorial examples of setting up your site Can be downloaded Free of Charge from the HSE website

Dedicated Point of Access / Egress

6m Minimum

Access/ Egress to be defined either side of OHL

Consequences of Getting it Wrong

Consequences of Getting it Wrong

Consequences of Getting it Wrong

Consequences of Getting it Wrong

Consequences of Getting it Wrong

Obtain Plans

e-mail requestforplansscotland@scottishpower.com Write Data Management Correspondence, SP Energy Networks 55 Fullerton Drive, Cambuslang, G32 8FA Phone 0141 567 4262

e-mail: requestforplansmanweb@sppowersystems.com Write - Data Management Correspondence (England and Wales), SP Energy Networks , Prenton Way, Prenton CH43 3ET Phone - 0151 609 2373

Locating Underground Apparatus

Check the plans by tracing the cables and mark their position using paint, crayon, chalk or pegs. Always scan the area you intend to excavate with a cable locator before you start to dig.

NOW DIG SAFELY

Take trial holes by hand to find the exact position of cables before you use a mechanical excavator. Remember cables can be found at any depth even just below the surface. If you find a cable embedded in concrete dont try to break it out, ask for help from EnergyNetworks If you cannot find the cables shown on the plans never assume theyre not there, ask for help from EnergyNetworks
Remember Electricity Can Kill

NOW DIG SAFELY

If you do damage a cable keep everybody clear and immediately ask for help from EnergyNetworks 0845 272 7999 Never attempt to move or repair a cable, treat all cables as LIVE

HSE Overview

What is the Overall Goal for HSE?

Prevention of approximately 25 deaths and anywhere between 1000 and 3000 serious incidents per year as a result of electric shocks, electric burns, flashover/arc burn injuries, electrical fires and explosions.
From HSCs Statistics of fatal injuries 2005/06: 11 Fatal injuries to workers from contact with electricity/ electrical discharge

Hazards & Risks from Overhead Electric Power Lines

Risks Personal contact with overhead electric lines can result in fatal injuries due to electric shock and/or burns sustained as current flows through the human body; Contact or close approach to lines made by metal parts such as a crane jib, raised tipper lorry, agricultural sprayer, etc can result in current flow through the vehicle frame with risk of shock and burns to persons in the immediate vicinity; Can also occur with non-conducting materials if damp or dirty.
Actual contact with overhead line is not necessary to result in electric shock close approach may allow a flashover or arcing to take place.

Legislative Framework (3)

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Regulation 4(3) requires all work on or near electrical system to be carried out so as to prevent danger, so far as is reasonably practicable; and Regulation 14 requires that no person should work on or near any exposed live conductor unless specific criteria can be satisfied, namely: Unreasonable for it to be dead; and Reasonable for persons to be at work on or near conductors whilst live; and Suitable precautions taken to prevent injury

ABSOLUTE DUTY TO FULFIL REGULATION 14

Legislative Framework (4)

Electricity Safety Quality & Continuity (ESQC) Regulations 2002 Specify requirements for overhead line construction for generators/distributors; minimum heights of lines and cables e.g. for voltages < 33kV: 5.8m(over roads)/5.2m(other locations) position, insulation and protection of lines; precautions against access and warnings of dangers.

What happens if non-compliant?

Range of sanctions: Verbal or written advice; Improvement Notice; Prohibition Notice; Prosecution of company, directors and or employees. Actual action depends upon a range of factors: severity, previous history, attitude of employer or individual, public interest etc.

GS6