Persons and Basic Electrical Safety

Competence (BESC)
Overhead Lines
Assessor Ian Cleminson

Introduction
No smoking
Mobile phones

Meals and breaks

PPE

Introduction
First Aid

Fire

Registration
Personal details sheet

BESC Overhead Lines

Objectives
At the end of this course delegates will be able to
demonstrate understanding, knowledge and basic
skills in the following subjects

Enter/Exit a site in a safe and controlled manner.

Enter/Exit the Designated Work Area (DWA) included in Candidates
Authorisation in a safe and controlled manner.
Identifying the apparatus, plant and equipment.
Identifying who is in control of all of the tasks to be carried out on the
overhead line Apparatus Designated Work Area (DWA).
Complying with the instructions to use safety equipment and Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE).

BESC Overhead Lines

Carrying out the given tasks safely and in accordance with the
requirements of safety rules, relevant codes of procedure and
work instructions.
Identifying and recognising the risks associated with damage
to overhead line equipment and those associated with
excavation within the site.
Maintaining the site safety demarcation arrangements and
complying with them.
Maintaining the general safe condition of the site at all times.
Leaving the site safe for others including the general public.

Understanding safety rule

Definitions

Apparatus

Any item of electrical equipment in which Conductors are

used, supported or of which they form a part.

Conductors

An electrical
Conductor arranged to
be electrically
connected to a
System.

Danger

A risk to health or of bodily injury

Dead

At or about zero voltage and disconnected from any Live

System

Earth

The conductive mass of

Earth, whose electric
potential at any point is
conventionally taken as
zero.

Earthed (Wood Poles)

Connected to Earth
through switchgear
with an adequately
rated earthing
capacity or by
Approved earthing
leads

Earthed (Wood Poles)

Earth connection

Earthed (Steel Towers)

Operational earth being

applied to Steel Tower

Reasons for earthing

Lightning
Induction
Adjacent live circuits
Atmospheric

Accidental Re-Energisation
Back-feeds

Circuit Main/Primary Earth

Earthing equipment of Approved type applied before the

issue of, and at a position recorded in, a Safety Document.

Additional/Drain Earth

Earthing equipment of Approved type which is applied after

the issue of a Safety Document (for example an Earth
applied at a point of work).

DRess
DRain earth shorting system
May be

Partial low resistance connection between any two
phases or top phase and earthwire (450A)

Single Low resistance connection between all phases and
earthwire (450A)

Double As per Single but rated at (900A)

Isolated

Disconnected from
associated Plant,
Apparatus and Conductors
by an Isolating Device in
the isolating position, or by
adequate physical
separation, or sufficient
gap

Key Safe

A device of an Approved
type for the secure
retention of keys

Safety Lock

A lock used exclusively for Approved purposes ( such as for locking off the
points at which the circuit can be energised ) that lock being different from all
other standard locks used on Systems.
Generally these locks are Red and have only one key

Live

Electrically charged

Caution Notice

A notice of Approved form conveying a warning against interference,

with such additional Approved words as the Electricity Company may
determine. Red

Danger Notice

A notice of Approved form reading Danger, with such

additional Approved words as the Electricity Company may
determine. Yellow

Category of Persons
Person
A Person recognised by the Electricity Company as having sufficient
technical knowledge and/or experience to enable him to avoid Danger and
who able to act as a member of a working party.

Category of Persons

Competent Person
A Person recognised by the Electricity Company as having sufficient technical
knowledge and/or experience to enable him to avoid Danger and who may be
nominated to receive and clear specified Safety Documents.

Category of Persons
Authorised Person
A Competent Person over 18 years of age who has been appointed in writing
by the Electricity Company to carry out specified duties which may include
authority to issue and cancel Limitations of Access and/or to receive
Sanctions for Test.

Category of Persons

Senior Authorised Person (SAP)

An Authorised Person who has been appointed in writing by the Electricity
Company to carry out specified duties, including the issue and
cancellation of Safety Documents.

Category of Persons

Control Engineer

In the case of a centrally controlled System the Control Engineer at the

Electricity Companys Control Centre: in the case of a locally controlled
System the engineer specifically deputed to exercise the function of
control of such a System

Category of Persons

Person in charge (PIC)

A nominated person who is in charge of the working party (may
be a SAP or Competent Person)

Supervision
being one of the following
1) Immediate / Local Supervision
Supervision by a person ( having adequate technical knowledge, experience
and competence ) who is continuously available at the location where work or
testing is in progress and who attends the work area as is necessary for the
safe performance of the work or testing.

2) Personal Supervision
Supervision by a person ( having adequate technical knowledge, experience
and competence ) such that he is at all times during the course of the work or
testing in the presence of the person being supervised.

Voltage Categories

Low Voltage (LV)

A voltage not exceeding 1000 volts AC

High Voltage (HV)

A voltage exceeding 1000 volts AC

Working Party

Either the persons under the Supervision of a Competent or

Authorised Person ( who shall himself be a member of the working
party ) or a Competent or Authorised Person when working by himself.

Safety Distance

Nominal System Voltage

Up to and including 33kV
Exceeding 33kV but not exceeding 66kV
Exceeding 66kV but not exceeding 132kV
Exceeding 132kV but not exceeding 275kV
exceeding 275kV but not exceeding 400kV

Safety Distance X
0.8m
1.0m
1.4m
2.4m
3.1m

Safety Distances

Also
b) A distance of 300mm shall also be maintained, at all System
voltages from the portion of insulators supporting Live High
Voltage Conductors which is outside the appropriate Safety
Distance from the Conductors.

Questions
Question Name four reasons for applying drain earths.
Answer
Lightning
Induction
Adjacent live circuits
Atmospheric
Accidental Re-Energisation
Back-feeds

Question - What colour is a Caution notice, Danger notice

and a safety padlock
Answer Red, Yellow and Red

Entry / Exit of the overhead line

work area.

Entry / Exit of the

Overhead Line work area
Dangers to personnel from overhead lines are electric shock, burns or
falling arising from:
Mistaking equipment that is unsafe to work on (LIVE), with
equipment that is safe to work on (DEAD).
Inadvertently infringing safety distances.
Inadequate planning leading to a failure in the co-ordination of all
work activities.
Failure to adequately control vehicle movements.
Failure to maintain an adequate equipotential zone.
Inadequate precautions to suppress or safely discharge induced
voltages.
Failure to make proper use of access equipment i.e. Fall Arrest etc

Control of the working area

May be: By use of demarcation, barriers and signs
Under the terms of the safety document
By visual means

Control of the working area

The means of controlling the working area will be dependant on
the: location
Amount of traffic
Amount of pedestrians
Work to be done
Other hazards identified by risk assessment.

Climbing of poles, towers

and high structures

Attached climbing is
mandatory and a legal
requirement.

Climbing of Poles Towers and High Structures

Before any pole is climbed it shall be tested in an Approved

manner. No pole badly impaired by decay or damage or
whose stability is in doubt shall be climbed until it has been
supported by Approved means. The pole shall then either be
climbed by only one person at a time or access to the top of
such pole shall be by Approved means independent of the
pole.
All persons gaining access to and during work on towers,
poles and high structures shall make proper use of Approved
safety belts or harnesses and other safety equipment and
shall be in visual range of another person. All persons
concerned shall be fully conversant with Approved rescue
procedures.

Climbing of Poles Towers and High Structures

Gates and devices to prevent climbing of towers and gantries supporting High
Voltage Conductors shall always be kept secured in an Approved manner and
access shall be controlled by an Authorised Person or Competent Person in
receipt of an appropriate Safety Document.

Excavation near Live cables

Where a cable is either damaged, or has exposed Conductors, no assumption
should be made that it is Dead. When excavation work is carried out in proximity to
Live cables by an Electricity Company or its Contractors, the work shall be done in
accordance with Approved procedure.
Utility Colours
Gas Yellow/orange
Water Blue
Electricity Red (High Voltage) or Black (Low Voltage)
Cable Television Green
Telecom Grey/white

Use of Mobile Plant and Equipment near Overhead lines

When an Electricity Company or its Contractors are working adjacent to overhead
lines with mobile Plant and equipment which is capable of reaching into the Safety
Distance of a Live High Voltage Conductor or touching a Live Low Voltage Conductor
the work shall be done in accordance with an Approved procedure.

Approach to Exposed Live Conductors or

Insulators supporting them

Safety Distances
The Safety Distance shall be maintained at the respective
System voltages between any part of the person or object and
the nearest exposed Live Conductor.

Approach to Exposed Live Conductors

or Insulators supporting them

Nominal System Voltage

Up to and including 33kV
Exceeding 33kV but not exceeding 66kV
Exceeding 66kV but not exceeding 132kV
Exceeding 132kV but not exceeding 275kV
exceeding 275kV but not exceeding 400kV

Safety Distance X
0.8m
1.0m
1.4m
2.4m
3.1m

Approach to Exposed Live Conductors or

Insulators supporting them

Safety Distances
Also
A distance of ???? shall also be maintained, at all System
voltages from the portion of insulators supporting Live
High Voltage Conductors which is outside the
appropriate Safety Distance from the Conductors.
300mm

Approach to Exposed Live High Voltage

Conductors or Insulators supporting them

Approach of Persons
a) No person shall allow any part of his body to approach exposed High
Voltage Conductors, or insulators supporting such Conductors, within the
Safety Distance unless the Conductors have been made safe for work and a
Safety Document issued.

Approach to Exposed Live High Voltage

Conductors or Insulators supporting them

Objects being handled

a) When exposed High Voltage Conductors are not Isolated the only objects
which shall be caused to approach them, or insulators supporting them, within
the Safety Distance shall be those Approved for High Voltage Live Line Work and
Approved voltage testing devices.
b) When exposed Conductors are Isolated but not proved Dead, the only objects
which shall be caused to approach them or insulators supporting them, within
the Safety Distance shall be insulated devices Approved for High Voltage Live
Line Work and Approved voltage testing devices.

Approach to Exposed Live High Voltage

Conductors or Insulators supporting them

Working and Access Clearances

Taking account of the nature and location of the work and the presence of
persons, the Senior Authorised Person or the person in charge of the work
shall establish Working and Access Clearances to ensure the Safety Distances
are maintained in respect of persons present and objects being handled.

Approach to Exposed Live High Voltage

Conductors or Insulators supporting them

Working and Access Clearances contd.

The following persons may establish Working and Access Clearances provided
that the Working and Access Clearances are not less than those recommended
by the electricity company.
a) A senior authorised person when establishing safety from the system
b) a) An Authorised Person responsible for the Personal Supervision of Live
Line Work
c) b) An Authorised Person with authority to issue Limitation of Access
documents.
d) c) A Competent Person when responsible for the Personal Supervision of
work.

Safety Signs
Red Prohibition
Green/white Information
Yellow/Black Hazard
warning
Blue/ white - Mandatory

Work on overhead line systems

Adverse Weather Conditions

In the event of a near approach of a lightning storm, work on exposed
Conductors in outdoor substations or outdoor Switching stations or on
Apparatus directly connected to exposed Conductors, shall cease immediately
where necessary to prevent Danger and the Control Engineer shall be
informed.

Objections on safety grounds

Anyone who has objections on safety grounds in the

application of the safety rules shall explain their reason to the
person giving the instruction (Safety rules/G4 procedure)
Everyone has the legal right to refuse to work on the grounds
of health and safety.

Use of working
party registers
All persons who will form part of the working party must sign
on the working party register before work starts.
When any member of the working party is required to leave
site they must sign off the working party register.
There will also be a requirements to sign onto the risk
assessment and any other documents required by local rules

Safety Documents

Safety Documents
Permit to Work (PTW)
Sanction For Test (SFT)
Limitation of Access (LOA)

Order of Operations (PTW)

Planning stage
1.
Submit Method statements/Risk assessments
2.
SAP approves and plans work to:

ACHIEVE SAFETY FROM THE SYSTEMS

Outage stage
1.
SAP switches out system

2.
3.

SAP briefs and issues PTW to Competent Person

Competent Person: **

4.

demarcates the work area (tower)

installs Drain Earths as per earthing schedule
installs green flag to access point

Competent Person briefs team

5.
6.

Circuit Breaker
Isolator
Earthing Switch (Primary)

Risk Assessment
Working Party register
Safety Document

Competent person issues wristlets

Start work

** Either himself or by a Person under his Personal Supervision

Demarcation of transmission towers

Permit to Work area

Work required is inside safety
distance.

Demarcation of transmission towers

Limited Access Certificate

Work required is outside the safety
distance

Other demarcation requirements

All demarcation
must be in place
before work starts

Other demarcation requirements

Drop Zone (Where applicable)

(10-12 meters) depending on work to be done

General Rules for issue and

clearance/cancelation of safety documents

Authority for Issue

Issued by Senior Authorised Person (SAP) to Competent person (PTW,

LOA) or an Authorised Person (SFT) before work/testing starts.
Permission to issue given by Control Engineer and record kept.
SAP to explain contents to Competent/Authorised person
Competent/Authorised person confirms understanding by reading (Aloud)
contents.
Competent/Authorised person signs acceptance of safety document.
Competent/Authorised person then explains the content of the safety
document to members of the working party
Competent/Authorised person to retain safety document at all times on
site.

General Rules for issue and

clearance/cancelation of safety documents

Clearance and cancelation

A safety Document shall be cleared and cancelled if:

PTW, LOA
The work is complete (all personnel, equipment and tools removed)
To issue a Sanction For Test.
To change the competent person in charge.
SAP to suspend works (e.g. hazardous weather)

SFT
Testing on apparatus has been suspended or completed.
To change the Authorised person in charge.
SAP to suspend works (e.g. hazardous weather)

Limitations of Access
In particular, a Limitation of Access may be issued for the following types of
activity when there is Danger.
1) work in proximity to, but outside the Working and Access Clearance from,
exposed Live High Voltage Conductors.
2) access to and work in underground chambers, and similar confined spaces.
3) work requiring the use of breathing apparatus.
4) work on Plant operated by or containing compressed air or other gases.
5) such other access or work as specified by the Designated Engineer

Questions
Question What would you expect to see on a double circuit
tower with a Permit to Work (One circuit live, one dead) in place
that would tell you which side was safe to work on?
Answer Tower Number, Circuit colour plate and wristlets,
Green flag, red flag, earths.
Question What other type of demarcation may be set up
around the tower?
Answer Drop zone

Work and Demarcation in Substations

Identification of Overhead Line

equipment

400 KV Transmission Lines

HEA Approved Presentation 2005

275,000v (Double circuit)

132,000V (Double circuit)

132kV Intermediate Tower

(Single Circuit)

33,000V Terminal H Pole

33,000V Intermediate Pole

11,000v Terminal pole

with transformer

11kV Intermediate Pole

11kV CCC (BLX) O/H Lines

Terminal

Intermediate
Section

11kV Pole Mounted Transformer

with Overhead LV

11,000v Lineswitch

Lineswitch
(operating handle)

Auto-Recloser

Sulphur Hexaflouride (SF6)

Inert (under normal
conditions)
Breaks down under high
temperatures to form
Chlorine powder and gas
Identified by smell or
presence of white powder.
Action on escape of SF6.
Evacuate work area
Control access
Report to CP/SAP

LV OVERHEAD
Poles and Equipment

Low Voltage 230/400v Terminal Pole

LV Terminal Pole

LV Intermediate Pole

LV Intermediate Pole

LV Mains Cable Tee Off

LV ABC Overhead

Terminal
(with service)

Intermediate

High Voltage Overhead Line

Stranded
Aluminium Alloy
or Copper
Conductors

Pin Insulator
Steel Crossarm
Wood Pole

Anti Climbing
Guard

Danger of Death Sign

Low Voltage Overhead Lines

Open Wire

A.B.C. Aerial Bunched

Conductor

Phase Colours

Identifying and recognising the risks

associated with damaged overhead
lines

Dealing with Damaged

overhead Lines
When dealing with damaged overhead lines
the over-riding rule is treat it as live at all
times. (DIESIR)

Dealing with damaged

underground cables

If you came across this

scene what would you do?
This 11kv cable killed an
electricity company
engineer who had 30 years
experience.
Treat all underground
cables as live until proven
dead.

Dealing with damaged

overhead lines

Even conductors on the

floor may still have lethal
voltages running through
them.

Will overhead lines that are touched

automatically trip out?

Dealing with Damaged

overhead Lines
Potential damage to consider
Wood Poles / Steel Towers
Other steelwork
Conductors
Stays
Insulators
Pole mounted equipment

Dealing with Damaged

overhead Lines
Potential damage to
consider
Wood Poles / Steel
Towers
Other steelwork
Conductors
Stays
Insulators
Pole mounted
equipment

Dealing with Damaged

overhead Lines
Also consider:
Protection of the public
Chemical contamination from damaged
equipment i.e.. SF6 or mineral oil
Switch-gear may operate and re-energise the line
without warning (Fault conditions)

Dealing with Damaged

overhead Lines

If you suspect any of the previous condition

secure the site and report to your supervisor.

Work in overhead
line work areas
All work must be carried out in accordance
with the:
Method statements and risk assessments
produced by the contractor doing the work.
Electricity Company Safety rules and Codes of
Practice.
Statutory requirements

Emergency Procedures

Substation explosion

In case of emergency
Overhead Line work area
Call for help
Ensure your personal safety, do not try to rescue someone
if you have to put yourself in danger doing it.
Give first aid If you have been properly trained then help
the person until medical help arrives.
Secure the site
Report incident to electricity company staff stating:
Name of injured person and there employer name.
When the ambulance, fire brigade etc arrives,
specific details about the incident.

How NOT to rescue someone

Use of Safety Equipment and

Personal Protective Equipment (ppe)

Safety equipment/PPE
You may need to use specific safety equipment when on site.
For example:
Fall arrest equipment when working at height
Trench support when working in deep trenches (installed
by competent person).
If applicable this will be identified to you before work starts.

Safety equipment/PPE
You will also be required to use the following PPE when necessary:

Helmet
Eye protection
Ear defenders
Dust mask
Gloves
Safety Boots
Overalls (Fire Resistant)
Note: This list is not exhaustive and there may be a requirement for
you to use other PPE for a specific site, this will be identified to you
before work starts.

Safe and Tidy Site

Safe and Tidy Site

Store materials and equipment properly

Report any health and safety hazards
Make proper use of ppe
Never take chances or short cuts
Never fool around or play practical jokes
Never try to perform work you are not trained
and qualified to do
Follow emergency procedures
Follow your companies health and safety policies

Leaving site safe for others

Leaving site safe

for others
Ensure all tools and equipment are removed
Remove all waste materials and dispose of correctly
Ensure you sign off the working party register and any
other documents required by local rules.
Ensure switchgear and plant is left in a safe condition
Lock all access gates on leaving the site
Leave the site in a condition you would want to find it.