[Document title]
GREEN POWER DEVELOPMENT
AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENT INVESTMENT
PROGRAMME (TRANCHE 2)
PACKAGE 2: LOT B2
HEALTH AND
SAFETY PLAN
Stringing of second circuit conductor and
OPGW of existing Habarana –
Valachchenai 132kV Transmission Line
of 100 km route length, under hot
condition
Health and Safety Plan
1. Purpose:
To provide a standard operational procedure for managing electrical awareness when working
in the proximity of energized power lines. The task associated with this work instruction are:
a) Preliminary
b) Planning
c) Isolations and outages
d) Safe approach distances
e) Safety Observer
f) Erecting near adjacent lines
g) Proximity plans
h) Line Earthing 1
- General
- Electrical hazards associated with stringing activities
2. Scope of Work
The scope of work is:
a) Stringing of second circuit conductor and OPGW of existing Habarana –
Valachchenai 132kV Transmission Line of 100 km route length, under hot condition
(keeping the other circuit energized).
The conductor is ACSR ZEBRA (Al 54/3.18mm + 7/3.18mm) and OPGW 24 fibres.
The work to be performed during the aforesaid job basically involves the following tasks:
a) Material transport and procurement;
b) Machinery and tool procurement, delivery and installation;
c) Mounting and Installation of Insulator Strings;
d) Laying of Conductor/Optical Fiber by using pilot cable/rope;
e) Tightening, regulation and securing the conductor/fiber optic cable;
f) Mounting and installation of jumper and accessories;
g) Dismounting of protections;
h) Removal of material and personnel;
i) Withdrawal from the work area.
3. Specific Health & Safety Hazards
For comprehensive identification and assessment of hazards refer task specific
a) Working in proximity
4. Task specific PPE Required
a) Generic – full length clothing, safety boots, hard hat, safety glasses, high visibility
vest, gloves where required
b) Site signage (i.e. Danger – Construction site, Danger – Induction, Mandatory PPE,
structure ID)
c) Barricading (i.e. hard fencing, safety webbing/tape and traffic cones).
d) Lanyards and harness.
Health and Safety Plan
5. Task specific Tools and Equipment
a) Portable earth leads (min 90 mm2)
b) Running Earth
c) Earth stakes (15 mm Ø) and mats
d) Live line sticks (‘Hot Sticks’ to apply earth leads)
e) Tool belt.
f) Hand-held Radio.
5.1 Competencies
a) Electrical awareness
b) Heavy Vehicle License if driven on public roads
c) Plant Operators License (i.e. 1EWP, mobile crane, crane) 2
d) Site specific Project Induction
e) Company Safety Induction (Handbook)
5.2 Responsibilities
a) The project manager is responsible for ensuring that this Work Instruction is
implemented on site.
b) The Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that this work is understood and
adhered by all personnel involved in this task.
c) Personnel involved in this task are responsible for complying with this work
instruction.
d) Safe Observer.
6. Work Instruction
6.1 Preliminary
6.1.1 All electrical gear to be tested/tagged in accordance with legislation.
A visual inspection will be conducted prior to every use of electrical equipment.
6.1.2 Defective electrical equipment shall be tagged out of service and quarantined.
6.1.3 Pre-start equipment and function test shall be conducted for all cranes and mobile
equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, recommendations
and statutory requirements prior to use on a daily basis.
6.1.4 Confirm all approvals, notifications, permits and checklists are in place
- Client approval
- Stakeholder notifications
- Proximity permits
6.1.5 Proximity permits to be signed by all parties and held by nominated responsible
person.
6.1.6 A specific “Proximity Plan” shall be documented to detail plant positioning,
construction layout, relevant distances as well as a check or sign off by the
respective Supervisor and operators so to confirm requirements of the plan have
been implemented;
6.1.7 Ensure site signage and barricading is installed as required:
- Mandatory – Danger/construction, PPE 2, site identification
- Specific – working in proximity, specific PPE etc.
6.1.8 Conduct and record a pre-start meeting (OHS3-Pre-Start Meeting) and ensure
1
EWP – Elevated Work Platform
2
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
3
OHS – Occupational Health & Safety
Health and Safety Plan
- Operatives understand the task, the sequencing of activities and their
roles/responsibilities.
- Specific JHA 4’s are completed (i.e. for the specific activities at the particular
site)
- All required plant and equipment is fit for purpose, and daily inspections are
performed/recorded for plant and equipment as required.
- Confirm the nomination of dedicated safety observer.
- Emergency response planning; fire response.
6.2 Planning
6.2.1 Consult client for preliminary information
6.2.2 Identify all interaction with existing infrastructure 3
6.2.3 All contact with Network operators; shall be documented.
6.2.4 All notifications to be actioned as per contract
6.2.5 Confirm timing of outage
6.3 Isolations and outages
6.3.1 Where possible total isolations when working in proximity.
6.3.2 Isolations shall be actioned in accordance with Network Operator protocol.
6.4 Safe approach distances
Table 1 – Minimum approach distances for mobile plant/ordinary persons
Nominated Phase to Phase A.C Voltage (kV) Safe Approach Distance (mm)
Up to and including 132kV 3000
Above 132kV and up to including 330kV 6000
Above 330kV 8000
Table 2 - Safe Approach Distances for Cranes, Mobile Plants and Loads to live exposed
conductors
Nominal Safe Approach Distance (mm)
Operating For instructed or authorized persons with a For instructed or authorized persons
Voltage Safety Observer without a Safety Observer
Uninsulated Portions Insulated Portions Uninsulated Insulated Portions
Portions
Up to and 1,000 2,000 1,000
including 1,000
V
Above 1kV and 1,200 700 2,400 1,400
up to and
including 11kV
33kV 1,200 700 2,400 2,000
66kV 1,400 1,000 2,800 2,000
132kV 1,800 1,800 3,000 3,000
220kV 2,400 2,400 4,800 4,800
4
JHA – Job Hazard Analysis
Health and Safety Plan
Table 3 – Standard Vegetation Control – From an insulated EWP5
Insulated EWP Safe Insulated
Using Insulating Tools/Equipment Using Non-Insulating Tools/Equipment
Approach Table Mobile
Plant
Safety
Safe Non-
Nominal Personnel Insulated Vegetation Vegetation Vegetation Vegetation Observer
Approach Insulated
Operating Safe Tool Clearance Clearance Clearance Clearance Required
With a Tool
Voltage Approach Approach Below/Beside Above Below/Beside Above
Safety Approach
Observer
LV –
Insulated / 500 mm Physical 300 mm No clearance required 500 mm No clearance required 500 mm
Covered Clearance
LV – (no
Exposed / 1000 mm contact) 300 mm No clearance required 1000 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm 2000 mm
Bare
4
11 kV 1200 mm 700 mm 700 mm 700 mm 1200 mm 1200 mm 2000 mm
33 kV 1500 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm 1500 mm 1500 mm 2000 mm
Not Not
permitted permitted
132 kV 2000 mm 2000 mm 2000 mm 2000 mm 3000 mm
220 kV 3000 mm 3000 mm 3000 mm 3000 mm 6000 mm
6.5 Safety Observer Zone
6.5.1 Whenever a crane, EWP or other operating plant is operated within the safety
observer zone (figure 1) a safety observer is required to be appointed.
Figure 1 – Safety Observer zone for overhead electrical wires in poles and towers
5
EWP – Elevated Work Platform
Health and Safety Plan
6.5.2 An EWP6 may be deemed not operating in a safety observer danger zone when:
a) The electric lines or equipment have been de-energized
b) Limiting switches have been installed to warn the operator or prevent any part of
the EWP or load from entering the no-go exclusive zone; or
c) Any parts of the EWP being moved are being prevented from entering the exclusion
no-go zone by physical barriers.
Figure 2 – Clearance from live electrical conductors
6.6 Erecting near adjacent live lines
6.6.1 Overhead power lines up to and including 132kV the following applies:
(i) Spotter zone required
The EWP shall not be operated in the ‘spotter required zone’, unless –
- The electricity distributor is notified before commencing work;
- Written permission from the electricity distributor has been obtained;
- The EWP is insulated in accordance with the requirements of AS 1418.10;
- A spotter performs spotting rules;
- A pre-start site/job meeting has been convened and a risk assessment
completed; and
- The EWP is equipped with one controlled descent device located at platform
or basket for each occupant, and each occupant is trained and experienced in
its use.
(ii) No go zone
The EWP shall be not be operated in the ‘No go zone’, unless –
- The electricity distributor is notified before commencing work;
- Written permission from the electricity distributor has been obtained;
- All conditions specified by the electricity distributor are complied with;
- The EWP is insulated in accordance with the requirements of AS 1418.10;
- A spotter performs spotting duties;
- A pre-start site/job meeting has been convened and a risk assessment
completed; and
6
EWP – Elevated Work Platform
Health and Safety Plan
- The EWP7 is equipped with one controlled descent device located at the
platform or basket for each occupant, and each occupant is trained and
experienced in its use.
Table 3 – Summary of HV proximity
Voltage Safe Approach Spotter Required No go / Exclusion Zone
Up to 132kV 6.4 meters < 6.4 meters < 3 meters
Greater than 132kV 10 meters < 10 meters < 8 meters
6.7 Proximity Plans 6
The proximity plan shall clearly define:
- Contract required notifications;
- Any required outages;
- Proximity notification criteria;
- Proximity Permit approvals;
- Any requirement to have a Safety Observer;
- Other Controls; and
- A detailed sketch showing the existing line, proposed plant locations as well as
the new transmission line tower or pole layout.
The construction manager shall ensure the proximity plan is implemented.
The WHSO 8 shall verify the positioning and interaction of all plant working adjacent or
in proximity to existing lines as per the proximity plan.
7. Work Instruction – Line Earthing
The basic purposes of earthing include:
- To ensure all point of work cables are de energized;
- To safety discharge any induced voltages from point of work cables;
- To prevent any dangerous rise in potential of the apparatus being worked on
in the of supply being accidentally restored; and
- To ensure that lines person and plant operators are in an equipotential zone
As a minimum, where new conductors are installed in an area remote from other energized
lines, and with no lightning activity present, all equipment involved at pull and tension sites
shall be earth bonded. In addition, running earths should be installed on all metallic draw wires
or pilot ropes, an on the conductor or earth wire on front of the pulling and tensioning
equipment.
Where projects are located in congested areas involving exposure to energized parallel lines,
or the crossing of existing energized lines, and / or where there is a high probability of
thunderstorm and adverse weather conditions, further more substantial earthing requirements
shall be used. This shall include bonding and earthing of equipment, the use of running earth,
earth equipotential mesh mats at work sites, and stringing sheave earths. Earths and mats
shall be sized and designed according to the fault current where one direct contact with an
energized line is possible.
7
EWP - Elevated Work Platform
8
WHSO – Workplace Health & Safety Officer
Health and Safety Plan
7.1 General
All equipment used in the process of stringing conductors should at least one earth
attachment point, usually a convenient point on the frame
7.1.1 Live Line (“Hot”) sticks and insulating gloves shall be:
- Visually inspected and cleaned prior to use
- Maintained and tested per the manufacturer’s instructions and the recognized
ASTM: F711 American Standard.
- Not used in wet conditions
- Stored in a dedicated canister/bags after use
- Not laid on ground
7.1.2 Earth clamps shall be applied and removed with an insulated earth stick
7
Installing earth clamps/leads
Earth clamps and cables shall first be connected to the earth rod or earthing
source, and then to the object to be earthed.
Removing earth clamps/leads
When removing earths, the earth clamp shall be removed from the earthed object
and then from the earthing source or earth rod.
When applying an earth clamp with an earth stick, the clamp shall be held in a
position near the conductor, then snapped on quickly and firmly, and tightened. To
apply earth clamps to the conductors from the tower crossarms, swivel earth
clamps will be required.
Ensure good electrical contact is achieved between the earth clamp and other
surface.
Where conductor is to be disconnected portable earths shall be installed on each
side of and close to the break where;
- The conductor is to be broken or cut;
- The conductor is to be joined;
- The bolted joint of a jumper bridge is to be disconnected and until it is
reconnected.
Where a conductor is to be lowered or raised from a suspension structure, portable earths are
to be installed on the structure as well as on the two adjacent structures. After the conductor
is physically disconnected from the structure, and lowering commences, the portable earth on
the center structure is disconnected from the conductor.
When the conductor has reached the ground a portable earth is installed at the work area
before it is handled. Depending on where the work is to be done in the span this earth can be
connected to the structure, or if some distance away, to an earth stake so that the lineperson
is in an area of equipotential. All equipment and vehicles used at this location must also be
bonded to the earth stake to maintain the area of equipotential.
When raising the conductor after repairs, the earths are removed and reapplied in reverse
order to the above.
Where a conductor is to be lowered from one side of a tension structure, portable earths are
installed on the tension structure and to the next structure to it.
An additional earth is applied to the conductor to be lowered so that the jumper can be
disconnected. After the conductor is physically disconnected from the structure and lowering
commenced, the portable earth on the conductor is disconnected.
Health and Safety Plan
When the conductor has reached the ground and before any hand contact, a portable earth is
installed near the dead end where it comes to rest. If the earth leads are long enough, this
earth can be connected to the structure, alternatively it can be connected to an earth stake. If
the winch rope, which lowered the conductor, is to be disconnected from the conductor, an
additional earth is to be applied to the winch rope and bonded to either the tower or the earth
stake, and all precautions taken as per above (Conductor to be disconnected) if the bridge is
to be disconnected.
With bundled conductors, earths must always be applied to all conductors in the bundle
individually unless in the case of terminated assemblies all conductors are earthed through
the yoke plate on the live side of the string.
7.1.3 Earth stakes will consist of a rod (Copper Clad Steel) not less than 15 mm diameter, 8
driven up to an appropriate depth. Where earth resistivity is likely to be poor, each
temporary earth should consist of two (2) stakes driven at a distance approximately
2 meters.
7.1.4 Additional earth practices
- Always ensure you do not our yourself between an insulated conductor (i.e. in
an insulated sheave or attached to an assembly) and tower steel or the ground;
- Wear Insulated footwear; that is, rubber or moulded soled boots;
- Where strung conductors are low, such as outside the tensioner earth grid and
over scaffolds, do not touch the conductor unless it is absolutely necessary;
- Apply and remove earths correctly;
- Where conductors on any tower are to be earthed, and conductors on the same
phase on adjacent towers are unearthed, a rope barrier and access is to be
established before applying earths. The barrier can be removed only after the
conductor earths are removed.
- Equipment placed on the grid must be correctly earthed to a stake solidly
connected to the steel mesh;
- Conductors must be insulated from fences at all times during runout and
stringing;
- Personnel must remain clear of the cable outside the barriers at all times during
lifting and cutting operations.
7.2 Electrical hazards associated with stringing activities
7.2.1 Lightning Strikes
Active review of the “line” weather conditions so as to be fore warned of potential
storms and strikes. In the situation of an approaching storm, stringing activities will
be suspended till the weather clears.
7.2.2 Induction
Voltages are electrostatically and electromagnetically induced from adjacent
circuits operating under normal conditions.
Linesman not to directly contact grounded metalwork (i.e. tower) or insulated
conductor (i.e. in a pulley). This situation gives a path for the electric charge
induced on the conductor to travel straight through the linesman’s body to ground.
7.2.3 Step and touch potential
Step and touch potential are produced when the conductors are earthed at the
tower, for example, when terminating or when clamping in, and a fault occurs on
an adjacent line causing a high voltage to be induced in the conductors being
strung. The discharge current from this induced voltage can cause a potential drop
to be developed for the duration of the fault (not more than 1 second) across the
ground directly adjacent to the tower. This is also the reason for attaching all
equipment at the tensioner to buried earth grid. Anything within the grid area is safe
Health and Safety Plan
but step voltage can occur at the grid perimeter. This is the reason for fencing the
area and limiting access to defined positions across an insulated mat.
7.2.4 Line re-energization
The Network Operators line isolation processes shall be enforced for all line
outages. In essence permit systems and tag out procedures are applied. Portable
earths applied in a direct line of sight shall be part of these controls.
7.2.5 Handling large conductive items
Large conductive items such as mobile plants and equipment shall be handled in
accordance with the Network operators procedures. Where mobile plant impacts
upon line exclusion zones, appropriately qualified “Safety Observers” shall be
engaged. Such plant/equipment shall also be earthed.
To earth the plant or equipment the portable earths can be connected to “ground” 9
via two primary means. These being
- By direct connection to the Tower “Earth Bond”; or
- By connection to a 15 mm Ø earth stake/s, as required by the prevailing ground
resistivity conditions. The stake/s shall be driven to appropriate depth.
Interconnecting leads shall be sized equivalent to the portable earth lead.
(these stakes being copper clad steel rods)
7.2.6 Earth (equipotential) mats
Earth mats provide equipotential protection for personnel and may comprise two
primary designs:
- Buried Earth mat
- Mesh (surface) earth mat
The following pertains to mesh earth mats
a) The mat must be of sufficient size that all stringing equipment can be situated
entirely on the mat.
b) Typically, the size of the mesh will be 50 x 75 x 6mm or 200 -250 x 8mm. The size
of the mesh sheets may be 2.4 x 3 m or 2.4 x 6 m.
c) The steel mesh shall be connected solidly by welds or bolted clamps.
d) A perimeter conductor and longitudinal/transverse radial conductor shall be
established and connected to the mesh.
e) Earth stakes (rods) shall be driven into the ground to a minimum depth of 1 m and
to the specific steel plates which are welded to the top of each earth strake, and
must form an unbroken earth plane in order to provide uniform voltage to the
working area. Regular inspections of the steel mesh must be made to ensure its
integrity, the security of all welds or clamps, and the soundness of the barrier
insulations.
7.2.7 Plant
The purpose of an earthing system shall be to provide an alternative path to earth
so as to minimize risk to personnel and plant associated with any catastrophic
failure whereby the crane or plant inadvertently comes in contact (becomes alive)
with adjacent live lines.
To earth the plant or equipment the portable earths can be connected to “ground”
via two primary means. These being:
a) By direct connection to the Tower “Earth Bond”; or
b) By connection to a 15mm Ø earth stake /s, as required by the prevailing ground
resistivity conditions. The stake /s shall be driven to a minimum 600mm depth.
Interconnecting leads shall be sized equivalent to the portable earth lead. (These
stakes being copper clad steel rods).
