ScottishPower Approved Written Procedure AWP/006/001 1st Edition (Issue 1)
Approved Written Procedure
Low Voltage Distribution Board Live Work
Section-1 – Cleaning Substation Distribution Boards and Network Pillars
1 General Requirements
1.1 Scope of Approved Written Procedure:
Low Voltage Distribution Board Live Work
Cleaning Substation Distribution Boards and Network Pillars
This Approved Written Procedure details generalised procedures to be followed when Live Work is to
be carried out on Live Low Voltage distribution boards and network pillars. The procedures apply the
principles established by the Safety Rules and in Safety Instruction-16, ‘Low Voltage Ground Mounted
Plant’, to achieve Safety from the System.
1.2 Justification for Approved Written Procedure:
In accordance with Safety Rule A5.6.
1.3 This Approved Written Procedure details actions that shall be taken by appropriately trained and
authorised Persons to achieve a Safe System of Work.
The following categories of authorisation shall apply:
Authorised Person in charge of the Working Party: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures
AWP-06.
Members of the Working Party: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures AWP-06 or
Accompanying Person ACCOMP.
Persons under training: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures under Personal
Supervision (one-to-one ratio, additional in number to minimum Working Party).
1.4 This Approved Written Procedure has been developed and Approved in accordance with the
requirements of Safety Instruction-9, ‘Approved Written Procedures’.
2 Specific Requirements – Actions to Maintain Safety from the System
2.1 The following actions shall be taken to maintain Safety from the System:
The policy for Live Work is set out in Safety Instruction-8, ‘Live Work’. This Safety Instruction requires
an assessment to be carried out to determine the justification to Work Live.
In addition to this the Authorised Person who is to undertake the Work shall ensure that the requirements
of Safety Instruction-16, ‘Low Voltage Ground Mounted Plant’, are met.
In all cases, Plant shall be subjected to a routine inspection prior to the start of any Work to ensure that
Danger will not arise due to the condition of the Plant. Should this inspection reveal any significant
deficiency in the Plant which could give rise to Danger, no attempt shall be made to work on the Plant
whilst it is Live until a Senior Authorised Person has been consulted and assessed the situation.
Page 1 of 2
ScottishPower Approved Written Procedure AWP/006/001 1st Edition (Issue 1)
Title Cleaning Substation Distribution Boards and Network Pillars
Ref Action
Step 1 Check physical condition of the Plant to verify that all doors, covers, plates, conductors,
insulators and barriers to be secure and in good condition.
Step 2 Check the Plant and the surrounding for any signs of distress or disturbance which may
have affected the insulation or security of the installation.
Step 3 Use only Approved insulating gloves together with Approved insulation mats.
Step 4 Use only Approved insulated tools and equipment (vacuum cleaner and sash brush).
Step 5 Assess to ensure that during the course of the work Danger does not arise from a flashover
caused by loose dirt, dust, rust, or scale.
3 Specific Requirements – Actions on Interruption of Work
3.1 The following actions shall be taken on interruption of Work:
Not applicable.
4 Specific Requirements – Actions on Completion of Work
4.1 The following actions shall be taken on completion of Work:
All members of the Working Party shall be withdrawn from the Work area and instructed not to Work on
the Plant.
ISSUE DATE VERSION No. AMENDMENT DETAILS
2024 1 New Approved Written Procedure
PROCEDURE PROCEDURE PROCEDURE
AUTHOR APPROVAL ISSUE AUTHORITY
Name: PRG Name: PRG Name: CSRC
Title: - Title: - Title: -
Date: 01-03-24 Date: 01-03-24 Date: 01-03-24
Page 2 of 2
ScottishPower Approved Written Procedure AWP/006/002 1st Edition (Issue 1)
Approved Written Procedure
Low Voltage Distribution Board Live Work
Section-2 – Dressing Contacts on Substation Boards and Network Pillars
1 General Requirements
1.1 Scope of Approved Written Procedure:
Low Voltage Distribution Board Live Work
Dressing Contacts on Substation Distribution Boards and Network Pillars
This Approved Written Procedure details generalised procedures to be followed when Live Work is to
be carried out on Live Low Voltage distribution boards and network pillars. The procedures apply the
principles established by the Safety Rules and in Safety Instruction-16, ‘Low Voltage Ground Mounted
Plant’, to achieve Safety from the System.
1.2 Justification for Approved Written Procedure:
In accordance with Safety Rule A5.6.
1.3 This Approved Written Procedure details actions that shall be taken by appropriately trained and
authorised Persons to achieve a Safe System of Work.
The following categories of authorisation shall apply:
Authorised Person in charge of the Working Party: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures
AWP-06.
Members of the Working Party: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures AWP-06 or
Accompanying Person ACCOMP.
Persons under training: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures under Personal
Supervision (one-to-one ratio, additional in number to minimum Working Party).
1.4 This Approved Written Procedure has been developed and Approved in accordance with the
requirements of Safety Instruction-9, ‘Approved Written Procedures’.
2 Specific Requirements – Actions to Maintain Safety from the System
2.1 The following actions shall be taken to maintain Safety from the System:
The policy for Live Work is set out in Safety Instruction-8, ‘Live Work’. This Safety Instruction requires
an assessment to be carried out to determine the justification to Work Live.
In addition to this the Authorised Person who is to undertake the Work shall ensure that the requirements
of Safety Instruction-16, ‘Low Voltage Ground Mounted Plant’, are met.
In all cases, Plant shall be subjected to a routine inspection prior to the start of any Work to ensure that
Danger will not arise due to the condition of the Plant. Should this inspection reveal any significant
deficiency in the Plant which could give rise to Danger, no attempt shall be made to work on the Plant
whilst it is Live until a Senior Authorised Person has been consulted and assessed the situation.
Metallic tools such as files shall not be used for Live contact dressing. Should the pitting be deep or
extensive the dressing of contacts with the Plant Live is not appropriate and the Work shall only be carried
out following an assessment by a Senior Authorised Person.
Page 1 of 2
ScottishPower Approved Written Procedure AWP/006/002 1st Edition (Issue 1)
Title Dressing Contacts on Substation Distribution Boards and Network Pillars
Note: Lightly burnt or pitted contacts may be dressed with the Plant Live, subject to the
following steps being taken
Ref Action
Step 1 Check physical condition of the Plant to verify that all doors, covers, plates, conductors,
insulators and barriers to be secure and in good condition.
Step 2 Check the Plant and the surrounding for any signs of distress or disturbance that may have
affected the insulation or security of the installation.
Step 3 Check for the presence of foreign bodies, excessive dust or dirt, vermin, rust scale,
dampness or any other condition that may affect the insulation if disturbed.
Step 4 Shroud adjacent Live or Earthed metalwork to prevent inadvertent contact
Step 5 Use only Approved insulating gloves and insulation mats.
Step 6 Use only Approved insulated tools such as clean abrasive stones and insulated abrasive
tools, ensuring that no conducting track exists.
Step 7 Assess to ensure that during the course of the work Danger does not arise from a flashover
caused by any debris such as swarf, metal, dust, or rust.
Step 8 Clean up any debris using the method outlined in Approved Written Procedure
AWP/06/001.
3 Specific Requirements – Actions on Interruption of Work
3.1 The following actions shall be taken on interruption of Work:
Not applicable.
4 Specific Requirements – Actions on Completion of Work
4.1 The following actions shall be taken on completion of Work:
All members of the Working Party shall be withdrawn from the Work area and instructed not to Work on
the Plant.
ISSUE DATE VERSION No. AMENDMENT DETAILS
2024 1 New Approved Written Procedure
PROCEDURE PROCEDURE PROCEDURE
AUTHOR APPROVAL ISSUE AUTHORITY
Name: PRG Name: PRG Name: CSRC
Title: - Title: - Title: -
Date: 01-03-24 Date: 01-03-24 Date: 01-03-24
Page 2 of 2
ScottishPower Approved Written Procedure AWP/006/003 1st Edition (Issue 1)
Approved Written Procedure
Low Voltage Distribution Board Live Work
Section-3 – Removing and Replacing Circuit Labels
1 General Requirements
1.1 Scope of Approved Written Procedure:
Low Voltage Distribution Board Live Work
Removing and Replacing Circuit Labels
This Approved Written Procedure details generalised procedures to be followed when Live Work is to
be carried out on Live Low Voltage distribution boards and network pillars. The procedures apply the
principles established by the Safety Rules and in Safety Instruction-16, ‘Low Voltage Ground Mounted
Plant’, to achieve Safety from the System.
1.2 Justification for Approved Written Procedure:
In accordance with Safety Rule A5.6.
1.3 This Approved Written Procedure details actions that shall be taken by appropriately trained and
authorised Persons to achieve a Safe System of Work.
The following categories of authorisation shall apply:
Authorised Person in charge of the Working Party: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures
AWP-06.
Members of the Working Party: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures AWP-06 or
Accompanying Person ACCOMP.
Persons under training: Authorised Person Approved Written Procedures under Personal
Supervision (one-to-one ratio, additional in number to minimum Working Party).
1.4 This Approved Written Procedure has been developed and Approved in accordance with the
requirements of Safety Instruction-9, ‘Approved Written Procedures’.
2 Specific Requirements – Actions to Maintain Safety from the System
2.1 The following actions shall be taken to maintain Safety from the System:
The policy for Live Work is set out in Safety Instruction-8, ‘Live Work’. This Safety Instruction requires
an assessment to be carried out to determine the justification to Work Live.
In addition to this the Authorised Person who is to undertake the Work shall ensure that the requirements
of Safety Instruction-16, ‘Low Voltage Ground Mounted Plant’, are met.
In all cases, Plant shall be subjected to a routine inspection prior to the start of any Work to ensure that
Danger will not arise due to the condition of the Plant. Should this inspection reveal any significant
deficiency in the Plant which could give rise to Danger, no attempt shall be made to work on the Plant
whilst it is Live until a Senior Authorised Person has been consulted and assessed the situation.
In a few cases involving older Plant circuit labels may have been fitted to Live conductors such as busbars.
No attempt shall be made to remove / replace such labels with the Plant Live.
Page 1 of 2
ScottishPower Approved Written Procedure AWP/006/003 1st Edition (Issue 1)
Title Removing and Replacing Circuit Labels
Circuit labels are fitted to Plant in many different positions using several different methods,
including but not limited to screws, clips, and adhesive. They may be removed / replaced with
the Plant Live subject to the following steps being taken.
Ref Action
Step 1 Check physical condition of the Plant to verify that all doors, covers, plates, conductors,
insulators and barriers to be secure and in good condition.
Step 2 Check the Plant and the surrounding for any signs of distress or disturbance that may have
affected the insulation or security of the installation.
Step 3 Check for the presence of foreign bodies, excessive dust or dirt, vermin, rust scale, dampness
or any other condition that may affect the insulation if disturbed.
Step 4 Assess the position of the label and the method of fixing to ensure that removal / replacement
can be carried out without giving rise to Danger.
Pay particular attention to:
(i) The clearance from Live conductors;
(ii) The length of any screws;
(iii) The size and material of the label;
(iv) The presence and nature of any backing plate which may be released;
(v) The consequences of dropping or losing control of any of these items.
Step 5 Use only Approved insulating gloves and insulating mats.
Step 6 Use only Approved insulated tools.
3 Specific Requirements – Actions on Interruption of Work
3.1 The following actions shall be taken on interruption of Work:
Not applicable.
4 Specific Requirements – Actions on Completion of Work
4.1 The following actions shall be taken on completion of Work:
All members of the Working Party shall be withdrawn from the Work area and instructed not to Work on
the Plant.
ISSUE DATE VERSION No. AMENDMENT DETAILS
2024 1 New Approved Written Procedure
PROCEDURE PROCEDURE PROCEDURE
AUTHOR APPROVAL ISSUE AUTHORITY
Name: PRG Name: PRG Name: CSRC
Title: - Title: - Title: -
Date: 01-03-24 Date: 01-03-24 Date: 01-03-24
Page 2 of 2
