RISK ASSESSMENT No RA 013 C Page 1 of 4


Work Activity:
General Electrical Work Within Electrical Control Panels
Containing voltages up to 450Volts
Thornliebank Industrial Estate Glasgow G46 8JW
Site/Location: Tel: 0141 638 7916 Fax: 0141 638 8111
Various Site Locations

Those at Risk Y/N Comments - enter names or general groups

Star Employees: Y Engineers and assistants
Other workers: Y Site employees and subcontractors
General Public: N
Comments:
No one under the age of 18 may carry out electrical work unless closely supervised by a competent person.

All circuits to be worked on will be treated as live until verified dead. There are no exceptions to this
requirement; experience of employees is irrelevant.

Hazards
Every effort must be made to identify electrical faults with the supply isolated. However, in certain circumstances it
will be necessary to carry out fault finding on low voltage control circuits up to 240 Volts with the supply live. In this
event the following hazards have been identified

1. Electric shock (from the control circuit or from adjacent live 415-volt power circuits)
2. Eye injury (from an electric arc)
3. Burn injury
4. Injury to third party

Note:
Under no circumstances will the manipulation of a live conductor be allowed. Such work, if found necessary, will be
carried out by specialist electrical sub-contractors and an additional risk assessment will be required.
Control Measures (existing or planned)
Control Details
PPE: For work on a "dead" system
1. Star standard issue overalls
2. Rubber soled shoes or boots
In addition for work on or near live conductors (including fault finding)
1. Rubber mats are mandatory (to BS 921: 1976)
2. Safety glasses
Equipment: 1. General hand tools (insulated)
2. Padlock (for lock-off of isolator)
3. Electrical test equipment - insulated, fused and within date for calibration (to SG.011
requirements)
4. Warning notices
5. A suitable means of cordoning-off the work area e.g. red and white bunting
Information, 1. You must be authorised by your manager
Instruction, and 2. Post safety hazard signs adjacent to isolators and fit "lock off" device to warn other
Training personnel that electrical circuits are being worked on
3. You should barrier or Isolate (by removing fuses) power circuits within a panel before fault
finding.
4. Test for "dead" with a suitable and proven test instrument. Check that there is no
secondary voltage or current applied.
5. When live testing ensure that an up to date wiring diagram is available and followed.
6. Be familiar with all safety and operating controls such as pressure switches, oil differential
switches, motor starters etc.
7. Work by a process of elimination during testing. Whether live or dead
 RISK ASSESSMENT No RA 013 C Page 2 of 4

Control Measures Continued

Control Details
Information, 8. Faults Identified within a live control circuit will be repaired with the supply isolated and
Instruction, and tested for dead.
Training 9. Isolate or discharge power factor correction capacitors before primary circuit work.
continued 10. Follow the Star "live fault finding/testing" or "electrical isolation" method statements
(attached) as appropriate
Supervision: 1. Electrical contractors for live working (manipulation of live conductors) require
accompaniment. Therefore, Star will ensure that they comply.
2. Accompaniment is required when during live testing the person carrying out the work
cannot without assistance keep other persons from the work area.
Environment; 1. Do not work with or carry out electrical repairs in wet or very damp conditions
2. Ensure that adequate lighting is provided
3. Ensure that there is adequate clear space for access into control panels (1m is the
minimum) and that the floor is kept clear of trip hazards
Procedures, 1. Adhere to any site instructions and permit-to-work procedures
documents etc 2. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 apply
3. A method statement may be required for none routine operations
4. Beware when isolating electrical circuits that circuits providing a safety function are not
isolated e.g. leak detectors, emergency ventilation etc
Communications: 1. inform site and others in the area of work that electrical work is being undertaken
2. Inform the responsible person on site when isolating panels as this may mean that safety
circuits are being isolated e.g. ammonia alarms. Alternative means of monitoring and
raising alarm must be agreed.
3. When lone working - ensure that someone knows where you are and how long you will be
there preferably carry a site radio or mobile phone
Emergency 1. Switch off and isolate supply
action/procedures 2. Remove injured person(s) from danger area (if without risk)
3. Render first aid (if able)
4. Call emergency services
Access: 1. Access to the work area will be controlled by signage, or barriers or a second person
2. Emergency exits to be identified and checked free from obstruction

Risk Evaluation of Identified Hazards

Likelihood Highly unlikely = 1 Unlikely = 2 Likely = 3
Severity Slightly harmful = 1 Harmful = 2 Extremely harmful = 3
(Likelihood x Severity = Risk level) 1 = Trivial, 2 = Tolerable, 3-4 = Moderate, 6 = Substantial, 9 = Intolerable
Identified Hazards (base scores on existing or planned control measures) Triv' Tol' Mod' Sub' Int'
1. Electric shock (from the control circuit or from adjacent live circuits) 1x3 3
2. Eye injury (from an electric arc) 1x2 2
3. Burn injury 1x2 2
4. Injury to third party 1x2 2
Note: Moderate scores; Thought should be given to reducing risk, but the cost and time requirements of prevention
should be carefully considered and limited.
Substantial: Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced, for work in progress, urgent
action is required. Considerable resources may have to be allocated.
Intolerable: If unlimited resources cannot reduce risk, work will be prohibited.

Is risk adequately controlled using the above control measures Y/N YES If "NO" State further action required
State further action required:

Note : This risk assessment is only valid when all control measures are in place before the work or activity
commences and will be reviewed 30/04/2016 or earlier if the nature of the work changes or there is a
dangerous occurrence.

Assessor: C Haslam (Sign) Date 30/5/2011

 RISK ASSESSMENT No RA 013 C Page 3 of 4


Method Statement
For Live Fault Finding/Testing of 50 - 240-Volt Control Circuits

1. Before starting work ensure that the following personal protective equipment is available Rubber soled boots,
rubber mat, safety glasses, Star standard issue overalls,

2. Before starting work ensure that the following equipment is available

Electrical test equipment which is insulated, fused and within date of calibration.
Warning notices,
Suitable means of cordoning off the area e.g. red and white bunting
Suitable hand tools in good condition and insulated
Electrically insulating rubber matting

3. Inform the responsible person on site that electrical testing/fault finding will be taking place. Comply with any site
rules and permits to work

4. Check that isolation of supply will not initiate an alarm

5. Check that isolation does not interfere with safety circuits or cause "danger" to others

6. Place rubber mat on the floor in front of the equipment to be worked on.

7. Ensure that adequate lighting is available

8. Ensure that you have a clear area to work in (a minimum of 1m is required)

9. Place warning notices and barriers

10. Shield or isolate (by removing fuses) any exposed power conductors

11. Proof-test your test instrument on a known live source immediately before and after testing.

12. Test for dead any exposed power conductors or terminals

13. When a fault has been identified, the repair must be made with the circuit isolated and tested for "dead"

14. When work is complete, ensure that any shields or protection guards removed are replaced. Close and lock panel
doors.

15. When work is complete check all items isolated are operating. Remove warning notices and barriers.

16. Ensure work area is clear of any obsolete equipment, fuses, etc.

17. Complete permit to work if required.

18. Report back to the responsible person.

Issue 1 March 1999

2 February 2003 CJH - to include rubber matting
B December 2005 GNP – to change revision to “B” to conform with system - no change of content.
Reviewed March 2006 –no change of content CJH
Reviewed May 2011 no change of content
 RISK ASSESSMENT No RA 013 C Page 4 of 4


Method Statement
For Electrical Isolation

1. Before starting work ensure that you have appropriate personal protective equipment suitable for the job in hand.

2. Before starting work ensure that you have the following equipment

Electrical test equipment which is insulated, fused and within date of calibration.
Padlock
Warning notices,
Suitable hand tools in good condition

3. Inform the responsible person on site that electrical isolation will be taking place. Comply with any site rules and
permits to work

4. Check that isolation of supply will not initiate an alarm

5. Check that isolation does not interfere with safety circuits or cause "danger" to others

For mechanical work e.g. shaft seal replacement, compressor alignment, etc follow steps 6 and 10 to 14.

6. Isolate the supply by switching off the isolator and "lock off" with the padlock. Suitably label the isolator. If the
removal of fuse links is the only available safe method of isolation, then you must ensure that the links stay in your
possession until the work is complete.

For electrical work e.g. replacement of electric drive motors or electrical control components follow steps 7 to
14.

7. Isolate the supply by switching off the isolator or removing fuse links.

8. Check using a single-purpose mains tester that the equipment has been disconnected properly by testing for
"dead". (Proof test your test instrument on a known live immediately before and after testing for "dead")

9. "Lock off" if possible and suitably label.

10. When work is complete, ensure that any shields, protection guards or fuse links removed are replaced. Close and
lock panel doors.

11. When work is complete check all items isolated are operating. Remove padlock, warning notices and barriers.

12. Ensure work area is clear of any obsolete equipment, fuses, etc.

13. Complete permit to work if required.

14. Report back to the responsible person.

Issue 1 March 1999

Reviewed March 2006 – no change in content CJH
Reviewed May 2011 no change of content