SSR Competency Assurance

Guidance Booklet No.2

(SSR Summary for Contractors’ CP)

Revision 0
October 2014
HSEQ Department, TRANSCO

Disclaimer: This document is for general guidance and awareness purposes only and therefore should not be
considered as a replacement of Transco SSR
SSR SUMMARY FOR CONTRACTOR’S CP Revision - 0, October 2014

A - SUMMARY OF SSR
The following information is an extract from Transco SSR Revision 3.0. The contractors’ Competent Persons
need to comprehend the following as a minimum requirement and to pass the written exam and interview.

PRINCIPLES OF SSR
1. System Safety Rules are intended to protect persons from inherent system hazards
2. Only Competent Persons can undertake works in TRANSCO premises after receiving a Safety Document
(SD)
3. Authorized Person (AP) assesses all risks & applies System Safety precautions before issuing the SD.
4. Equipment must be clearly identified in SD (matching equipment label on site)
5. Operation of equipment is by direct communication; operation by prearranged signals or timing is not
allowed.
6. Competent Person (CP) must be present on site all time during work, controlling all activities &
persons. (This is called Principle of Supervision)
7. Safety Document must be retained by the CP on site.

GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Hazards Source of dangers to persons (for example tools & equipment is a hazard).
Safe Free from Hazards
System Equipment interconnected in a network (Power/Water/Telecom Networks)
System Hazards Hazards present (inherent) in a system (Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Pressure)
System Safety Precautions to control system hazards, applied by an Authorized Person
Example: Isolation, earthing, safety document, safe method of work, applying
demarcation, danger / caution notices, labeling, venting, draining, purging & release
of stored energy, PPE
General Hazards Non system Hazards like excavation, lifting, scaffolding, ladders, hot works, etc.
General Safety Precautions to control non system hazards, maintained by a Competent Person
Example: Shoring, barriers, training, supervision, approved procedures, safe method
of work, inspection of certificates tools &equipment, on site risk assessment, toolbox
talks, PPE etc.
Release of Energy Means venting, draining, purging, or braking, or spring release.
Key Safe Key A unique ‘Key’ for locking the ‘Key Safe’ at work location, given to CP by the AP
High Voltage (HV) A voltage exceeding 1000 volts
PPE Personal protective equipment (helmet, safety shoes, gloves, coveralls, high-vis etc.)
Receipt Means that CP has agreed that he/she fully understands the work and is satisfied of
applied system safety precautions and accepts full responsibility to maintain the
safety and supervise the work.
Clearance Means a declaration by the CP that all persons, materials & tools are removed from
the work area and it is no longer safe to work within that area.
LDC Load Dispatch Center
Isolation Point The point at which equipment is isolated to provide physical separation from live
network.
Primary Earth Conductor that protects from accidental operation while working on HV equipment
(min. 95 mm2)
Additional Earth Conductor that protects from induced voltage while working on HV equipment.
(Min. 25 mm2)
Toolbox Talks An onsite communication between the CP and his/her working party before the start
of work conducted each day early in the morning. Must include, work to be done,

2 This Document is for General Guidance only | By HSEQ Department, Transco

SSR SUMMARY FOR CONTRACTOR’S CP Revision - 0, October 2014

hazards, control measures, emergency procedures, working environment, any

changes from previous day, check PPE and tools.
Earthing Schedule A schedule indicating the additional earth requirements for each stage of the work
necessary to control induced voltages as circumstances change
Safety Clearance The distance from the nearest exposed HV conductor not earthed, or from an
insulator supporting an exposed HV conductor, which must be maintained at all
times to avoid danger to persons. 5.5m for 400kv, 4m for 220kv, 3m for 132kv, 1.5m
for all HV conductors up to 33kv, (Note: HV insulators minimum safety clearance
distance= 0.5m)

DEFINITION OF AUTHORITIES
Competent Person A competent person (CP) is a person, having suitable & sufficient technical
Knowledge & experience to recognize and avoid danger, use safe method of works &
use appropriate PPE, receives & clear SD.
Authorized Person An authorized person (AP) is a Transco competent person who has been additionally
authorized to Issue & cancel Safety documents, assess all work risks and apply
system safety precaution before start of any work.
Control Person A control person (CN) is a Transco employee who controls the transmission system
(from LDC) & coordinates system safety activities.

SAFETY DOCUMENT PROCEDURE

1. Please note that the CP should be in possession of only one SD at any point of time.
2. CPs should not proceed with any works at any time if they are unsure or in doubt about any aspect of
the work. They must STOP AND CONTACT THE AP IMMEDIATELY.
No Person Actions
Contractor Apply to Transco concerned department 2 - 7 days before the start of intended works
using Application For Work (AFW) form (available with concerned department
1
Transco) with Work Method Statement, Competency Certificate of the CP and any
other related documents as required at the time of application.
2 Transco Concerned department review application for work & submit to LDC for approval.
3 Transco LDC approves application for work & return to the concerned Transco department.
Authorised AP from the concerned department shall asses all the risks on site, apply System
4 Safety precautions, and issue Safety Document to the contractor Competent Person
after obtaining consent from a Control Person in LDC.
Competent Read, understand and check the SD before receipt. Conduct toolbox talks, start the
work & maintain general safety. CP must follow and only do the works as mentioned
5
in the SD, follow method statement, supervise 100% of the time. NEVER PROCEED IF
YOU ARE UNSURE OR IN DOUBT, always contact AP for help, advice and clarification.
Competent CP gives clearance after completion of work & removal of persons, tools from work
6
location. Transco site supervisor must be informed before giving clearance.
7 Authorised AP cancel the SD after inspecting the work area.
TYPES OF SAFETY DOCUMENT (Only three in Transco)
Permit to Work (PTW): A safety document for works requiring secured isolation followed by Earthing or
Release of stored energy.
Limited Access Permit (LAP): A safety document where safety from the system is achieved by applying
limits to work and/or work area. See the LAP form in Section-J.
Sanction for Test (SFT): A safety document for works requiring injection of high voltage or current and
which may require the removal of primary earths. All PTW must be cancelled first.
3 This Document is for General Guidance only | By HSEQ Department, Transco
SSR SUMMARY FOR CONTRACTOR’S CP Revision - 0, October 2014

SAFE WORK AREA (Prepared by the Authorized Person)

Red & white tape or chain


Lock
 
Lock

Earth
Earth

Isolation Point Isolation Point

All equipment outside Safe Work Area are considered LIVE!

The limits of Safe Work Area must be physically identified by Red & White tape or chain with Danger notices displayed at the limits, facing
into the Safe Work Area (inside). Work is not allowed on an established isolation point

SOME PICTURES AND A SCHEMATIC

SAFETY KEY DANGER NOTICE CAUTION NOTICE MINIMUM SAFETY CLEARANCE DISTANCE

HV Insulator
HV conductor

5.5 meter


Safety-Key is locked inside Displayed facing Used to identify 400kv OHL safety clearance distance
key-safe by 1 Control-Key into the Safe Work Points-of-Isolation measured from HV conductor
and 4 key-safe-keys Area

H - VIOLATION OF SYSTEM SAFETY RULES

Common violations of Transco’s System Safety Rules (SSR) by Competent Persons (CPs) include the
following. Please remember that this list is indicative only and not exhaustive.

 CP not present on site while work is under progress through an open safety document. This is a major
violation. The Competent Person must always be present on site supervising his/her working party for
the period while the work is in progress through an open safety document.
 CP receives more than one safety document. He may have finished his work; but as long the safety
document is not cleared by him and cancelled by the relevant AP, he/she cannot receive another safety
document.
 CP receives safety document for work that is not covered by his existing competency. This includes
both the project and nature of the work. It is responsibility of the CP not to apply and receive a safety
document for works that are not covered by his competency.
 CP takes on work that is not compatible with the work, equipment and location mentioned in the
safety document. It has to be known that the CP is allowed to do only what is mentioned in the safety
document. It is for this purpose that CP is expected to read, understand and check the safety document
before signing (or receiving) it.
 CP receives a safety document that is inappropriately filled by the Authorized Person. The CP must read
and understand safety document before receiving it, confirming all the details and fields of the safety
document.

4 This Document is for General Guidance only | By HSEQ Department, Transco

SSR SUMMARY FOR CONTRACTOR’S CP Revision - 0, October 2014

 CP clears a safety document that has been received by another Competent Person. Please remember
that safety documents are not transferrable under normal situations. Only in case of certain
emergencies, to be established by the Authorized Persons, a safety document can be transferred from
one CP to another (Transfer of Safety Document). This must follow a proper procedure as established
by the SSR.
 CP receives a safety document while his competency has expired or is in possession of an open safety
document while his competency expired.
 CP has not cleared a safety documents within the validity of the Safety Document as identified by the
AP. CP must contact the AP before expiry of the validity in case if there is any requirement of extending
the validity of the safety document.

PENALTIES
The above mentioned violations are subject to penalty. Any competent person who is found to have
conducted these violations WILL have his COMPETENCY WITHDRAWN immediately and will not be
considered for competency again. There is zero tolerance to not complying; no matter how minor the
violation may be.

I - ACCESS TO SUBSTATIONS AND PUMPING STATIONS

All Competent Persons accessing Transco substations and pumping stations for work purposes are required
to follow certain code of personal and operational behavior. This code is explained in Transco SSR. Details
of the code can be obtained from the Authorized Person who is issuing the safety document. The
following, however, are some of the points that contractor CPs must be aware of and follow;
 Inform Load Despatch Centre (LDC or Control Person) whenever you access Transco Substation or
Pumping Station for work purposes. Contact details can be obtained from the Authorized Person.
 Enter details of your work and safety document in the Substation or pumping station Log Book. In case
of a manned pumping station, the shift operator/engineer may issue the safety document. CPs must
ensure that the safety document details have been entered by the shift operator/engineer into the log
book.
 Ensure that you keep the main door of the substation or pumping station locked all the times. Never
leave a Transco substation unsecured.
 For access to rooms protected by automatic fire protection system, please ensure that the firefighting
system has been switched to ‘Manual’ mode. On exit, switch it back to ‘Automatic’ mode ensuring that
the door is left closed behind.
 All CPs accessing SS and PS for work purposes must familiarize themselves with the local Emergency
Procedures. This involves the evacuation plan detailing the assembly points and the emergency exit.
These procedures must be communicated to the working party during the TBT.
 Copy of the safety document must be posted appropriately at the work location and removed when
work is done and safety document cleared.
 Only access work areas or locations/rooms inside the substation or pumping stations that are required
according to the safety document.
 Transco SS and PS are periodically patrolled by contracted Security Staff. All CP must reproduce the SD
and their identity upon enquiry.
 The minimum PPE requirement for access and work in a SS and PS (Safety Shoes, Safety Helmet,
Coverall, and Hi-Vis Jacket) must always be fulfilled.
 Where two CPs are working at the same location, there must be a full coordination between them so as
not to expose each other to the risks involved in their activities.

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All sections of SD must be filled. Equipment, All sections of SD must be filled. Equipment,
Location, Nature of Work, Precautions, and Location, Nature of Work, Precautions, and
Risk Assessment Table must all be filled. Risk Assessment Table must all be filled.

Validity of SD must be mentioned. Validity of SD must be mentioned.

J – PERMIT TO WORK (PTW)

There must not be any blank field on a SD. If There must not be any blank field on a SD. If
Key Safe not applicable then the same must be
J - LIMITED ACCESS PERMIT (LAP)

not applicable then the same must be

mentioned don the SD. Key mentioned on the SD.
SSR SUMMARY FOR CONTRACTOR’S CP

No PTW to be received without the receipt

of Key Safe Key from the AP.

RA Table

This Document is for General Guidance only | By HSEQ Department, Transco

Revision - 0, October 2014
SSR SUMMARY FOR CONTRACTOR’S CP Revision - 0, October 2014

L - APPLICATION FOR WORK (POWER)

M - APPLICATION FOR WORK (WATER)

7 This Document is for General Guidance only | By HSEQ Department, Transco

SSR SUMMARY FOR CONTRACTOR’S CP Revision - 0, October 2014

This booklet is designed for TRANSCO Contractors & Contractors who work near or on TRANSCO facilities. It is
the property of TRANSCO, and cannot be used nor given to outside party without prior authorisation.

First Appointment
Company Name: _________________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________Time_______________________________________

I agree to turn up on the correct date and time allocated for me and will come prepared:-

Sign: __________________________________________________________________________

Second Appointment
Company Name: _________________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________Time_______________________________________

I agree to turn up on the correct date and time allocated for me and will come prepared:-

Sign: __________________________________________________________________________

For comments and suggestions, please send us your feedback as per below contacts

Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO), HSEQ Department

P.O. Box: 173, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Tel: (2) 4164000/ Fax: (2) 6946314/6313
Web: www.transco.ae, Email: hseq@transco.ae

8 This Document is for General Guidance only | By HSEQ Department, Transco