System Safety Rules Summary

for Contractors

Revision 4
June 2012
HSEQ Department, TRANSCO

Disclaimer: This document is for general guidance and awareness purposes only and therefore should not be
considered as a replacement of full SSR document and other approved procedures/method statements.
 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

A - INTRODUCTION
This guidance booklet provides all the information required to become a Transco Competent Person (CP)
or approved HSE Officer. It gives the process and requirements for competency, a summary of the System
Safety Rules (SSR) required for passing the test and interview, and can also be used as a reference when
working as a Competent Person. Transco want candidates to pass on their first attempt, but they must
come prepared. Please read it carefully.

B - PROCESS FOR TRANSCO COMPETENT PERSON OR APPROVED HSE OFFICER

For 3rd Party Contractors (Competent Persons)

1. Documentation Requirement:
o Reply to the Notice of Intent (with drawing) issued by Transco.
o Competency Request letter from your company, as per the template given in Section-D. This must
clearly identify the project number, location & nature of work, (e.g. Near HV UGC/Crossing Water
Pipeline/Under OHTL).
o Curriculum Vitae of the nominated candidate.
o Specific Work Method Statement and Risk Assessment for the work you wish to undertake near
Transco facilities. Items to be covered in a Work method Statement are; Scope, Terminology,
References, Roles & Responsibilities, Emergency Procedures, Significant Risks & Control measures,
Safe Method of work, Resources and key interfaces.
o First Aid and Fire Fighting training Certificates.

2. Qualification requirements for the nominated candidate(s)

o Relevant professional qualifications for the work required (e.g. a civil person for civil works)
o Relevant work experience (not less than three years).
o Basic HSE awareness of the work to be supervised, the associated hazards, control measures and
emergency procedures.
o First Aid and Fire Fighting training.
o Good communication skills in English. Must be able to demonstrate conducting a Toolbox Talk.
o Safety Officer/HSE Engineers/All Managers will not be accepted for nomination as Competent
Persons.

3. Application Process
Submit all of the above documentation to Transco HSEQ Office. The application will be assessed. If there
is any requirement of additional documentation, this will be communicated. Once all the
documentation is submitted, the next action on the application will be decided based on the request
type (refer to Section F). Appointment date and time will be given based on the request type. This
appointment will be arranged within approximately 3 weeks after receipt of the request letter and all
required documents. An incorrectly completed request letter or inadequate documents will delay the
appointment.

Competency process involves HSE and/or Technical assessments. HSE assessment assesses a candidate’s
understanding of Transco SSR as applicable to competent persons and his/her ability to execute the
intended works in a safe way. Technical assessment assesses a candidate’s knowledge, training &
experience required to execute the intended works in an appropriate manner.

4. HSE Assessment (Written Test and Interview)

The nominated candidate for competency shall read and understand Transco SSR Summary for
Contractors (for HSE Officers, they should go through their Project HSE Plan) before attending the
written test & interview. If they are unsure on any items, they must seek help and assistance from their

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

 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

company’s senior HSE persons. They should also fully understand their company Risk Assessments and
Method Statements for the relevant works.

Most of the questions in the HSE written test are multiple choice questions, although some questions
would require descriptive answers. Answers to most of the questions are contained within this booklet
and the Risk Assessments/Method Statements for the relevant work. For HSE Officers, the questions are
of basic nature that all HSE Officers are expected to know. They shall read and understand the relevant
Project HSE plan and Risk Assessments.

5. Technical Assessment
On successful completion of the HSE assessment, the candidate will be sent for Technical assessment.
Subject to successful completion of the technical assessment and fulfillment of all documentation
requirements, the candidate will be provided with the competency as agreed between HSE and
concerned Technical Assessor.

6. Restrictions
o A candidate needs to score at least 90% in the HSE written test in order to proceed to the HSE
interview stage.
o A candidate will only have two opportunities/attempts to clear the testing process.
o The candidate must turn up on the given date and time. Failure to turn up at the required time will
result in the test & interview being cancelled and counted as one unsuccessful attempt.

For 2nd Party Contractors (Competent Persons or HSE Officers)

7. Clearly identify in your request letter the project number, location & nature of work (within Transco
Premises). Include detailed CV of the nominated candidate & any other approved competency
certificates.

8. Follow the process and requirements as mentioned above in step-3 to 5.

C - CONTRACTORS/CONSULTANTS VISITING HOURS

Activity Timings

HSE Assessment (Test/Interviews) Every Sunday, 07:30 to 14:00

Technical Assessment As agreed with Technical Assessor

Meeting with HSEQ Manager / HSE Engineer By formal appointment only

Submission of Requests for Competency/HSE Sunday 07:30 to 14:00

Officer and/or any other related issues
Tuesday/Thursday 07:30 to 10:00

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

 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

D - REQUEST LETTER TEMPLATE FOR COMPETENT PERSON (To be produced on Company Letter Head)

Date:
Reference No:
Contact e-mail:
To: HSEQ Manager
Abu Dhabi Transmission & Despatch Company (TRANSCO)

Subject: Request for COMPETENT PERSON (NEW/RENEWAL/UPGRADING)

Please arrange for below mentioned to be assessed by Transco for qualifying as a Competent Person for
works near/on Transco premises for the following contract/project.

Contract/Project No & Detail: ___________________________________________________________

Name: Job Title:

Education: Overall Experience (years):
UAE Visa type: Experience in the UAE (years):
Company/Sponsor Name:
Category of Work: ______ HV _____LV _____Civil ______Mechanical
First Aid Training: Fire Fighting Training:
Previous Competency Certificate (Transco / Others):
Brief Work Description (works to be carried out under Safety Document):

We confirm that the Competent Person will not leave the work site while works are in progress under
Transco System Safety Rules.

Regards,

Name & Signature (company Managing Director or Equivalent)

Attachments:
- Candidate CV
- Reply to the Notice of Intent issued from Transco (first issue & latest renewal)
- Work Method Statement and Risk Assessment
- First Aid Training & Fire Fighting Training Certificates copy
- Other Company Competency Certificates copy
- Passport copy with valid visa page or Labour card copy.

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

 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

E - REQUEST LETTER TEMPLATE FOR HSE OFFICER - TRANSCO PROJECTS (To be produced on Company
Letter Head)

Date:
Reference No:
Contact e-mail:
To: HSEQ Manager
Abu Dhabi Transmission & Despatch Company (TRANSCO)

Subject: Request for HSE OFFICER (NEW/RENEWAL)

Please arrange for below mentioned to be assessed by Transco for qualifying as a HSE Officer for the
following contract/project.

Contract/Project No & Detail: ________________________________________________________

Name: Job Title:

Education: Overall Experience (years):
UAE Visa type: Experience in the UAE (years):
Company/Sponsor Name: Experience as HSE Officer (years):
NEBOSH:
First Aid Training: Fire Fighting Training:
Previous HSE Officer Approvals (Transco / Others):

We confirm that in case of an absence of the approved HSE Officer, a replacement HSE Officer approved
by Transco shall be provided for the subject contract/project.

Regards,

Name & Signature (company Managing Director or Equivalent)

Attachments:
- Candidate CV
- NEBOSH Certificate copy
- First Aid Training & Fire Fighting Training Certificates copy
- Transco or other Company HSE Officer approval certificates copy, if any
- Passport copy with valid visa page or Labour card copy.

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

 New Request Renewal Rejected candidate Adding new/changing Adding Renewal Discipline Based Competency
project(s) only new/changing request
category of work

6
Eligibility : For expired certificates -A candidate is Eligibility: Eligibility: 1-For expired certificate Eligibiilty:
Please see the (more than 3 yrs) rejected when he/she 1-Transco issued 1-Transco issued (less than 3 yrs) 1) Second Party/Main
Transco SSR is unable to clear the competency certifcate competency 2-For validity extension contractors only
Guidance sheet for competency process holder only. certifcate holder only. only. 2) Exposure to Transco SSR for
Contractors in two attempts. 2-Atleast spends three 2-Atleast spends more than a year.
Request Type (with Description) -The company can re- months on his/her three months on 3) Relavant work experience of
request after six existing competency his/her existing 5 yrs.
month from the date certificate. competency 4) At least 10 saftety
of rejection, with certificate. documents received/cleared.
providing justification 5) No SSR violation(s).
on his/her 6) Not more than one category
improvements. of work (e.g protection control
system related works only)

Request Letter (Transco Template) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
As per the existing All Projects (direct Project with
Project Limitation(s) Three Three One Three Three
certificate Transco)
Safety Document copies
NA Yes NA Yes Yes Yes Yes
(LAP/PTW/SFT)
F - REQUIREMENTS FOR DIFFERENT REQUEST TYPES

FA & FF (valid certificate) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Visa Page* Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

1-Transco issued 1-Transco issued NOI 1-Transco issued NOI 1-Transco issued NOI 1-Transco issued NOI Transco issued NOI NA
NOI (Notice of 2-WMS/RA 2-WMS/RA 2-WMS/RA 2-WMS/RA
Intent)
Other documents** 2-WMS/RA (Work
Method
Statement/Risk
Assessment)

HSE Assesment (written exam) Yes Yes Yes NA*** Yes NA*** Yes

HSE Assesment (Interview) Yes Yes Yes NA Yes NA Yes

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

Technical Assessment
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes NA Yes
(Test/Interview)

Request Letter processing time Within 3 weeks Within 2 weeks

TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

Competency Certificate Validity*** 1 year 1 year 6 months 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year

*Profession mentioned in the visa page should be relavant to the intended works (For example a person with 'Clerk' profession on the visa page is not acceptable for competency)
**For works near/crossing Transco existing serivces (i.e Overhead Line/UG Cable/UG Water Pipeline)
***Subject to HSEQ Department approval.
Please note: 1) Any change(s) on the above requirements is the sole descretion of HSEQ Department.
2) Any subcontractor requesting for competency shall submit a copy of their agreement with the main contractor.
 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

G - 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 tool is a hazard).
Safe Free from Hazards
System Equipment interconnected in a network (Power & Water Transmission 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, tools,
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 has been isolated to provide physical separation.
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,

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 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

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
1 using Application For Work (AFW) form (available with concerned department
Transco)
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 and understand the SD before receipt. Conduct toolbox talks, start the work &
maintain general safety. CP must follow and only do the works as mentioned on the
5
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.

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 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

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 and understand the safety document
before signing (or receiving) it.

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 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

 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.
 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.
 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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 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

J - LIMITED ACCESS PERMIT (LAP)

L - APPLICATION FOR WORK (POWER) - Typical

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

 TRANSCO SSR - GUIDANCE BOOKLET Revision - 4, 2012

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

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