Regulation Class Document Class

Standard Main Document

Regulation Title

Electrical Isolation
Topic
Electrical Isolations for OMV E&P assets.

Objective
Specifies the minimum requirements for an Electrical Isolation.

Target Group
All staff and contractors using the Permit to Work System.

Scope of Effectiveness
This regulation applies to OMV Exploration & Production Division and to OMV Petrom Exploration &
Production Division and all their controlled subsidiaries. Where OMV or Petrom is the operator but does
not hold the majority shareholding this regulation shall also be applied.

Editor: EPO-O Gerald Hintermüller

Org. Unit First- Last Name Signature Date

Regulation Approver 1: E-R HSSE E&P Graeme Lawrie

Org. Unit First- Last Name Signature Date

Regulation Approver 2: EP-O Andrew Fendt

Org. Unit First- Last Name Signature Date

Regulation Approver 3: PE-A Roland Perdacher

Org. Unit First- Last Name Signature Date

Regulation Approver 4: E-P Garry Walker

Org. Unit First- Last Name Signature Date

Effective as of: Publication Date

Date

Please note that Regulations are amended from time to time. Only the version currently published on the REAL IT Platform is the valid version.

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction & Intended Purpose of Regulation ................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Purpose and Scope .................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Exceeding the Minimum Requirements ..................................................................................................... 3
2 Roles & Responsibilities ..................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Operations Manager ................................................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Approving Authority .................................................................................................................................. 3
2.3 Issuing Authority ....................................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 Electrical Isolating Authority ..................................................................................................................... 3
2.5 Area Authority ........................................................................................................................................... 3
2.6 Performing Authority................................................................................................................................ 3
3 Electrical Isolations ........................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Isolations Policy ......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Isolations Planning .................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Isolations Methods .................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3.1 Category I Isolation ............................................................................................................................ 4
3.3.2 Category II Isolations ......................................................................................................................... 5
3.4 Stored Energy ............................................................................................................................................ 5
4 Implementation and Control of Isolations ....................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Electrical Isolation Certificate.................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Security (Lock Out) .................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Identification Methods (Tag Out) .............................................................................................................. 6
4.4 Master Isolation ........................................................................................................................................ 6
4.5 Testing Isolation Integrity .......................................................................................................................... 6
4.6 Documentation Requirements .................................................................................................................. 7
4.7 Reinstatement ........................................................................................................................................... 7
4.8 Extended Period Isolations ........................................................................................................................ 7
5 Monitoring, Audit and Review.......................................................................................................................... 7
6 Internal Reference Links ................................................................................................................................... 7
7 External Reference Links .................................................................................................................................. 7
8 Obsolete Documents ........................................................................................................................................ 7
9 Terms & Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... 8
10 Transitory Provisions ........................................................................................................................................ 8

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1 Introduction & Intended Purpose of Regulation
1.1 Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this document is to define the OMV minimum requirements under the Permit to Work Standard
(E-C.3-HQ-STD-002) for the safe Electrical Isolation of plant or equipment.
This document applies to the Electrical Isolation of electrical systems and equipment which has an applied
voltage and carries current.
1.2 Exceeding the Minimum Requirements
This Standard specifies the minimum requirements for the effective implementation of an Electrical Isolation.
The isolation and control of electrical supplies to allow work to take place is an essential requirement to
maintain safety. This requires that isolation of electrical supplies are high quality, robust and secure in order to
allow work to proceed under associated Permit to Work.
Where specific local conditions, national standards, regulations or situational circumstances identify the
requirement for more stringent controls; these will be in addition to this Standard.

2 Roles & Responsibilities

2.1 Operations Manager
The Operations Manager is a generic job title as defined in the Permit to Work Standard. They are responsible
for ensuring the asset is operating in accordance with this Standard.
2.2 Approving Authority
The Approving Authority is responsible for ensuring that those performing the roles of Issuing Authority, Area
Authority, Isolating Authority and Performing Authority are competent to do so.
2.3 Issuing Authority
The Issuing Authority is responsible for:
• Delegating the Electrical Isolation design to an Electrical Isolating Authority.
• For authorising the work to proceed under the appropriate precautions and mitigations. This includes
approval of any preparatory work and, on completion of the task, the work required to complete
reinstatement.
2.4 Electrical Isolating Authority
The Electrical Isolating Authority is responsible for:
• The method of the electrical isolation to the highest quality and security.
• The isolation of specific electrical equipment.
This person shall be authorised to the maximum voltage required for the isolation.
2.5 Area Authority
The Area Authority is responsible for the location where the work is taking place.
The Area Authority confirms on site that all controls specified in the Permit, including the isolations and
associated documents, are in place.
This role can be fulfilled by the Issuing Authority provided they check the work site.
2.6 Performing Authority
The Performing Authority is the person charged with the responsibility of carrying out the work and has the
right to request demonstration of the integrity of any isolation before work starts.

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3 Electrical Isolations
3.1 Isolations Policy
The highest quality and security of isolation shall always be used.
All electrical equipment isolated under a work permit shall be locked in the isolated state by means of a safety
padlock or other isolation equipment e.g. mounted interlock. All keys of safety padlocks and equipment-
mounted interlocks used to secure isolations shall be retained in accordance with the local Lock-Out/Tag-Out
procedure, until authorisation is given to remove isolation.
Any isolation which does not meet the Isolation Standard shall be assessed using a Risk Assessment Level 2
before the isolation can be approved by the Operations Manager or their delegate. If any non-compliant
isolation has to be repeatedly justified by Risk Assessment, a permanently engineered solution shall be initiated.
3.2 Isolations Planning
Isolation of any piece of equipment shall be planned such that the risk of removing it from service and then
reinstating it on completion of the work is minimised.
For Category I Isolations, a marked-up Single Line Diagram of the isolation shall be attached to the Electrical
Isolation Certificate. For Category II Isolations, attaching a marked-up Single Line Diagram of the isolation to the
Electrical Isolation Certificate is considered best practice.
The following points are mandatory for Category I and considered good practice for Category II:
• Identification of necessary alternative sources of supply for critical equipment, and any switching
actions required to instate these supplies, prior to applying isolations.
• Proposed method for testing for dead.
• Proposed method for reinstating supplies on completion.
Certain isolations have further requirements, particularly where the isolations are complex (such as where
multiple supplies are present) or higher risk (such as when undertaking High Voltage Isolations). These lead to
the specific requirements for the two ‘categories’ of isolations; Category 1 Isolations and Category 2 Isolations.
Note: High Voltage (HV) is a voltage in excess of 1000 VAC or 1500 VDC between conductors, or 600 VAC or 900
VDC between conductors and earth. Voltage below these values are designated “Low Voltage” (LV).
3.3 Isolations Methods
The highest quality of isolation shall be applied to every individual isolation point. The two ‘categories’ of
isolation; Category I Isolations and Category II Isolations are detailed below.
3.3.1 Category I Isolation
Category I Isolations are the most complex, high risk isolations and involve intrusive work and hence require a
minimum of TWO Competent Electrical Persons to be involved in the planning, including one authorised.
The Issuing Authority shall designate the required Competent Persons to undertake the planning, execution and
removal of the isolations based on the personnel available who are suitably trained, experienced and
authorised.
Category I Isolations are:
• HV isolations to main distribution boards, transformers, bus-bars and HV distribution circuit breakers
feeders.
• Any isolation involving Emergency Generation or main components of the Emergency Switchboard.
• LV isolations to main distribution boards, transformers, bus-bars and LV distribution circuit breakers
feeders.
• Isolation where the operation of two or more devices is required to achieve complete isolation.

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• Any isolation that requires two or more points of isolation.
• Isolation of HV and LV Generation for intrusive work.
• Battery Systems.
Category I Isolations require a documented switching plan in accordance with the Electrical Safety Rules. The
plan shall detail:
• The points of isolation.
• Methods by which isolation is achieved.
• Methods for securing the isolation.
• The points of application of circuit main earths.
• Methods by which the circuit main earth is applied and secured.
• The location of application of portable, temporary, drain or guard earths.
• Methods by which the portable, temporary, drain or guard earths are to be applied and secured.
• The location of ‘Point of Isolation’, ‘Circuit Main Earth’, ‘Local Earth’, ‘Danger’ and ‘Caution’ notices.
• The method(s) for proving the isolation including the point in the isolation process where this is
required if necessary for safety prior to earthing.
• The identified competent person(s) to apply the isolations.
The plan shall, for each step, identify: Location, Equipment Tag, Equipment Description, Required Action and
have a space for Signature on completion and Date and Time of completion. Each switching plan shall be
assigned a unique number to allow traceability and reference in the switch room log book.
3.3.2 Category II Isolations
Category II Isolations are less complex and present less risk in both the application and the purpose of the
isolations. The Issuing Authority shall designate the required persons to undertake the planning, execution and
removal of the isolations based on the personnel available who have been suitably authorised under the
Electrical Safety Rules. The isolation application and subsequent removal shall be recorded on the Isolation
Certificate.
Category II Isolations are:
• Isolation of high voltage equipment drive motors for non-intrusive electrical work by other trades,
including the application of the earth for the isolated circuit (which may be supported through an
approved procedure for certain equipment).
• Low voltage equipment including LV Motors, Fans, Heaters etc.
• Lighting and small power.
• Trace Heating.
• Accommodation, office or galley equipment.
• Single point isolations.
• Instrumentation work.
3.4 Stored Energy
Isolations shall ensure the removal of all stored energy. For example, before commencing work on equipment
fitted with a stored energy mechanism, such as a spring closed circuit breaker, the equipment shall be made
safe by discharging the stored energy device.
Persons working on or near battery systems must at all times realise that they are working on or near live
electrical equipment; even if the battery has been disconnected from its charger or dismantled into individual
cells. Precautions must be taken to reduce the risk of injury when working near battery systems. Before work
commences, the battery system must be suitably protected to prevent tools or other objects falling on to
exposed terminals.
Work on capacitors (either HV or LV) shall only take place after the manufacturer’s recommended discharge

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time has elapsed and a test for dead indicates it is safe to proceed. HV capacitors shall be earthed at all times
during work to prevent the risk of voltage accumulation.

4 Implementation and Control of Isolations

4.1 Electrical Isolation Certificate
The Electrical Isolation Certificate, cross-referenced to all relevant PTW, shall be the principal means of control
once isolations are in place.
It shall be used as follows:
• Where electrical isolation is required as preparation for work to be executed.
• For Extended Period Isolation of electrical circuits.
• To authorise and record that isolations have been applied and their integrity confirmed.
• To authorise and record de-isolation on completion of the task.
The Electrical Isolation Certificate shall contain as a minimum:
• The reference of the associated Permit to Work
• Equipment, work description / reason for isolation
• All isolations points and isolation method
• Record of securing devices
• Reinstatement confirmation
• Authorisation and acceptance sections for signatures.
4.2 Security (Lock Out)
Any isolation must achieve and maintain effective isolation of electrical energy for as long as required. As
isolations are completed and locked off, lock numbers, dates and signatures shall be entered on to the Isolation
Certificate.
Securing devices shall not be removed during subsequent switching operations other than when intentionally
stated as part of the isolation switching plan or under a De-isolate for Test.
4.3 Identification Methods (Tag Out)
All electrical isolations shall be identified by means of a unique number. This number shall be detailed on the
Electrical Isolation Certificate. Each isolation point shall be clearly labelled at the point of isolation with a tag
containing information pertinent to the isolation (e.g. Isolation Certificate Number, date isolation applied,
Isolating Authority, isolation point number, equipment tag number).
Where some of the isolation points are common to more than one Electrical Isolation Certificate then these
points shall have a separate tag for each Electrical Isolation Certificate.
4.4 Master Isolation
Where an area of plant is isolated such that several activities can safely take place within this common set of
strategically placed isolation points, this can be termed as a ‘Master Isolation’. It shall be clearly identified that
the isolation is appropriate for all the individual tasks to be carried out against the Master Isolation. An Electrical
Isolation Certificate is raised and identified as a ‘Master Isolation’ and all individual PTWs are cross referenced
to this Master Isolation.
The Master Isolation may consist of both Process/Mechanical Isolations and Electrical Isolations.
4.5 Testing Isolation Integrity
All isolations shall be tested and shown to be effective.

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4.6 Documentation Requirements
Isolation Switching Plans
Where isolations are required to be applied in a certain sequence, i.e. Category I Isolation, the step-by step
process shall be documented in a programme of work for the switching. The plan shall also contain details of
where tests for dead are required and their subsequent results.
Switching Logs
The application of steps from the switching plan shall be recorded on the switching log.
4.7 Reinstatement
The reinstatement of plant and equipment requires equal attention to planning and detail as the initial isolation.
The sequence of de-isolating is critical and requires planning to ensure safe reinstatement.
Permission to de-isolate has to be obtained from the Issuing Authority and requires that the work area has been
inspected by an Authorised Electrical Person and they confirm that, prior to de-isolation, it is safe to reenergise
the equipment.
4.8 Extended Period Isolations
Extended Period Isolations are defined as those that no longer have work performed against them. Each site
should maintain a detailed register of Extended Period Isolations.
Extended Period Isolations shall be subject to three levels of review:
• A weekly review to physically check all the isolation points to confirm their security and integrity.
• A quarterly review of the register to check the status of the isolations in place and whether they should
be removed or replaced by a plant modification.
• An annual review by the Approving Authority supported by the relevant discipline Engineers to
determine whether any isolation should be replaced by plant modification.

5 Monitoring, Audit and Review

Local management shall ensure regular work site checks are carried out to ensure compliance with this
Electrical Isolation Standard.

6 Internal Reference Links

Document Name Reference Number

Permit to Work Standard E-C.3.2-HQ-STD-002

7 External Reference Links

Document Name Reference Number

OGP Guidelines for Permit to Work System 6.29/189

Health and Safety Executive Guidance on Permit to Work Systems ISBN 978 0 7176 2943 5

8 Obsolete Documents
Document Name Reference Number

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9 Terms & Abbreviations
Terms Definition
Competent Person A person who, by reason of his or her training, knowledge, experience and
judgement is considered by management to be capable of carrying out a
specific task or activity.
A competent person is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards
and who has authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate
them.

Abbreviations Full Title

AC Alternating Current
DC Direct Current
HV High Voltage
LV Low Voltage
HSSE Health, Safety , Security & Environment

10 Transitory Provisions
The Permit to Work Standard is replacing the current Permit to Work Standard (Document No.: HSEQ-HQ-06-03-
00). Ownership of the document has passed from E&P HSSE to E&P Operations & Maintenance (EP-O) at OMV
Head Office. The Standard contains fundamental changes brought about by a desire to improve it such that it
meets current Industry Best Practice. Due to these changes, it is envisaged that some E&P Branch Offices may
need to make significant changes to their Permit to Work procedures. To this end, it is considered reasonable to
allow a specific timeframe for the following to take place at each E&P Branch Office or Asset.
1. A gap analysis review between current Permit to Work procedures and the new Permit to Work
Standard.
2. Development of an action plan to address identified gaps.
3. Implementation of the action plan, to include:
a. Procedure revision.
b. Procedure approval and issue.
c. Procedure roll-out.
d. Training of users on the revised procedure.
The timeframe provided in this Transitory Provision is for completion of all activities defined above by the 30th
of June 2015.

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