Idc - Electrical Safety

Practical Electrical Safety Techniques for Industry
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Practical
Electrical Safety Techniques for Industry
Revision 3.1
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IDC Technologies Pty Ltd
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Copyright © IDC Technologies 2008. All rights reserved.
First published 2008
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Contents
1 Principles of Safety Rules 1
1.1 Overview 1
1.2 Industrial Hazards 2
1.3 Electrical Hazards 5
1.4 Electrical Accidents and Safety Measures 8
1.7 Summary 9
2 Earthing and Bonding 11

2.1 Basics of Earthing 11
2.2 Bonding 15
2.3 Earthing from Protection from Lightning and Flashes 15
2.4 Static Charges and Need for Bonding 16
2.5 System Earthing 17
2.6 Supply Classifications 30
2.7 More on TN-C-S system 34
2.8 Installations where use of TN-C-S system is Prohibited 35
2.9 Summary 37
3 Basic Theory of Electrical Safety 39

3.1 Introduction 39
3.2 Shock Hazard 40
3.3 Role of Protective Earthing 46
3.4 Metal Enclosure for Earthing Conductors 50
3.5 Indirect Contact Hazards-Equipment Classes 52
3.6 Sensing of Earth Faults 54
3.7 Equipotential Bonding for Safety against Indirect Contact 55
3.8 Use of Protective Equipment 58
3.9 Electrical Shock Hazard Due to Lightning 59
3.10 Arc Flash Danger in Electrical Equipment 60
3.11 Summary 60
4 Static Electricity and Protection 63
4.1 Introduction 63
4.2 What is static electricity 63
4.3 Generation of charge 64
4.4 Some Common examples of static build up 65

4.5 Energy of spark and its ignition capability 66
4.6 Danger of Static electricity buildup 66
4.7 Control of Static build up 67
4.8 Assessment of Static Risk and Planning Prevention 70
4.10 Summary 70
5 Hazards Due to Electrical Arcing and Heating 71

5.1 Introduction 71
5.2 Electrical Hazard: Arc Flash 71
5.3 Important Definitions Related to Arc Flash 73
5.4 How electric Arcs are developed 74
5.5 Effect and consequences of arc flash 75
5.6 Arc Blast 76
5.7 Incident Energy 76
5.8 Hazards of Arcing Fault 76
5.9 Arc Flash Protection Program 78
5.10 Summary 79
6 Hazards Due to Electrical Arcing and Heating 81

6.1 Introduction 81
6.2 Limiting Arc Exposure 81
6.3 Avoiding Arc Flash Accidents 82
6.4 Reducing Level of Fault 83
6.5 Reducing Arcing Time 86
6.6 Arc Flash Protection Program 93
6.7 Electrical Equipment in Explosive environment 95
6.8 Hazards due to high temperature 97
6.9 Summary 99
7 Safety Aspect in Electrical Design and Selection 101

7.1 Objectives of Safe Design 101
7.2 Preventing Electrical Shock 102
7.3 Importance of Insulation in Electrical Safety 103
7.4 Importance of Enclosure in Electrical Safety 106
7.5 Prevention of Adverse Thermal Effect 110
7.6 Isolation Arrangements 119
7.7 Earthing and Interlock 119
7.8 Equipment Selection 121
7.9 Restructive Conductive Locations 122
7.10 Role of Codes and Standards in Equipment Installations 123
7.13 Summary 123
8 Safe Operation and Maintenance

of Electrical Equipment 125
8.1 Introduction 125
8.2 Key safety factors in Operations and Maintenance of Electrical
Installations 127
8.3 Isolation During Maintenance of Electrical Installations 131
8.4 Visual Checks for Safety 133
8.5 Earthing for Safety During Maintenance 133
8.6 Policies of Operational and Safety Locking 134
8.7 Safety aspect for repair work on Cable Installations 135
8.8 Monitoring Hot Spot to Improve Safety 137
8.9 Safety Appliances 142
8.10 Role of Caution Boards/Warning signs 148
8.11 Need for Periodic Testing 151
8.12 Need for Periodic Inspection and Maintenance 153
8.13 Emergency First Aid Training 154
8.14 Summary 155
9 Substation Safety 155

9.2 Safety Operations and Maintenance of outdoor Substations
and Switch yards 156
9.3 Outdoor Safety for Overhead Lines 157
9.4 Substation Checklist 157
9.5 Gas Safety and Ventilation in Substations 160
9.6 Working with Compressed Fluids 160
9.7 Fire Protection in Substations 161
9.6 Summary 161
10 Safety in Battery Installations 163
10.2 Applicable Codes and Regulations 164
10.3 Hazards in Battery Installations 164
10.4 General Safety Precautions 165
10.5 Safety Aspects of Battery Premises 167
10.6 Ventilations 168
10.7 Transportation, handling and Storage 170
10.8 Upkeep of Batteries 172
10.9 Installation Accessories: Salient Points 172
10.10 Precautions During Inspection of Batteries 173
10.11 First Aid 173
10.12 Hygiene and Housekeeping 174
10.13 Safety During Operation and Use of Personnel Protective
Equipment 174
10.14 Safety Aspect During Dismantling and Disposal 175
10.15 Summary 176
11 Organizational Aspects Of Safety 177

11.2 Organizational Responsibility for Safety 179
11.3 Employees and Safety 180
11.4 Safety Functions and Coordination 181
11.5 Accident Reporting and Records 182
11.6 Accident Investigation, Analysis and Preventive Measures 184
11.7 Safety Awareness 186
11.8 Summary 187
12 UK Regulations on Safety 189

12.2 Factory Act 190
12.3 Health and Safety at Work Act 190
12.4 Electricity at Work Regulation 192
12.5 Electricity Supply Regulations 195
12.6 IEE Wiring Regulations 197
12.7 AETX directive for installations in Hazardous Location 199
12.8 Summary 201
13 Inspection of Electrical Systems for Safety 203
13.1 Objectives of Inspection 203
13.2 IEE Wiring Regulations 204
13.3 Initial Verification 205
13.4 Testing 206
13.5 Alteration and Additions 207
13.6 Periodic Inspections and Testing 207
13.7 Follow up Measures 208
13.8 Summary 208
Appendix A 209
Australian Regulations on Safety
Appendix B 227
Australian Safety Regulations in Detail
Exercises 249
1
Principles of Safety Rules
Electrical safety is an important issue in any industry and requires adequate

attention while planning, designing, installing operating and maintaining electrical
equipment and installations in an industrial facility. A number of serious accidents,
including fatalities, occur every year in industrial establishments due to accidents
involving electricity. This results in huge financial losses and wasted man-hours.
Electrical safety is a well-legislated subject and the various Acts and Regulations
enacted in different countries and jurisdictions emphasize the need for
responsibility of both employers and employees to ensure safe working conditions.
In this introductory chapter, we will take a detailed look at various hazards present
in any general industrial environment and in particular, electrical hazards.
Learning objectives
• Course overview
• Hazards of a general nature in industrial installations
• Electrical hazards
• Requirements for safe working on electrical installations
¾ Technical measures
¾ Preventive measures
¾ Organizational measures such as improving knowledge
in the work place and certification of competency
Note:
In this text, the term ‘earth’ has generally been used to represent the reference
point of power supply system, in accordance with the practice followed in UK
literature and standards. ‘Earthing’ refers to connections of exposed metallic parts
to this reference point. Depending on the context, ‘earth’ may also mean soil mass
and ‘earthing’ may stand for the connection of the reference point to the soil mass.
The terms ‘ground’ and ‘grounding’ common in the North American practice have
been avoided, but where encountered, they should be understood to have the same
meaning as ‘earth’ and ‘earthing’ respectively.
2 Practical Electrical Safety Techniques For Industry
1.1 Overview
It is often remarked that electricity is a good slave but a bad master. Improper use
of electricity or careless handling of electrical equipment leads to a number of
avoidable accidents every year, resulting in huge loss of productive man-hours and
monetary compensation liability to the employer. Even more serious are the
instances of fatalities due to electrocution or as a result of grievous injuries. In this
text, we will take a detailed look at the electrical hazards in substations and other
premises handling electricity. We will learn a little about the theory behind
electrical safety as well as examining the preventive measures that need to be
adopted to ensure safety while working on electrical installations.
Electrical safety is a well-legislated subject and the various Acts and Regulations
enacted in most countries emphasis the responsibility of both employers and
employees in ensuring safe working conditions. We will briefly trace the history of
regulations on the subject of workplace safety in general, and electrical safety, in
particular.
Safety is not simply a matter of taking precautions in the workplace. It has to, as
a matter of course, begin at the stage of equipment design. Safety should be built
into the design of electrical equipment and it is the responsibility of every
manufacturer of electrical equipment to remove every possible hazard that can
arise from its normal use. Another important aspect involved with safety in the
workplace is the correct selection of equipment. Incorrect selection and application
of even the most well designed piece of electrical machinery, can give rise to
hazardous conditions. Similarly, a lot of care is required in the operation and
maintenance of any electrical equipment in order to avoid accidents. Appropriate
knowledge of equipment and systems is essential for each and every person who
operates or maintains the equipment. This knowledge is initially acquired through
structured training and thereafter by hands-on experience. The training should be
comprehensive and should deal not only with the technical details of the
equipment, but also with the possible hazards present in the specific working
environment. This training should also teach the working personnel about the
measures required in order to prevent accidents, and the skills needed to deal with
accidents when they occur.
Another important factor involves the close monitoring of all electrical
equipment/installations to ensure their continued safe operation. A thorough
inspection during initial erection and commissioning (as well as periodic
inspections and maintenance thereafter) is absolutely essential to ensure safety.
Any defects brought to light during such inspections must be attended to promptly.
We will devote our attention to the use of electrical equipment in environments

where hazardous materials are likely to be present. We will also discuss in detail
the safety of substations, and the precautions necessary while handling DC storage
battery installations. Batteries need particular attention since they contain toxic
materials such as lead, as well as corrosive chemicals such as acid or alkali. These
chemicals are particularly dangerous because of their electrical voltage and the risk
of explosion due to the presence of the explosive mixture of hydrogen and air.
Finally, we will review the organizational aspects of safety. Electrical safety is not
merely a technical issue. Accidents can only be prevented if appropriate safety
procedures are evolved and enforced. A mechanism should be put in place to
Principles of safety rules 3
ensure that all working personnel are aware of the hazards and are trained to carry
out their duties in a safe manner.
But firstly, we will discuss in general the hazards present in any industry and
more particularly, the hazards present in electrical installations.
1.2 Industrial hazards

In any industrial facility several types of hazards exist. The hazards may be due to
any of the following:
• Electrical equipment
• Mechanical equipment
• Fire or flames
• Hazardous/toxic materials
• Hot liquids/gases
• Cold liquids
• Potentially explosive gas vapors and dusts
• Corrosive liquids
Hazards due to electrical equipment

The main hazard from electrical equipment is, naturally, the danger from electric
shock. Electric shock or electrocution can cause many problems in a human body.
It can cause the human heart to stop, thereby resulting in death. Even if an electric
shock is not fatal, it can cause other problems such as internal organ damage due to
excessive heating of body tissues, burns at the point of contact of the skin with live
conductors, loss of consciousness, or loss of balance resulting in a fall while
working at a height.
Apart from electric shocks caused by contact with parts that are (or become) live,
another major danger for those who work on electrical equipment, is the risk of
burns due to arc faults. Such faults are often caused by the affected workers
themselves. When working on live equipment, or in the vicinity of live equipment,
workers can inadvertently cause a short circuit fault. In fact, arc faults in equipment
and their potential dangers, are subjects of extensive study and have given rise to
standards such as IEEE 1584 (Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard
Calculations). We will discuss in detail the basic safety issues of electrical
equipment in subsequent chapters.
Hazards due to mechanical equipment

Hazards from mechanical equipment are quite numerous and depend largely on
the type of industrial process involved and the machinery in use. The following is a
representative list of hazards that one may come across in an industrial
environment.
• Injuries from moving parts of static machinery
• Injuries from moving vehicles
• Injuries from falling objects (including head injuries)
• Injuries from flying objects following an explosion
• Injuries to eye from moving particles
• Injuries to eye from prolonged exposure to bright light
• Loss of hearing due to prolonged exposure to noise
Unlike electrical hazards, most of the dangers listed above arising from
mechanical equipment, are quite apparent to those who work near them except, of
course, when they happen unexpectedly. For example, machinery with a moving
component, for example a belt drive, is a visible potential hazard. However, by
providing suitable barriers or guards, one may avoid the hazards that could be
caused by them. The real danger is when such a drive starts unexpectedly while
maintenance work is being carried out on it. This is usually a result of a procedural
lapse during maintenance. Thus, we have two possible approaches for avoiding
dangers from mechanical equipment. The first is by implementing safety through
proper equipment design. The second is by adopting safe working practices in
operations and during maintenance. In fact, these approaches work for any of the
hazardous conditions that we will be discussing.
Hazards due to Toxic materials

The dangers due to handling of toxic materials can occur as a result of any of the
following:
• External contact on skin and eyes
• Ingestion
• Inhalation
One of the examples of this type of contamination is lead dust, where exposure
can occur while working on lead-acid battery plates. In this instance, the exposure
can happen in any of the ways listed above, and appropriate precautions are
necessary to avoid all these methods of contact. The seriousness of the injury
depends on the nature of the hazardous material and the concentration of the
material/amount to which a person is exposed.
Fire hazard
Fire is one of the most common hazards in any industrial environment and is
usually a result of some other accident. An electrical short circuit is the culprit in
most cases. The excessive heat produced in conductors, and sometimes the arc
flash accompanying the short circuit, ignites nearby flammable materials and can
result in a fire. Once a fire is initiated, it can however become self-sustaining.
The best way to avoid fire hazard is by prevention. However, preventive
measures alone cannot totally eliminate fires. Therefore, in addition to preventive
measures, it is imperative to install alarm systems to warn of incipient fires. It is
essential also to initiate fire fighting measures appropriate to the materials
involved. These measures should include, where possible, automatic extinguishing
systems to limit the damaging effects of a fire. Transformer fires are a case in
point. In spite of the presence of a large volume of combustible coolant and other
insulating materials, transformer fires, to a great extent, can be avoided. This can
be achieved by designing the transformer fires with the necessary capacity to
withstand the expected loading. Another design factor which will reduce the risk of
fire in this area, is the inclusion of protective devices to trip the transformer in the
event of over currents or excessive winding temperature. However, as a matter of
abundant caution, large transformers are also provided with fire detection and fire
fighting systems, which get activated automatically when a fire is detected.
Fire inspection and certification of industrial or other premises where a number
of people work (or gather), is a mandatory requirement in most countries of the
world.
Hazards from hot surfaces, liquids or gases

A common cause of industrial accidents is burn injuries from contact with hot
surfaces, liquids or gases. Enclosures of electrical equipment can often attain high
temperatures when they are in operation. Therefore, contact with them can cause
burn injuries. Such enclosures are normally placed out of reach, or otherwise
protected, from accidental contact. Similarly, conducting parts can attain very high
temperatures, and working on them immediately after they are de-energized can
result in burns.
Similar precautions are necessary in the case of other hot substances. This
includes handling of molten metals and hot gases, including steam. Molten metals
should be prevented from coming into accidental contact with water, as the
resulting sudden evaporation can result in explosions and the splashing of liquid
metal.
Hazards from cold liquids

Cold liquids such as liquid nitrogen can also cause burns if they come into contact
with skin. Some cold liquids such as liquid oxygen are explosive and due care is
essential when handling them.
Hazards from corrosive liquids

Acids and alkalis are highly corrosive and can cause injuries if they come into
contact with skin. In electrical installations, battery electrolyte, which is an acid
such as sulphuric acid, or alkaline such as sodium hydroxide, pose such hazards.
The hazards in this case are:
• Burns/irritation due to contact with skin
• Loss of sight or serious injury of eyes
• Danger of ingestion causing internal injuries in food path
• Danger of inhalation (fumes) causing similar injury to lung tissue
Hazards from explosive gases

Explosion is a result of accidental ignition of explosive mixtures formed by
combustible gases or fumes with oxygen in air. The source of ignition is often
electrical. The effects of explosions are manifold and can include:
• Burns by fire accompanying explosion
• Damage to limbs/internal injuries by the pressure wave generated by
an explosion
Prevention of hazards due to explosions is primarily through the following
approach.
• Prevent formation of explosive mixtures
• Prevent ignition of explosive mixtures if formed
• Limit the effect of explosion if ignition does take place.
1.3 Electrical hazards

Hazards from electrical equipment could include any of the following:
• Electric shock and associated effects
• Internal organ damage due to passage of electricity through body
• Burns on skin at point of contact
• Injuries by electric shock combined with fall
• Temperature hazards due to high temperature during operation
• Arc flash causing external burns and injuries by explosive expansion
of air due to the arc.
Electric shock is a result of the following conditions.
• Exposure to live parts (Direct contact)
• Exposure to parts that accidentally become live (Indirect contact)
• Potential difference between different points in the earth under
certain conditions
The last named is similar to indirect contact except that it does not involve
contact with any electrical equipment (either a live part or enclosure). Electric
shock causes current flow through the body, resulting in muscular contraction. If
the current flows through heart muscles, it can cause the heart to stop through a
condition called fibrillation.
In addition to these hazards of electricity, the accumulation of static electrical
charge while processing/conveying materials that are not good electrical
conductors (examples: paper, wood chips and grains) also poses hazards of electric
shock, ignition and explosion. Similarly, lightning flashes striking a facility can
have dangerous consequences unless they are safely dissipated to the ground. We
will discuss these aspects in subsequent chapters.
In some instances an electric shock may not, by itself, cause injury. However, a
resulting fall from a height could. Those who are working at heights on electrical
equipment (e.g. changing lamps in a high bay factory premises or on road lighting
poles) must take precautions to avoid a fall as a consequence of electric shock.
Burn injuries result from an arc flash, which happens when there is a short circuit
between exposed live parts. The extent of arcing and the seriousness of injury
depend on the following factors:
• Fault energy as given by the fault level of the system (VA)

• Time of fault clearance
For example, the arc energy in an MV system short circuit fault is usually much
higher compared to an LV mains circuit fault, which in turn has a much higher
energy compared to a branch circuit fault in the same system. The longer an arc
fault is allowed to persist, the higher the damage. Faults which are cleared much
faster are therefore much less dangerous from the viewpoint of injury the resulting
arc can inflict. High-energy faults will also cause melting of components such as
copper/aluminium conductors or the steel parts of an enclosure. Copper is
particularly dangerous because it can result in deposition of toxic copper salts on
the skin. Direct electrical contact with a live part at the point of contact (without
overt arcing) can also cause burns on the skin. Internal burn injuries and organ
damage can be the result of the passage of electricity through the body (example:
lightning current through a human body). Sometimes, the sudden expansion of air
due to an arc fault within an enclosed space may dislodge mechanical parts (e.g.
terminal covers) with a great force. Documented cases of such accidents causing
injury or even death are on record. It is common practice in the design of
equipment such as HV switchgear, to provide vents or flaps which open in the
event of explosive arc faults, thereby avoiding damage to the enclosure. They also
help to direct the arc products way from an operator who may be stationed nearby.
Another hazard arises due to the high temperature on the surface of electrical
equipment enclosures and current carrying parts. As stated earlier, external surfaces
of electrical equipment often attain elevated temperature: for example, the
enclosure of bus ducts which can often attain surface temperatures of over 60 Deg
C. Exposed conducting parts such as overhead line conductors can attain even
higher temperatures. For example, the bus bars in switchgear often run at
temperatures in excess of 100 Deg C. Electrical joints/mating surfaces can have
temperatures exceeding the conductor temperature. This is because of increased
localized resistance. Apart from causing less serious burn injuries (compared to arc
flash), high surface temperature can cause ignition if flammable vapors are present
in the environment.
Electrical faults can also cause fire danger as discussed in an earlier section.
Special care is required when the electrical equipment itself contains flammable
materials. Examples of this type of equipment include oil circuit breakers and
mineral oil cooled transformers. In some cases, a fire can result because of
combustible materials stored in the vicinity of electrical equipment.
Electrical equipment installed in explosive environment needs special attention.
Frequently, components of electrical equipment produce arcing or sparking in the
course of normal operation. Contactors, carbon brushes, push buttons, control
switches are examples of such equipment. Some equipment may generate arcs
during abnormal conditions such as a short circuit occurring within a motor
terminal chamber. While in a normal environment such instances would be quite
harmless, they may cause an explosion if hazardous substances are present in the
surrounding atmosphere. Equipment intended to operate in such an environment
should be designed to prevent an explosion being caused in the external
environment. The nature and characteristics of the hazardous materials present in
the environment play an important role in these cases. We will discuss in detail the
safety measures to be taken in a hazardous environment in a subsequent chapter.
Table 1.1 below identifies the safety hazards posed by electrical equipments
commonly used in electrical generation and distribution systems and substations.
Table 1.1
Electrical equipment hazards
Type of equipment Hazards

Generation equipment Electric shock, arc flash, mechanical
hazards
Transformers Electric shock, arc flash, fire hazard
Overhead Transmission/distribution lines Electric shock, arc flash, fall from heights
Cables Electric shock, arc flash, fire hazard
Bus ducts Electric shock, arc flash, thermal hazard
Distribution equipment Electric shock, arc flash, thermal hazard,
fire hazard
Motive equipment Electric shock, arc flash, thermal hazard,
mechanical hazards
Heating equipment Electric shock, arc flash, thermal hazard
Lighting equipment Electric shock, arc flash, thermal hazard,
fall from heights
Uninterrupted power supplies with battery Electric shock, arc flash, hazards from
corrosive liquids and explosive gases
1.4 Electrical accidents and safety measures

We will discuss briefly in the section the reasons why electrical accidents happen
and how we can avoid them. These points will be elaborated on in more detail in
subsequent chapters. Electrical accidents happen mostly as a result of the
following:
• Failure to isolate live parts/inadequate or insecure isolation of live
parts (60%)
• Poor maintenance and faulty equipment (30%)
• Insufficient information about the system being worked on
• Carelessness and lack of safety procedures
Isolation measures and work on/near live equipment

Isolating normally live equipment before starting any work on it, can improve
safety substantially in any system. We must however bear in mind that there are
certain kinds of equipment where live work is possible. Furthermore, there are
certain kinds of activities where work in the vicinity of exposed live parts is
unavoidable. However, such work must be carried out according to well laid safety
procedures.
Eliminate faults to improve safety

The other major cause of accidents is faulty equipment (which can include both
poorly designed or improperly operating equipment). Unless safety is built into the
design of the equipment, accidents and injury will result. Similarly, improperly
maintained equipment can also lead to failures which may result in accidents.
Improved knowledge level

Insufficient knowledge of operating personnel, as well as a lack of familiarity with
equipment and systems, can also result in unsafe situations. Absence of proper
operational safety procedures as well as violations of existing procedures can result
in accidents.
Safety measures
The following are the general safety measures, which need to be adopted to reduce
the possibility of accidents in electrical equipment.
Technical measures
• Safe design/installation of plant and equipment as per applicable
codes and regulations
• Posting clear warning signs at points of hazard
• Use of equipment/sensors to warn incipient problems with automated
hazard containment measures
Accident prevention measures

• Safe operating and maintenance practices established through
documented procedures and instructions
• Proper periodic inspection and prompt repairs
• Use of personal safety equipment mandated in safety procedures
• Avoiding live or hot work except as mandated in the relevant codes
of practice and carried out using the stipulated procedures and
precautionary measures
Organizational measures
• Creating an organizational safety structure to handle safety issues,
lapses and accidents
• Documenting the procedures required to operate and maintain
different electrical installations in a work place; reviewing them vis-
à-vis the various applicable regulations; updating them to keep these
procedures in step with regulatory changes
• Appropriate knowledge on the part of workers by proper structured
training
• Establishing the requirements for levels of competence for operating
electrical equipment; carrying out or supervising the issue of work-
permits to work on equipment and for normalization of system after
completion of work; carrying out or supervising maintenance work
on equipment on which a permit-to-work has been issued
Australian regulations on safety 215
• Establishes standards for industry and the public through regulations

and codes of practice for working around electricity
• Establishes safety management systems for electricity entities
(including power supply authorities and Queensland Rail)
• Provides a system of licensing for electrical workers and contractors
• Provides penalties for breaches of the Act
• Provides consumer protection against electrical work not being
properly performed or completed
• Establishes a consultative structure for industry, workers and the
community to participate in improving electrical safety
The Act came into effect on 1 October 2002. In situations where the Workplace
Health and Safety Act 1995 and the Electrical Safety Act 2002 both apply, the
Electrical Safety Act takes precedence. The Electrical Safety Act 2002 is supported
by the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 and three codes of practice.
The Electrical Safety Act 2002 has a broad coverage and applies to:
• Electricity entities
• Employers
• Self-employed persons
• Designers of electrical equipment and electrical installations
• Manufacturers of electrical equipment
• Importers of electrical equipment
• Suppliers of electrical equipment
• Installers of electrical equipment and electrical installations
• Repairers of electrical equipment and electrical installations
• Persons in control of electrical equipment
• Workers at places where electrical equipment is located
• Other persons at places where electrical equipment is located
The Electrical Safety Act 2002 establishes a consultative framework for industry,
workers and the community and provides for:
• A Commissioner of Electrical Safety to advise the Minister on
electrical safety matters
• An Electrical Safety Board and three committees, with
representatives of employers, workers and the community, to
participate in:
¾ Developing strategies for improving electrical safety
¾ Developing requirements for the licensing and discipline of
people who perform electrical work, and for the safety of
electrical equipment
¾ Promoting community awareness about electrical safety
• Appointed inspectors to monitor and ensure compliance with the Act
The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 defines:

• Safety and technical requirements for electrical work, electrical
equipment and the works of electrical entities
• Safety and technical requirements for work in contact with or near
exposed parts
• Requirements for safety management plans
216 Practical Electrical Safety Techniques for Industry
• Notification and reporting requirements for serious electrical

incidents and dangerous electrical events
• All matters about electrical licenses
• Enforcing the electrical licensing provisions
• Approvals of electrical equipment
• Administrative matters
The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 contains provision for penalties of up to
$3,000 for an individual or $15,000 for a corporation in case of violations resulting
in unsafe conditions. It must be noted that the regulation does not identify all that a
person needs to do to satisfy his electrical safety obligations. However if a person
does not follow a regulation he will be in breach of his obligations. Part 16 of
Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 covering electrical equipment and
installations is embedded in the Electrical safety Regulations 2002.
The three codes of practice supporting the Electrical Safety Act 2002 are:
• The Code of Practice for Working Near Exposed Live Parts
• The Code of Practice for Electrical Work
• The Code of Practice for Works
These codes give practical advice on how to meet the electrical safety
obligations. It is important to note that the codes of practice do not cover
everything that one needs to do to meet his electrical safety obligations. The
application of these codes are as follows.
The Code of Practice for Works gives practical advice to electricity entities
(involved in electricity generation, transmission, or distribution) on ways of
ensuring electricity networks are safe.
The Code of Practice for Electrical Work directly applies to:

• Licensed electrical workers
• Employers and self-employed licensed electrical workers
• Licensed electrical contractors
The Code of Practice for Working Near Exposed Live Parts applies to people
such as:
• Crane operators
• Plant operators
• Painters
• Carpenters
• People erecting or working on scaffolds
• Sign makers
• Agricultural workers
• Carriers of high loads
• Electrical repairers
• Builders working near exposed live parts
• Anyone who clears vegetation near overhead lines
• Electrical workers
• Or anyone else working around exposed live parts.
It should be noted that this code does not pertain to live-line working by
authorized workers of an electrical entity.
It can be seen that the three codes taken together cover Suppliers, users and
others whose nature of work exposes them to hazards of electricity (even though
they may not be working directly with electricity).
Content of Electrical Safety Regulations

Following are some of the key points of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002.
Part 1 is a preamble and states the objectives, ways of meeting the objectives and a
definition of terms used.
Part 2 of the Regulation prescribes ways of discharging the electrical safety
obligation of an employer or self-employed person to ensure the person’s business
or undertaking is conducted in a way that is electrically safe.
Various aspects are covered in this part as indicated below.
• Section 11 covers basic requirements for electrical work
• Section 12 discusses work on live electrical equipment
• Section 13 covers high voltage line work
• Section 14 discusses testing of work
• Sections 19 to 21 detail other requirements for electrical workers
• Sections 22 to 24 cover general provisions for electrical work,
including the signing of documents for electrical work
Part 3 of the Regulation covers licensing aspect of electrical work. Section wise
details are:
• Section 25: Classes of electrical work licenses
• Sections 26 to 32: The work that the different licenses authorize
• Sections 33 to 39: Requirements for each class of license
• Sections 40 to 42: Eligibility requirements for individuals,
partnerships and corporations
• Section 47: Renewal or reinstatement of electrical licenses
• Section 53: Examinations for assessing competencies
• Section 55A: Operation of a trade contractor's license
• Section 57: Performing electrical work without an electrical license
Part 4 of the Regulation prescribes the requirements for persons performing work
in contact with, or near to, electrical parts. Some of the important topics are:
Section 62: The requirements for working around electrical parts including
construction workplaces, excavating for underground electrical services,
Section 64: Work within exclusion zones including consultation required for work
around overhead electric lines.
Part 5 of the Regulation covers the safety obligation of an employer or self-

employed person to ensure the business is conducted in a way that is electrically
safe by any licensed electrical worker employed to work on different electrical
installations. This part deals with the following:
• Section 65: Electrical installations
• Section 66: Carrying out work in accordance with AS/NZS 3000
(Australian wiring rules) and also in accordance with AS/NZS 3012
(Electrical installations -Construction and demolition sites)
• Sections 67: Work on construction sites

• Sections 68 and 69: Electric motors on vehicles
• Sections 72 to 76: Maintaining electric lines and structures of the
installation and surroundings including tree trimming
• Sections 77 to 80: Installation of safety switches in domestic
residences as required
• Sections 82 to 94: Ensuring all electrical installations and equipment
used in the workplace is properly inspected and tested
Part 6 of the Regulation covers the restrictions on the hire or sale of particular
items of electrical equipment in equipment, approvals of types of electrical
equipment of a prescribed class, changes to approvals, the sale of second-hand
electrical equipment, labeling, inspection of electrical equipment etc.
Part 7 of the Regulation prescribes ways of discharging the electrical safety

obligations of electrical entities, which includes:
• Sections 129 to 133: Earthing and protection
• Section 134: Substations
• Sections 134A to 143: Electric lines and control cables
• Section 144: Termination requirements for low voltage overhead
service lines
• Sections 147 and 148: Maintenance of works
Part 8 of the Regulation covers connection to a source of electricity including

private generating plant, testing of electrical work on an electrical installation and
requests for the examination of electrical work by electrical entities.
Part 9 of the Regulation outlines the requirements for electrical entities to have
safety management systems in place and salient requirements for these safety
management systems.
Part 10 of the Regulation covers the appointment of an accredited auditor and the
term of office for an accredited auditor.
Part 11 of the Regulation covers the requirements for the design and installation of
cathodic protection systems their operating and testing requirements and
registration requirements for cathodic protection systems. This part excludes
cathodic protection systems forming part of:
• A floating mobile structure
• Fishing equipment
• A fixed offshore structure not connected with land above sea-level
• The internal surface of an apparatus, structure or item of equipment
to which AS 2832.4 Guide to the cathodic protection of metals –
internal surfaces is applicable.
Part 12 of the Regulation outlines the requirements of both electrical entities and
employers and self-employed persons to notify the Electrical Safety Office of
serious electrical incidents or dangerous electrical events (incident reporting).
Part 13 of the Regulation covers a number of provisions including electrical safety

contributions made by distribution entities, mines, petroleum plants and prescribed
workplaces and employer obligations for supervising electrical trainees or
apprentices.
Risk assessment and management as per codes of practice

Queensland’s Electrical codes of practice recommend risk assessment as one of the
basic safety requirements. Hazards and risks are NOT the same thing. A hazard is
something with the potential to cause harm. Risk is the likelihood that death, injury
or illness might result from the hazard.
The relationship between hazard and risk is sometimes represented simply as:
Risk = Hazard x Exposure
The process of risk assessment and management is illustrated in figure A.1
below.
Figure A.1
Risk management (Source: Queensland Code of practice for Works
Risk management essentially consists of the following steps.

• Identifying the hazards
• Assessing the risks
• Deciding on control measures
• Carrying out the control measures
• Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the control measures
Control measures include the following and one or more of them can be used
depending on the requirements of a given situation.
• Eliminating the hazard
• Substituting a less hazardous material, process or piece of equipment
• Redesigning the equipment or work process
• Isolating the hazard
• Introducing administrative controls
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
A.6 Australian wiring rules

Australian Wiring Rules are similar to its UK counterpart - called as IEE Wiring
Regulations and published as British Standard BS 7672. The Australian wiring
rules are also similarly published as an Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS
3000. We will discuss the broad structure and content of the standard here in a brief
fashion.
The standard has the objective of providing minimum requirements for the
design, construction and testing of electrical equipment and installation in a safe
manner so as to protect persons, livestock and property from electric shock, fire
and physical injury hazards that may arise from the installation. Unlike the British
Standard, AS/NZS 3000:2000 which is the current version of the standard does not
specifically mention that its scope is limited to Low voltage (Less than or equal to
1000V) but the implications of its stipulations make this clear (Example: section
1.8.2 on supply characteristics). Though our discussions on Substation safety
involve systems in the HV and EHV range, the principles discussed in this standard
are equally valid.
Note:
Italicized passages in the paragraphs below represent direct quotes from the
standard.
Section 1
This section deals with the scope of the Rules, the application of the Rules and also
defines the terms used elsewhere in the Rules. It is also clarified that not only new
installations, but also additions and modifications to an existing installation are
covered by these Rules as quoted below.
Every alteration of, or addition to, an existing electrical installation shall be
deemed to be a new electrical installation, and all relevant provisions of this
Standard shall apply to every such alteration or addition.
Alterations or additions to an existing electrical installation shall not cause any
portion of the original electrical installation, or electrical equipment connected
thereto, to:
a) carry currents or sustain voltages in excess of those permitted by
this Standard; or
b) be used in any manner that is not in accordance with this Standard.
Another important aspect discussed in this part is the protection requirements in
installations to prevent direct and indirect contact. Barriers, use of extra low
voltage supply, keeping live parts out of reach etc. are discussed in detail.
The standard summarises the requirements of an electrical installation thus

(Clause: 1.8.1):
The design of an electrical installation shall take account of the following
factors:
a) Protection of persons, livestock and property from harmful effects.
b) Correct functioning of the electrical installation for the use
intended.
c) Compatibility with the electricity distribution system, or other
source of supply, to which the electrical installation is to be
connected.
In addition to shock hazards, other hazards to personnel and equipment due to
electricity are also indicated and the steps taken to overcome these dangers. A
notable exclusion is the definition of supply systems (given in the British standard)
TN, TT etc. However, the standard defines Multiple Earthed Neutral system
(MEN) which is the equivalent of PME systems discussed in the UK Regulations.
Section 2
This section deals with selection and installation of electrical switchgear and
controlgear. The stipulations in this part pertain to:
• Protection against indirect contact.
• Protection against overcurrent or excess earth leakage current
conditions.
• Protection against overvoltage and undervoltage.
• Control of the electrical installation (or parts thereof) by suitable
switching arrangements.
• Design, selection and installation of switchboards.
Common requirements for compliance with the standard are stated thus:
a) The voltage rating of electrical equipment shall be suitable for the
nominal voltage of the electrical installation.
b) Each item of electrical equipment shall be suitable for:
i. the design current, taking into account any capacitive,
inductive, and harmonic effects; and
ii. the current likely to flow in abnormal conditions for such
periods of time as are determined by the characteristics of
the protective devices concerned.
c) If frequency has an influence on the characteristics of electrical
equipment, the rated frequency of electrical equipment shall
correspond to the nominal frequency of the supply to the circuit
concerned.
d) Each item of electrical equipment selected on the basis of its power
characteristics shall be suitable for the duty demanded of the
electrical equipment.
e) Each item of electrical equipment shall be selected and installed so
that it will neither cause harm to an operator or harmful effects to
other equipment nor impair the supply during normal service
including switching operations. This provision may restrict the use
of electrical equipment which relies on the training of the operator
for the safe and correct use of the electrical equipment.
f) Where an item of switchgear is required to disconnect all live

conductors of a circuit, it shall be of a type such that the neutral
conductor cannot be disconnected or reconnected without the
active conductors also being disconnected or reconnected
respectively.
g) No fuse, switch or circuit-breaker, except where linked, shall be
inserted in the neutral conductor.
h) A device with more than one function shall comply with all the
requirements of this Section appropriate to each separate function.
Section 3
Section 3 of the standard deals with selection and installation of wiring system to
ensure safe performance both in normal conditions and during abnormal (fault)
conditions. The requirements of this section relate to:
a) Protection against external influences and environmental
conditions
b) Mutual detrimental influences
c) Selection of conductors to satisfy current-carrying capacity,
voltage drop and other minimum size requirements
d) Reliability and electrical continuity of connections, joints and
terminations
e) Identification (by colour or other means)
f) Fire protective measures
The ambient temperature conditions applicable as per this standard are:

a) For cables in air, irrespective of the method of installation:
i. 40°C for Australia; and
ii. 30°C for New Zealand.
b) For cables buried direct in the ground or installed in underground
enclosures:
i. 25°C for Australia; and
ii. 15°C for New Zealand.
Section 4
Section 4 of the standard deals with selection and installation of other equipment
(excluding switchgear, controlgear and wiring systems discussed in earlier
sections). Examples are motors, heating systems, lamps and other appliances,
alternative electric power supply systems (UPS and other standby sources) etc. The
requirements stipulated in this section include:
a) Protection against physical injury.
b) Protection from thermal effects.
c) Methods of connection to the electrical installation.
d) External influences and environmental conditions.
e) Adverse effects on the electrical installation and the supply.
f) Isolation and switching devices.
g) Protective devices.
h) Special electrical installations for particular electrical equipment.
Section 5
Section 5 of the standard describes the requirements of protective and functional
earthing of electrical installations.
Protective earthing is primarily meant for ensuring that the exposed metallic
surfaces of electrical equipment or systems (which can accidentally become live
due to insulation failure) do not attain dangerously high touch voltages.
Functional earthing is defined as an earthing arrangement provided to ensure
correct operation of electrical equipment or to permit reliable and proper
functioning of electrical installations. Example: ‘Clean’ (low-noise) earths
provided for electrical equipment may be considered as functional earthing.
It is possible for an earthing system to serve both as protective and functional
earthing in an installation. The basic requirements for an earthing installation are:
• The value of earthing resistance is in accordance with the protective
and functional requirements of the electrical installation and expected
to be continuously effective.
• Earth-fault currents and earth-leakage currents can be carried without
danger, particularly from thermal, thermo-mechanical and
electromechanical stresses.
• It is adequately robust or has additional mechanical protection
appropriate to the assessed conditions of external influence
This section also provides guidelines for the sizing and selection of earthing
system components such as electrodes and conductors.
Section 6
Section 6 of the standard deals with testing and verification of electrical
installations. The objective of testing is to verify that an installation complies with
the provisions of the Wiring Rules. Precautions must be taken to ensure the safety
of persons and to avoid damage to property and the electrical installation
equipment during inspection and testing. Where the electrical installation is an
alteration, addition or repair to an existing electrical installation, it should be
verified that the alteration, addition or repair complies with the standard and does
not impair the safety of the existing electrical installation. Under the standard,
verification involves visual inspection prior to testing followed by actual testing.
In general an installation should be inspected to check the conformity of the
following with the standard.
• Protection against direct contact with lives parts, e.g. insulation and
enclosure.
• Protection against indirect contact with exposed conductive parts, e.g.
double insulation or isolating transformers.
• Protection against hazardous parts, e.g. enclosure, guarding or
screening of flammable materials, hot surfaces and parts that may
cause physical injury.
• Protection against spread of fire, e.g. penetration of fire barriers.
• General condition of the electrical equipment
Visual inspection should cover:
• Consumer mains
• Switchboards
• Wiring systems
• Electrical equipment and

• Earthing
Visual inspection is followed by testing to ensure compliance with the standards.

The sequence of testing is illustrated in figure A.2 below.
Figure A.2
Test sequence (Source AS/NZS 3000:2000)
Mandatory tests to be conducted are:

• Continuity of the earthing system (including the main earthing
conductor, protective earthing conductors and bonding conductors).
• Insulation resistance.
• Polarity.
• Correct circuit connections.
Optional tests to be conducted are:

• Fault loop impedance
• Testing of Residual Current Devices
Section 7
Section 7 of the standard deals with electrical installations in special locations,
which present higher than normal danger due to electricity. An example is
electrical installations in bath rooms, showers, pools etc. and has a limited role as
far as substation electrical safety is concerned.
Appendices to Wiring Rules

The standard contains four appendices and these are for information and guidance.
• Appendix A shows a reference list of documents.
• Appendix B deals with circuit arrangements with particular reference
to protective devices, coordination aspects and circuit impedance
values for short circuits and earth faults.
• Appendix C illustrates maximum demand calculation for typical
electrical systems in industrial and consumer installations.
• Appendix D provides data on overhead line conductors.
A.7 Summary
In the initial days of Factory legislation, the primary stress was on the regulation of
the working hours and the minimum age of those employed by the factories and on
maintaining a clean and well ventilated working environment. Safety became the
focus subsequently and was covered in Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
The widespread use of electricity in the workplace and the hazards posed by it due
to improper design and operating practices resulted in enacting of separate
Electrical Safety legislation. In addition, hazards arising out of other dangerous
substances such as chemicals and explosives were covered in the legislative
framework by separate Acts or Regulations.
Electrical Safety Acts outline the general duties required under the legislation
and form the top-tier of legislation. The next are Regulations, which provide the
actual technical requirements for compliance with the provisions of the Act. Both
Act and Regulations are statutory documents and thus legally enforceable. The
third layer is the Code of practice and provides guidelines for the provisions
contained in the Act/Regulations. A Code of Practice is not statutory in nature but
is given as guidance to enable compliance with the Act and Regulations,
particularly the latter.
In addition, the national standardizing bodies bring out standards, which
consolidate all requirements of electrical installations including their safety aspects
and are adopted in the form of a national standard. An example is the AS/NZS
standard 3000:2000 also called as the Australian Wiring Rules. The regional Safety
Regulations are in turn guided by these national standards.
Appendix B
Australian Safety Regulations in
Detail
B.1 Introduction
We have seen in brief what are the main pats of electric safety regulation and their
contents in Appendix A. This appendix will cover Parts 1-6, the most important, in detail.
Parts7-14 are not covered, as they are not as important.
B.2 PART 1
B.2.1 How Regulations are implemented

The ways adopted by this regulation includes the following:
1. To recommend matters in support of the electrical licensing arrangements
established under the Act;
2. To prescribe requirements for working around exposed parts;
3. To recommend requirements for electrical installations;
4. To prescribe matters about electrical equipment, including prescribing
requirements and procedures for the design, building and maintenance of
electric lines and the works of electricity entities;
5. Prescribing requirements for the performance of electrical work;
6. Providing for the preparation, lodging and auditing of safety management
plans;
7. Prescribing requirements for the operation of cathodic protection systems
and requirements for particular systems to be registered by the chief
executive;
8. Prescribing notification and reporting requirements for serious electrical
incidents and dangerous electrical events.
Qualified business person and qualified technical person

(1) A qualified technical person and a qualified business person, for an individual,
partnership or corporation, is an individual who satisfies the chief executive that he or
she:
(a) Is a fit and proper person; and
(b) Either:
o if electrical work license, has held for at least a year, or a
shorter period considered acceptable by the chief executive, and
still holds, an electrical work license; or
o has held for at least a year, or a shorter period considered
acceptable by the chief executive, and still holds, an external
contracting authority; and
(c) Is competent to perform electrical work as, or for, a licensed electrical
contractor; and
(d) Has satisfactorily finished a course of instruction, or an examination
required by the chief executive, on mechanical aspects of performing
electrical work.
B.3 PART 2
B.3.1 Electrical work

Electrical work does not include high voltage live line work.
Requirements for electrical work

(1) Live work is not performed.
(2) The employer or self-employed person must ensure that:
o Each exposed part is treated as if it is energised until it is isolated and
proved not to be energised; and
o Each high voltage exposed part is earthed.
Requirements for performance of live work

(1) The following circumstances are required for the performance of live work:
(a) It is not practicable to perform the electrical work other than by live work
because of 1 or more of the following:
It is necessary in the interests of safety,
A supply of electricity is necessary for the proper performance of the
electrical work;
There is no reasonable alternative to performing the electrical work
by live work;
(b) The employer has prepared, in a document, a risk assessment of the
performance of the live work;
(c) The performance of the electrical work is in accordance with a safe system
of work;
(d) The employer authorises the performance of the live work only after
consultation with the person in control of the electrical equipment the subject
of the electrical work;
Australian Safety Regulations in Detail 229
(e) The person who performs the live work has appropriate training for the
performance of the live work;
(f) Testing equipment appropriate to the performance of the live work has
been given to the person performing the electrical work; the testing equipment
has been properly maintained,
(g) Clothing and personal protective equipment appropriate to the
performance of the live work has been given to the person performing the
electrical work
(h) Other than for electric line work, the isolation point of the electricity
supply for the electrical equipment the subject of the electrical work:
o has been clearly identified; and
o Is able to be reached quickly without the need to climb over or
shift obstructions;
(i) The area where the electrical work is performed is clear of obstructions to
the extent necessary for easy access to and from the area;
(j) There is a safety observer observing the performance of the electrical work
unless:
o The work involves testing electrical equipment; and
o The risk assessment prepared under paragraph (b) does not show
there is a high risk to electrical safety in performing the testing of
the electrical equipment.
Performance of high voltage live line work

(1) A person must not perform high voltage live line work unless the person’s
performance of the work:
o is authorised in writing by the person in control of the electrical
equipment the subject of the work; and
o is in accordance with a high voltage live line work management plan.
(2) A person in control of electrical equipment may authorise a person’s performance of
high voltage live line work in relation to the electrical equipment only if:
(a) The person in control is satisfied the person:
o has successfully finished an appropriate course of training; and
o has been assessed by the provider of the course as competent to
perform the work; and
(b) The written authorisation states the voltages of the electrical equipment on
which the high voltage live line work may be performed.
(3) If the written authorisation provides for the performance of work on more than 1
occasion, to be regularly assessed to ensure the person remains competent to perform the
work.
Testing of electrical equipment after electrical work

(1) This section applies if electrical work is performed on electrical equipment.
(2) A person who performs part or all of the electrical work, must ensure the electrical
equipment is tested,
(3) A licensed electrical contractor or electricity entity must ensure the electrical
equipment is tested as required
(5) The testing of the electrical equipment must be directed at ensuring that the electrical
equipment, to the extent it is affected by the electrical work, is electrically safe.
(6) If the electrical equipment is energised for testing, the person who performs the test
must ensure persons not necessary for the testing are electrically safe.
Certificate of testing and safety

(1) This section applies if a licensed electrical contractor performs electrical work that
must be tested under this division.
(2) The contractor must, as soon as practicable after the testing, ensure that the person for
whom the electrical work was performed is given a certificate complying with this
section.
(3) The certificate must state the following:
o The name and address of the person for whom the work was
performed;
o The electrical equipment tested;
o The day the electrical equipment was tested;
o The number of the electrical contractor license under which the
electrical equipment was tested.
(4) The certificate must certify that the electrical equipment, to the extent it is affected by
the electrical work, is electrically safe.
(5) A licensed electrical contractor must keep a copy of a certificate given under this
section for at least 5 years after the certificate is given.
Testing and maintenance of safety equipment

(1) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that:
(a) safety equipment is used in the performance of electrical work; and
(b) the safety equipment is:
o a suitable type for the electrical work being performed; and
o Maintained so that it is suitable for use in the electrical work
being performed; and
o If it is safety equipment that can not be visually confirmed as
being correctly functioning and safe - tested at least every 6
months to ensure it provides the protection it is intended to
provide; and
o Label to state the day on or before which it is next due for testing;
(v) in good repair and condition.
This division applies to the performance of electrical items
(2) The employer or self-employed person must keep records of the tests performed at
least 5 years.
Employer or self-employed person to ensure suitability of testing instruments

(1) This section applies to the following:
o An employer of a person required to perform tests on electrical work
or safety equipment;
o A self-employed person required to perform tests on electrical work
or safety equipment.
(2) The employer or self-employed person must ensure:
o The test instruments used for the testing are designed for, and capable
of correctly performing, the required tests; and
o If a testing instrument can not be visually confirmed as being

correctly functioning and safe; that the instrument is tested at least
every 6 months to ensure it is in proper working order; and
o Records of tests performed under paragraph (b) are kept for at least 5
years.
Electrical equipment with serious defect not to be connected to electricity source
If an item of electrical equipment has a serious defect, a licensed electrical worker must
not connect the equipment to a source of electricity for use for its intended purpose.
20 Signs on switches and disconnection points
(1) This section applies if:
o A licensed electrical worker is performing electrical work; and
o to perform the work, the worker has de-energised, or otherwise
isolated from electricity, an item of electrical equipment that is the
subject of the electrical work or that is near where the electrical work
is being performed; (c) to de-energise, or otherwise isolate, the item
of electrical equipment, the licensed electrical worker has operated a
device; and
o While the worker is performing the work, the worker does not have
the device under the worker’s sole effective control.
(2) The licensed electrical worker must ensure that there is a warning sign that is suitable
in the circumstances,
(3) The electrical worker must also ensure that:
o the device, when in the open position, is locked; or
(4) If the electrical work is being performed for the purposes of the business or
undertaking of an employer, must ensure that:
o the licensed electrical worker has all the signs and equipment
necessary for the worker
o the signs and equipment are used in the way required under the
subsections.
(5) In this section device means a circuit-breaker, disconnection point, fuse or switch.
Rescue and resuscitation training

An employer must ensure workers who are required to perform, or help in performing,
electrical work are competent in rescue and resuscitation in accordance with recognized
practices in the electricity industry.
Documents about electrical work

This division applies to the performance of electrical work as part of the business or
undertaking of a licensed electrical contractor.
Who may sign documents about electrical work

A person must not sign a document required under the Act, or by an electricity entity,
about the performance of electrical work unless the person is:
(a) If the electrical work was performed as part of the business or undertaking of a
licensed electrical contractor who is an individual: a qualified technical person for the
individual; or
(b) If the electrical work was performed as part of the business or undertaking of a
licensed electrical contractor that is a partnership: a qualified technical person for the
partnership; or
(c) If the electrical work was performed as part of the business or undertaking of a
licensed electrical contractor that is a corporation: a qualified technical person for the
corporation.
B.3 PART 3
B.3.1 Licensing
Classes of electrical work licenses

The following classes of electrical work licenses may be issued:
(a) Electrical mechanic license;
(b) electrical linesperson license;
(c) electrical fitter license;
(d) electrical jointer license;
(e) restricted electrical work license;
(f) Electrical work training permit.
Electrical work license requirements

(1) This section states requirements that apply generally for the issue of an electrical work
license, other than an electrical work training permit, to an applicant for the license.
(2) The chief executive must be satisfied that:
o the applicant satisfies the eligibility requirements stated for the
license in this division; and
o the applicant is adequately able to understand, and read and write in,
the English language without the aid of an interpreter.
(3) The chief executive may consider the following about the applicant’s activities,
whether before or after the commencement of this section, as a licensed electrical worker:
o disciplinary action taken against the applicant under a law regulating
the activities of licensed electrical workers;
o the applicant’s non-performance of an obligation under a law about
electrical work and the reasons for the non-performance.
(4) The chief executive must be satisfied the applicant has been trained in, and is
competent to carry out, resuscitation on an individual who has stopped breathing or is
unconscious because of electric shock.
(5) For an application for an electrical linesperson license, the chief executive must also
be satisfied the applicant has been trained in, and is competent to carry out, resuscitation
and rescue at a pole-top or transmission tower on an individual who has stopped
breathing or is unconscious because of electric shock.
(6) Subsection (4) does not prevent the chief executive renewing or reinstating an
electrical work license if the chief executive is satisfied:
o The applicant has a medical condition that prevents the applicant

carrying out the resuscitation but does not otherwise affect the
applicant’s ability to perform electrical work under the license; and
o In the particular circumstances, it is reasonable to allow the applicant
to carry out electrical work under the license subject to a condition
that the applicant must not act in a role for which it is a requirement
that the applicant be competent in resuscitation, including as a safety
observer.
(7) Subsection (5) does not prevent the chief executive renewing or reinstating an
electrical linesperson license if the chief executive is satisfied:
o The applicant has a medical condition that prevents the applicant
carrying out the resuscitation but does not otherwise affect the
applicant’s ability to perform electrical work under the license; and
o In the particular circumstances, it is reasonable to allow the applicant
to carry out electrical work under the license subject to a condition
that the applicant must not act in a role for which it is a requirement
that the applicant be competent in rescue at a pole top
Term of electrical work license

(1) Each of the following may be issued, renewed or reinstated for a maximum of 5 years:
(a) Electrical mechanic license;
(b) Electrical linesperson license;
(c) Electrical fitter license;
(d) Electrical jointer license;
(e) Restricted electrical work license.
(2) An electrical work-training permit may be issued, renewed or reinstated for a
maximum of 1 year.
Register of electrical licenses

(1) The chief executive must keep a register containing information about electrical
licenses, in the form the chief executive considers appropriate to ensure the information
in the register can be efficiently recorded and accessed.
(3) Without limiting subsections (1) and (2), the register of electrical licenses must
include, for each electrical license:
o The full name and address of the holder; and
o An identifying number; and
o When the licence was issued; and
o Details of every renewal and reinstatement of the license, and of any
failure to renew the license; and
o Details of disciplinary action taken by the licensing committee against
the holder; and
o Details of anything else the chief executive considers should be
included in the register of electrical licenses.
(4) If contact details recorded in the register of electrical licenses for the holder of an
electrical license, including the name and address of the holder, are no longer correct, the
holder must, within 14 days after the details become incorrect, give the chief executive
notice of the correct details.
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to:

o The change of name of a corporation or partnership that is the holder
of an electrical contractor license; or
o The change of the membership of a partnership that is the holder of an
electrical contractor license.
(6) The chief executive may publish some or all of the information included in the
register in the way the chief executive considers appropriate.
B.4 PART 4
B.4.1 Working around electrical parts

(1) This part prescribes a way of discharging the electrical safety obligation of an
employer or self-employed person to ensure that the person’s business or undertaking is
conducted in a way that is electrically safe.
(2) In particular, this part prescribes requirements about persons performing work in
contact with, or near to, electrical parts.
o has enough technical knowledge and experience to do work that
involves contact with, or being near to, the electrical part; and
o has been approved by the person in control of the electrical part to do
work that involves contact with, or being near to, the electrical part,
or is authorised to act for the person in control of the electrical part.
Direct contact
(1) A person is in direct contact with an electrical part if:
o the person is touching the electrical part with the person’s bare hands
or another bare part of the person’s body; or
o the person is touching a conductive object with the person’s bare
hands or another bare part of the person’s body, and the conductive
object is touching the electrical part; or
o an article of clothing worn by the person is touching the electrical
part; or
o an article of clothing worn by the person is touching a conductive
object, and the conductive object is touching the electrical part.
(2) Operating plant is in direct contact with an electrical part if:
o any part of the operating plant is touching the electrical part; or
o anything the operating plant is handling is touching the electrical part.
(3) A vehicle is in direct contact with an electrical part if:
o any part of the vehicle is touching the electrical part; or
o anything being carried or otherwise handled by the vehicle is
touching the electrical part.
Exclusion zone
(1) The exclusion zone, for a person for an electrical part, or for operating plant or a
vehicle for an electrical part, means the distance from the part stated for the person, plant
or vehicle in schedule 2.
(2) For applying schedule 2 to a person, the person includes any article of clothing worn
by the person, and any conductive object the person is handling.
(3) For applying schedule 2 to operating plant, the operating plant includes anything the
operating plant is handling other than:
o a person; or
o a hand-held object the person is handling.
(4) For applying schedule 2 to a vehicle, the vehicle includes anything the vehicle is
carrying or otherwise handling. (4A) Despite subsections (2) to (4), the person, operating
plant or vehicle does not include an object, for example, a tool, that alone or with another
object or objects is an extension from the person, operating plant or vehicle if the object:
o is an insulated device; and
o the device has been tested and found to be safe for use on and near the
electrical part.
(5) For applying schedule 2 to operating plant operated by an authorised person or
instructed person who does not have a safety observer or another safe system as required
under the schedule, the authorised person or instructed person must be taken to be an
untrained person.
(6) However, the exclusion zone, for an electrical part, for operating plant operated by an
authorised person or instructed person for the electrical part, is taken to be the same as the
exclusion zone for an authorised person or instructed person for the electrical part if:
o the operating plant is fitted with a device capable of stopping the
operation of the operating plant immediately the operating plant is at
the exclusion zone for an authorised person or instructed person for
the electrical part; and
o there is in place a safe system of work for the use of the operating
plant; (c) the safe system of work has been developed in consultation
with persons who are broadly representative of industrial
organisations of employees whose members commonly operate
operating plant of the operating plant’s type; and
o without limiting paragraph (b), the safe system of work ensures the
device mentioned in paragraph (a):
is operating properly; and
is set for at least the correct exclusion zone distance.
(7) A reference in schedule 2 to a vehicle does not include a reference to:
o An aircraft; or
o A vehicle that is operating plant.
(8) For applying schedule 2 to operating plant, a reference to ‘another safe system’ is a
reference to a system of work that:
o Has been developed in consultation with persons who are broadly
representative of industrial organisations of employees whose
members commonly operate operating plant of the operating plant’s
type; and
o Provides, for persons and property, the same level of electrical safety
as, or a greater level of electrical safety than, the level of electrical
safety provided with a safety observer.
Requirements for working around electrical parts and underground electrical

services
Work involving direct contact with electrical part
(1) Work may be performed involving a person coming into direct contact with an
electrical part if the electrical part is:
o isolated from all sources of electricity; and
o tested to ensure it is, or otherwise confirmed to be, isolated from all
sources of electricity; and
o if the electrical part is a high voltage electrical part, earthed.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) does not apply as a requirement if:

o The electrical part can not be directly contacted to prove isolation
from all sources of electricity; and
o there is in place an earthing switch that is able to control the operation
of the electrical part and is designed to operate safely if the electrical
part has not been isolated from all sources of electricity; and
o The work is being performed in the business or undertaking of an
employer, and the employer has given written instructions to the
person performing the work that, if complied with, will be effective to
isolate the electrical part from all sources of electricity.
Work within exclusion zone for electrical part

(1) Work may be performed involving a person, operating plant or a vehicle coming
within the exclusion zone for the person, operating plant or vehicle for an electrical part,
other than by coming into direct contact with the electrical part, if the electrical part is:
o isolated from all sources of electricity; and
o tested to ensure it is, or otherwise confirmed to be, isolated from all
sources of electricity; and
o if the electrical part is a high voltage electrical part, earthed.
(2) However, if it is not practicable for subsection (1)(b) to be complied with, the work
may nevertheless be performed if:
(a) the work can be performed safely; and
(b) if the work is being performed in the business or undertaking of an
employer: the employer has given written instructions, either generally or
directed at the particular circumstances, about the work to be performed and
the precautions to be complied with; and
(c) at least 1 of the following applies:
o suitable barriers or earthed metal shields are installed between the
person, operating plant or vehicle and the electrical part;
o the work is testing, and the electrical part, or an item of electrical
equipment of which the electrical part is a component, is designed
in a way requiring the work to be performed while the person,
operating plant or vehicle is within the exclusion zone for the
person, operating plant or vehicle for the electrical part;
o the work is earthing of the electrical part, or an item of electrical
equipment of which the electrical part is a component, and is
performed after the electrical part or item of electrical equipment
has been isolated and proved to be de-energised.
(3) Work may be performed involving operating plant coming within the exclusion zone
for the operating plant for an electrical part, other than by coming into direct contact with
the electrical part, if:
o the operating plant is being used to work on an overhead electric line;
and
o the use of the operating plant is under a documented safe system of
work for use of the operating plant within the exclusion zone.
Consultation with persons in control of electric lines

Requirement to consult
(a) work is to be performed in the conduct of the business or undertaking of
an employer or self-employed person; and
(b) despite the requirements of section 62, there is a reasonable likelihood the
performance of the work could involve:
o a person coming into direct contact with an overhead electric line;
or
o (ii) operating plant or a vehicle coming into direct contact with an
overhead electric line;
o (iii) a person coming within the exclusion zone for the person for
an overhead electric line; or
o (iv) operating plant or a vehicle coming within the exclusion zone
for the operating plant or vehicle for an overhead electric line.
(2) The employer or self-employed person must give the person in control of the
overhead electric line written notice of the employer or self-employed person’s intention
to perform the work.
(3) The person in control of the overhead electric line must, within 7 days after receiving
the written notice under subsection (2), give the employer or self-employed person a
safety advice about the performance of the work.
(4) The employer or self-employed person must not allow the work to be started before
the employer or self-employed person has received the safety advice from the person in
control of the overhead electric line, unless the employer or self-employed person has a
reasonable excuse.
(5) In this section, safety advice, about the performance of work in the conduct of the
business or undertaking of an employer or self-employed person, means a written notice
advising how, as well as complying with this regulation, the employer or self-employed
person can best ensure the electrical safety of persons and property in the performance of
the work.
B.5 PART 5
B.5.1 Electrical installations
Performing electrical work

To the extent that this division applies, or is capable of applying, to a person who is an
employer or self-employed person, this division prescribes a way of discharging the
electrical safety obligation of an employer or self-employed person to ensure that the
person’s business or undertaking is conducted in a way that is electrically safe.
Licensed electrical worker to comply with wiring rules

A licensed electrical worker who performs electrical work on an electrical installation
must ensure that the electrical installation, to the extent it is affected by the electrical
work, is in accordance with the wiring rules.
Employer to ensure electrical installation complies

An employer who employs a licensed electrical worker to perform electrical work on an
electrical installation must ensure that the electrical installation, to the extent it is affected
by the electrical work, is in accordance with:
o if the electrical installation is to be used for construction work: the wiring rules
and AS/NZ 3012 (Electrical installations: Construction and demolition sites); or
o if the electrical installation is not to be used for construction work: the wiring
rules.
Work involving water equipment

(1) A person must not perform work on water equipment unless:
o the person is a licensed electrical worker; and
o the work performed is work that the person would be authorised to perform on
the water equipment under the person’s electrical work license if the water
equipment
o were electrical equipment; and
o the water equipment, to the extent it is affected by the work, is in accordance
with the wiring rules.
(2) An employer or self-employed person whose business or undertaking includes the
performance of work on water equipment must ensure that, in the conduct of the business
or undertaking, a person does not perform work in contravention of subsection (1).
(3) In this section, designated equipment means any apparatus, appliance, cable,
conductor, fitting, insulator, material, meter or wire:
o used for controlling, generating, supplying, transforming or
transmitting electricity at extra low voltage; or
o operated by electricity at extra low voltage. Water equipment means
designated equipment that is in, or that surrounds the water container
of, a swimming pool, paddling pool, spa pool, and water feature or
water tub. Work, on water equipment, does not include:
o the plugging in of a pre-packaged water feature; or
Work involving electric motor forming part of vehicle

(1) A person must not perform work on an electric motor forming part of a vehicle unless:
o the person is a licensed electrical worker; and
o the work performed is work that the person would be authorised to
perform on the electric motor under the person’s electrical work
license if the electric motor were electrical equipment.
(2) An employer or self-employed person whose business or undertaking includes the
performance of work on an electric motor must ensure that, in the conduct of the business
or undertaking, a person does not perform work in contravention of subsection (1).
Defects and earthing

Requirement on person in control to fix defect
If an inspector or electricity entity gives written notice to the person in control of

electrical equipment of any defect affecting the electrical safety of the electrical
equipment, whether or not a serious defect, the person in control must take all reasonable
steps to ensure the defect is fixed.
Earthing
(1) This section applies if a low voltage electrical installation receives electricity
distributed by an electricity entity.
(2) The person in control of the low voltage electrical installation must not knowingly
allow the earthing for the installation to be inconsistent with the earthing system
requirements the electricity entity has under this regulation.
Electric lines
Service line
(1) This section applies if an electrical installation receives electricity distributed by an
electricity entity.
(2) The person in control of the electrical installation must maintain the person in
control’s facilities for:
o attaching an overhead service line to supply electricity to the
electrical installation; or
o the entrance, support, protection and termination of an underground
service line to supply electricity to the electrical installation.
(3) However, subsection (2) does not require the person in control of the electrical
installation to maintain the insulation of any clamp or apparatus supplied by the person in
control for the purposes of any joint needed for consumer terminals.
(4) The electricity entity must at periodic reasonable intervals inspect and maintain the
insulation of the clamp or apparatus mentioned in subsection (3).
Structure supporting electric line or equipment to comply with wiring rules

(1) The person in control of an electrical installation must ensure that any structure
supporting an electric line or item of electrical equipment forming part of the electrical
installation is in accordance with the requirements of:
o the wiring rules; and
o any direction the chief executive gives for ensuring electrical safety.
(2) If there is a conflict between the wiring rules and a direction of the chief executive,
the direction prevails.
Obligation to preserve insulation of electric line

The person in control of an electrical installation must maintain, to a reasonable extent,
the integrity of the insulation of any electric line, or connection to an electric line, that is
part of the electrical installation:
o if it is an overhead electric line:near the point of attachment of the
electric line to any structure; and
o whether or not it is an overhead electric line:near roofs or structures
where it is likely that persons, including, for example, painters and
plumbers, could come into contact with the insulated wires or
connectors of the line.
Trimming of trees near overhead electric line

(1) The person in control of an overhead electric line must ensure that trees and other
vegetation are trimmed, and other measures taken, to prevent contact w the line that is
likely to cause injury from electric shock to any person or damage to property.
(2) In this section: overhead electric line does not include an overhead electric line owned
by an electricity entity.
Obligation to ensure safety of disconnected overhead electric line

(1) The person in control of an overhead electric line must take all reasonable steps to
ensure that, if the line is disconnected from its electricity supply, the line is:
o dismantled as soon as practicable after disconnection; or
o maintained so it is electrically and mechanically safe.
(2) In this section, overhead electric line does not include an overhead electric line owned
by an electricity entity.
Installation of approved safety switches in domestic residences

Notice to transferee about approved safety switch
(1) The transferor of residential land must, on or before the date of possession for the
land, give the transferee of the land written notice of whether an approved safety switch
has been installed for the general purpose socket-outlets installed in the domestic
residence on the land.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply if:
o the transferor became transferor of the residential land under an
agreement to transfer the land; and
o the date of the agreement is before 1 September 2002.
(3) The transferor must not state anything in the notice that the transferor knows is false
or misleading in a material particular.
Performing electrical installation work for domestic residences

A licensed electrical worker or a licensed electrical contractor must not perform electrical
installation work on an electrical installation installed in a domestic residence unless:
o an approved safety switch has been installed for the general purpose
socket-outlets installed in the residence; or
o if an approved safety switch has not been installed for the general
purpose socket-outlets installed in the residence:
the work is or includes the installation of an approved
safety switch for the general purpose socket-outlets
installed in the residence; or
the worker reasonably believes installation of an
approved safety switch for the general purpose
socket-outlets installed in the residence is not
required under this regulation; or
the work is the connection of the residence to a
source of electricity; or
the work is needed to be performed without delay in
an emergency, to prevent an emergency from
happening or for safety reasons.
B.6 PART 6
B.6.1 Workplace electrical installations

This division prescribes a way of discharging the electrical safety obligation of an
employer or self-employed person to ensure that the person’s business or undertaking is
conducted in a way that is electrically safe.
A definition of rural industry work

(1) Rural industry work is work:
o in the cultivation of any agricultural crop or product whether or not
grown for food;
o in the rearing and management of farm animals, for example,
livestock, bees or worms; or
o in the classing, scouring, sorting or pressing of wool; or
o that is aquaculture; or
o in flower or vegetable market gardens; or
o at clearing, fencing, trenching, draining or otherwise preparing land
for anything stated in paragraph (a), (b), (d) or (e).
(2) Rural industry work includes work that is construction work, manufacturing work or
office work performed for the purposes of an activity mentioned in subsection (1) if the
Work is:
(a) Performed by an employer or self-employed person, including by his or
her employee, carrying on the business or undertaking in which the
product of the construction work, manufacturing work or office work is to
be used; and
(b) Performed on premises on which the product of the construction work,
manufacturing work or office work is to be used.
(3) Rural industry work does not include work to which rural industry work is only
incidental.
Cord extension sets and flexible cables

(1) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that any cord extension set or
flexible cable at the workplace is:
o Located where it is not likely to suffer damage; or
o Protected against damage.
(2) In this section, damage includes damage by liquid.
Construction work
This subdivision applies to the performance of construction work at a workplace.
Requirements for construction wiring and electrical equipment

(1) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that all electrical equipment for the
performance of work is in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3012 (Electrical
installations: Construction and demolition sites).
(2) However, the requirement under AS/NZS 3012, clause 3.8.39 that the tag must
include the name of the person or company who performed the test does not apply.
(3) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that, for the purposes of the
business or undertaking, electrical equipment mentioned in AS/NZS 3012, clause 3.110 is
not fitted with a tag that includes the test or retest date for the equipment unless:
o the equipment is new; or
o both of the following apply:
the equipment has been inspected and tested under
that clause by a competent person and found to
comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3012;
the tag includes the day by which the equipment must
be re-inspected and retested and the information
mentioned in subsection (4).
(4) For subsection (3)(b)(ii):
(a) if the individual who performed the test or retest is employed or engaged
by a corporation, the information is any of the following:
o the name of the individual;
o the individual’s electrical contractor license number;
o the name of the corporation;
o the corporation’s electrical contractor license number; or
(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply, the information is any of the following:
o the name of the individual;
o the individual’s electrical contractor license number;
o the electrical contractor license number of the individual’s
employer;
o the individual’s electrical worker license number.
(5) An employer or self-employed person whose business or undertaking is being
conducted at a construction workplace and who is the principal contractor for the
construction workplace must ensure that all construction wiring at the workplace is in
accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3012 (Electrical installations: Construction
and demolition sites).
(6) In this section, competent person see AS/NZS 3012, clause 1.4.7.11 Subdivision 4
Manufacturing work
Double adaptors and piggyback plugs prohibited

(1) An employer or self-employed person must not use a double adaptor or piggyback
plug.
(2) An employer must ensure the employer’s workers do not use a double adaptor or
piggyback plug.
Specified electrical equipment

(1) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that specified electrical equipment
of the employer or self-employed person at the workplace is not used to perform work
unless:
(a) it is inspected and tested by a competent person:
o if the equipment is double insulated, at least once every year;
o (ii) if the equipment is not double insulated, at least once every 6
months; and
(b) either:
(i) if the specified electrical equipment is connected to a socket-outlet that

is in a permanent workplace under the control of the employer or self-
employed person:
o until the end of 29 February 2008: the specified electrical
equipment is connected to a type 1 safety switch or type 2 safety
switch; or
o on or after 1 March 2008: the specified electrical equipment is
connected to a socket-outlet for which a type 1 safety switch, or
type 2 safety switch, that is not portable, is installed; or
(ii) if the specified electrical equipment is connected to a socket-outlet
that is not in a permanent workplace under the control of the employer or
self-employed person, the specified electrical equipment is connected to a
type 1 safety switch or type 2 safety switch.
(2) If after inspecting and testing the electrical equipment under subsection (1)(a), a
competent person decides the equipment is safe to use, the employer or self-employed
person must ensure the competent person immediately attaches a durable tag to the
equipment that shows the prescribed details.
(3) If after inspecting and testing the electrical equipment under subsection (1)(a), a
competent person decides the equipment is not safe to use, the employer or self-employed
person must ensure:
o The competent person immediately attaches a durable tag to the
equipment that warns people not to use the equipment; and
o The equipment is immediately withdrawn from use.
business or undertaking, a tag is not attached to specified electrical equipment under
subsection (2) unless:
o The equipment is new; or
The equipment has been inspected and tested by a
competent person;
The tag was attached by the competent person.
Manufacturing work: safety switch

(a) Manufacturing work is the primary work performed at the workplace; and
(b) A socket-outlet with a current rating of not more than 20 amps is installed
and supplies electricity to the workplace; and
(c) The socket-outlet is:
o Not more than 2.3m above the floor; and
o Not provided for the purpose of supplying electricity to a
luminaire or to electrical equipment with a power rating of not
more than 150W.
(2) Subsection (3) applies if the manufacturing work is performed before 1 March 2008.
(3) The employer or self-employed person must have a type 1 safety switch, or type 2
safety switch, that is not portable, installed for the socket-outlet before 1 March 2008.
(4) Subsection (5) applies if the manufacturing work is to be performed on or after 1
March 2008.
(5) Before performing the manufacturing work, the employer or self-employed person
must have a type 1 safety switch, or type 2 safety switches, that is not portable, installed
for the socket-outlet.
Safety switches, including portable safety switches

(1) An employer or self-employed person must not use, or allow to be used, a safety
switch unless it complies with AS/NZS 3760 (In-service safety inspection and testing of
electrical equipment) when tested.
(2) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that each safety switch, other than
a portable safety switch, the employer or self-employed person has at the workplace:
o is tested by a competent person in accordance with AS/NZS 3760
immediately after it is connected; and
o is tested in accordance with, and at the intervals stated in, AS/NZS
3760.
(3) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that each portable safety switch the
employer or self-employed person has at the workplace:
o is tested by pushing the test button on the safety switch immediately
after it is connected; and
3760.
(4) If a safety switch is not working properly, the employer or self-employed person must
ensure:
o a durable tag is immediately attached to the safety switch that warns
people not to use the safety switch; and
o the safety switch is immediately withdrawn from use.
Double adaptors and piggyback plugs prohibited

(1) An employer or self-employed person must not use a double adaptor or piggyback
plug.
(2) An employer must ensure the employer’s workers do not use a double adaptor or
piggyback plug.
Specified electrical equipment

(1) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that specified electrical equipment
of the employer or self-employed person at the workplace is not used to perform work
unless:
o if the equipment is double insulated: at least once every year; or
o (ii) if the equipment is not double insulated: at least once every 6
months; and
(b) it is connected to a type 1 safety switch or type 2 safety switch.
(2) If after inspecting and testing the electrical equipment under subsection (1)(a) a
equipment that shows the prescribed details
person must ensure:
o the competent person immediately attaches a durable tag to the

equipment that warns people not to use the equipment; and
o the equipment is immediately withdrawn from use.
o the equipment is new; or
the equipment has been inspected and tested by a
competent person;
the tag was attached by the competent person.
Amusement devices and amusement rides

(1) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that all or part of an amusement
device or amusement ride that is electrical equipment connected to the electricity supply
by a plug, of the employer or self-employed person at the workplace is not used to
perform work unless:
o each time it is assembled on the site where it is intended to be used;
o in any event at least once every 6 months; and
(b) for a device or ride with a current rating of not more than 20 amps: it is
connected to a type 1 safety switch or type 2 safety switch.
(2) An inspection and test under subsection (1)(a) must include the competent person:
o Deciding the safety of earthing, insulation and connections; and
o Deciding whether any safety switch complies with AS/NZS 3760
when tested; and
o Making a visual examination to decide the safety of the items of
electrical equipment of the device or ride, including cabling, plugs,
sockets, light fittings, enclosures and motors.
person must ensure the competent person immediately makes a written record of:
o Details of the test; and
o The prescribed details.
person must ensure:
(a) The competent person immediately:
o Attaches a durable, conspicuous sign to the equipment that warns
people not to use the equipment; and
o (ii) Makes a written record of details of the test; and
(b) The equipment is immediately withdrawn from use.
(5) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that a written record is not made,
with the authority of the employer or self-employed person, of the day by which the
equipment must be re-inspected and retested unless the equipment has been inspected and
tested by a competent person.
Safety switches, including portable safety switches

(1) An employer or self-employed person must not use, or allow to be used, a safety
switch unless it complies with AS/NZS 3760 when tested.
(2) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that each safety switch, other than
a portable safety switch, the employer or self-employed person has at the workplace:
is tested by a competent person in accordance with AS/NZS 3760
immediately after it is connected; and
is tested in accordance with, and at the intervals stated in, AS/NZS 3760.
(3) An employer or self-employed person must ensure that each portable safety switch the
employer or self-employed person has at the workplace:
o is tested by pushing the test button on the safety switch immediately
after it is connected; and
3760.
(4) If a safety switch is not working properly, the employer or self-employed person must
ensure:
a durable tag is immediately attached to the safety switch that warns
people not to use the safety switch; and
the safety switch is immediately withdrawn from use.
Requirements for rural industry work

An employer or self-employed person must ensure that:
(a) specified electrical equipment used by the employer or self-employed
person is visually inspected for electrical safety defects before it is connected
to a socket-outlet; and
(b) if rural industry work is proposed to be performed, the proposed work is
assessed to decide whether it involves a stated electrical risk factor; and
(c) if the proposed work involves a stated electrical risk factor, control
measures are implemented to prevent the electrical risk from the stated
electrical risk factor; and
(d) if specified electrical equipment is used by the employer or self-employed
person that involves a stated electrical risk factor, the specified electrical
equipment is:
o connected to a type 1 safety switch or type 2 safety
switch; or
o inspected and tested at least annually by a competent
person and complies with AS/NZS 3760 when tested; and
(e) control measures are implemented for the risk of electric shock or burns
from electrical welding work performed in the employer or self-employed
person’s business or undertaking, including the wearing of protective
clothing, gloves and footwear.
(2) If after inspecting and testing the electrical equipment under subsection (1)(d)(ii) a
equipment that shows the prescribed details.
(3) If after inspecting and testing the electrical equipment under subsection (1)(d)(ii) a
person must ensure:
the competent person immediately attaches a durable tag to the equipment that
warns people not to use the equipment; and
the equipment is immediately withdrawn from use.
(a) the equipment is new; or
(b) both of the following apply:
o the equipment has been inspected and tested by a
competent person;
o the tag was attached by the competent person.
(5) In this section, personally supported electrical equipment includes hand held, or
carried, electrical equipment, for example, a back pack type vacuum cleaner. stated
electrical risk factor means any of the following:
(a) use of plug-in electrical equipment in an unroofed area or wet area, for
example, a hose down area;
(b) use of personally supported electrical equipment if the electrical supply
cord is subject to flexing while the equipment is being used;
(c) use of plug-in electrical equipment that is exposed to environmental
factors that subject the equipment to abnormal wear or deterioration.
B.7 Summary
This Appendix covers details regarding electrical safety regulations of Australia and New
Zealand. Part 1 gives information regarding purpose of safety regulation and how they are
implemented. Part 2 deals with basic requirements of electric work, high voltage line
work, testing of work, etc. Part 3 covers all licensing information.
Part 4 gives information regarding requirements for working around electrical parts and
underground electrical services. Part 5 gives information regarding electrical installations,
and finally Part 6 covers electrical installations in the workplace.
Exercise 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Define hazard.
2. What types of industrial hazards are present?
3. What are hazards developed due to toxic materials?
4. Name any four electrical hazards.

250 Practical Electrical Safety Technique for industry
5. What is a mechanical hazard?
6. List any four ways to control the hazard.
7. What are the basic requirements of safety?
8. What are the organizational measures for electrical safety?
9. What hazards are developed due to corrosive liquids?
10. What hazards are developed due to explosive gases?
Basic Theory of Electrical Safety
1. What is electrical shock?
2. What are the effects of electric shock?

Questions 251
3. What is direct contact?
4. What is indirect contact?
5. Electrical shock depends on what factors?
6. How can direct shock be avoided?
7. How can indirect shock be avoided?
8. What is the role of insulation on electrical safety?
9. What safety measures would you observe to protect against electric shock?
10. What is step potential?
11. What is touch potential?
12. What is equipotential bonding?

13. What is Class 1 equipment?
14. How can a person get a shock from electrical lightning?
15. In which installation is electrical bonding used?
Hazards Due To Electrical Arcing
1. What is Arc flash?
2. What are the causes of Arc flash?
3. What are the effects of arc flash on humans?
4. What is Arc Blast?
5. Define:
a)Arc fault current
b) Arc time
c) Incident energy
Questions 253
d) Working distance
d)Arc protection boundary
Hazards Due To Electrical Arcing And Heating (Part 2)
1. What are the methods used to limit arc flash hazards?
2. Name a few preventive methods to reduce arc flash hazards.
3. How can you reduce Arc Flash Hazard by design and operating
procedure?
4. How can incident energy on the worker be reduced?
5. How can the level of fault be reduced?
6. How can arcing time be reduced?
7. What are the methods used to reduce arcing current?
8. What is the arc Flash protection program?

9. What is the hazardous zone?
10. What are two safety methods used for designing equipment in hazardous areas?
11. What hazards will occur due to high temperature?
Static Electricity and Protection
1. What is static electricity?
2. What is electrostatic discharge?
3. How is the voltage of a charged body calculated?
4. Charge generation depends on what conditions?
5. List a few examples of static built up.
6. Energy level to ignite spark depends on what factors?

Questions 255
7. What are the dangers produced by static electricity built up?
8. What are the methods used to control static electricity?
9. How is planning done to reduce static electricity?
Safety Aspect In Electrical Equipment Design And Selection
1. List a few hazards associated with electrical equipments.
2. What are the basic safety aspects that need to be addressed while designing an
electrical system?
3. What are two main requirements that electrical equipment must satisfy?
4. What is IP code?
5. What is the significance of two numbers?
6. What type of insulation is used for outdoor transmission lines?

7. What is the role of the equipment enclosure in safety?
8. State some of the protective devices used for over-current protection.
9. On what basis is equipment selection carried out?
10. What is the restrictive conductive location?
11. What is interlock?
12. What is isolation?
13. What is switching?
14. How we can avoid fire?
15. What are the methods used to sense fire?
16. How many types of fire extinguishers are available?

Questions 257
17. What is an integrated fire protection system?
18. Give the classification of Insulating material depending on temperature?
Safe Operation And Maintenance Of Electrical Equipment
1. What safety factors are considered for the safe operation and maintenance of
electrical installations?
2. What safety measures are considered for the safety of personnel in the
maintenance of installations?
3. What is lock-out procedure?
4. What is tag-out procedure?
5. What are notices? When are they are used?
6. What is remote operation?
7. What is the role of a caution board?

8. Why are personnel protective equipments are used?
9. What safety measures must be taken while repairing cable installations?
10. What are safety appliances? Where are they used?
11. What is first-aid training?
12. What tests are carried out while doing maintenance of installation?
13. How is periodic maintenance and inspection carried out?
14. What is a hot spot?
15. What method is used to detect a hot spot?

Questions 259
Earthing and Bonding
1. What is earthing?
2. What is the purpose of earthing?
3. Distinguish between system earthing and equipment earthing.
4. What is surge protection earthing?
5. What is the average resistance of a human body?
6. What current is considered safe for the human body?
7. What is neutral earthing?
8. How many types of neutral earthing are present?
9. How many types of earthed neutral systems are present?

10. What is bonding?
11. What is arc suspension coil and where is it used?
12. Give the maximum permissible values of ground resistance for :
a) a large power system
b) a small substation
13. What is the 3-letter classification code?
14. What is the supply system classification depending on earthing?
Substation Safety
1. What is the function of substation?
2. What are the different types of substation?
3. What are the special precautions needed while working on substation?
4. What is the first thing we have to take into consideration while working
on an overhead transmission line?
5. What are the special precautions needed when working on switchgear?

Questions 261
6. Why are substations protected from fire?
7. What safety precautions are taken while working on high-pressure

pneumatic mechanisms?
8. Why is safety from gas and ventilation provided in substation?
Safety in Battery Installations
1. What are the hazards involved in battery installation?
2. What are the safety precautions to be taken to avoid acid hazards?
3. What are the safety precautions to be taken to avoid shock and arc hazards?
4. What are the safety precautions to be taken to control the formation of an

explosive mixture?
5. What are the basic safety requirements for the premises used to store
batteries?
6. What are the safety precautions to be taken while transporting the batteries?
7. What are the steps to be followed to dispose and dismantle the battery?
8. What precautions should be taken during inspection of batteries?
9. What first-aid can be used in battery installations?

10. What type of personal protective equipment can be used in battery

installations?
UK Regulations on Safety
1. What are the objectives of the Health and Safety act?
2. What is the employer’s responsibility?
3. What factors are covered in the Work and Safety Act?
4. What factors are covered in the Electricity at Work Regulations?
5. What are the Electricity Supply Regulations?
6. What are the Electrical Safety Regulations?
7. What is the AETX directive? Where it is used?
Organizational Requirements of Safety
1. What are the different forms of Regulation?
2. Give some examples of Regulatory safeguards.
3. Give any two responsibilities of employer and employee for safety at work.
4. What is the responsibility of the safety organization in a large organization?

Questions 263
5. What is the purpose of accident reporting?
6. Which major injuries have to be reported? Name a few.
7. Why does accident investigation have to be carried out?
8. What is the importance of training?
Inspection of Electrical system for Safety
1. What are the objectives of inspection?
2. What IEE Wiring regulation deals with safety?
3. What is initial verification?
4. What type of test is carried out?
5. What is periodic inspection and testing?
6. What are follow-up measures?

Multiple Choice Questions
1. One of the basic electrical injuries is:
a) Heart attack
b) Electrocution
c) High blood pressure
d) None of these
2. These can be electrical hazards:
a) Wire with bad insulation

b) Overhead power lines
c) Both a) and b)
d) Properly grounded circuit
3. Safety can be achieved by using:
a) Locked-out /tag-out procedure

b) Using proper personal clothing
c) None of the above
d) Both a) and b)
4. Minimum operative training should include:
a) Electronics theory
b) Electrical safety theory
c) Construction theory
d) None of the above
Questions 265
5. In a safety model, which steps should be followed?
a) Recognize, evaluate, and control the hazard.

b) Evaluate, recognize, control the hazard
c) Recognize, control, evaluate the hazard
d) Control, evaluate, and recognize the hazard.
6. Safety documentation can be used to:
a) Prevent work
b) Prevent supervision
c) Prevent further accidents
7. Work on live systems:
a) If you are qualified

b) Only when it is necessary
c) Any time you wish
d) Both a) and b)
1. The electric current that a human body can safely withstand does not
depends on:
a) The body weight

b) The manner in which contact occurs
c) The parts of the body subjected to current flow
d) Blood pressure of human
3. This is not an effect of electric shock:
a) Burns
b) Ventricular fibrillation
c) Psychological
d) Fever
1. Arc flash prevention is a vital issue due to:
a) Increase in number of wiring errors

b) Increase vigilance on the part of OSHA
c) Severe power grid overloads
d) Aging, corrosion of equipment parts and contacts
2. This is not a common cause of arc flash:
a) Accidental contact with energized parts

b) Lightening
c) Tools dropped on energized parts
d) Contamination, corrosion of equipment parts and contacts
3. What are the hazards not associated with arc flash?
a) Radiated heat, pressure wave

b) Shock
c) Vaporizes splattering metal
d) Projectiles
1. This method cannot be used for the prevention of arc flash hazards:
a) Avoiding arc flash accidents

b) Reducing the level of arc energy released
c) The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
d) Taking good care of worker
2. Incident energy level cannot be reduced by the following:
a) Reduce the fault level

b) Reduce the exposure time
c) Remote operation
d) Using suitable enclosure
3. Working distance can be increased by:
a) Remote racking
b) Reducing current
c) By reducing breaker response time
d) By using proper fuses
4. When electrical equipments are used in an explosive environment, the

following methods of designing are used:
a) Flameproof enclosures
b) Protection by intrinsic safety
c) By avoiding use of electrical equipments
d) Use of proper PPE
Questions 267
5. Hazards due to high temperature includes:
a) Burns due to high surface temperature

b) Fire in nearby combustible materials
c) Fire originating from electrical equipment
d)Ventricular fibrillation
1. Static electricity does not depend on:
a) Type of material
b) Contact area
c) Atmospheric conditions
d) Flow of current
2. The following is a danger due to static electricity:
a) Damage to sensitive electronic equipment

b) Arc Flash
c) Heart attack
d) Ventricular fibrillation
3. Static electricity cannot be controlled by:
a) Bonding and earthing of stationary conductive equipment

b) Increasing the conductance of floors, footwear, wheels and tyres
c) Increasing the conductivity of non-conductors by incorporating conductive
additives, surface layers and films, and by humidification of the atmosphere
d) Providing insulation
4. Ionization cannot be achieved by the following:
a) Electrical static eliminators

b) Induction needle bars
c) Bars employing radioactive sources, which emit ionizing radiation
d) By using humidification
1. IP Code is the ability of the equipment to keep out:
a) Wanted liquids and solids

b) Electricity
c) Explosives
d) Maintainence persons
2. Adverse thermal effects cannot be prevented by:
a) Limiting the temperature of conducting parts,

b) Adequate sizing of conductors based on temperature limits
c) Proper enclosure/screening
d) Using proper insulation
1. Lock-out involves applying a physical lock to the power source of circuits and
equipment:
a) After they have been shut off and de-energized

b) Before they are shut off and de-energized
c) After switchgear has been switched off
2. PPE is used for:
a) Protection of a person from hazards in the work place

b) Protection from shock
c) Protection from rain
3. The objective of periodic inspection and maintenance is to determine:
a) Safety of persons/livestock against electrical hazards

b) Protection against damage that can arise from a defect in the installation
c) Protection against shock

1. Why is the earthing of electrical equipment necessary?
a) Over loading
b) Voltage fluctuation
c) Danger of electric shock
d) High conductor temperature
2. The earth wire should be:
a) Good conductor of electricity

b) Mechanically strong
c) Both a) and b)
d) Mechanically strong but bad conductors of electricity
Questions 269
3. Earth wires are made from:
a) Copper
b) Aluminum
c) Iron
d) Galvanized stranded steel
4. The size of the earth wire is determined on the basis of:
a) Voltage of service line

b) Current carrying capacity of conductor
c) Atmospheric condition
5. The earth wire should not be of a smaller size than:
a) 10SWG copper
b) 8SWG copper
c) 6 SWG copper
d) 4 SWG copper
6. Neutral earthing is provided for:
a) The safety of personal from electric shock

b) The safety of equipment and personnel against lighting and surges
c) Reducing voltage stress on lines and equipment with respect to earth
under various operating and fault conditions
d) Controlling the earth fault currents for protective relaying
Both c) and d)
7. Isolated neutral system has the disadvantage of:
a) Voltage oscillations
b) Difficult earth fault relaying
c) Persistence arcing ground
d) All of the above
8. Isolated neutral transmission system is not recommended when the:
e) System insulations is overstressed due to over voltage

f) Insulation overstress may lead to its failure resulting in phase-to-phase faults
g) System is not adequately protected against earth fault
h) All of the above
9. Neutral earthing has the advantages of:
a) Elimination of arcing grounds

b) Low maintenance and operating costs over isolated neutral system

c) Simplified design of earth fault system
d) Discharge of over-voltage due to lighting to earth
10. The advantage of neutral earthing is:
a) Safety of personnel
b) Reduction of earth fault current
c) Elimination of arcing current
11. The neutral of the power system may be connected directly to earth:
a) Directly
b) Through the resistor
c) Through a reactor
d) Any of the above
12. Grounding is done generally at:
a) Receiving end
b) Supply end
c) Either at supply end or receiving end
13. Solid earthing is done for voltage below:
a) 400 V
b) 600V
c) 33kV
d) 66kV
14. Resistance earthing is employed for voltages between:
a) 3.3 and 11kV

b) 11 and 33 kV
c) 33kV and 66kV
d) 66kV and 132kV
15. Earthing of transformer neutral through reactance will improve its:
a) Transient stability
b) Steady state stability
c) Both of the above
16. Peterson coil is used for:
a) Grounding of system neutral

b) To reduce fault current
Questions 271
c) Connecting two interconnected system

d) For shunt transmission lines
17. Earth transformer is used to:
a) Avoid the harmonics in the transformer

b) Provide artificial neutral earthing where neutral point is not accessible
c) Improve stability of the system
d) Measure the voltage
18. Grounding transformer in a system is usually connected by:
a) Delta/Delta
b) Star/Delta
c) Zig-Zig/Delta
e) Star/Star
Substation Safety
1. Substations are used for:
a) Transmission
b) Distribution
c) Interconnection
d) All of the above
2. The first thing to understand about overload transmission line is:

a) This is not insulated
b) It is very dangerous to work on it
c) You could get a severe shock while working on it
Safety in Battery Installations

8. Batteries are usually filled with solutions (electrolytes) containing:
a) Hydrogen dioxide
b) Sulphuric acid or potassium hydroxide
c) Carbon dioxide
d) None of these
9. Lead acid batteries are commonly used as they are:

a) Easily available
b) While handling present less hazards
c) Cost effective
d) All of the above
10. Shock hazards and arc flash can be prevented by limiting the voltage
between adjacent exposed terminals of battery to:
a) 60 V
b) 110 V
c) 230V
d) 440 V
11. To avoid acid spillage on clothes or skin, dilution of acid should be

done by:
a) Adding small quantities of acid to a tank of distilled water
b) Adding water to concentrated acid
c) Adding both acid and water same time in a tank
d) Both a) and b)
12. The premises where batteries are kept should be:

a) Properly ventilated
b) Dark
c) Congested with wirings
13. While transporting batteries they should be:

i) Properly braced
j) Properly loaded
k) Properly sealed
l) All of the above
14. While charging, flooded lead acid batteries:

a) Allow hydrogen and oxygen to escape
b) Gases are contained and recombined
c) Gases are not produced at all
Answers
1. Define hazard.
Hazard is the risk involved while working with electricity, which can cause an
electrical injury such as shock, burn, fall and electrocution.
2. What types of industrial hazards are present?
In industry, several types of hazards are present depending on:

1) Electrical equipment- Electrical Hazard
2) Mechanical equipment-Mechanical Hazard
3) Fires and Flames
4) Hot liquids
5) Cold liquids
6) Toxic materials
7) Explosive gases
3. What are hazards developed due to toxic materials?
The dangers due to the handling of toxic materials happen as a result of any of the
following:
• External contact on skin and eyes
• Ingestion
• Inhalation
4. Name any four electrical hazards.
1. Exposed electrical parts are dangerous.

2. Overhead power lines are dangerous.
3. Wires with bad insulation can give you a shock.

4. Electrical systems and tools that are not grounded or double insulated are
dangerous.
5. What is a mechanical hazard?
The following is a representative list of hazards that one comes across in an

industrial environment:
• Injuries from moving parts of static machinery
• Injuries from moving vehicles
• Injuries from falling objects (including head injuries)
• Injuries to eye from moving particles
6. List any four ways to control the hazard:
1. Lock-out and tag-out circuits and machines

2. Prevent overloaded wiring by using the right size and type of wire
3. Prevent exposure to live electrical parts by isolating them
4. Prevent exposure to live wires and parts by using insulation
7. What are the basic requirements of safety?
1. Plan your work and plan for safety

2. Avoid wet working conditions and other dangers
3. Avoid overhead power lines
4. Use proper wiring and connectors
5. Use and maintain tools properly
8. What are the organizational measures for electrical safety?
The following organizational measures must be taken for electrical safety:

• Documenting the procedures
• Appropriate knowledge on the part of workers by proper structured training
• Establishing the requirements for levels of competence for operating
electrical equipment
• Creating and enforcing a system for certification of personnel in accordance
with the competence levels demanded by their duties.
• Create and encourage safety awareness among the workforce
9. What hazards are developed due to corrosive liquids?
The hazards developed due to corrosive liquids are:

• Burns/irritation due to contact with skin
• Loss of sight or serious injury of eyes
• Danger of ingestion causing internal injuries in food path
• Danger of inhalation (fumes) causing similar injury to lung tissue
10. What hazards are developed due to explosive gases?

Answers 275
The hazards developed due to explosive gases are:

• Burns by fire accompanying explosion
• Damage to limbs/internal injuries by the pressure wave generated by an
explosion
6. What is earthing?
Earthing means connecting the non-current carrying parts of the electrical

equipment or neutral point of supply system, to the earth.
7. What is the purpose of earthing?
Earthing will provide a safe path for the fault current to discharge.
8. Distinguish between system earthing and equipment earthing.
System earthing: The earthing of system neutral to the earth is called system
earthing.
Equipment earthing: Earthing of non-current carrying parts of the equipment
to ensure safety of personnel.
4. What is surge protection earthing?
• Lightning or surge protection earthing : Provides a low impedance

path for accumulated static charges and surges caused by atmospheric or
electrical phenomenon to the earth thus ensuring that no damage is caused
to sensitive equipment and personnel.
5. What is the average resistance of a human body?
About 1000 Ω
6. What current is considered safe for a human body?
About 9mA.
7. What is neutral earthing?

Connecting neutral of star connected 3 phase winding of power transformers,

generators, motors, grounding transformer to low resistance ground is called
neutral earthing.
8. How many types of neutral earthing are present?
There are two types of neutral earthing:

1) With isolated or free or underground neutral
2) With grounded neutral
9. How many types of non-effective earthed neutral systems are present?
There are four methods of connecting neutral to ground:

1. Resistance grounding
2. Reactance grounding
3. Peterson coil or suppression coil grounding
4. Voltage transformer grounding
10. What is bonding?
In order to avoid the risk of serious electric shock, it is important to provide a path
for earth leakage currents to operate the circuit protection and maintain all
metalwork at the same potential. This is achieved by bonding together metalwork of
electrical and non-electrical systems to earth.
11. What is arc suspension coil and where it is used?
In this method of earthing, an inductance of appropriate value is connected in

parallel with capacitance, and the fault current is reduced by a considerable amount.
12. Give the maximum permissible values of ground resistance for

a) Large power system b) small substation
a) 0.5 Ω b) 2.0 Ω
13. What is the 3 letter classification code?
The common system categories are defined below using a 3-letter classification
(based on IEE Standards).
First letter The live parts in the system have one or more direct connections to
earth. I The live parts in the system have no connection to earth, or are
connected only through a high impedance.
Second letter All exposed metal parts/enclosures of electrical equipment are
connected to the earth conductor, which is then connected to a local earth
electrode. Remaining letter(s): Combined neutral and protective earth
functions (same conductor). S Separate neutral and protective earth functions
(separate conductors).N All exposed metal parts/enclosures of electrical
equipment are connected to the earth conductor, which is then connected to the
earth provided by the supply system.
Answers 277
14. What is the supply system classification depending on earthing?
British Standard BS discusses the earthing of Low voltage installations in

detail and has provided a method of classifying supply systems based on the
type of earthing adopted, as well as the method used to extend the system
earth to consumer installations.
Types of systems are:
i. TN
ii. TN-S
iii. TN-C
iv. TN-C-S
1. What is electrical shock?
A dangerous physiological effect resulting from the passing of electric current

through a human body or livestock.
2. What are the effects of shock?
Electrical shock can effect humans in different ways depending on the resistance
of the human body and other factors. The effect of electric shock may be:
i. Death due to fibrillations i.e. damaging the heart into small pieces causing the
stopping of breath.
ii. Burning injury
iii. Death may also follow the arrest of breathing by the current passing through the
respiratory control centers of the central nervous systems.
3. What is direct contact?
This is the condition when a human body comes into contact with a part that is
normally live. In this case, the current flow through the body will depend on the
voltage at the point of contact across the body earth and resistance of the human
body.
4. What is indirect contact?
Contact of persons or livestock with exposed conductive parts, which have become
live under fault conditions.
5. Electrical shock depends on what factors?
The electric current that a human body can safely withstand depends on:
• The body weight
• The manner in which contact occurs
• The parts of the body subjected to current flow
•
6. How can direct shock be avoided?
• Using appropriate insulation so that live parts are not normally exposed to
direct contact
• Where the system design necessitates in having live parts exposed, such
exposed live parts are placed out of reach or protected by suitable barriers
so as to make direct contact difficult
• Use of safe system voltage insufficient to cause dangerous values of body
current, even if a person comes into contact with live parts.
7. How can indirect shock be avoided?
1. Design of industrial, commercial and domestic electrical installations and

their earthing methods with due consideration to touch/step potential that can
arise during abnormal or fault conditions.
2. Protective earthing plays a major role in ensuring safety.
8. What is a reduced voltage system?
RCD is a device with two earth terminals used to directly detect currents leaking to
earth from an installation thereby cutting the power.
9. What is the role of insulation on electrical safety?
Insulation prevents contact with live parts. Insulation must be such as to be capable
of withstanding all mechanical, thermal, chemical and electrical stresses under both
normal and fault conditions. Site applied insulation should be avoided wherever
possible.
10. What is step potential?
Step potential:
Step potential is the potential difference between the feet of a person standing on the
floor of the substation, with 0.5m spacing between two feet during flow of earth
fault current through the grounding system.
11. What is touch potential?
Touch potential:
Touch potential is the potential difference between the fingers of the raised hand
touching the faulted structure and the feet of a person standing on substation floor.
The person should not get a shock even if the grounded structure is carrying fault
current, i.e. the touch potential should be very small.
12. What is equipotential bonding?

Answers 279
Equipotential bonding is the electrical connection maintaining various exposed

conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts at substantially the same potential.
13. What is Class 1 equipment?
Class 1 equipment are equipment in which protection against electric shock

does not rely on basic insulation only, but which includes the means for the
connection of exposed conductive parts to a protective conductor in the
fixed wiring of the installation.
14. How can a person get a shock from electrical lightning?
Lightning discharges cause extremely high currents to flow for very short
periods. Such a current flow can cause high potentials to appear between
different points in the earth or within a building. The flow of current through
the pole and further through the adjacent soil layers (away from the pole) sets
up dangerous potential difference at various points. Persons being subjected to
such potential difference may suffer electric shock similar to the cases of
indirect contact.
15. In which installations is electrical bonding used?
The services to be bonded are:

• Lightning protection system
• Water service pipes
• Gas piping
• Other service pipes and ducts
• Heating and Air conditioning system
• Exposed structural parts of the building
2. What is static electricity?
Static electricity is defined as an electrical charge caused by an imbalance of electrons

on the surface of a material. This imbalance of electrons produces an electric field that
can be measured and that can influence other objects at a distance.
3. What is electrostatic discharge?
Electrostatic discharge is defined as the transfer of charge between bodies at different

electrical potentials. Electrostatic discharge can change the electrical characteristics of
a semiconductor device, degrading or destroying it. Electrostatic discharge also may
upset the normal operation of an electronic system, causing equipment malfunction or
failure.
4. How is the voltage of a charged body calculated?
The voltage of a charged body can be calculated using the formula:

V = Q÷C
Where:
V is the voltage in Volts
Q is the charge in coulombs and
C is the capacitance of the body
5. Charge generation depends on what conditions?
• Charge generation happens under various conditions

• Type of materials
• Large contact area
• Speed of separation
• Motion between the substances
• Atmospheric condition
6. List a few examples of static built up.
These are few examples of static built up:

• A belted drive, especially of the flat variety on a pair of metallic
pulleys rotating at high speed is one of the most common examples of
charge build up.
• Flow of materials such as pulverized non-conducting solid particles,
gas, air, etc.,
• Rubber castors of chairs moving over non-conducting flooring and
automobile tires running over road surface produce static charges
• Motion of liquid falling into a tank during filling operations can
produce static charges
7. Energy level to ignite spark depends on what factors?
The energy levels required to cause ignition depends on the flammability of the
materials present in the environment and whether they form an explosive mixture. Too
rich or too lean mixtures do not ignite easily.
8. What are the dangers produced by static electricity built up?
Following are the dangers of static electricity built up:

• The major hazard posed by static electricity is the possible ignition of
flammable vapors or powders
• Damage to sensitive electronic components
• Additional hazards are the production of unexpected shocks in
humans that might result in injury caused by involuntary reflex action,
and the possibility that false readings will be induced in sensitive
instruments
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• Static electricity may cause industrial handling problems such as

unwanted adhesion or repulsion of sheet paper in the printing industry,
damage to delicate integrated circuits by the presence of high static
voltages, and the blocking of powders and dusts being conveyed in pipes
• Damage to mechanical components such as bearings due to sparking
through the oil films on bearing surfaces
9. What are the methods to control static electricity?
The principle methods to control static electricity are:

(a) Bonding and earthing of stationary conductive equipment
(b) Increasing the conductance of floors, footwear, wheels and tyres
(c) Increasing the conductivity of non-conductors by incorporating
conductive additives, surface layers and films, and by humidification
of the atmosphere
(d) Increasing the conductivity of the atmosphere by ionizing the air
11. How can one plan to reduce static electricity?
Workplace risks in respect of static charge buildup should be carefully assessed while
planning a production facility.
The following questions need to be posed and answers sought:
• Is there equipment, which can cause generation of static charge in the
planned facility?
• Does the workplace handle static prone materials?
• Does the workplace involve processes where static generation is
inherent?
• Are there flammable mixtures of gases or combustible materials present
in the workplace?
• Depending on the answers to the questions, the design of the facility
should be reviewed and potential areas of static generation identified
1. What is Arc flash?
ARC FLASH is the SUDDEN release of large amounts of heat and light energy at
the point of a fault.
2. What causes an Electrical Arc?
An arc occurs when electric current flows between two or more separated energized
conducting surfaces.
Some arcs are caused by human error including dropped tools,

accidental contact with electrical systems, and improper work procedures
Another common cause of an arc is insulation failure. The fault
current’s magnetic effect causes conductors to separate producing an arc
Build-up of dust, impurities, and corrosion on insulating surfaces can
provide a path for current
Sparks produced during racking of breakers, replacement of fuses, and
closing into faulted lines can also produce an arc
Birds, bees, and rodents can also cause the snapping of leads at
connections
3. What are the hazards from an arc flash?
Arcing faults release dangerous levels of radiant heat energy, capable of causing
severe burns.
Fatal burns can occur up to five feet from the arc, with severe burns
up to ten feet away
Arcs produce some of the highest temperatures known to occur on
earth; up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Clothing can be ignited
several feet away. Blast shrapnel can be distributed over a wide area.
This is 4 times the surface temperature of the sun. Arcs spray droplets
of molten metal with the explosion distributing the molten metal
produced by the arc over a large area. The vaporization of metal and
heating of the air produces blast pressure waves that have thrown
workers across rooms and knocked them off ladders. Hearing loss
may develop from sound blast
4. What is the impact of an arc flash?
• Treatment can require years of skin grafting and rehabilitation

• Victim may never return to work or regain quality of life
• Victim may DIE
• Cost of treatment can exceed 1,000,000/case. Potential Litigation fees
Potential Loss of Process Potential Fines: Escalation of Insurance
5. What is Arc Blast?
Air surrounding the arc is instantly heated and conductors are vaporized
causing a pressure wave termed ARC BLAST.
4. Define:
a)Arc fault current b) Arc time c) Incident energy d) working distance
Arcing fault current:

A fault current flowing through electrical arc plasma, also called arc fault current
and arc current.
Arc time:
The time required to clear fault. The time of clearing a fault also plays an important
role in reducing the hazard level of an arc fault. Thus a breaker, which can clear a
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fault within 4 cycles, reduces the overall damage potential of the arc compared to a
breaker, which takes 10 cycles to clear the same fault.
Incident energy:
The amount of energy impressed on a surface, a certain distance from the source,
generated during an electrical arc event. Incident energy is measured in joules per
centimeter squared (J/cm2).
Working distance:
The dimension between the possible arc point and the head and body of the worker
positioned in place to perform the assigned task.
1. What are some methods to eliminate arc flash hazards?
The following methods can eliminate arc flash hazards:

1. Avoiding arc flash accidents.
2. Reducing the level of arc energy released.
3. The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. Name a few preventive methods to reduce arc flash hazards?
The following methods are used to reduce arc flash hazards:

1. Closing all open areas equipment with wire net or sealant so that
rodent and birds cannot enter can prevent this risk.
2. Use corrosion resistant terminals.
3. Infrared thermography can provide valuable data on poor
connections and overheated electrical conductors or terminations.
4. Insulate exposed metal parts if possible.
5. Make sure relays and breaks operate properly.
6. When fuses melts, make sure that the fault has cleared before
installing new fuse.
7. Check for excessive moisture or water/ice on insulating surface of
equipment.
3. How can incident energy on the worker be reduced?
The incident energy exposure can be reduced by system design or operating

procedures. Listed below are several ways to reduce the energy on an existing system:
1. Reduce the fault level
2. Reduce the exposure time
3. Remote operation
4. Remote racking
4. How can level of fault be reduced?
Fault level can be reduced by :

1. Double ended load centers with normally closed tie are prime
example where fault level can be reduced by either opening the tie or
incoming breaker.
2. The fault current will be reduced by approximately 50% and
incident fault energy will also be reduced, although not in same
proportion.
3. If the bus has two sources or source and a normally closed tie,
opening one of the sources (or tie) will reduce the fault level while
maintenance is being done on the equipment.
4. For both the situations the loading and relay setting should be
checked to make sure that the opening of a breaker does not overload
the other source.
5. How can arcing time be reduced?
Arcing time can be reduced by :

• Use of bus differential protection to combine selectivity with
instantaneous operation.
• Use of temporary instantaneous trip setting during work.
• Retrofitting time overcurrent relays with delayed instantaneous trip
device if needed.
• Use of Optical sensor to trip breaker in the event of arc flash.
• Use of smaller fuse size if possible; smaller current-limiting fuses
may clear faster. Fuses will generally be much faster than breakers at
high fault currents, even ignoring current-limiting effect this can
greatly reduce arc energy.
• Use of Protective device coordination study to balance improving
reliability with reducing arc flash hazard.
6. What are the methods to reduce arcing current?
The following methods reduce arcing current:

• Current-limiting fuses /breaks.
• Fault current-limiting region of the fuse are cleared quickly, usually
within half a cycle.
• Limit the ampere rating size of main and feeders where possible
• Size current-limiting branch circuit over-current protective devices
as low as possible.
• Motor starter protection:
• If current-limiting protective devices are utilized, then utilizing low
impedance circuit components such as low impedance transformers
can reduce arc fault hazards even more.
• If non-current-limiting over-current protective devices are used,
then utilize high impedance circuit components to at least try to limit
the arc fault current potentially available. This approach may result in
voltage.
7. What is the Arc Flash protection program?

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The arc flash hazard reduction program consists of the following steps:
i. Hazard assessment
ii. Documentation:
iii. Personal protective equipment (PPE) plan
iv. Development of procedures to minimize hazard
v. Training for workers
vi. Continuous improvement
vii. Safety audit
8. What is the hazardous zone?
Hazards zone is zone where potentially explosive atmospheres exist.

There are three zones for gases and vapours:
Zone 2 area
This is a step up from the safe area. In this case it has been decided that in this zone
the gas, vapour or dust would only be present under abnormal conditions (most often
leaks).
Zone 1 area
These areas are where special or classified electrical equipment must be used. It is
expected that the gas, vapour or dust will be present or expected for long periods of
time under normal running.
Zone 0 area
This is the worst scenario as gas or vapour is present all of the time (over 1000
hours/year or >10% of the time). Although this is the worst case, it is very rare that a
zone 0 area will be in the open. Usually this would be the vapour space above the
liquid in the top of a tank or drum.
9. What are two safety methods used for designing equipment in hazardous
areas?
These are two methods used to protect equipment in hazardous areas:

• Flameproof enclosures
• Protection by intrinsic safety
10. What hazards will occur due to high temperature?
Hazards due to high temperature includes:

• Burns due to high surface temperature
• Fire in nearby combustible materials
• Fire originating from electrical equipment
• Arcing due to breakdown of insulation
• Mechanical failures and injury to personnel due to arc faults

1. List a few hazards associated with electrical equipment.
The most common hazards associated with electrical equipment are:

• Electric shock
• Internal organ damage due to passage of electricity through
• body
• Burns on skin at point of contact
• Injuries by electric shock combined with fall
• Temperature hazards during operation
• Arc flash causing external burns and injuries by explosive
• expansion of air due to the arc
• Explosion from batteries
• Noise from vibration of machines
2. What are the basic safety aspects which need to be addressed while designing
an electrical system?
The following basic safety aspects need to be addressed while designing electrical
equipment:
• Preventing Electric shock
• Preventing adverse thermal effects which result in:
• Burns due to high surface temperature
• Arcing due to breakdown of insulation
• Mechanical failures and injury to personnel
• Fire in nearby combustible materials;
• Features to ensure isolation and prevent accidental switching
3. What are two main requirements that electrical equipment must satisfy?
All equipments and other forms of electrical equipment must satisfy two main
requirements:
• They must be able to operate continuously under normal service condition
• They must be able to withstand short-time over currents and over-voltages
such as may arise during emergent conditions
4. What is the IP code?
Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are developed by the European Committee for Electro
Technical Standardization (described IEC/EN 60529), specify the environmental
protection an enclosure provides.
5. What is the significance of two numbers in the IP code?
The IP rating normally has two (or three) numbers:

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• First number gives protection from solid objects or materials

• Second number gives protection from liquids
6. What type of insulation is used for outdoor transmission lines?
Materials such as ceramics (porcelain) are used as insulating materials for conductor
support in overhead lines and switchyards.
7. What is the role of the equipment enclosure in safety?
Enclosures serve many important functions in electrical equipment. The first is

naturally that of providing protection against direct contact by preventing access.
Another function of enclosures is protection of electrical equipment from the ingress
of water and dust, which can result in equipment failures. Enclosures also serve to
contain and divert an arc flash within the equipment and provide safety to operating
personnel from burns and explosive effects of faults.
8. State some of the protective devices used for overcurrent protection?

• Fuses
• Circuit Breaker
• Protective relays
9. What factors influence the selection of equipment?
The common rules for selection and erection of equipment consists of five main
criteria:
• Compliance with standard
• Operational conditions and external influence
• Accessibility
• Identification and notices
• Mutual detrimental influences
10. What is restrictive conductive location?
The location is defined as one with metallic or conductive surrounding parts to which
a person may have contact through a substantial part of their body.
11. What is interlock?
Interlocks disable electrical sources and/or mechanical hazards. The means for
interlocking must be reliable: often, the switch or device must be cycle-tested.
12. What is isolation?

Isolation is a function intended to cut off for reasons of safety the supply from all, or a
discrete section, of the installation by separating the installation from every source of
energy.
13. What is switching?
Switching is an operation intended to switch on or off or vary the supply of electrical

energy to all or part of an installation for normal operating purposes
14. How we can avoid fire?
Some of the methods to avoid fire are:

1. By preventing insulation failures and short circuits
2. LV circuits must be protected with high rupturing capacity fuses
3. Avoid using fire-prone equipment
4. Oil circuit breakers should be replaced by air/vacuum/SF6
5. Combustion zones prone to flames must be given fireproof coating
6. A new arc fault circuit interrupter breaker is now available for
detecting arcs
15. What are the methods used to sense fire?
Some of the methods to sense fire are listed below:

• Infrared sensors and photoelectric sensors to detect temperature build
• Up Multiple types of detectors should be used in cable vaults
• Linear heat detecting cable is useful in cable vaults to supplement
conventional detection systems.
16. How many type of fire extinguishers are available?
The following extinguishers are used commonly:

1. Water type
2. Dry chemical,
3. Halon,
4. CO2
17. What is an integrated fire protection system?
The smoke sensor is of a photocell type and contains a light emitter and a receiver.
When smoke enters the sensor and reflects the light of the emitter onto the sensor, the
sensor gives a signal to the monitoring unit.
The monitoring circuit gives audible and visual alarms, so the personnel inside the
substation can evacuate to safety.
18. Give a classification of Insulating material depending on temperature?
This table shows classification of insulation depending on temperature.

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Class Temperature
Y 900
A 1050
E 1200
B 1300
F 1550
H 1800
C Above 1800
1. What safety factors are considered for the safe operation and maintenance
of electrical installations?
The following factors should be considered for the safe operation and
maintenance of electrical installation:
Operator safety
1. Clear documentation and work instructions
2. Adequate training of operators
3. Clear inscriptions on equipment
4. Visual check
5. Utilizing available interlocks
6. Safety appliances
2. What safety measures are considered for safety personnel for maintenance
of installations?
For maintenance of installation the following factors are considered:

Safety of maintenance personnel
a. De-energisation and isolation
b. Earthing at the point of work
c. Prevent accidental re-energisation
d. Marking work boundary
e. Live work
3. What is lock-out procedure?
Lock-out/tag-out is an essential safety procedure that protects workers from

injury while working on or near electrical circuits and equipment. Lock-out
involves applying a physical lock to the power source(s) of circuits and
equipment after they have been shut off and de-energized.
7. What is tag-out procedure?
The source is tagged out with an easy-to-read tag that alerts other workers in the
area that a lock has been applied. These are the procedures for lock-out.
8. What are notices? When they are used?
There are different types of notices available for different purposes, such as:
Improvement notice: If an inspector reasonably believes that
someone has breached a provision of the Act or is likely to continue
to do so, the inspector is able to direct that person to remedy the
breach or its causes.
Electrical safety protection notice: A person has to comply with an
electrical safety protection notice.
Unsafe equipment notice: An unsafe equipment notice requires the
owner to make the equipment either harmless or incapable of
operating.
Infringement notices (on-the-spot fines): If an inspector identifies
an electrical safety infringement offence, the inspector may
immediately issue the alleged offender with an infringement notice.
Danger Notice: A notice attached to electrical apparatus when live,
drawing attention to the danger of approach to, or interference with,
such apparatus.
Warning Notices: All machinery with hazardous moving or other
parts and electrical equipment must have adequate and clearly
displayed warning notices drawing attention to the hazards that exist.
9. What is remote operation?
Most accidents involving operators occur when operations are

performed from local controls near energized equipment. In an
outdoor switchyard, such faults may expose the operators to
touch/step voltages. Having the means to carry out operations from
a remote panel/location eliminates these hazards. This method is
called remote operation.
10. What is the role of a caution board?
Caution boards play an important role in the safe operation and maintenance of
electrical equipment. They are used for various purposes such as:
• Warning against contact with live equipment
• Advising maintenance workers
• Advising operators about specific operational requirements
• Capacitors, which hold charge, could come in contact with
services personnel.
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11. What is first-aid training?
No matter how careful we are, there are times when we or our colleague
have an accident. First-aid is prompt action to relive unnecessary suffering
and prevent permanent disability, and in extreme cases, can save a life.
12. Why are personnel protective equipments are used?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required by various standards

such as NFPA and OSHA to protect workers from hazards in the
work place.
13. What safety measures must be taken while repairing cable

installations?
The following precautions must be taken while repairing cable:
1. Use cable identification tags.

2. Another approach is to switch off all nearby circuits based around
the cable routing drawings
3. Punching through the cable to be cut provides the final proof
4. One point to be checked after repairs on cables is that the phasing
of conductors has not changed while making a new joint.
14. What are safety appliances? Where they are used?
Safety appliances are used for the purpose of safeguarding the operator
in potentially dangerous situations. For example, a safety appliance may
be used to prevent electric shock due to direct and indirect contact by
interposing a high resistance in the touch/step circuit. Safety appliances
are used for the purpose of safeguarding the operator in potentially
dangerous situations. For example, a safety appliance may be used to
prevent electric shock due to direct and indirect contact by interposing a
high resistance in the touch/step circuit.
15. What tests are carried out while doing maintenance on

installation?
The following are some of the tests carried out for maintenance work:
• Continuity of protective conductors and equipotential bonding
conductors
• Insulation resistance between live conductors and between each live
conductor and Earth must:
• Voltage withstand test for site-applied insulation for
protection against direct contact
• Verification of degree of protection of enclosures provided
for supplementary insulation and voltage withstand test for the
enclosures
• Insulation resistance test for electrically separated circuits
16. What is the objective of periodic maintenance?
The objective of periodic inspection and maintenance is to determine

whether an installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued
service.
17. What is a hot spot?
Hot spots are defined as those image pixels whose brightness temperatures
exceed a pre-defined threshold value. Threshold values of 316-320 K have
been reported in scientific literature.
18. What method is used to detect a hot spot?
Infrared thermography (IR/T) as a condition monitoring technique is used to

remotely gather thermal information for monitoring the condition of virtually
all of the electrical components on an entire system and from generation to
end user.
Substation Safety
1. What is the function of substation?
Substations are used for some or all of the following purposes: connection of
generators, transmission or distribution lines, and loads to each other;
transformation of power from one voltage level to another; interconnection of
alternate sources of power; switching for alternate connections and isolation of
failed or overloaded lines and equipment; controlling system voltage and power
flow; reactive power compensation; suppression of overvoltage; and detection of
faults, monitoring.
2. What are the different types of substation?
Following are the different types of substations available:

• Transformer substations
• Switching substations
• Customer substations
• Converter stations
3. What are the special precautions needed to be taken while working on

substation?
These are special precautions needed while working on substation:
• Use special safety devices

• Identify and demarcate the equipment
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• Appropriate warning signs

• Maintain adequate clearances from exposed live equipment.
• Personnel engaged in work must wear safety helmets to avoid
injuries
• Maintenance platforms/ladders should therefore be provided
with proper guardrails
4. What is first thing we have to take into consideration while working on

overhead transmission lines?
The first thing to understand about overhead power lines is that they are not
insulated. Keep ALL tools, ladders, poles and pipes, farm equipment, kites, model
planes, television and CB antennas and tree branches (to name just a few items),
away from power lines. If you must work near overhead power lines, allow for at
least a 10 foot clearance in all directions for both you and your materials.
5. What are the special precautions that need to be taken when working on
switchgear?
• Remove all devices

• Do not lay tools
• Knife switches must not be used
• Keep the body away from the front of these enclosures
6. Why are substations are protected from fire?
One of the major hazards of electrical substations is fire. Many electrical equipments
contain flammable materials; mineral oil cooled transformers and oil circuit breakers
being examples. Even PVC, which is used as insulation and sheathing material of
electrical cables, is combustible. Often, the reason for fire is an electrical short circuit
fault. Excessive currents and arcing can cause fire in combustible equipment
components. In some cases, materials stored nearby can catch fire and cause further
spreading of fire. Therefore, all substations can be protected from fire with suitable
arrangement.
7. What safety precautions need to be taken while working on high-pressure

pneumatic mechanisms?
These are some safety precautions, which can be taken while working on high-
pressure pneumatic mechanisms:
• Take care while using compressed air for cleaning because the flying
particles may cause injury
• Don’t direct compressed air at the body, as compressed air can enter into the
blood stream
• Ensure that the exhaust air from pneumatic equipment does not blow dust
and dirt around the workplace
• Put danger tags on the controls and other prominent places on the
equipment that is being worked on
• Depressurize the system before you start to work on it
• Doubly ensure that there is no trapped pressure in a system before undoing

a joint or inspecting a crack
• Do not work under loads that are stuck up in the air
8. What safety from gas and ventilation is provided in substation?
Care must be exercised to prevent accidental entry of hazardous substances within the
substation. Protective measures must be taken to prevent entry of flammable gases
through cable openings by sealing them appropriately. In petrochemical industries, a
common precaution is to avoid underground cable vaults where heavier-than-air gases
or vapors can collect.
As a general rule, all substations must be well ventilated to ensure removal of
heat/fumes/gas leakages. A positive air pressure should be maintained to prevent entry
of hazardous gases/dust from outside. Proper ventilation in enclosed substations and
cable vaults serves another purpose also: by removing the heat generated by the
equipment installed in such premises, ambient air temperature is maintained within
rated values. Failure of ventilation may cause the temperature of the equipment to rise,
causing thermal hazards.
Safety in battery Installations
1. What are the hazards involved in battery installation?
The hazards involved in battery installations are acid hazard, shock and arc hazard,
formation of explosive mixtures and accidental ignition hazard
2. What are the safety precautions to be taken to avoid acid hazard?
Use protective clothing and face shields/goggles while handling acid. Dilution of
acid should be done by adding small quantities of acid to a tank of distilled water.
3. What are the safety precautions to be taken to avoid shock and arc
hazard?
Limiting the voltage between adjacent exposed terminals to 60 V system can

prevent shock hazards and arc flash.
4. What are the safety precautions to be taken to control the formation of

an explosive mixture?
Provide appropriate ventilation to remove the hydrogen as soon as it is formed so

that its concentration is never allowed to increase beyond the minimum limit
required to form an explosive mixture. Adequate ventilation must be arranged and
should preferably be by natural means.
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5. What are the basic safety requirements of premises used to store the
batteries?
The premises have to be properly ventilated. Availability of water and a fire

extinguisher to control fire are further requirements of the premises.
6. What are the safety precautions to be taken while transporting the

batteries?
The batteries should be loaded and braced properly so as to prevent any damage,
leakage of lead dust or battery fluid, or short circuits.
7. What are the steps to be followed to dispose of and dismantle the

battery?
The steps to dismantle the battery are:

• Isolate the battery by turning off all the switches in the circuit
• Disconnect the earthed terminal of the battery first
Ensure that the connectors and terminals are clean and secure. Reconnect the
earthed terminal last.
8. What precautions should be taken during the inspection of batteries?
Persons carrying out the inspection must use protective clothing consisting of a
boiler suit, rubber gloves and eye protection. Precautions must be taken to avoid
sparking due to build up of accumulated charges on the clothing.
9. What first-aid can be used in battery installations?
In the case of acid splashing into the eye of a person working on the battery, the
first-aid treatment will involve flooding of the eye with copious quantities of tap
water from the mains in order to dilute and eliminate the acid, followed by
immediate medical attention. First-aid should be continued using disposable
sterile eye irrigators and/or sterile saline solution in bottles. Sterile solution
should be changed regularly as per time limits suggested by manufacturers
(usually 12 to 18 months).
10. What type of personal protective equipment can be used in battery

installations?
Different types of Personal Protective Equipments are available. They are listed
below:
• Boiler suit for protection of skin
• Aprons
• Gloves
• Gas-tight goggles or face screens for eye protection
• Dust mask for protection against lead dust
• Respirators for protection against lead dust (in special cases)
• Gum boots or Wellingtons
Organizational requirements of safety
1. What are the different forms of Regulation?
The legislation usually takes the form of:

• A Factory Act
• A Health and Safety at Work Act
• An Electricity safety Act
• Electricity Regulations and Codes of Practice (dealing with work on
electrical installations)
2. Give some examples of regulatory safeguards.
Here are some examples of regulatory safeguards:

a) Regulation: It should be the duty of every employer and self
employed person to comply with the provision of these Regulations in so far
as they relate to matters within their control.
b) Regulation: All systems should at all times be of such construction as
to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger.
c) Regulation: As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems
should be maintained, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent danger.
3. Give any two responsibilities of employer and employee for safety in

the workplace.
The responsibilities of the employer are:

1. To establish, implement, and maintain procedures and practices that will
ensure safe conduct of electrical work.
2. To ensure that employees are provided a workplace that is free from
recognized hazards.
The responsibilities of employee are:

1. To plan the job.
2. To use the right tool for the job.
4. What is the responsibility of the safety organization in a large

organization?
The safety organization should create mechanisms for ensuring safe work
practices and should also make sure that the required safety features are built
into new equipment and installations. The organization should interact with
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all other departments on the risks and adequacy of existing safety procedures
and spread safety awareness among workforce.
5. What is the purpose of accident reporting?
The purpose of accident reporting is of learning, understanding and

prevention of future accidents.
6. Which major injuries have to be reported? Name a few.
The major injuries to be reported are:

1. Amputation
2. Fractures other than to fingers, toes or thumbs.
3. Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine
4. Loss of sight (temporary or permanent)
7. Why does accident investigation need to be carried out?
Accident investigations determine how and why the failures occurred. By

using the information gained through an investigation, a similar or perhaps
more disastrous accident may be prevented.
.
8. What is the importance of training?
All employees should know as much as possible about the safety and health
hazards to which they are exposed. With appropriate training the employee will
be better informed, more skilled, and thus more valuable and will be able to
work at reduced risk.
Regulation Governing Workplace Safety

1. What are the objectives of the Health and Safety Act?
The Health and Safety at Work Act describes the general principles and issues of
management; the technical requirements are spelt out in the various regulations
mentioned in these acts.
2. What is the employer’s responsibility?
The employer has the responsibility to provide, maintain and ensure that:
• The plant and systems of work are safe and without risks to health of
working personnel
• The use, handling, storage and transport of materials in the workplace do
not pose any hazard
• Necessary training and supervision is imparted for the health and safety of
his employees at work
• The workplace is maintained in a safe condition with safe ingress to and
egress from it
• To maintain a safe working environment for his employees
3. What factors are covered in the Work and Safety Act?
The Work and Safety Act covers the following points:

• Securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work
• Protecting persons other than persons at work against risks to health or
safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work
• Controlling the keeping and use of explosive or highly flammable or
otherwise dangerous substances, and generally preventing the unlawful
acquisition, possession and use of such substances
• Controlling the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive
substances from premises of any class
4. What factors are covered in the Electricity at Work Regulations?
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 covers all facets of electrical work
irrespective of whether the premises where they are carried out is covered by the
Factory Act or not. As observed earlier, certain categories of electrical work do not
fall under the Factory Act, such as cable jointing in public areas, overhead line work,
street lighting, etc
5. What are the Electricity Supply Regulations?
This regulation is primarily meant for the electricity supplier only. Its scope covers the
duties/responsibility of supplier (of electricity). It replaces the Electricity Supply
Regulations 1937 and Overhead Line Regulations 1970 and is applicable to new
installations and modifications to pre-existing installations after 1988.
6. What are the Electrical Safety Regulations?
Various aspects are covered in these regulations, as indicated below:

• basic requirements for electrical work
• work on live electrical equipment
• high voltage line work
• testing of work
• detail other requirements for electrical workers
• cover general provisions for electrical work, including the signing of
documents for electrical work
7. What is the AETX directive? Where it is used?
Electrical equipment or installations in areas where hazardous atmosphere could be

present are governed by the ATEX directives. The directives cover:
• Products to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres (Directive 100a)
• Employers’ responsibilities for installation and use of equipment in such
locations (Directive 137)
Answers 299
Inspection of Electrical system for Safety
1. What are the objectives of inspection?
The objectives of inspection are as follows:

• To ensure that a new installation is safe to energize, operate and maintain
• To ensure that the installation remains safe during its operation without
deterioration
• To ensure that additions/modifications to an existing installation do not
impair its safety
2. What does the IEE wiring regulation deal with?
An installation must be inspected for conformity with the applicable regulations

and for safety on completion of erection and thereafter periodically.
IEE Wiring regulations stipulate various requirements to achieve these
objectives. Planning, design and erection of an electrical system need extreme
care to ensure that the installation is safe for the personnel who use, operate and
maintain them.
3. What is initial verification?
Every installation should be inspected and tested on completion and prior to

putting in service to verify that all relevant requirements of the Regulations
have been met. Some of the points will require checking during erection itself:
• Connection and identification of conductors
• Routing of cables in safe zones and protective measures against
mechanical damage
• Connection of single pole devices used for switching or
protection in the phase conductors only (a single pole switch
should not be put on the neutral conductor)
• Correct connection of accessories and equipment
• Presence of fire-barriers, fire-seals and protection against
thermal effects
• Protection against electric shock (to be performed in detail and
all measures for protection against direct and indirect contact to
be verified to ensure conformity with the Regulations)
• Preventive measures against mutual detrimental influences
• Correct location and installation of devices for isolation and
switching
• Provision of under voltage protective devices

• Choice and setting of protective and monitoring devices
(indirect contact/over current)
4. What types of test are carried out?
The following types of tests are carried out:

• Conductors using a device whose source has an open circuit
voltage between 4V and 24V and a short circuit current
capability of at least 200 mA.
• Continuity of all final circuit/ring final circuit conductors
including the protective conductor
• Insulation resistance between live conductors and between each
live conductor and Earth must be measured. In circuits having
electronic devices, the insulation resistance shall be measured
between phase/neural conductors connected together and earth
to avoid damage to sensitive electronic devices
• Voltage withstand test for site-applied insulation for protection
against direct contact. (No breakdown or flashover should occur
when the specified voltage is applied for the specified duration)
• Verification of degree of protection of enclosures provided for
supplementary insulation and voltage withstand test for the
enclosures
• Insulation resistance test for electrically separated circuits
• Verification of degree of protection for barriers provided as
protection against direct contact IP XX B being the minimum
acceptable degree of protection
5. What is periodic inspection and testing?
The objective of periodic inspection and testing is to determine whether an

installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service. Periodic
inspection should comprise of careful scrutiny of the installation without
dismantling or with partial dismantling, as per scope decided by a competent
person based on availability of records and the condition of the installation.
6. What are the follow up measures?
The defects revealed by periodic inspection reports should be attended to

without delay in order to avoid unsafe situations. Apart from defect resolution,
the following actions are also required:
• A planned schedule of preventive maintenance should be drawn up based
on the manufacturer’s recommendation/code of practices and
implemented rigorously. This will avoid too many defects from showing
up during inspection
• Measures for condition-based preventive maintenance may be adopted to
attend to incipient problems and resolving the defects in early stages.
Examples: Monitoring of oil parameters (online dissolved gas
monitoring) in large transformers, hot-spot detection in indoor switchgear
Answers 301
using infrared detectors, incipient arc fault detection through photo

electric sensors etc.
Multiple Choice Questions

1. One of the basic electrical injuries is?
a) Heart attack
b) Electrocution
c) High blood pressure
d) None of these
2. These can be the electrical hazards:
a) Wire with bad insulation

b) Overhead power lines
c) Both a) and b)
d) Properly grounded circuit
3. Safety can be achieved by using:
a) Locked out /tag out procedure

b) Using proper personal clothing
c) None of the above
d) Both a) and b)
4. Minimum operative training should include:
a) Electronics theory
b) Electrical safety theory
c) Construction theory
5. In a safety model, which steps should be followed?
a) Recognize, evaluate, and control the hazard.

b) Evaluate, recognize, control the hazard
c) Recognize, control, evaluate the hazard
d) Control, evaluate, and recognize the hazard.
6. Safety documentation can be used to:
a) Prevent work
b) Prevent supervision
c) Prevent further accidents
7. Work on live systems:
a) If you are qualified

b) Only When it is necessary
c) Any time you wish
d) Both a) and b)
1. Why is the earthing of electrical equipment necessary?
a) Over loading
b) Voltage fluctuation
c) Danger of electric shock
d) High conductor temperature
2. The earth wire should be:
a) Good conductor of electricity

b) Mechanically strong
c) Both a) and b)
d) Mechanically strong but bad conductors of electricity
3. Earth wires are made from:
a) Copper
b) Aluminum
c) Iron
d) Galvanized stranded steel
4. The size of the earth wire is determined on the basis of:

Answers 303
a) Voltage of service line

b) Current carrying capacity of service line
c) Atmospheric condition
5. The earth wire should not be of a smaller size than:
a) 10SWG copper
b) 8SWG copper
c) 6 SWG copper
d) 4 SWG copper
6. Neutral earthing is provided for:
a) The safety of personal from electric shock

b) The safety of equipment and personnel against lighting and surges
c) Reducing voltage stress on lines and equipment with respect to earth under
various operating and fault conditions.
d) Controlling the earth fault currents for protective relaying.
7. Isolated neutral system has the disadvantage of:
a) Voltage oscillations
b) Difficult earth fault relaying
c) Persistence arcing ground
d) All of the above
8. Isolated neutral transmission system is not recommended when the:
a)System insulations is overstressed due to over voltage

b) Insulation overstress may lead to its failure resulting in phase
to phase faults.
c) System is not adequately protected against earth fault.
d) All of the above.
9. Neutral earthing has the advantages of:
a) Elimination of arcing grounds.

b) Low maintenance and operating costs over isolated neutral system.
c) Simplified design of earth fault system
d) Discharge of over-voltage due to lighting to earth.
10. The advantage of neutral earthing is:
a) Safety of personnel.
b) Reduction of earth fault current.
c) Elimination of arcing current.
d) None of the above.
11. The neutral of the power system may be connected directly to earth:
a) Directly
b) Through the resistor
c) Through a reactor
d) Any of these.
12. Grounding is done generally at:
a) Receiving end
b) Supply end
c) Either at supply end or receiving end
d) None of the above.
13. Solid earthing is done for voltage below:
a) 400 V
b) 600V
c) 33kV
d) 66kV
14. Resistance earthing is employed for voltages between:
a) 3.3 and 11kV

b) 11 and 33 kV
c) 33kV and 66kV
d) 66kV and 132kV
15. Earthing of transformer neutral through reactance will improve its:
a) Transient stability
b) Steady state stability
c) Both of the above
d) None of these.
16. Peterson coil is used for:
a) Grounding of system neutral

b) To reduce fault current
c) Connecting two interconnected system
d) For shunt transmission lines
17. Earth transformer is used to:
a) Avoid the harmonics in the transformer

b) Provide artificial neutral earthing where neutral point is not
accessible.
c) Improve stability of the system
d) Measure the voltage
Answers 305
18. Grounding transformer in a system is usually connected by:
a) Delta/Delta
b) Star/Delta
c) Zig-Zig/Delta
d) Star/Star
1. The electric current that a human body can safely withstand does not
depends on:
a) The body weight

b) The manner in which contact occurs
c) The parts of the body subjected to current flow
d) Blood pressure of human
2. Earth leakage circuit breakers are used to describe:
a) RCD
b) DVD
c) SLV
d) ELV
3. This is not electric shock effect:
a) Burns
b) Ventricular fibrillation
c) Psychological
d) Fever
4. SELV is used for:
a) Direct shock protection

b) Indirect shock protection
c) Both direct as well as indirect shock protection
d) Earth fault protection
1. Static electricity does not depend on:
a) Type of material
b) Contact area
c) Atmospheric conditions
d) Flow of current
2. The following is a danger due to static electricity:
a) Damage to sensitive electronic equipment

b) Arc Flash
c) Heart attack
3. Static electricity cannot be controlled by:
a) Bonding and earthing of stationary conductive equipment

b) Increasing the conductance of floors, footwear, wheels and tyres
c) Increasing the conductivity of non-conductors by incorporating
conductive additives, surface layers and films, and by humidification of
the atmosphere
d) Providing insulation
4. Ionization cannot be achieved by the following:
a) Electrical static eliminators

b) Induction needle bars
c) Bars employing radioactive sources, which emit ionizing radiation
e) By using humidification
1. Arc flash prevention is a vital issue due to:
a) Increase in number of wiring errors

b) Increase vigilance on the part of OSHA
c) Severe power grid overloads
d) Aging, corrosion of equipment parts and contacts
2. This is not a common cause of arc flash:
a) Accidental contact with energized parts

b) Lightening
c) Tools dropped on energized parts
d) Contamination, corrosion of equipment parts and contacts
3. What are the hazards not associated with arc flash?
a) Radiated heat, pressure wave

Answers 307
b) Shock
c) Vaporizes splattering metal
d) Projectiles

1. This method cannot be used for the prevention of arc flash hazards:
a) Avoiding arc flash accidents

b) Reducing the level of arc energy released
c) The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
d) Taking good care of worker
2. Incident energy level cannot be reduced by the following:
a) Reduce the fault level

b) Reduce the exposure time
c) Remote operation
d) Using suitable enclosure
3. Working distance can be increased by:
a) Remote racking
b) Reducing current
c) By reducing breaker response time
d) By using proper fuses
4. When electrical equipments are used in an explosive environment, the

following methods of designing are used:
a) Flameproof enclosures
b) Protection by intrinsic safety
c) By avoiding use of electrical equipments
d) Use of proper PPE
5. Hazards due to high temperature includes:
a) Burns due to high surface temperature

b) Fire in nearby combustible materials
c) Fire originating from electrical equipment

equipment:
a) After they have been shut off and de-energized.

c) After switchgear switch off
2. PPE is used for:


b) Protection against damage that can arise from a defect in the
installation
4. In gas-insulated substations, all live equipment and bus bars are housed in
grounded metal enclosures, which are sealed and filled with:
a) CO2
b)Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
c)Oxygen
5. For computers, live wires and substations, the following type of fire
extinguisher is used:
a) Water type
b) Dry chemical, Halon, CO2
c) Oxygen
equipment:
a) After they have been shut off and de-energized

c) After switchgear switch off
2. PPE is used for:

Answers 309

b) Protection against damage that can arise from a defect in the
installation
Substation Safety
1. Substations are used for:
a) Transmission
b) Distribution
c) Interconnection
d) All of the above
2. The first thing to understand about overload transmission line is:

a) This is not insulated
b) It is very dangerous to work on it
c) You could get a severe shock while working on it
Safety in battery Installations
1. Batteries are usually filled with solutions (electrolytes) containing:
a) Hydrogen dioxide
b) Sulphuric acid or potassium hydroxide
c) Carbon dioxide
d) None of these
8. Lead acid batteries are commonly used as they are:
a) Easily available
b) While handling present less hazards
c) Cost effective
d) All of the above
9. Shock hazards and arc flash can be prevented by limiting the voltage
between adjacent exposed terminals of battery to:
a) 60 V
b) 110 V
c) 230V
d) 440 V
10. To avoid acid spillage on clothes or skin, dilution of acid should be

done by:
a) Adding small quantities of acid to a tank of distilled water

b) Adding water to concentrated acid
c) Adding both acid and water same time in a tank
d) Both a) and b)
11. The premises where batteries are kept should be:
a) Dark
b) Properly ventilated
c) Congested with wirings
12. While transporting batteries they should be:
e) Properly braced
f) Properly loaded
g) Properly sealed
h) All of the above
13. While charging, flooded lead acid batteries:
a) Allow hydrogen and oxygen to escape

b) Gases are contained and recombined
c) Gases are not produced at all
Pre-Workshop Questionnaire
PRACTICAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY TECHNIQUES FOR INDUSTRY
Full Name
City/Country Date
Would you kindly answer the questions below?
Please answer all questions to the best of your ability.
1. What are the main reasons for your attendance at this training workshop? Please provide two.
2. Briefly describe your main responsibilities in your current job.
3. Where/How did you hear about this workshop?

IDC Technologies Brochure Web Site
Colleague Other ______________________________
4. Have you been on a previous IDC Technologies workshop? Yes No
5. In which area do you work?

Trades Manager
Technician IT
Technologist Engineer
Other(s)_____________________________
6. How many people are in your organization?
Less than 50 Between 50 and 100 Greater than 100
7. Have you previously worked in the field of this training course? If so, in which area?
Technical Questions
1. Name the dangers faced by persons working on or near live electrical equipment.
2. What do you understand by direct and indirect contact with electrical equipment? Name a few ways
to avoid direct contact.
3. Can you explain the terms ‘touch potential’ and ‘step potential’? Which of the following is the
parameter of importance in electric shock danger: voltage of exposure, or current flow through the
body?
4. Why is it important to know and follow electrical safety procedures? What is the agency in your
organisation designated to handle matters of safety?
5. As an employee, are you responsible for safety? Is it the sole responsibility of your employer?
POST COURSE QUESTIONNAIRE
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Company Size: less than 100 more than 100
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Practical Electrical Safety Techniques for Industry

THIS BOOK WAS DEVELOPED BY IDC TECHNOLOGIES

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Vol. 1 – ELECTRONICS Vol. 4 – INSTRUMENTATION

Copyright © IDC Technologies 2008. All rights reserved.

First published 2008

2 Earthing and Bonding 11

3 Basic Theory of Electrical Safety 39

4.4 Some Common examples of static build up 65

5 Hazards Due to Electrical Arcing and Heating 71

6 Hazards Due to Electrical Arcing and Heating 81

7 Safety Aspect in Electrical Design and Selection 101

8 Safe Operation and Maintenance

9 Substation Safety 155

11 Organizational Aspects Of Safety 177

12 UK Regulations on Safety 189

Electrical safety is an important issue in any industry and requires adequate

We will devote our attention to the use of electrical equipment in environments

1.2 Industrial hazards

Hazards due to electrical equipment

Hazards due to mechanical equipment

• Loss of hearing due to prolonged exposure to noise

Hazards due to Toxic materials

Hazards from hot surfaces, liquids or gases

Hazards from cold liquids

Hazards from corrosive liquids

Hazards from explosive gases

• Limit the effect of explosion if ignition does take place.

1.3 Electrical hazards

• Fault energy as given by the fault level of the system (VA)

Type of equipment Hazards

1.4 Electrical accidents and safety measures

Isolation measures and work on/near live equipment

Eliminate faults to improve safety

Improved knowledge level

Accident prevention measures

• Establishes standards for industry and the public through regulations

The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 defines:

• Notification and reporting requirements for serious electrical

The Code of Practice for Electrical Work directly applies to:

Content of Electrical Safety Regulations

Part 5 of the Regulation covers the safety obligation of an employer or self-

• Sections 67: Work on construction sites

Part 7 of the Regulation prescribes ways of discharging the electrical safety

Part 8 of the Regulation covers connection to a source of electricity including

Part 13 of the Regulation covers a number of provisions including electrical safety

Risk assessment and management as per codes of practice

Risk management essentially consists of the following steps.

A.6 Australian wiring rules

The standard summarises the requirements of an electrical installation thus

f) Where an item of switchgear is required to disconnect all live

The ambient temperature conditions applicable as per this standard are:

• Electrical equipment and

Visual inspection is followed by testing to ensure compliance with the standards.

Mandatory tests to be conducted are:

Optional tests to be conducted are:

Appendices to Wiring Rules

B.2.1 How Regulations are implemented