AVANTIS

Procedure Name: Electricity Issue No: 1

Procedure Ref: AV-SWP-21 Date: 27th January 2020

1 27/01/2020 Gareth Haines Tom David Tom David Initial Issue

Issue Date Author Reviewed Approved Reason for Change
No

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AVANTIS

Procedure Name: Electricity Issue No: 1

Procedure Ref: AV-SWP-21 Date: 27th January 2020

POLICY
Avantis recognises that the use, operation and maintenance of electrical equipment can be hazardous and will
ensure all reasonable steps are taken to reduce the risks, as far as is practicable.

ARRANGEMENTS

RISK ASSESSMENT
A risk assessment of the hazards arising from any work activity that might expose any persons to danger from
electricity will be undertaken by a competent person and a corresponding safe working procedure developed.

SYSTEMS, WORK ACTIVITIES AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

All electrical systems will be constructed and maintained so as to prevent danger at all times, so far as is
reasonably practicable.

Work activities including the operation, use and maintenance of a system and any work near a system will be
carried out in such a way as not to give rise to danger.

Prior to activating a new 415V installation, a “New Eyes” Inspection for integrity of connections and safe routing
etc. shall be carried out by an independent competent person.

The company will ensure that any personal protective equipment will be suitable for its intended use, well
maintained and properly used.

Portable appliance testing will form part of the maintenance programme required to ensure electrical systems do
not become dangerous.

Electrical equipment will be CE marked, where applicable.

STRENGTH AND CAPABILITY OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Electrical equipment will not be used where it’s strength and capability may be exceeded in such a way as to give
rise to danger.

ADVERSE OR HAZARDOUS ENVIROMNMENTS

Electrical equipment will be constructed, or as necessary protected to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable,
danger arising from the environment in which it is used.

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AVANTIS

Procedure Name: Electricity Issue No: 1

Procedure Ref: AV-SWP-21 Date: 27th January 2020

INSULATION, PROTECTION AND POSITIONING OF CONDUCTORS

All electrical conductors in a system that may give rise to danger will be either suitably insulated or other
precautions taken to prevent danger.

EARTHING OR OTHER SUITABLE PRECAUTIONS

Suitable precautions will be taken to prevent danger where it is foreseeable that conductive materials may
become electrically charged, either as a result of the use of an electrical system, or as a result of a fault.

INTEGRITY OF REFERENCED CONDUCTORS

Suitable precautions will be taken where there are interruptions to the electrical continuity, or where high
impedance is introduced, to a referenced circuit conductor (i.e. circuit conductor connected to earth or some
other reference point) that may give rise to danger.

MEANS OF PROTECTING FROM EXCESS CURRENT

Suitably located and efficient means of protecting all parts of a system against foreseeable excess currents i.e.
faults, overloads, short circuiting etc. will be provided.

CONNECTION
All joints and/ or connectors, whether temporary or permanent, used in an electrical system, will be mechanically
and electrically suitable.

MEANS FOR CUTTING OFF THE SUPPLY AND ISOLATION

To prevent danger, suitable means will be available for cutting off the supply of electrical energy to any electrical
equipment and for the isolation of electrical equipment.

PRECAUTIONS FOR WORK ON EQUIPMENT MADE DEAD

Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent ‘dead’ equipment from becoming electrically charged while work
is carried out on or near that equipment.

MAINTENANCE
All electrical systems will be maintained to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger. This will be
achieved by carrying out routine safety testing, and where practicable, visual inspections at appropriate intervals.

SAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK

Safe systems of work will be developed for the maintenance, inspection or testing of electrical equipment.
Specific requirements will be determined by the relevant risk assessment and local legislative requirements.
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AVANTIS

Procedure Name: Electricity Issue No: 1

Procedure Ref: AV-SWP-21 Date: 27th January 2020

WORK ON OR NEAR LIVE CONDUCTORS

Live working (including fault finding and testing) will not be undertaken unless:

• it is unreasonable to isolate the conductors from sources of energy, and

• it is absolutely necessary to carry out the work ‘live’ and suitable precautions are taken

WORKING SPACE, ACCESS AND LIGHTING

Adequate working space, adequate means of access and adequate lighting will be provided at all electrical
equipment on which work is being done.

PERMIT TO WORK
As identified by the relevant risk assessment a permit to work system will be used in respect of electrical work.

INFORMATION AND TRAINING

Where appropriate, all persons who carry out electrical work will be competent to do so or will be adequately
supervised.

Persons carrying out work on electrical equipment, circuits or installations will be provided with appropriate
information and instruction relating to safety aspects of the electrical equipment.

Users of portable and transportable equipment will be trained to check before use for visible defects to plugs and
leads, etc.

EMERGENCY RESUSCITATION AND FIRST AID

Notices or placards giving details of emergency resuscitation procedures in case of electric shock will be sited at
high risk areas.

RECORDS
Where applicable, records will be kept of:

• contractor's safety information

• risk assessments and safe working procedures
• copies of safe systems of work and any permits to work
• inspections and tests of applicable fixed installations and portable appliances

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AVANTIS

Procedure Name: Electricity Issue No: 1

Procedure Ref: AV-SWP-21 Date: 27th January 2020

• matters relevant to personal competence

• Information and training provided

Where client documentation procedures are adopted, these records will only be retained by Avantis in the event
of an incident or notable event.

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