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A practical guide to

Working Safely on Overhead Lines



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This booklet is not a substitute for any regulations, codes of practice, or health and safety policy.

Artwork, designed and produced by Peter Smith Design, Derby, UK.

National GridEakring Technical Training CentreKirklingtonEakringNewarkNottinghamshire NG22 0DA

Tel: 01623 870100Fax: 01623 872630

www.nationalgrid.com

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Working Safely National Grid’s Golden RulesWorking Safely National Grid’s Golden Rules

“This is the way we do things in National Grid...because it keeps us safer”

Permits and AuthorisationsWe NEVER carry out any work unless we have the necessary current safetydocumentation, authorisations, permits and licences.

Safety Protection Systems and DevicesWe NEVER deliberately disarm, immobilise or remove any safety protectionsystem or device unless properly authorised.

Fall PreventionWe ALWAYS use the required safety equipment to prevent a fall from height.

Underground ServicesWe ALWAYS determine and mark the location of underground services andtake actions to prevent damage that could cause harm.

Operation of VehiclesWe NEVER endanger others or ourselves by operating a vehicle unsafely or without the appropriate licence and authority.

Work Area ControlWe ALWAYS use the required barriers and safety equipment to define the work area and make it safe and secure. Safe distances are always established andmaintained.

Each and everyone of us has individual and collectiveresponsibility to uphold our GOLDEN RULES.

“Safety in everything we do remainsof paramount importance”

Golden Rulesare a fundamental building block for our Road to Zero. They focus on criticalareas of the business where safe behaviours by managers, employees,contractors and agency staff are essential to safeguard ourselves and thepublic. They cover behaviours that will prevent the most serious injuries. Wemust all read and act upon them. You should also remember that non-compliance with any of the rules will result in immediate investigation and the appropriate action being taken.

Personal Protective EquipmentWe ALWAYS use the required personal protective clothing and equipment.

Maintenance Delivery Electricity

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Your health and safety are vital You play an important roleYour health and safety are vitalto National Grid

You can help us achieve this!wants you safe!

Report allaccidents andnear misses.You are requiredto report all ‘near miss’incidents as well asaccidents to National Grid.

A near miss is anythingwhich could have resultedin injury or fi nancial loss.For example, if you see ortrip over a piece of earthtapesticking out from the groundbut do not injure yourself,or others - this is a nearmiss as it could havecaused injury or loss.

At National Grid, health and safety means following a sound policy to help prevent ill health and injury.

You play an important rolewhen it comes to establishing a safe working environment.

By law, working safelyis one of your responsibilities.According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974,‘It shall be the duty of every employee while at work totake reasonable care for the health and safety ofhimself and of other persons who may be affectedby his acts or omissions at work’.

National Grid, it’s contractors and yourco-workers are counting on you!It’s up to you to:

• Follow all safety rules that relate to your duties and responsibilities.

• Minimise the risk of injury to yourself and others.

• Minimise the risk of damage to property.

• Use protective clothing and safety equipment properly.

• Co-operate with your employer and any other person to ensure health and safety obligations are met.

Before you act, think!Before you start work:

1. Think safe.

2. Identify what you are going to do.

3. Understand - and make sure that everyone working on the job understands: • what you are going to do • where you are going to do it • the limits of the work or work area.

4. Discuss any concerns with your supervisor.

Learn more about your responsibilities...6 7


Don’t forget to ‘dress for success’!Start by getting the ‘lay of the land’ Don’t forget to ‘dress for success’!For access to certain areas, you and your working partywill need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

This may include:

A helmetto protect your head.

Ear defendersto protect yourears fromexcessive noise.

Glovesmade of mesh,leather or othermaterials, dependingon the job.

Bootsor other safety footwearto protect against electricity, heavy objects and other hazards.(boots must have ankle support)

Eye protection- that is, goggles orsafety glasses.

Fall-arrestequipmentto protect you from falls from height.

Overalls orother clothingto protect your body.

If you have any doubts about what protective equipment you needto wear at a particular site, ask your supervisor before entering.

Start by getting the ‘lay of the land’Make sure you know the Agreed Access Route -and always use it.

AgreedAccessRoute

Possible hazardsyou may come acrossif you do not follow theAgreed Access Routeinclude:• bulls or other animals• chemicals on crops• hidden ditches• electric fences

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Permitfor work

Limited AccessCertificate

Always obey safety signsand symbols

Always obey safety signsand symbols

Always obey safety signsand symbolsThey are there to protect you and your colleagues.

A red pennantshows the limit of yoursafe working area. Thereis no access allowedbeyond the red pennant- do not pass!

Safe accesswill be established for you by the National GridSenior Authorised Person (SAP). The SAP willissue you with a blue Limited Access Certificate (LAC)before you can start work on the tower.

A red pennantshows the limit of yoursafe working area. Thereis no access allowedbeyond the red pennant- do not pass!

Safe accesswill be established for you by the National GridSenior Authorised Person (SAP).The SAP will issue youwith a Permit to Work before you can start work on thetower. You will also be issued with a green circuit identification flag and wristlets (see page 14).

When working on a tower body where circuits are still live:

Always obey safety signsand symbolsThey are there to protect you and your colleagues.

When working on a tower body with a dead circuit:

Unsafe Unsafe

Safe

SafeUnsafe

Circuit Identification PlateCircuit Identification Flag

Live side Live side Live side Dead side

4ZM63

4ZM63

Safe

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Safe access to and fromthe point of work

As a Competent Person,you may be in charge

Safe access to and fromthe point of work

As a Competent Person,you may be in charge

Make sure the means of access is right for the job, as identifi ed bythe Risk Assessment/Method Statement provided by your company.

Access equipment includesmobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), scaffolds, ladders, access platforms etc.

Make sure your working partyuses the means of access properly toget to and from the point of work.

Access equipment must only be moved on siteto and from the safe work area on the specifi c instructions of the SAP.

Your lanyard must be attachedas soon as you start toclimb. It must remainattached at all times.

Gates must be lockedor bolted whenleaving the tower.

of work and your working party. As the Person in Charge(PIC), it’s up to you to take the lead when it comes to safety.

Tool Box TalkBefore starting work you should discuss thefollowing with your working party:

• details of the work and work place

• the position of red pennants showing limits of safe access

• earthing arrangements

• all other documents received, for example Risk Assessments and Method Statements

• equipment and PPE to be used

• each individual’s personal task

• how others are to be kept safe

• actions to be taken in an emergency.

Read on for what you must do while work is taking place.

The Safety DocumentYou must receive a Safety Documentbefore starting work.

• Read the document and all supporting documents. Be sure you understand them. If you don’t, ask the SAP.

• Keep all the documents and keys issued to you in a safe place.

• Only do the work that the Safety Document allows you to do. If any other work is needed, talk to the SAP.

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The bigger the voltage, the bigger the d

ista

nce

A Person in Charge (PIC)has other responsibilities, too!A Person in Charge (PIC)has other responsibilities, too!

During work• Make sure that all work is done within the limits of the Safety Document and the individual’s limitations.

• Don’t allow people or equipment to encroach the safety distance.

• Ensure everyone fully understands the work.

• Check regularly that everyone in the working party is working safely.

Before starting workIt is the PIC’s job to do the following:

• make sure the register is signed by all members of the working party

• issue wristlets to everyone if they are needed

• check that the wristlet matches the Circuit Identifi cation Plate (CIP)

• check that the green Circuit Identifi cation Flag fi ts the bracket on the tower.

While the work is in progress the Person in Charge (PIC) must supervise others - and take charge outside safe work areas.

Outside safe work areas• Don’t let anyone work outside the safe work area.

• Don’t allow ropes, bonds etc. to go into an unsafe area Remember that high winds can increase the danger.

Stopping workYou should stop the work if:

• bad weather makes your working conditions dangerous

• you need to leave the site

• there is any dangerous occurrence, for example a drain earth is damaged

• the Safety Document is to be transferred

• the work is completed.

Always follow your safe method of work.

Systemvoltage

132kV275kV400kV

Safetydistance1.4m2.4m3.1m

300mm

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Transferring Safety Documents Clearing the Safety DocumentTransferring Safety Documents Clearing the Safety Document

If you are receiving a transferred documentGet instructions from the SAP,and sign Part 2 of the transferrecord. Then follow the stepsoutlined on pages 13 and 14.

Following this procedure will help ensure a smooth transitionof leadership - and help protect everyone’s health and safety.

If you need totransfer your document• Instruct all working party members to leave the work area.

• Complete the Working Party Register.

• Complete Part 1 of the transfer record.

• Give the document and other relevant items to the SAP.

When work is complete and you needto clear the Safety Document• Make sure that all equipment, including drain earths, are removed from the tower.

• Make sure that all workers have left the tower.

• All gates to the tower must be closed and locked.

• Sign the clearance section of the Safety Document. Declare any exceptions. For example, if earths are to be left on the tower write their location in the clearance section of the Permit to Work.

• Give the Safety Document and other relevant items to the SAP.

• Make sure the area is tidy, close gates and obey all signs.

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In case of an emergency Persons on the siteIn case of an emergency

If all persons involved do their part to ensure safety, accidentsshould not happen. But know how to respond just in case.

Persons on the site

Call for help right away.Follow your emergency plan.

Know how to use rescue equipment.Tower rescue equipment mustbe available. Make sure youknow how to use it.

Give fi rst aid.If you have been properly trained,help the person until medical helparrives. (Find out about fi rst-aidcourses near you if you haven’tbeen properly trained.)

Secure the site.Make sure that your staff andthe general public are kept safe. Follow proper procedures formaking the site secure.

Report the incident toNational Grid staff assoon as possible.Provide the following information:

• the name of the injured person and his or her employer

• when the ambulance, fi re brigade, etc., arrived

• specifi c details about the accident.

have responsibilities too! Help make sure that they:

Store materials, equipmentand tools properlyThis should bedone as soon asthey’ve fi nishedwith them. Tools,equipment, andso on, left lyingaround maycause an injury.

Never takechances or short cuts

Report anyhealth and safetyhazardsThis should be doneright away.

Follow emergencyproceduresThey shouldalso take partin fi re andemergencytraining.

Make proper use of PPEAnd don’t interfere with equipment provided for health and safety.

Never fool around or playpracticaljokesHorseplaycan leadto seriousinjuries.

Never try to perform workthey aren’t trained andqualifi ed to doRemind themoften to askfor help ifthey’re unsureabout anyprocedure.

Follow National Grid’s health andsafety policiesThey shouldalso keep up to date with anyrevisions, newrequirementsor regulations.

In short, everyone needs to practise safe work habits.18 19


How safely do you work?How safely do you work?Use this checklist to find out! The next time you’re at work,be sure you:

Familiarise yourself with the equipment and work to be done.

Note the location of markers and any hazards.

Read and understand the Safety Document. Be sure you cando the described work within the marked area.

Understand Method Statements and Risk Assessments.

Record everyone’s name in the Work Party Register.

Make sure everyone is wearing the proper PPE and using toolsand equipment correctly. Make sure people nearby are not putin danger.

Know when to clear the work area.

Supervise others. Make sure all work is done within the limitsof the Safety Document and that the safety distance is notencroached upon.

Apply drain earths correctly.

Make sure everyone uses safe access to and from the pointof work.

Tidy up the site and sign paperwork when work is complete.Declare any exceptions, such as drain earths still connected.

Know and follow the procedures for transferring aSafety Document.

Know how to respond to an emergency.

If you didn’t check certain steps, make sure to add themto your work routine next time - for safety’s sake.

Following a health and safety plan can pay off.Start today!

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