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Contents

• 1. Purpose
  
• 2. Scope
• 3. Definitions
• 4. Responsibilities
  • 4.1 Directors
    
  • 4.2 Electrical Authorising Engineers
    
  • 4.3 Electrical Authorised​ Person
    
  • 4.4 Electrical Nominated Person
    
  • 4.5 Person in Charge
  • 4.6 Accompanying Safety Persons
  • 4.7 Managers, including Contract Supervising Officers
  • 4.8 Staff, tenants, contractors, facility users or visitors
  • 4.9 SHE Group
    
• 5. Technical definitions
• 6. References
  
• Appendices
  • Appendix A Experimental electrical equipment design and operation
  • Appendix B Electrical distribution system safety rules and procedures
  • Appendix C Training Requirements (details)
  • Appendix D Auditing & Audit checklist
    
  • Appendix E Safe use, handling, storage and maintenance of primary and secondary cells and batteries
  • Appendix F Examples of temporary warning signs, caution notices, display of information and permanent safety signs
    
  • Appendix GPersonal Protective Equipment​
    
  • Appendix H Document retention policy

​Revisions

1. ​Purpose

Electrical safety is the subject of extensive and detailed legislation and guidance:

• Electricity at Work Regulations, 1989;
• IET Wiring Regulation, latest edition.​
  
• Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations, 2002;
• Provision and User of Work Equipment Regulation (PUWER), 1998;
• Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, 1996;
• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, 1992; and
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations, 1994.

This code outlines STFC policy with respect to the management of electrical safety hazards and the arrangements for complying with the legislation listed above.  It sets out the electrical safety rules and procedures throughout STFC Practical implementation of this code may also result in detailed local rules or procedures.

2. Scope

This code applies to all staff, tenants, visitors, facility users and contractors at all STFC sites.

Compliance with this code is mandatory when performing the following functions: specification, design, fabrication, procurement, installation, testing, working on or near, commissioning, operation, modification, maintenance / repair, inspection, and decommissioning of Electrical and Electronic Equipment at all STFC sites.

This code applies where STFC staff undertake electrical work at other sites unless the host site’s arrangements provide equivalent or improved electrical safety control.

This Code applies to Electrical and Electronic Equipment that is permanently connected to an electricity distribution system or forms part of an electrical installation. Not electrical equipment connected by a plug / socket.

This code specifically excludes:

• Portable Appliances (see STFC SHE Code 17 Portable Electrical Equipment)
• Electrical installations on STFC sites not under the direct control of the STFC for example incoming substations.

Due to the pervasive nature of electrical safety hazards there are a large number of related STFC SHE codes and policies, including:

• SHE Code 4   Safety and safe use of work equipment (PUWER);
• SHE Code 6   Risk Management;
• SHE Code 13 Construction, Design and Management;
• SHE Code 15 Management of Contractors;
• SHE Code 17 Portable Electrical Equipment;
• SHE Code 19 Work on buildings, premises, services and infrastructure;
• SHE Code 20 Controlling Explosive and Flammable Gases and Dusts;
• SHE Code 26 Safe use of lifting equipment;
• SHE Code 30 SHE Auditing and Inspection;
• SHE Code 32 Fire and Emergency Management;
• SHE Code 35 Asbestos Management;
• SHE Code 36 Management and Provision of first aid; and
• SHE Code 37 COSHH: safe use of chemicals / hazardous substances.

3. Definitions

See section 5 for definitions of other items. 

3.1. Distribution Electrical Equipment

Distribution Electrical Equipment - the Site Distribution System from point of entry to the Site to the agreed single points of demarcation for experimental electrical equipment. Including all high voltage switchgear, step down transformers, ring main units, conductors and all other related electrical equipment used to receive high voltage electricity and to re-distribute it at lower voltages.

3.2. Experimental Electrical Equipment

Experimental Electrical Equipment - electrical systems directly associated with experimental rigs and facilities requiring additional specialist safety procedures. These systems must have an agreed single point of isolation from the Site Distribution Electrical System.

3.3. Portable Electrical Equipment

Portable Electrical Equipment - Portable equipment is not part of a permanent (fixed) installation but when used is connected to a fixed installation (or a generator), by means of a flexible cable, plug and socket. It includes equipment that is hand held or hand operated while connected to the supply. It also includes extension leads that supply portable equipment and are not part of the fixed installation. See SHE Code 17 Portable Electrical Equipment.

3.4. Point of Demarcation

Point of Demarcation – this is normally a switch or circuit breaker on an Electrical Distribution System that has been agreed by the relevant Electrical Authorising Engineers as the point of demarcation between the two areas of responsibility. This would normally be identified on a single line diagram as the single point of demarcation.

3.5. Voltage

Voltage - The following ranges of voltage are defined for non-conductive environments:

• High Voltage: A potential normally exceeding Low Voltage;
• Low Voltage: A potential normally exceeding Extra-Low Voltage but not exceeding 1000 volts ac or 1500 volts dc between conductors, or 600 volts ac or 900 volts dc between a conductor and earth; and
• Extra-Low Voltage: A potential normally not exceeding 50 volts ac, or 120 volts dc, between conductors or between conductor and earth.

The RMS ripple on the dc supply is not to exceed 10% of the nominal dc.

High voltage is regarded internationally as being in excess of 1000 volts ac. However in some UK systems the term `high voltage` is used where the voltage exceeds 650 volts.

Voltages in the Extra-Low Voltage range may still present a considerable hazard and when work is carried out on equipment operating in this voltage range a risk assessment should be carried out.

Particular precautions should be employed on equipment, which exceeds 5 Joules of stored energy and is able to exceed 5mA output current on short circuit.

3.7. Electrical and Electronic Equipment (abbr. Equipment)

Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, absorb, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy.

3.8. Electrical System

Electrical system - All electrical equipment and connected test equipment that is or may readily be connected electrically to a common source of electrical energy. A system encompasses all the constituent parts e.g. conductors, insulation, protective conductors, insulators and electrical equipment in it, and not simply the functional circuit.

Notes:

• Equipment which may readily be made live by a system is considered part of that system. For example, a lighting circuit disconnected from its source of electrical energy by means of removable links or fuses is still part of that system and so is a circuit which has been switched off even though the switch might be a double pole switch.
• A common source of electrical energy includes systems fed by several generators or transformers. 
  
• In the case of transformers where energy is transmitted over galvanic separation between transformer windings, even though they are not connected electrically, the transformer and all its windings are part of the same system.
• Electrical circuits or equipment whose singular source of supply is batteries are not part of the system (such as test equipment, unless it is connected to the system)

3.9. Electrical Authorising Engineer

Electrical Authorising Engineer - An engineer whose appointment has been approved by the Director to be responsible for implementing and monitoring this SHE Code.

3.10. Electrical Authorised Person

Electrical Authorised Person - A person who has been appointed in writing by the Electrical Authorising Engineer on behalf of the Director to be responsible for the implementation and operation of this SHE Code.

3.11. Electrical Nominated Person

Electrical Nominated person - A person certified by an Electrical Authorised Person or Electrical Authorising Engineer for defined work and with suitable and sufficient technical knowledge and experience to prevent injury, and who has:

• an adequate knowledge of electricity to undertake the defined work activity; 
  
• an adequate experience of electrical work to undertake the defined work activity; 
  
• an understanding of the system to be worked on and practical experience of that class of system; 
  
• an understanding of the hazards which may arise during the work and the precautions which need to be taken;
• the ability to recognise at all times whether it is safe for work to continue; and
• the ability to recognise their own limitations.
  

An Electrical Nominated Person can be electrical qualified or non-electrical qualified, the Electrical Authorised Person or Electrical Authorising Engineer shall assess qualifications, competency and experience before issuing a letter of Appointment.

3.12. Person in Charge

Person in Charge.

• An Electrical Nominated or Authorised Person who has accepted a Permit to Work, a Sanction to Test, a Sanction for Work on or near Live Electrical Equipment, a Specific Written Instruction or an Authority for Access, for a particular task from another Authorised Person (Electrical), or
• An Electrical Nominated Person who has accepted Standing Instruction from an Electrical Authorised Person, or
• An Electrical Nominated or Authorised Person who is responsible for working on or testing low voltage equipment in accordance with Table LV3.

3.13. Accompanying Safety Person

Accompanying safety person - A competent person who has received suitable training and has adequate knowledge, experience and the ability to recognise hazards. They are required to keep watch, prevent interruption, summon help and apply first-aid. The person is to have sufficient familiarity with electrical systems being worked on and have received instructions on how to disconnect the equipment from all supplies of electricity, and how to switch off or disconnect any test equipment

4. Responsibilities

4.1 Directors shall:

• 4.1.1 Ensure that the specification, design, fabrication, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, modification, maintenance / repair, inspection and decommissioning of electrical systems are carried out by a sufficient number of competent people and that sufficient resource and facilities are available to implement the requirements of this code.
•  
4.1.2 Appoint sufficient and suitably qualified and/or experienced Electrical Authorising Engineers for their Department who have successfully completed training, and ensure that their appointment and scope of responsibility are recorded in theSTFC SHE Directory, which will generate appointments in writing (See Appendix C for training and experience requirements). Where necessary, collaborate with or share such appointments with other Departments.
4.1.2 Appoint sufficient and suitably qualified and/or experienced Electrical Authorising Engineers for their Department who have successfully completed training, and ensure that their appointment and scope of responsibility are recorded in the STFC SHE Directory, which will generate appointments in writing (See Appendix C for training and experience requirements). Where necessary, collaborate with or share such appointments with other Departments.

4.2 Electrical Authorising Engineers shall:

• 4.2.1 Implement, administer, monitor and audit (see Appendix D) the application of this SHE code.
•  
4.2.2 Ensure their out of hours contact details are available to those responsible for managing site emergencies.
•  ​
  
4.2.3 An Electrical Authorising Engineer can undertake the duties of an Electrical Authorised Person within their area of appointment and may undertake duties as an Electrical Authorised Person in an area under the responsibility of another Electrical Authorising Engineer, however their work as an Electrical Authorised Person should be audited by another Electrical Authorising Engineer.

Appointment and management of Electrical Authorised Persons
4.2.4 Appoint sufficient Electrical Authorised Persons to ensure cover at all times, for all electrical systems, installations, and equipment for which they are responsible. Record the scope of their responsibilities in the STFC SHE Directory, which will generate appointments in writing. Ensure that Electrical Authorised Persons have at the time of appointment the required training and competence, and maintain their training and competence thereafter (see Appendix C).

• 4.2.4 Appoint sufficient Electrical Authorised Persons to ensure cover at all times, for all electrical systems, installations, and equipment for which they are responsible. Record the scope of their responsibilities in the STFC SHE Directory, which will generate appointments in writing. Ensure that Electrical Authorised Persons have at the time of appointment the required training and competence, and maintain their training and competence thereafter (see Appendix C).
•  
• 4.2.5 Ensure absolute clarity of responsibility for Electrical Authorised Persons such that, while there may be more than one Electrical Authorised Person appointed for an electrical system, only one is responsible for any defined work or test on an electrical system at any one time.
•  
• 4.2.6 Defining in writing, using drawings and diagrams as appropriate, the exact extent of the electrical systems and installations for which each Electrical Authorised Person is responsible, keeping appropriate records for each. Clear demarcation must be in place between areas covered by different Electrical Authorised Persons.
•  
  
• 4.2.7 Report to their appointing Director any deficiency in the number of suitably trained and experienced Electrical Authorised Persons.
  
•  
• 4.2.8 Review the competence of Electrical Authorised Persons at least every 5 years or more frequently depending on performance and if necessary suspend their appointment and remove their names from the SHE Directory informing the Electrical Authorised Person in writing of the reasons why. The Director is to be advised of such action and the corrective action recommended ensuring the continued safe operation of the electrical systems and installations.
  
  4.2.8 Review the competence of Electrical Authorised Persons at least every 5 years or more frequently depending on performance and if necessary suspend their appointment and remove their names from the SHE Directory informing the Electrical Authorised Person in writing of the reasons why. The Director is to be advised of such action and the corrective action recommended ensuring the continued safe operation of the electrical systems and installations.
  
•  
• 4.2.9 Ensure all Electrical Authorised Persons are made aware of any relevant safety information, defect report or operational restriction on the electrical systems or equipment for which they are responsible as soon as is reasonably practicable, providing appropriate advice to prevent injury. (Example NEDeRS – Engineering Directorate).

Management of Electrical Systems

• 4.2.10 Ensure that the electrical systems under their responsibility have accurate documentation, including drawings / schematics available, so that the electrical system can be operated and maintained safely. All changes to the electrical system shall be recorded.
•  
• 4.2.11 Ensure that all electrical incidents, near misses, hazardous conditions, dangerous occurrences or failures of electrical safe systems of work are promptly reported by the relevant Electrical Authorised Persons and others undertaking electrical works, including contractors through Evotix Assure following SHE Code 5 - Incident Reporting and Investigation.
•  
• 4.2.12 Investigate all reported SHE incidents involving electrical systems and installations within their area of appointment. Where learning points can be derived, work with SHE Group to ensure that the learning is cascaded to their Electrical Authorised and Nominated Persons and to the wider STFC electrical community.
•  
• 4.2.13 Ensure that the correct signage identifying electrical hazards and contact telephone numbers are displayed outside all electrical substations and switch rooms.
•  
• 4.2.14 Ensure that a list of significant hazards is displayed in or near all substation areas, switch rooms, switch cupboards, and adjacent to all distribution switchgear which is not confined to a specific room.
•  
• 4.2.15 As a matter of principle STFC does not permit live working on HV or LV systems, see section B11. However in exceptional circumstances the Authorising Engineer (Electrical) may authorise such work for example near HV Experimental Equipment or on / near LV systems, and shall ensure the following criteria are met:
  
  
• it is unreasonable in all circumstances for the electrical equipment to be dead and
• it is reasonable in all circumstances for any person to be at work on or near conductors whilst they are live and
• suitable precautions (including where necessary the provision of suitable protective equipment) are taken to prevent injury,and
• the authorisation for live working is documented.

Where live working is considered necessary the Electrical Authorising Engineer shall ensure that a documented risk assessment is undertaken before giving written authority for work on or near live electrical equipment. The Electrical Authorising Engineer  shall ensure that the people undertaking the work are thoroughly familiar with the risk assessment and that an accompanying safety person is appointed.

• 4.2.16 Ensure that all amendments to this SHE Code are brought to the attention of all staff and others engaged in work on electrical systems at STFC sites for example Electrical Authorised Persons, Electrical Nominated Persons, electrical contractors etc.
•  
• 4.2.17 Acceptance or otherwise of new works see section B25.
•  
• 4.2.18 Ensure that statutory fixed wiring testing of electrical distribution systems is undertaken 5 yearly by suitably qualified persons supported by annual routine monitoring. Records of tests should be retained.
•  
• 4.2.19 Electrical Authorising Engineers do not have authority to deviate from this Code. Where, exceptionally, they consider that it is appropriate to deviate from the Code temporarily; they must first obtain the agreement of the appropriate Director and SHE Group, and record the details and reasons in writing and complete a risk assessment.

4.3 Electrical Authorised Persons shall:

• 4.3.1 Be responsible for the practical implementation and operation of this SHE Code for the equipment for which they have been appointed to install, operate, test, work on or maintain etc.
•  
• 4.3.2 Ensure that, where the hazards are significant, a suitable documented risk assessment is undertaken for the work planned, see SHE Code 6, Risk Management.
•  
• 4.3.3 On matters related to this SHE Code the Electrical Authorised Person’s instructions are mandatory. In the case of a dispute, the Electrical Authorised Person is to stop the work or test and refer the matter to the Electrical Authorising Engineer for adjudication.
•  
• 4.3.4 Ensure all Electrical Nominated Persons working within their area of responsibility are made aware of this SHE Code.
•  
• 4.3.5 Issue and cancel all documents as described in Appendix A and B relating to the electrical system under their control.
•  
• 4.3.6 Withdraw any documents they have issued or that have been issued by another Electrical Authorised Person and transferred to them, if the Person in Charge fails to follow the Rules and Procedures set out in this SHE Code, or if an unexpected hazard arises.
•  
• 4.3.7 Maintain specialist Personnel Protective Equipment [PPE] (for example face shields, rubber matting, rubber gloves, arc flash protective clothing etc.), Test Equipment and Portable Earthing Equipment for which they are responsible, and ensure the equipment is regularly inspected, calibrated and maintained in good condition, see STFC recommended PPE standards.
•  
• 4.3.8 Before any specialist Personal Protective Equipment is used it is inspected prior to use.
•  
• 4.3.9 Inform the Electrical Authorising Engineer, in writing, of any defects that may compromise safety in an electrical system or equipment.
•  
• 4.3.10 Ensure that all electrical incidents, near misses, hazardous conditions, dangerous occurrences or failures of electrical safe systems of work are reported as soon as is reasonably practicable through Evotix Assure following SHE Code 5 - Incident Reporting and Investigation by those undertaking electrical works, including contractors.
•  
• 4.3.11 Instruct persons required to operate Electrical Equipment under their control in the safe use of that Electrical Equipment, and advise on the hazards arising from improper operation.
•  
• 4.3.12 Ensure that cable detection, identification or location work is undertaken prior to excavation or other works on their electrical systems within the geographic area of their responsibility.
•  
• 4.3.13 Where an Electrical Authorised Person is unsure of the meaning of any part of this Code they should refer the matter to their Electrical Authorising Engineer for guidance.
  
  

Management of Electrical Nominated Persons and Accompanying Safety Persons

• 4.3.14 Appoint sufficient Electrical Nominated Persons, to undertake electrical work within their area of responsibility for a period not exceeding 3 years, ensuring they are suitably trained and experienced prior to appointment, see Appendix C.
•  
• 4.3.15 Ensure that the record of appointments of Electrical Nominated Persons is recorded in the STFC SHE Directory, which will generate appointments in writing, and maintained.
  4.3.15 Ensure that the record of appointments of Electrical Nominated Persons is recorded in the STFC SHE Directory, which will generate appointments in writing, and maintained.
•  
• 4.3.16 Review the competence of Electrical Nominated Persons at least every 3 years or more frequently depending on performance and if necessary suspend their appointment and remove their names from the SHE Directory, informing the Electrical Authorised Engineer in writing of the reasons why. The Electrical Authorised Engineer is to be advised of the corrective action recommended to ensure the continued safe operation of the electrical systems and installations.
  4.3.16 Review the competence of Electrical Nominated Persons at least every 3 years or more frequently depending on performance and if necessary suspend their appointment and remove their names from the SHE Dire​ctory, informing the Electrical Authorised Engineer in writing of the reasons why. The Electrical Authorised Engineer is to be advised of the corrective action recommended to ensure the continued safe operation of the electrical systems and installations.
•  
• 4.3.17 As appropriate approve an Electrical  Nominated Person (STFC staff, contractors or others) for specific tasks by the issue of a Standing Instruction or Specific Written Instruction (see Appendix C for training requirements).
•  
• 4.3.18 Work with any Electrical Nominated Person carrying out activities on the system or equipment within their area of responsibility to develop a written Method Statement where the Nominated Person has produced a Risk Assessment for a task which highlights a cause for concern.
•  
• 4.3.19 Stop all electrical works where they consider the activities are not in accordance with this or other SHE Codes.
•  
• 4.3.20 When electrical work is being undertaken that requires the presence of an Accompanying Safety Person, see section 4.6 and B6, prior to work commencing instruct them how to disconnect the equipment being worked on from all supplies of electricity, and how to switch off any test equipment or disconnect it from the supply.

4.4 Electrical Nominated Persons shall:

• 4.4.1 Sign to accept the responsibility to undertake defined electrical work, identified on the letter of appointment, issued by the Authorised Person for a period not exceeding 5 years.
•  
• 4.4.2 Work in accordance with this SHE Code and take all measures necessary to prevent injury to themselves or others, and to prevent damage to Equipment.
•  
• 4.4.3 Be aware of the extent and limits of the work to be undertaken, their competence, and of any constraints on the sequence or method of working.
•  
• 4.4.3 As appropriate undertake a documented risk assessment of work planned, where the hazards are significant see SHE Code 6, Risk Management, excluding live working - see 4.2.15.
•  
• 4.4.4 Only work on or test equipment which is listed on their letter of appointment unless covered by Standing Instructions or other Specific Written Instructions.

4.5 Persons in Charge shall:

• 4.5.1 Prior to commencing work ensure a suitable risk assessment and method statement is in place for the work planned, and the controls detailed implemented.
•  
• 4.5.2 Be an Electrical Nominated Person, Contractor or Electrical Authorised Person who is working on or testing equipment in accordance with Table LV3 see appendix A and B, or has accepted a Permit to Work, Sanction to Test, Sanction for Work on or near Live Electrical Equipment, a Specific Written Instruction, a Standing Instruction or Authority for Access from the Electrical Authorised Person.
•  
• 4.5.3 Follow the Electrical Authorised Person’s instructions and work in accordance with this SHE Code, taking all safety measures necessary to prevent injury to themselves or others and to prevent damage to equipment. Instruct the Accompanying Safety Person, if present, in how to disconnect the Equipment being worked on from all supplies of electricity, and how to switch off any test Equipment or disconnect it from the supply.
•  
• 4.5.4 Having accepted a Permit or Sanction, undertake / supervise only the specified work or test. Upon completion of this work or test, the Person in Charge then signs off the Clearance section of a Permit or Sanction.
•  
• 4.5.5 If the Person in Charge has to temporarily leave the place of work, the work or test is to be suspended, unless local rules apply, and adequate safe systems of work established.
•  
• 4.5.6 Report all electrical safety incidents or near misses to the Electrical Authorised Person or Electrical Authorising Engineer as soon as is practicable, and in Evotix Assure following SHE Code 5 - Incident Reporting and Investigation. Where reasonably practicable following an electrical incident, photographs should be taken before any items are disturbed.

4.6 Accompanying Safety Persons shall:

• 4.6.1 Undertake the following duties (see section B6):
  
  
• Maintain a watching brief for those undertaking electrical work for hazards, distractions and other sources of interruption; and
• In the event of an incident summon help, make the work area safe as appropriate disconnecting equipment worked on from all supplies of electricity, and switch off any test equipment or disconnect it from the supply, and apply first-aid if it is safe to do so.

4.7 Managers, including Contract Supervising Officers,​ shall:

• 4.7.1 Prior to allowing electrical work on their equipment ensure that a risk assessment and method statement for the work planned has been established, see STFC SHE Code 6 Risk Management. As appropriate seeking the advice of STFC Electrical Authorising Engineer or Electrical Authorised Person.
•  
• 4.7.2 Where such work is undertaken by STFC electrical staff or contractors working on their behalf, the competence of all individuals working on or near electrical systems must be approved by an Electrical Authorising Engineer or an Electrical Authorised Person before undertaking electrical work or tests.

4.8 Staff, tenants, contractors, facility users and visitors shall:

• 4.8.1 4.8.1 Report all electrical safety incidents or near misses to the Electrical Authorising Engineer or Electrical Authorised Person as soon as is practicable, and in Evotix Assure following SHE Code 5 - Incident Reporting and Investigation.

4.9 SHE Group shall:

• 4.9.1 Ensure STFC subscribes to a suitable industry forum where serious electrical incidents, equipment faults/failures and manufacturers advisory notices are published. Whenever the forum reports on matters that are relevant to STFC, cascade the information in a timely manner.
•  
• 4.9.2 Ensure that electrical SHE incidents are reported to STFC Electrical Authorising Engineers to share learning and experience.

5. Technical Definitions

CAT Rating: Overvoltage installation categories have standards from I to IV. The division of a power distribution system into categories is based on the fact that a dangerous high-energy transient such as a lightning strike will be attenuated or dampened as it travels through the impedance of the system. A higher CAT number refers to an electrical environment with higher power available and higher energy transients. Thus, a multimeter designed to a CAT III standard is resistant to much higher energy transients than one designed to CAT II standards. Many test instruments such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and component testers often have labels near or next to their inputs that indicate CAT rating.

Charged: A piece of Equipment or a conductor that has acquired a voltage charge either because it is live or has been live, or because it has become charged by other means such as static or induction charging or has retained or regained a charge due to capacitance effects, even though it may be disconnected from the rest of the system.

Competent Person: a person judged by an Electrical Authorised Person as competent to receive a Permit or Sanction (usually a Electrical Nominated Person) or an Authority for Access for works in Switch Rooms and Substations for minor electrical work or work that involves other trades. Competent Persons shall have:

1. an understanding of the work they are to perform;
2. an understanding of electricity and its potential to harm;
3. an understanding of the electrical hazards which may arise during the work and the precautions which need to be taken;
4. the ability to recognise at all times whether it is safe for work to continue;
5. the ability to recognise their own limitations.

Contractor: any external organisation or other body employed by STFC to carry out specific duties on or within STFC property.

Dead: At or about zero voltage and disconnected from any live or charged system.

Disconnection: The complete isolation, electrically and physically (by the total removal of cables or bus-bars from any live or potentially live apparatus), such that the circuit or system is not reliant on locks or the removal of fuses to prevent it being re-energised, and thus removing all hazards from the circuit, system, or apparatus. Removal of tails from a fuse-way and leaving them taped up in the fuse board would not be deemed a Disconnection.

Earthed: Connected to the general mass of earth in such a manner as to ensure at all times an immediate discharge of electrical energy without risk or, as appropriate, injury.

Electrical Installation (abbr. Installation): An assembly of associated Electrical Equipment to fulfil a specific purpose, which forms part of a system.

Hazardous Area: Any location in which there is a risk to health. The risk may be due to any hazard, such as storage areas, laboratories and facilities containing dangerous substances, explosive atmospheres, poisonous substances, electromagnetic radiation, ionising radiation, or strong magnetic fields. Locations of work should also be considered such as confined space or working at height.

High Voltage Enclosure: A location within which a live High Voltage conductor is or may be exposed without the use of a tool or key.

Interlock: A means to prevent switching operations or access that might cause injury, such as paralleling of supplies, or entering enclosures without the supply being isolated.

International Protection (IP): A specification for degrees of protection provided by enclosures, for example IP2X defines an enclosure providing protection against ingress of foreign objects with a diameter of 12.5 mm, and from a finger being inserted and accessing hazardous parts: the X means there is no protection against ingress of water specified.

Isolate: Disconnect and separate Electrical and Electronic Equipment from the normal source(s) of electrical energy in such a way that the disconnection and separation is secure.

Live: Any apparatus or conductors that are at a voltage by being connected to a source of electricity.

Mimic Diagram: A single line diagram of an electrical distribution system so constructed that the symbol for each item of switchgear may be adjusted to indicate the ON, the OFF, or the EARTHED position. The symbol for each item of Equipment shall use the appropriate colour identification of voltages to BS EN 60617.

Protective Conductor (PE): (BS 7671:2008) A conductor used for some measures of protection against electric shock and intended for connecting together any of the following parts:

1. exposed-conductive-parts;
2. extraneous-conductive –parts;
3. the main earthing terminal;
4. earth electrode(s);
5. the earthed point of the source, or an artificial neutral.

Prove Dead: Demonstrate with the use of suitable and sufficient Test Equipment that no electrical potential liable to cause injury is present.

Proving Unit: see Test Supply.

Removable Temporary Earth: This is an earth, which may be removed for the duration of a test. The Electrical Authorised Person lists these on the Sanction to Test, when a Sanction to Test is required.

Substation: Any premises or part of premises in which electrical energy is transformed or converted to or from high voltage, or which contains high voltage switchgear.

Switchboard: High or low voltage switchgear assembled into a single panel or frame.

Switch Cupboard: A room containing distribution boards and other electrical apparatus, but not Distribution Switchgear. An Authority for Access would not normally be required. In exceptional instances where an area classed as a Switch Cupboard may be a shared area, such as those used by cleaners, it may be advantageous to change the reference to show the different level of access control.

Switchgear: An assembly of main and auxiliary electrical equipment for operation, regulation, protection, or other control of an electrical Installation.

Switch Room: A room other than a Substation containing distribution Switchgear. Unless authorised to do so, an Authority for Access would normally be required to enter.

Temporary Earth: A connection to earth made before working on or testing equipment to ensure as far as is practicable that the equipment does not become electrically charged, secured where practicable by a Safety Lock. On completion of a Permit to Work or Sanction to Test these earths are removed by the Electrical Authorised Person​.

Test Equipment: Equipment to undertake particular tests that is suitable and sufficient for the use for which it is provided, that is maintained in a condition suitable for that use, and that is properly used (see CAT rating definition).

Test Indicator / Potential Indicator: Test Equipment for proving dead and confirming dead in connection with this SHE Code.

Test Supply (or Proving Unit): Test Equipment for proving the function of a voltage Test Indicator or a Potential Indicator for live voltage and phasing Test Equipment or a current Test Indicator.

6. References

Electronic copies of legislation, approved codes of practice and British Standards can be accessed by STFC staff through STFC-wide subscriptions for online information resources. These services are provided by the Chadwick and RAL libraries and further details can be found on the SHE Gro​up website.

• 6.1 Electricity at Work Regulations, 1989.
• 6.2 HSE guidance on Regulations HSR25. Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
• 6.3 Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR).
• 6.4 Guidance on the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR), Department of Trade and Industry.
• 6.5 BS 7671, Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulation, latest edition.
• 6.6 BS EN 61243-3:2010 Voltage indicators, Electrical test equipment for use by electricians, HSE guidance note GS38. (Integral Fuses are prohibited for future purchases of voltage indicators)
• 6.7 Avoiding danger from underground services. HSE guidance note HSG47.
• 6.8 Electricity at Work – Safe Working Practices. HSE guidance Information HSG85.
• 6.9 Keeping electrical switchgear safe, HSG230.
• 6.10 Electrical Switchgear Safety, General information sheet INDG372 (rev1).
• 6.11 Safety in Electrical Testing: Switchgear and control gear, engineering information sheet EIS37.
• 6.12 Safety in Electrical Testing at Work, general Information sheet INDG354.
• 6.13 Guidance on Safe Isolation Procedures for Low Voltage Installations, HSE and Electrical Safety Council best practice guide no. 2.
• 6.14 Specification for degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code) IEC 60529, as amended.
• 6.15 Pocket Guide 16, IP codes, NICEIC Pocket Guides.
• 6.16 Safety in Electrical Testing: Service and repair of audio, TV and computer equipment, engineering information sheet EIS36.
• 6.17 Using electric storage batteries safely, general information sheet INDG139 (rev1).
• 6.18 Electrical safety and you, general information sheet INDG231 (rev1).​