Electricity

HSE publication GS 6 shows how power lines should be protected. Do not forget that if the vehicle is travelling at speed you do not want it to stop under the lines and the brake stopping distance should be taken into account when deciding the distance the goal post should be from the line. A minimum distance of 6m is quoted in the guidance, and this may need to be increased to 25 m where vehicles travel at speed to allow for braking. Do not forget low structures such as conveyors may also be contacted by equipment and adequate warnings such as goal posts and signage should be used.

Remember GS 6 Remove OH lines if possible, if not they must be protected. All electrical equipment will be part of an electrical inspection and maintenance scheme. Have a look at your scheme does it include all of the electrical equipment? This picture does not show the complete set up as set out in GS 6, there is no side protection and this is unacceptable.

Only use low voltage hand tools that are 110volt centre tapped. They are much safer for you. Use RCD's. This is a low voltage lamp.

Electrical substations must be kept clean and should not be used as stores. They should be kept locked with access to authorised personnel only.

Electrical substations must be kept clean and should not be used as stores All equipment must be part of the electrical maintenance and inspection scheme.

Don't forget equipment such as welders. This one was not part of the scheme and is covered in dust.

Welder returns should be direct to the welder and not part of the structure of the plant.

Batteries should be treated with respect, especially when jump starting and terminals should never be rebuilt on site. Look at guidance booklet IND (G) 139L Electrical storage batteries - safe charging and use.

Dust accumulations can have a serious effect on the safe functioning of electrical equipment.

All electrically powered equipment must be capable of being isolated. The isolation points must be clearly labelled and means of isolation provided. This may be by means of hasps and padlocks. No other person should have the key to your padlock unless it is locked securely in a place of safety.

This panel has a faulty interlock which allows access to live parts.

Where the operatives have been properly trained it may be appropriate to access some electrical equipment for purposes of resetting trips. In these cases it may be permissible to open cabinet doors provided the equipment inside is properly shrouded to prevent in advertent access.

This isolator has the live parts unshrouded with the possibility of contacting live conductors

Switch gear cabinets should be securely locked at all times. Where wiring is damaged it should be reported to the management at once. Water must not be allowed to accumulate in switch rooms

Switch gear cabinets should be securely locked at all times. Where wiring is damaged it should be reported to the management at once. Water must not be allowed to accumulate in switch rooms

There is no protection for equipment working near these overhead lines. The overhead line and supports have no protection against contact.

There must be adequate clearance for all the vehicles that are using the roads. This should include the periodic movement of excavators cranes etc. Here dump trucks are still working around an unprotected power line, which had previously been hit by an excavator being tracked beneath it.

Power lines present a real problem and should be removed from the quarry as part of its design. Where this is not possible they should be protected as set out in guidance note GS6.One in three strikes of power lines result in fatal injury.

Work activity should not take place near overhead lines. Guidance is given in HSE Guidance Note GS6 Avoidance of danger from overhead electric lines.

Stockpiles should not be allowed to encroach to within 6 metres of the outside overhead line, guidance in GS6.

The driver of this truck was killed when the skip was raised to do maintenance on the truck. Note the tyres were set on fire

Underground services

Underground cables and pipes present an obvious hazard when excavating near them. All services should be accurately located on a site plan and identified before work is commenced. A less obvious hazard is illustrated above where a crane overturned due to the stabiliser being placed over a culvert which collapsed when the crane was loaded killing the driver. Guidance is given in HSG 47 Avoiding danger from underground services.