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Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure

OR-00-FAT-F21-020
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1 of 11
01/11/2011

OR-00-FAT-F21-020
ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROCEDURE

00

01/11/2011

K. Lamb

M.J. Dunn

K. Feldmann

First issue

Rev.

Date

Prepared

Checked

Approved

Description

Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure

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Table of Contents
1.0

Purpose

2.0

Scope

3.0

Responsibilities

4.0

5.0

6.0

3.1

Site Manager

3.2

Appointed Person (Electrician)

3.3

Vendors/Subcontractors

3.4

Site HSE Manager

3.5

Employees

Electrical Systems
4.1

Testing of Temporary Electrical Installations

4.2

Use of Reduced Voltage Electrical Tools and Equipment

4.3

Security of Electrical Installations

4.4

Protection of Electrical Cable

4.5

Electrical Connections

Inspections
5.1

Testing

5.2

Portable Electrical Hand Tools

Safe Working Methods

6.1

Lockout and Tagout

6.2

Permit to Work

7.0

Working Near Overhead Power Lines

8.0

Underground Services

9.0

8.1

Use of Cable and Pipe Locators

8.2

Sweeping

8.3

Digging Mechanical or manual

8.4

Exposure and Protection

8.5

Reporting Damage

Working In Confined Spaces

9.1

Use of Low Voltage Electrical Equipment

9.2

Grounding/Earthing Requirements

10.0

Forms/Reports

11.0

Records

Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure
1.0

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PURPOSE

To ensure that a standard approach is taken in the control and management of the temporary
electrical systems used on the project by FATA Gulf.
2.0

SCOPE

This section covers the safety of temporary electrical installations on the project as well as the use of
electrical tools and equipment. FATA Gulf is responsible for ensuring the safety of all temporary
electrical installations and for ensuring the risks associated with using electrical tools and equipment
is kept as low as possible.
This procedure is mandatory and applies to all construction projects being undertaken by FATA Gulf.
3.0

RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1

Site Manager

The Site Manager shall ensure that all electrical systems at the work site are managed in a safe
manner. In order to ensure that this procedure is followed he shall appoint competent Electricians to
carryout work on electrical systems.
3.2

Appointed Person (Electrician)

The appointed person (Electrician) shall be responsible for the application of this procedure and
ensuring that all electrical systems are inspected periodically and all electrical systems are maintained
in good working order. All persons employed as electricians must be competent and be in the
possession of a recognised electrical qualification. FATA Gulf will ensure that any persons working on
electrical installations including temporary electrics are competent.
3.3

Vendors/Subcontractors

Vendors/Subcontractors shall be responsible for implementing this procedure and ensuring that all
necessary steps are taken to protect the workforce and other person(s) who may be working in the
vicinity.
3.4

Site HSE Manager

The Site HSE Manager shall assist the Site Manager in the implementation of this procedure and
provide the necessary Health & Safety advice to ensure compliance.
3.5

Employees

Use portable electrical equipment only for the purpose it has been provided and in accordance with
any information, instruction or training received.
Carry out pre-use visual checks of portable electrical equipment (including when issued new
equipment) as outlined in 5.2.1.
Immediately report to their Supervisor/Foreman any fault or defect to portable electrical equipment or
if they notice that a test record (label) is out-of date.
[Note: If there is safety concerns cease use and immediately disconnect the equipment from the
power source.]

Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure
4.0

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

4.1

Testing of Temporary Electrical Installations

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Vendors/Subcontractors will ensure that all temporary electrical installations are tested by a
competent electrician and that a certificate is issued for each distribution board. A copy of the
certificate shall be held in a plastic wallet and fixed to the distribution board so that it is easily
available for inspection. All temporary electrical installations must be earthed and the resistance of the
earthing must be checked to ensure it meets the level required under electrical safety guidelines from
the generator manufacturer or local mains supplier in the case of mains supply. In the absence of any
guidance from the generator manufacturer the earth rod shall be driven to a depth so that it
penetrates the summer water table by 2 metres and the resistance of any point in the earth continuity
system does not exceed 0.5 ohms.
4.2

Use of Reduced Voltage Electrical Tools and Equipment

Vendors/Subcontractor will ensure that all electrical hand tools and machinery such as circular saws
operate at 110v through a step down transformer. All 110v leads connected to the transformer and
run across site are to be Yellow in colour. The only exception allowed will be where certain tools or
machinery are not available in the reduced voltage. In this case where 230v or greater are used a
Residual Current Device (RCD) must be fitted with a 30mA trip. The requirement for the use of 110v
shall also extend to temporary lighting.
4.3

Security of Electrical Installations

Vendors/Subcontractor will ensure that all electrical installations are secured. Distribution boards must
be locked shut and under no circumstances shall live conductors be exposed where workers could
accidentally come into contact with them. Clear warning signage must be displayed on all electrical
installations and only competent electricians are to have access to distribution boards.
4.4

Protection of Electrical Cable

Vendors/Subcontractor will ensure that all electrical cables running from a generator to the distribution
board are mechanically protected. The preferred method will be the use of steel wire armoured (SWA)
cable to ensure that the risk of electric shock from cable damage is greatly reduced. All connections in
cables are to be made by a competent electrician and with proprietary connectors under no
circumstances are joints to be made using solely electrical tape.
Cords, leads and hoses shall be kept at least 2.0 meters off the ground or whatever height is
necessary to be protected from traffic and prevent tripping hazards. Electrical power and extension
cords and welding cables/leads and hoses shall not be coiled while in use.
4.5

Electrical Connections

Vendors/Subcontractor will ensure that all electrical connections are made using plugs and sockets
that meet the requirements of BS4343. These connections should be either the waterproof or splash
proof design under no circumstances are domestic 2 or 3 pin plugs or sockets to be used. It is strictly
prohibited for bare electrical cable ends to be pushed into electrical sockets in order to make a circuit.
5.0

INSPECTIONS

5.1

Testing

Every installation should be tested in accordance with the IET Regulations at three-monthly intervals
or shorter periods if necessary by an electrician.
The record of any testing and inspections should be made by a responsible person on the appropriate
certificates
Testing and inspections must include:

a visual inspection
the continuity of final circuit conductors
the continuity of protective conductors

Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure

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the earth electrode resistance

the insulation resistance
polarity
the earth fault loop impedance
the correct operation of residual current
devices and fault voltage operated
protective devices

Weekly inspections should be made of the whole system, including all portable electric tools.
Records should also be kept of all these inspections.
5.2

Portable Electrical Hand Tools

An appropriate maintenance system should be established for all portable electrical equipment and
should include user checks, regular visual inspections and combined inspection and electrical testing
as necessary. It is recommended that all portable and handheld tools should have the following
inspection and testing facilities.

User check before use

Visual Weekly Inspection recorded
Combined inspection and test before first use and thereafter three-monthly recorded and colour
coded.

5.2.1

Visual Inspection Guidance

Visual inspections are usually the most important components of a portable electrical equipment
maintenance regime. The majority of potentially dangerous faults can be picked up by such
inspections, which are normally carried out by users themselves and/or periodically by a competent
person.
Any visual inspection should critically examine the equipment to check that it appears to be in sound
condition and should include any extension leads and associated plugs and sockets. User visual
inspections should not include taking any equipment apart. When carrying out a visual inspection
ensure the electrical equipment is turned off and check for:

Damage to plugs (e.g. cracked casing or bent pins)

Damage to the external cover/casing of the equipment, loose parts or loose/missing screws
Damage to outer coverings/insulation to leads, wires or cables (apart from light scuffing).
Cable located where it might be subject to damage or forced into a tight bend as it exits
equipment.
Inadequate joints, including taped joints in the cable
Burn marks, staining or discoloration that may suggest overheating
Whether the equipment has been subjected to conditions for which it is not suitable, e.g. spillage
of fluids or solids, overly dirty or dusty, or excessively contaminated in some other way.
The absence of inappropriate pieces of equipment or foreign objects on or inside the equipment

The formal inspection by a competent electrician (not the user) may also include checking the plug by
removing the plug cover, particularly if there are any concerns (not applicable for moulded plugs,
where only the fuse can be checked). This would only involve checking the correct fuse for the
equipment is in use, the cord grip is effective, the cable terminations are secure and correct (including
an earth where appropriate), and that there are no signs of internal damage, overheating or entry of
liquid or foreign matter. Further guidance is given in the table and diagram below.
Should a visual inspection indicate equipment to be unsafe for use (or reveal the lack of a valid PAT
test where required) it should be reported to management and immediately taken out of use
(disconnect from the power source and, if necessary, label as faulty and/or disable by removing the
plug). This action should be noted on the register and arrangements made for any necessary repair or
replacement.

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Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure
5.2.2

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Inspection & Test Frequencies

Equipment/Application

Voltage

User
Check

Formal Visual
Inspection

Combined
Inspection &
Test

Battery-operated power tools

and torches

Less than 25
volts

No

No

No

25V Portable hand lamps

(confined for damp
conditions)

25 volt
Secondary
winding from
transformer

No

No

No

50V Portable hand lamps

Secondary
winding centre
tapped to earth
(25 volt)

No

No

Yearly

110V Portable and handheld tools, extension leads,

site lighting, moveable wiring
systems and associated
switchgear

Secondary
winding centre
tapped to earth
(55 volt)

Weekly

Monthly

Before first use

on site, then
every 3
months

230V Portable and handheld tools, extension leads

and portable floodlighting

230 volt mains

supply through
30mA RCD

Daily/every
shift

Weekly

Before first use

on site and
then monthly

230V Equipment such as

lifts, hoists and fixed
floodlighting

230V Supply
fuses or MCBs

Weekly

Monthly

Before first use

on site, then
every 3
months

Daily/every
shift

Weekly

*Before first
use on site,
then every 3
months

Monthly

6 Monthly

Before first use

on site and
then yearly

RCDs

Fixed**

Equipment in Site Offices

230 volt Office

Equipment

* Note: RCDs need a different range of tests to other portable equipment, and equipment designed
to carry out appropriate tests on RCDs will need to be used.
** It is recommended that portable RCDs are tested monthly

Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure
6.0

SAFE WOKING METHODS

6.1

Lockout and Tagout (OR-00-FAT-F21-014)

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FATA GULF will ensure that all workers are trained in the correct isolation procedures, including
Lockout/Tagout, identification of isolation points using plant drawings, Owners safety requirements
and emergency procedures.
The safety measures to be implemented for this procedure are:

6.2

Identify all energy sources connected with the work.

Disable, redirect, or stop all energy from doing what it normally does.
Confirm that youve reached a zero energy state.
Apply restraint devices to keep the system from starting up while you work on it.
Gravity may cause a mechanical device to drop even though all energy sources have been
disconnected, physically blocking the equipment may be necessary to prevent injury.
Check with staff at industrial sites regarding the necessity of obtaining lock out permits and follow
the plant procedure.
Restraint devices, (chains, locks, scissors, blocking), on mechanical, electrical, and physical
energy sources must be tagged.
Tags indicate who you are, who you work for, what equipment is locked out and when it was
locked out, as well as who to contact in case of emergency.
Construction sites must have formal lockout procedures and permits to identify all energy sources
- trace wiring,
- piping, and
- all lines in and out of the equipment or area.
Refer to drawings, specifications operating manuals etc.
Once each energy source has been identified and de-energized, testing must be performed to
verify a zero energy state.
Lockout can be simple locking out an electrical panel box while installing a stringer of temporary
lighting.
Permit To Work (OR-00-FAT-F21-012)

Permit To Work systems are essential to ensure safe working and freedom from hazards where highvoltage electrical supplies, cables and equipment exist, particularly in installation, maintenance or
construction work.
The Permit To Work must only be issued by an appointed and authorised person. They must be
signed by an authorised person and by the competent person carrying out the works described on the
permit.
The authorised person should keep a record of all permits that are issued and cancelled on the
project, a copy of all Permit To Work are to be held in the Site HSE Office.
Before work starts, the authorised person should ensure that the Permit To Work will cover the
making safe from all possible sources of supply. The Site HSE Manager should monitor what permits
have been issued and that the permit is being adhered to by the persons who it has been issued to.
Under no circumstances should anyone work on, maintain, repair or otherwise adjust high
voltage apparatus except in accordance with the instructions and terms of a formal permit to
work.

Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure
7.0

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WORKING NEAR OVERHEAD POWER LINES

The local electricity authority should be consulted before any work commences and a safe system of
work should be devised and implemented
Practical steps that can be taken to prevent danger from any live cable or apparatus could include the
placing of adequate and suitable barriers.

If mobile cranes or excavators are used, the minimum distance

from the ground level barrier to the line should be length of jib
plus 9 metres if slung on a wooden pole and 15 metres if slung
on a metal post or pylon

Any ground level barriers should consist of either:

a.
b.
c.
d.

A stout post and fence rail.

A tension wire fence, earthed at both ends, flags on the wires.
Large steel drums filled with rubble or concrete, placed at frequent levels.
Substantial timber baulks, to act as wheel stops.

There should be a general rule prohibiting the storage of materials in the area between the overhead
lines and the ground level barriers. Precautions are necessary even though work in the vicinity of the
line may be of short duration.
All work must be carried out under the supervision of a competent person/responsible supervisor who
is familiar with the hazards associated and likely to be encountered.
8.0

UNDERGROUND SERVICES

The greatest risk of injury lies in contacting electricity cables. Some people are electrocuted, but the
majority suffer burns from the explosive arcing of the damaged cable. Most injuries are caused to
persons using pneumatic drills or jackhammers and involve 415-volt cables within 0.5 metres of the
surface.

Oman Rolling Mill Project

Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure
8.1

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Use of Cable and Pipe Locators

A wide range of instruments are available for the detection of buried services. Several different
principles may be applied in the task of detection and an instrument may incorporate more than one
of these:
a. Hum Detection
Virtually all electricity cables give off or radiate a magnetic field while current is actually flowing
through them. This magnetic field or hum is usually easy to detect.
b. Radio Frequency
Metal pipes and cables can act like radio and re-broadcast low and very low frequency radio
signals, which can be detected.
c.

Transmitter and Receiver

A small portable transmitter or signal generator can be connected to a cable or pipe, or so placed
very close to it so that the signal is fed into or inducted in the pipe or cable.

d. Metal Detectors
Conventional metal detectors will usually locate flat metal covers, joint boxes, etc, but may miss
round cables or pipes.
8.2

Sweeping

It is essential to sweep an area as shown in the diagram below.

8.3

Digging Mechanical or manual

Once the approximate location of a service has been identified using all available information, trial
holes should be dug carefully by hand, to establish the exact location and depth of the service. Where
two holes are dug at intervals, it should not be assumed that the service runs in a straight line
between them.
Mechanical excavators and power tools should not be used within 0.5 metres of the indicated line of a
service, unless prior agreement on a safe system of work has been reached with the service owner.
Excavations must be supported adequately, especially if more than 1.2 metres deep or dug in poor
ground or at a location exposed to traffic vibration or near a building etc.

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Contract for Rolling Mill Plant in Sohar
Electrical Safety Procedure

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8.4
Exposure and Protection
When a service is exposed in the bottom of a trench or excavation, it should be protected with
suitable timber or other material to prevent it becoming damaged.
A service across a trench or along a trench above the bottom should be supported by slings or props,
to avoid unnecessary stresses. If in doubt, consult the service provider.
8.5

Reporting Damage

Any damage to buried services must be reported to the owners. Most damage to the sheath of a
cable or to coating on a pipe can result in moisture penetration, corrosion and subsequent failure.
9.0

WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES (OR-00-FAT-F21-013)

9.1

Use of Low Voltage Electrical Equipment

Inside conductive confined spaces, low voltage (24 volt or less) lighting must be used. Cables to be
used in confined spaces shall be heavy duty neoprene rubber cables, carefully inspected, to ensure
there is no damage or deterioration, by a competent electrician, and installed overhead as much as
practicable. Protection shall be given to all cables as they enter into the confined space / vessel to
ensure they are not damaged by sharp edges.
9.2

Grounding/Earthing Requirements

Grounding/earthing shall be provided for all electrical equipment. Grounding/earthing cables shall
have their continuity and conductivity checked by a competent electrician.
10.0

RECORDS

All records and documentation relating to this procedure shall be maintained at the Site Office by the
Site HSE Manager and will be made available for auditing purposes at mutually convenient times.