Electrical
Safety
What are the Electrical Lifesaving Rules
Working with electricity
Always have a valid permit to work
where required
Always test before applying earths
Never assume equipment is isolated –
always test before touch
Why Do we Need Electrical Life Saving Rules
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Every year, on average, there are 1.2 incidents on AC electrified
lines which result in fatalities or life changing injuries to industry
staff
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On the DC network we have a far higher volume of less severe
but often life changing incidents involving staff

We are embarking on a major programme of electrification for
which our designs and processes must be legally compliant to the
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Target zero on fatalities and major injuries by the end of CP5.
Always have a valid permit to
work where required
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Network Rail have robust systems to allow you to work on electrical
systems
You must be competent to issue and hold an electrical permit
You must understand the content of the permit
If you are the permit holder you must confirm the permit is valid
You must not start work until the permit has been issued , the permit is valid
and you have the authority to start work from:
AC – Nominated Person ( NP)
DC ( Conductor Rail Permit) – Engineering Supervisor (Level A holder)
It must be noted that on Mersey Rail and Euston to Watford lines
where the traction current is DC the NP will issue Conductor Rail
Permits.
Always test before applying
earths
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After an Isolation has been given the authorised person (AP) will be given
authority by the NP to apply earth (AC), the Level A holder will give authority
to the strapman (DC)
A Switching Testing Earthing Details Form (STED) for AC and the
Engineering Supervisors certificate form DA for DC (Form B Mersey Rail)
Before the AP/Strapman applies the earth,he/she must Test before Earth
Before the test is carried out the test equipment must be proved
This test is undertaken so that the AP/Strapman has assurance that the
area to be earthed has been isolated
You must be competent to undertake earthing/strapping
Live Line Indicator AC
Seaward Tester DC
Never assume equipment is isolated
– always test before touch
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Once the Isolation has been implemented and the earths have been applied
a permit to work is issued – Form C (AC) & Mersey Rail (DC) – Conductor
Rail permit (DC)
Before work can commence Test before Touch must be carried out
This Test before Touch gives staff assurance that the electrical conductor
system, has been switched off
You Test before Touch by using the Live Line Indicator (AC) and the
Seaward tester (DC) – You must be competent to undertake and use this
equipment
If you are working on and around the conductors you should test again,
additionally when you move past section insulators, Auto Transformer
Feeders (AC), section gaps, floaters (DC) and similar potential residual
electrical hazards
Currently this test on AC must be carried out at ground level – Boots on
Ballast
Why Apply The Rules :
Legislation mandates that we apply all legal requirements to our
undertakings the electrical Life saving rules enhance and remind
us about these requirements :
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HASAW etc Act 1974 - states 2(2)(a)-Provision & maintenance of
safe plant & systems of work that are so far as reasonably
practical safe and without risk to health –This is your permit to
work
Regulation 13 of the EAWR 1989 deals with precautions for work
on equipment made dead and states (197) Where work is to be
done on or near conductors that have been isolated, the
conductors should be proved dead at the point of work before
the work starts- In reality this means before you apply an Earth
and before you work on Electrical Equipment you will Test to
make sure the electrical continuity is DEAD
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The Electrical Life Saving Rules
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The Electrical Lifesaving rules are there to support you and keep
you safe
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Working with Electricity is the unseen danger
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Remember the rules
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Apply the Rules
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Don’t become a statistic - Ask Kieran Brown
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If In Doubt Test it Out