2013 VESI Green Book
An introduction to the changes in
the new Electrical Safety Rules
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Purpose, Duration and Pre-requisites
• PURPOSE
• This course is designed to provide you with an understanding
of the changes that have been made in creating the 2013
Green Book
• DURATION
• 2 hours
• 10 minute break after 1 hour
• PRE-REQUISITES
• Familiarity with the 2006 Green Book
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content
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Background
Reasons for change
Format changes
Principles and Definitions
Structure and layout changes
Major content changes
Questions
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Reasons for Change
• In December 2012, the Electrical Safety Committee (ESC)
published an updated Blue Book
• The Blue Book applies to all persons working on, near or in
the vicinity of HV apparatus that is capable of being energised
• This includes Transmission and HV Customers
• The Distribution businesses have different requirements to
those companies and that is the primary purpose of the GB
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Background of GB
• The 2013 version of the GB
represents the 3rd major
review
• The GB is the cornerstone
document of VESI safe
systems of work
• The GB provides the means
by which the DB’s comply
with the Blue Book
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Name Change
• Despite being called a Code of Practice for some years, the
GB is by definition no longer a Code
• Therefore the name has changed to the:
“Electrical Safety Rules for the Victorian Distribution
Networks (2013)”
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Format Changes
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Size change from A6 to A5
Use of colour
Use of photographs
Divided into 5 parts with coloured
edging
Updated tables and images
New numbering system
Index removed
Italics eliminated
Use of capitals reduced
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Principles
• The Principles from the 2006 GB
are unchanged other than at the
beginning of Part 1 (page 1) which
now reads:
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Persons shall be assessed as competent and
where required, authorised for the role they are
undertaking
• All Principles throughout the GB
have been moved to the beginning
of each Part.
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Definitions – Deleted
• Authorised Live HV Worker:
Created confusion as written Authorities are not issued for live
HV
• Barriers:
Was not a definition, was a reference
• Signs:
Was not a definition, was a reference
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Definitions – New
• Beyond Reach:
Means the distance beyond the reach of any part of the person’s
body or any conducting or unapproved object touching any part
of the person’s body
• Enclosure
Means a secured area containing exposed electrical apparatus
• ESI
Means the Electricity Supply Industry
• Exclusion Zone
Means an area around the Electrical Apparatus into which no
part of the person, mobile plant or object (other than approved
insulated objects) may encroach.
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Definitions – New
• Job Safety Analysis or JSA
Means a site specific assessment by the work party of hazards
associated with performing a job which includes documenting
the controls for the identified hazards.
• LVIBS or LV Isolating and Bonding Statement
Means a form of authorisation which allows access to, and work
upon, Low Voltage Electrical Apparatus
• Metal Clad Switchgear
Means an integrated switching assembly where all Live parts are
enclosed within an Earthed metal compartment
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Definitions – New
• Risk Assessment
Means a documented formal analysis of hazards associated with
work on, Near or in the vicinity of Electrical Apparatus are
identified, assessed and controlled.
• Rules
Means the Electrical Safety Rules also known as the Green
Book
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Abbreviations
• On page xx there are now definitions of commonly used
abbreviations:
CES Certificate of Electrical Safety
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
EAP Electrical Access Permit
SAD Safe Approach Distance
EWP Elevated Work Platform
SCAP Statement of Condition of Apparatus
HV High Voltage
SFT Sanction for Testing
JSA Job Safety Analysis
SILV Statement of Isolation LV
LVIBS Low Voltage Isolation and Bonding
Statement;
SWER Single Wire Earth Return
LV Low Voltage
VSCAP Verbal Statement of Condition of
Apparatus
NHMRC National Health and Medical
Research Council
VESI Victorian Electricity Supply Industry
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Figures and Tables Index – New
• On page xxi there is
now a new index for
Figures and Tables
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Structure and Layout Changes
• One of the primary goals of the GB Changes project was to
improve readability
• This was mainly achieved by:
– The use of colour
– Improved tables
– Deleting subjects that are better addressed in other VESI
Standards, e.g. Energy Metering and Public Lighting
– A major restructure to align common subjects into ‘Parts’
– Re-arranging content to a natural order; e.g. in Section 3.3 Access
Procedures for HV Electrical Apparatus:
• Planning, Preparing, Issue, Receipt, Duration and Cancellation of
Electrical Access Permits
– Use of common terminology e.g. JSA
– Re-writing many clauses in plainer language
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Structure and Layout Changes (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
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Issue Sheet
Note to Users
Disclaimer
Copyright
Membership
Preface
Table of Contents
Definitions
Section 1 Purpose
Section 2 Scope
Hierarchy
Issue Sheet
Note to Users
Disclaimer
Copyright
Membership
Brief Contents
Contents
Membership
Preface
Purpose
Scope
Hierarchy
Definitions
Abbreviations
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Structure and Layout Changes (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
S. 3 General Safety Requirements
PART 1 – Safety, Training and
Authorisations
S. 4 Training and Authorisation
S. 6 Approach to Electrical Apparatus
PART 2 – Work in the Vicinity of Electrical
Apparatus and Safe Approach Distances
S. 7 Operation of HV Apparatus
PART 3 – Access for Work on or Near HV
Electrical Apparatus
S. 8 Earthing of HV Apparatus
S. 9 Access for Work on or near HV
S. 10 Placing HV Apparatus in Service
S. 11 LV Network Assets
Part 4 – LV Electrical Apparatus
S .12 Work by Persons not under
Control of Asset Owner
Part 5 – Work by Persons not under the
Control of the Asset Owner
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Structure and Layout Changes (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
S. 13 Public Lighting
Deleted
S. 14 Energy Metering
Deleted
Appendix A – Information to be Contained in Forms
Deleted
Appendix B – Relevant Australian Standards
Deleted
Appendix C – Green Book Training Standards Learning Outcomes
Deleted
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Structure and Layout Changes (cont.)
• As shown on page iii, the structure of the GB has been
changed to reflect a more natural order
PART 1 – Safety, Training and
Authorisations
Requirements that must be established before working
on or near electrical apparatus
PART 2 – Work in the Vicinity of
Electrical Apparatus and Safe
Approach Distances
Describes the requirements for working near HV
electrical apparatus (inc. Safe Approach Distances)
PART 3 – Access for Work on or
Near HV Electrical Apparatus
Describes the access requirements for working on HV
electrical apparatus (inc. planning, operating & earthing)
PART 4 – Low Voltage Electrical
Apparatus
Describes the requirements for working on or near LV
electrical apparatus
PART 5 – Work by Persons not
under the Control of the Asset
Owner
Describes the requirements for work by non-VESI
persons on or near electrical apparatus
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How to read these slides
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.1 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment
and Control
1.1.1.1 Organisational Risk Assessment
2006 GB Clause № and Name
2013 GB Clause № and Name
• This font is explanatory or describes a reason for change
– This font represents a heading from the 2013 GB
– This font represents text from the 2013 GB
Page № in 2013 GB
2
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Content Changes – Part 2
Requirements that must be established
before working on or near electrical
apparatus
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Content Changes – Part 1
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.1 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment
and Control
1.1.1.1 Organisational Risk Assessment;
1.1.1.2 Field Based Risk Assessment
• This Section separated into two new clauses
Reason
• To differentiate between a formal risk assessment and a site specific
risk assessment; and
• To introduce the generic Job Safety Analysis (JSA) process to the
Green Book
2
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.3 Victim Rescue
1.1.3 Victim Rescue
• should changed to shall
• Frequency changed from
– “at intervals not exceeding 12 months…”
to
– “…intervals not exceeding a nominal twelve months aligned with ESI National
Competency Standard Units”.
• References to national and VESI standards included
2
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.7 Insulating Sticks
1.1.7 Insulating Sticks
• Control measures (e.g. water deflectors, drying or beading agent
etc.) deleted
Reason
• Will be more suitably addressed in the VESI Fieldworker Handbook
(FWHB) update with images and instruction
3
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.10 Personal Protective Equipment PPE
1.1.10 Personal Protective Equipment
PPE
• Re-written to more clearly separate persons “working” from persons
“visiting”
• Inclusion of the term “arc flash protection”
1.1.10
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
1.1.10.1
General
• All persons performing work who may be exposed to possible electric shock,
arc flash or other injury from Electrical Apparatus shall use approved PPE.
• All protective equipment and apparel shall comply with relevant Australian
Standards and guidelines.
• Additional personal protective equipment shall be used in accordance with
the type of work and the risks involved, e.g. ‘fall arrest, noise protection
• For Operator protection, refer to Table 6 on page 35
4
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.10 Personal Protective Equipment PPE
(cont.)
1.1.10 Personal Protective Equipment
PPE
1.1.10.1
Persons performing work on or Near Electrical Apparatus
• Persons performing work on, near or in the vicinity of Electrical Apparatus
shall utilise the following approved PPE
– Safety headwear
– Safety footwear
– Ankle to wrist natural fibre or arc flash protective clothing
– Insulated gloves for live work
– Face/eye protection for live work
1.1.10.2
Persons visiting work sites
• Persons visiting work sites that have no direct involvement in any work at
that site and where required their movements are confined to normal access
ways, e.g. roads, paths, and stairs shall utilise the following approved PPE
– Safety headwear
– Fully enclosed footwear
– Ankle to wrist cover
4
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.11 Tapes and Other Measuring Devices
1.1.11 Tapes and Other Measuring Devices
• Changed “should” to “shall”
4
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.12 Safety Observers
1.1.12 Use of Safety Observers
• Included reference to clause 4.2.1 Persons Working Alone
• Deleted existing paragraph 4 as it is specifically addressed in the
dot points
• Combined paragraphs 5 & 6 to produce a single dot point list of
minimum and reasonable requirements for a Safety Observer
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.13 Fit State for Work
1.1.13 Fit State for Work
• Re-written for clarity and to commence with the statement:
–
5
“Personnel shall be in a fit and safe condition to commence work”
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
3.14 Work within Electric and Magnetic
Fields
1.2 Work within Electric and Magnetic
Fields
• In existing Clause 3.14.2 the words:
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For work situations of greater than 30 kV/m where the limit to duration of
exposure would prevent effective progress of work, appropriate measures shall
be taken to increase the allowable exposure time
replaced with:
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For work situations of greater than 30 kV/m appropriate measures shall be taken.
• Reference to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety
Agency (ARPANSA) website inserted
• Cautions highlighted in a red field and updated to reflect more
current reference materials
6
7
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.1 Training General
1.3.1 Training General
• Paragraph 2 of the 2006 GB deleted:
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“All authorisations shall be reviewed annually by the Organisation to ensure the
relevance of the authority to the holder’s duties”
Reason
• Align with Blue Book and an administrative burden that offered no
advantages
• New paragraph 2
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“A Person’s competency and/or Authorisation shall be current for the task being
performed”.
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.1 Training General (cont.)
1.3.1 Training General (cont.)
• Paragraphs 4 – 8 moved to here from 4.2.1 in 2006 GB:
– Training will consist of identified learning outcomes which will be knowledge, skill
(task), and attitude based and where appropriate, reflect National Competency
Standards.
– There shall be assessment criteria established and documented for each
learning outcome.
– Details of assessment methods shall be documented.
– There shall be a documented process for recognition of prior learning.
– Persons undergoing training must be assessed for competency against all
learning outcomes, relevant to the course, and such assessment
• This improves readability by combining what was an Introduction
with General
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VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.2.2 Learning Outcomes
1.3.2 Learning Outcomes
• The prescriptive text in the 2006 GB replaced with the following text:
– Learning outcomes shall meet those described in VESI, State and National
Training Standards. Refer to training standards published at www.vesi.com.au.
– Where learning outcomes are established at the VESI level, the course
descriptors shall include learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Reason
• To ensure reference to VESI and national training standards which
are published elsewhere and to allow for changes to be made
without creating errors in a published GB
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.2.3 Approved Training Courses
1.3.3 Approved Training Providers
• Re-written to capture Training Providers and the requirement to
document assessment and RPL methods
1.3.3 Approved Training Providers
Organisations shall approve training providers as meeting the requirements
published in the VESI Skills and Training Guideline at www.vesi.com.au.
Training providers shall document:
– Assessment methods.
– Process for recognition of prior learning.
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.4 Authorities
1.4.1 Network Authority Types
• VESI Authorities reduced to 5 distinct types:
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Receive EAPs.
HV Switching
Enter Enclosures.
Make Application For
Receive SFT
• Authorities to Operate Distribution and Operate Subtransmission
consolidated into a single Authority to Operate HV
• References to Appendix C deleted as training standards are set by
the VESI STRC and published at vesi.com
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VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.4 Authorities (cont.)
1.4.1 Network Authority Types
• The following Authorities deleted:
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Authority to Operate LV
Authority to Wash HV Insulators
Authority to Test HV Insulators
Authority or Approval to Work on Live LV
Authority or Approval to Work on Live High Voltage Overhead Lines
Reason
• Typically not issued in written form, these activities have and will
continue to be managed using organisational procedures
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VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.5 Withdrawal or Suspension of an
1.4.2 Withdrawal or Suspension of a
Network Authority
Authorisation
• Deleted the words “has been or” from dot point 4 as the relevant
matter is whether the person is currently unable to perform activities
• Added “is subject to investigation” as last dot point
• Re-written as follows
– An authority may be withdrawn, suspended, altered or reviewed when it is
apparent the person concerned:
• Has an expired authority.
• Requires additional training or are assessed as not competent
• Is unable to perform activities within the scope of the authority due to any
circumstance.
• Is subject to investigation
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.4.1 Authority to Work on Live High
Voltage Overhead Lines
1.4.3 Work on Live High Voltage
Overhead Lines
• Re-written to include reference to National Standards
– Work on Live HV overhead lines shall be performed only by lineworkers who
have been assessed as competent to the National Competency Standards.
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.4.2 Authority or Approval to Work on
Live Low Voltage Electrical Apparatus
1.4.4 Work on Live Low Voltage
Electrical Apparatus
• Consolidated with existing Clause 4.4.3, separated into two new
clauses and re-written as:
1.4.4 Work on Live Low Voltage Electrical Apparatus
– Work on Live LV shall be performed only by workers who have been assessed
as competent to the National Competency Standard or an electrical
apprentice/trainee working under a training program and suitably supervised.
– A trained person may be approved to undertake a restricted electrical
measurement, test and adjustment activity.
– Electrically trained persons who, having previously been Authorised to work on
Live LV Electrical Apparatus, have been away from Live LV work for one year or
more shall be assessed in accordance with VESI training standards.
(cont. next slide)
9
VESI 2013 Green Book
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.4.2 Authority or Approval to Work on
Live Low Voltage Electrical Apparatus
1.4.5 Work on Customer’s Installations
1.4.5 Work on Customer’s Installations
– Work on customer’s electrical installations shall be performed only by persons
licensed by Energy Safe Victoria unless an Order in Council is given by Energy
Safe Victoria to allow the activity.
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Content Changes – Part 1 (cont.)
2006 Green Book
2013 Green Book
4.4.3 Review of Live LV Authorisation
NA
• This clause has been consolidated with 1.4.4
NA
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