Electrical Safety & Accident Prevention

Accidents
An Accident is An unexpected, unplanned, undesired event or a sequence of a events. that occurs through a combination of causes which results in physical harm ( injury, disease, death) to individual, damage to property & interruption in completion of an activity or any combination of these effects.
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The causes for occurrence of Electrical Accidents

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Non observation of safety precautions Sub-standard method of construction of lines. Sub-standard materials utilized. Improper maintenance Improper authorization Ineffective supervision at various levels 7) Ineffective earthing 8) Unguarded live lines passing through close proximity of telecom lines & densely populated areas 9) Ignorance of rules & regulations 10) Negligence 11) Overconfidence 12) Carelessness 3

Remedial measures suggested

1)
2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)

Training to line staff

Providing ample quantity of safety equipments Issuing instruction of safety of working on line to line staff & making them aware of importance of following the same Providing sufficient quantity of maintenance material to unit offices Displaying single line diagrams of line feeders network on walls of S/S (including latest changes in feeding if any) Replacement of deteriorated poor earthing Carrying out pre monsoon/ post monsoon maintenance well in advance Compelling line staff & developing habit in them to discharge lines at work spot before climbing on it In other words not to work on lines without discharging it (even if permit is taken, load shedding persists are line is really dead) because they should be aware that line may get charged due to any of the reason such as fault in switch gear/ line, someone may charge the line by oversight, back feeding, induction etc. & the discharge rod should remain installed on both sides of work spot till the completion of work. ALM/LM or any other supervisor should restrict LH to work on line without discharging it. Should insist to keep line discharged till completion of work.
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Remedial measures suggested

9) Providing anti climbing devices, danger boards to poles/ structures etc. 10) Restricting public to construct building below or in vicinity of lines 11) Check on theft of energy. Unauthorized substandard extension 12) Electricity is invisible & do not speak; we should be alert about its existence. Confirm by discharge rods before touching it.
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Safety Slogans :1.Be safety minded

2. No holiday for safety

3. If it seems risky, dont do it.

4. Always be alert, Avoid accidents.

5. Safety requires careful working.

6. Time is important but safety is far more important. 7. Always be careful is the ABC of safety.
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8. Follow the procedure of safety.

9. Little care makes mishaps rare.

10. Do not think it is safe make it sure.

11. Accident begin where safety ends. 12. Guard against risk and work for safety.
13. Eliminate all shortcuts, while on duty 14. Where vigilance ends accident begin. 15. Dont trust luck, trust to safety.
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16. If a job is too big for you, get help dont get hurt.
17. Never feel sure that you are safe. 18. Jokes begun in fun can end in tragedy. 19. Life is short and precious dont make it shorter by carelessness. 20. Do not take chances with your life follow safety rules meticulously

Above slogans are the key of safety, hence while

working, these slogans shall be kept in mind.
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Safety Norms in an EHV S/Stn.

1) Presently there is no codified norms prescribed for safety in EHV S/Stn. however some norms are in circular or letter form.
2) Following are the proposed safety norms based on 37 years experience. i) In Extra ordinary condition a) Like earth quake, land slide & sinking of land, in such conditions precaution to be taken in adopting safe building technology and precaution for power transformer installation like providing temporary breaks to transformer wheels & soil treatment etc.

b) Storms, Floods and other natural calamites

c) Terrorist attack & War condition d) Public and Staff agitation
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ii) In ordinary condition a) EHV S/Stn is a prohibited area. b) The area shall be well fenced and properly locked and entry of outside person and animal prohibited for any purpose. c) Proper watch and ward shall be kept. d) The S/Stn. shall be constructed maintained and operated as per I.E. act rules and other statutory acts and regulations applicable. e) Earthing is a heart of electricity to avoid any damage to human life and equipment and shall be provided as per I.S. 3043 and maintained so that touch potential and step potential and earth fault loop impedance remains within permissible limit.
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f) All structures, equipment, shall be installed, maintained and operated as per I.E. act and concerned rule, methods of constructions and practices according to it and all equipments and structures shall be as per concerned I.S. standard and due attention shall be given to the maintenance schedule prepared by department for each item also the maintenance Recommendations of the manufacture shall be given due weightage to avoid equipment failure, fires and break downs. Some important items are given below. 1. Precaution for power T/F replacement, installation and handling.

2. Regarding battery.
3. Bursting of CT, PT and LA 4. Crushed Stone and grown up grass in switch yard. 5. Monkey troubles.
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g) Fires :- Causes of Fires 1. Sparking in S/Stn. due to loose contact. 2. Fire due to Transformer failure CT PT & catching of fire by oil mainly due to failure of bushings. 3. Precaution to be taken in this regard.

4. Dry grass in S/Stn. area.

5. Cable faults. 6. Burning of Control cable due to increase in ground potential rise due to tripping. 7. Flash over in Indoor panels & various causes.
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h) Precautionary measures. 1. Every power T/F shall be provided with fire protection scheme and oils sockpit shall be provided with proper drainage arrangement 2. Providing and installing fire fighting equipment in complete S/Stn. area as per the norms provided by fire officer of the department and staff shall be well trained in handling fire situation and regular drill shall be taken every year the fire protection equipment shall be tested and refilling done. 3. Fire alarm and siren shall be provided. 4. Safety instruction shall be display in this regard at important locations. I) To carry out safety audit regularly j) Storing of material and house kipping of S/Stn. shall be very clean and suitable for free moments and gating required things very easily whenever required. k) Illumination :- The illumination intensity shall be measured and monitored regularly 13

l) All precautions shall be taken to avoid theft. m) Rains and control room leakages and there effects and other seasonal precautions. n) Communication o) In every S/Stn. logging of every instance shall be there and event recorder installed.

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Safety T & P
Earthing & Discharge Rods. Ladders, safety belts. Operating Rods Hand gloves insulated. Insulated pliers, Neon testers.
Insulated Platform, rubber mats
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Discharge Rods
5 to 6 m long Earthing wire to be connected to an effective earth first & then the rod to be hooked to conductor. While removing, reverse sequence to be followed.

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Insulated hand gloves

To be invariably used where accidental contact of operating person with live parts is likely i.e. when (i) operating G.O.D., D.O. sets (ii) Opening/closing isolators. (iii) Working near live lines Should withstand 10 KV for one minute. Gloves with leakage current of more than 10 milliamps to be rejected.
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Maintenance of hand gloves

Should be carried in canvas/leather bag. Should be stored in dry container with no sharp edges. If stored & not used for more than six months testing to be done Not be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Oil is the enemy of gloves. Not to be soiled with oil, tar, paint etc. Should be free from cuts, scratches, holes.
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The points which are neglected for accidents likely to take place 1) In this regard the Indian electricity rules : 1956 rule 42 says.

The owners of all circuits and apparatus shall so arrange them that there shall be no danger of any part thereof becoming accidentally charged to any voltage beyond the limits by voltage for which they are intended.

2) Responsibility of Individual Employees:The responsibility of Individuals is to act so as to provided. i) Safety to Self.

ii) Safety to fellow employees.

iii) Protection to the public. iv) Protection to the equipment.
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3) Responsibility of Supervisors :-

Supervisors have the definite responsibility of ensuring the following

i) Safe working conditions.

ii) Necessary protective equipment and its use.

iii) Properly maintained tools and equipment. iv) Properly planned work performed in a safe manner. v) Application of the general & special safety instructions by their workmen.

vi) Assignment of employees to jobs which they are capable of doing safety.
vii) Immediate steps to correct any violation of safety rules observed or reported to them. 20

4) Each Supervisor shall make certain that his men understand the following :i) Work to be done. ii) Hazards that may be encountered. iii) Proper procedure for doing the work safety. 5) Frequent periodic inspections of construction, operation and maintenance of equipments, materials, work areas, conditions and methods should be made by supervisors as a part of their routine duty. Such inspections are essential to prevent fires and Accidents. 6) The rout cause of types of accident likely to take place in EHV S/S and on EHV lines in negligence to the above point. 21

Types of accidents.
A) EHV S/Stn. :i) Flash over during working on indoor panels.

ii) Improper use of discharge rods and wrong operations and failure of tools.
iii) Bursting of CT PT and falling hot oil on supervisor or person.

iv) Falling from height due to non use of safety devices.

v) Accidental charging vi) Bursting of LA and injuring the persons in switch yard.

vii) Due to non checking of soil for unloading power T/F and careless working
viii) Due to fires in S/Stn.
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B) Lines :i) Improper clearances ii) Working on wrong circuit iii) not following safety instructions iv) failure of tools v) While excavation due to blasting

vi) during line construction such as tower errection stringing and crossing of roads etc.
vii) During transport.

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Authorisation
For being eligible to apply for & obtain permit, the employee must be `authorized by the `competent authority. Person issuing permit is `competent person (E.E. or in charge operator) Person receiving permit is `authorized person.
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Authorisation
Under Section 3, Sub-rule (3) of I.E. Rules 1956. No person shall be deemed to be `authorized unless his name has been entered in `authorization list maintained at the office of the person authorizing him. Purpose of authorization to be mentioned. Entry in the list to be attested by `authorizing & authorized persons.
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Authorisation List
To be produced before Electrical Inspector whenever required. Inspector may amend / cancel authorisation. To be exhibited in Sub-stations/Distribution Centres. Will clearly state the area of authorisation (I.e. name of S/S, names of lines etc.)
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Authorisation List
Will clearly state the area of authorization (i.e. name of S/S, names of lines etc.) To be maintained in the office of S.E. (O&M) E.E. (O&M) of area. To include names of testing staff given by E. E. (Testing)

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Authorization
As per I.E. rules 1956, section 36, sub section (2) No person shall work on any electric line or apparatus and no person shall assist such person unless authorized to carry out that work.
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Line clear Permit

Authorized person should apply for issue of permit to competent person on the back side of O/C of permit. Issuer of permit to cut off juice to the equipment/line, discharge and earth it before issue of permit.

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Permit taken on phone

`Taker of permit to clearly state his name, designation, equipment/line on which permit needed and purpose. `Issuer to note down the above in a specially maintained permit book, give code word & number & record it. `Taker to repeat the above and give his code word & number to issuer.
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Permit on phone
While returning the permit, the `taker to state the code word/number given by `issuer, confirm removal of earth and men from the line. Permit taken in person can be returned on phone. Duplicate copy of permit to be sent by post by `issuer to `taker of permit subsequently after cancelling it.
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Self Permit
Here, `issuer & taker of permit is one & the same. (when only one authorized person is available). He should isolate, discharge, earth the equipment/line, hang `men working on line, Do not charge board on switch, take written permit after clear logging & then work.
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Logging of Permit
All operations done before & after issue of permit to be logged. Also those done by remote end to be logged. Issuer of permit may change after end of shift. Outgoing operator to clearly inform in writing & orally about pending permits. Though `issuer may change, `taker should himself return permit.

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Precautions by Issuer
Limits of line clear permit area to be clearly mentioned in the permit and told orally to the Receiver of permit e.g. :`Isolator is live on the other side in the feeder bay.
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Precautions by Issuer
H.T. feeder Radial Open controlling circuit breaker & open isolators on both sides. Close earth switch if isolator `with E.B. provided & mention in the permit. If earth switch non-existent, provide discharge & earthing rods.

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Precautions by Issuer
H.T. feeder fed from both sides Obtain permit from the other end. Inform earthing position of sending end & note down position at other end.
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Precautions by Permit holder on H.T. lines.

Discharge & earth each conductor. Retain earthing in firm condition on either side of the work location.
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Precautions by Permit holder

On one of the circuits when other circuit is live on H.T. D/C line. Only works of minor nature such as renewing insulator binding etc. to be done. Safety belt, rope to be used. Minimum distance of 1050 mm to be maintained from live circuit. Work strictly under personal supervision of A.E.
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Earthing definition
Connecting the portion of an equipment, support structure, enclosure associated with an electric system to General mass of earth.
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Purpose of earthing
Safety of human beings / animals coming in or likely to come in contact with electrical installation. Proper/desired operation of `System
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Safety earthing
Metal enclosures of C.B.s, C.T.s, PTs, tanks of Power transformers, support towers, poles, stays, operating handles of isolators, A. B. Switches, feeder pillars etc. which are desired to be at earth potential, are earthed.

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System Earthing
Neutrals of star connected windings of power transformers solidly connected to earth for speedy isolation of earth fault & avoiding `oscillating neutral. Thus, lower phase voltage in loaded phase and high voltage in lightly loaded phases avoided. Otherwise voltage of healthy phases of transformers rise leading to insulation failure.
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Safe body current

From Biological research, human body can tolerate
-10 milliamps of sustained body current -100 milliamps of short-time body current for less than one second.
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Accident Prevention
1. Every accident can be avoided if earthing is perfect, safety devices used and maintained as per Indian standard and I.E. rules and safety instruction followed given I.E. rules and various Indian Standard during working. 2. construction maintenance and operation carried out as per I.E. rules, methods of construction and concerned Indian standards and all safety slogans followed and workers and supervisor understand there responsibility and public follow directives as per Indian electricity rules 1956 rule 82

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Reporting & Investigation of Electrical Accidents

All out efforts are usually made to ensure that no electrical accidents happened, inspite of best efforts. It is seen that a few accidents do happen here & there including in the consumers premises. In such situations, a definite procedure for reporting such accidents has been laid down in the electricity act 2003 & IE Rules 1956.
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 Section 161( Notice of accidents & enquires) of electricity act 2003. This clause provide for giving notice/intimation of accidents occurring in connection with Generation, Transmission, Distribution or use of electricity on lines & electrical plant, to the electrical inspector The electrical inspector or any other officer appointed in this behalf has the powers to enquire & report as to the cause& the manner & extent to which safety povisions have been complied with. Under this clause, the electrical inspector has powers of civil court under the code of civil procedure, 1908 for the purpose of enforcing the attendance of withness & compelling the production of documents & material objects. 46

IE Rule 44 A
If any accidents occurs in connection with the generation, transmission, supply or use of energy in or in connection with, any part of the electric supply lines or other works of any person & the accidents results in or is likely to have resulted in the loss of human or animal life or any injury to a human being or an animal. such person or any authorized person of the State Electric Board/ supplier, not below the rank of the Junior Engineer or equivalent shall sent to the inspector a telegraphic report within 24 hours of the knowledge of the occurrence of the fatal accident. And a written report in the form set out in annexure XIII within 48 hrs. of the knowledge of occurrence of fatal & all other accidents. 47

 Where practicable a telephonic message should also be given to the inspector immediately after the accidents come to the knowledge of the authorized officer of the State Electric Board/ Supplier or other person concerned. After reporting to the electrical inspector, such accidents are investigated by the executive engineer/ superintending engineer in detail to decide the exact cause of the accident, to pay compensation to the victims as per the law & to fix up responsibility for the accident & undertake remedial measures to avoide recurrence.
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Annexure XIII
This is a prescribed form for reporting electrical accidents to the electrical inspector. A copy of this form should also be sent to the concerned police station & district magistrate of the area.

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