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WSP GROUP - Designers H&S Guidance Scope:

HV equipment and transformers LV switchgear and components Uninterruptible power supplies Generators Power Lighting Emergency lighting Fire and security alarm / protection systems Lightning protection Commissioning

Electrical Services

Exclusions:
Large scale power generation plant and distribution systems Electrical services in special hazardous areas, i.e. potentially explosive atmospheres Temporary site supplies

Typical hazards:
Electric shock - during installation, commissioning, cleaning, maintenance or removal of plant, equipment or distribution systems. Falls from height - during installation, commissioning, cleaning, maintenance or removal of plant, equipment or distribution systems. Handling / transportation - plant & equipment is often large, heavy, bulky and/or awkwardly shaped. Hazardous substances - battery acids, hydrogen from charging batteries, oils & lubricants, fine fibres from insulation, etc. Hazardous atmospheres - explosive gases, vapours, fumes and dusts - combustion gases confined spaces. Fire / explosion - hot working, i.e. welding, brazing, cutting, etc. Hazardous surfaces - hot & cold surfaces - projecting parts of plant, equipment, pipework or ductwork, including sharp edges, etc. - tripping hazards - headroom hazards - slippery surfaces. Contact with moving machinery - entanglement - being crushed or struck - severing, cutting, stabbing or puncturing parts of the body - noise - vibration.

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DG - ME2

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WSP GROUP - Designers H&S Guidance Hazard identification:


Possible Key Considerations:
Isolation, insulation, earthing, overload protection, automatic safety shutdown and safety interlocking of electrical and mechanical equipment & systems - what provisions have been or need to be made? Work at height - how is the installation, commissioning & maintenance to be carried out? - how are lamps, etc. to be replaced? Access arrangements - what is the frequency of maintenance / cleaning operations, i.e. daily, monthly? Access space - what are the space provisions for handling of equipment, replacement parts, etc. around the location of the plant or equipment and along access / egress routes to that location? Handling/ transportation - what provisions are made for transport, handling & lifting of large, heavy, bulky or awkward equipment & parts during installation, maintenance & removal? Hazardous substances - what are the arrangements for use & storage during installation & maintenance?

Electrical Services

Other Prompts:
High level / ceiling space equipment Control location / access Zoning of systems Guarding of moving machinery Maintenance lighting Tripping & headroom hazards Transport & handling Projecting parts / sharp surfaces Hot surfaces Fire rating of electrical enclosures Hot work - cutting, welding, brazing Dusts & fumes Fire compartmentation integrity Method of fixing Level of expertise of operatives

Typical hazard considerations during design:


Stage Considerations / Issues Possible design options to: avoid hazards mitigate hazards control hazards
Strategy to allow for isolation of all equipment / systems to avoid need for live working

Concept Electrical supply strategy Fire management strategy Design

Equipment sizes / locations User requirements Principal distribution routes Location, size & condition of existing services

Scheme Design

Installation strategy Specify dry-type transformers Equipment duties, sizes & weights Specify vacuum switchgear Cable routes Specify modular Equipment ingress & equipment egress routes Working space & access for installation, maintenance & removal Equipment room layouts Handling methods for installation, maintenance & removal Temporary access for installation / commissioning Materials specification Control locations & access Isolation & safety interlocks Storage of equipment / materials

Ensure adequate access space around equipment Ensure provision of lifting & mechanical handling aids

Ensure the provision of permanent safe access equipment and protection

Detail Design

Specify non-hazardous Ensure adequate materials ventilation of switchrooms and Provide adequate battery rooms safety interlocks Provide access Provide low level panels as controls for high level necessary equipment Provide adequate Make provision for noise lowering of high level suppression fittings for maintenance

Incorporate automatic safety shutdown systems Prescribe safe working methods and protection equipment / clothing where necessary Specify appropriate signs & labelling Guard hot surfaces

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WSP GROUP - Designers H&S Guidance Related work sectors:


Sector
Site investigation Demolition & dismantling . Site layout Excavation & earthworks Structural steelwork Masonry Mechanical services Public health services Transportation services .

Electrical Services

Ref.
DG - G1 DG - G2 . DG - G3 . DG - CS2 DG - CS7 DG - CS8 DG - ME1 DG - ME3 DG - ME4

Issues for consideration


Obtain adequate data from SIs / surveys Safe disconnection, termination or dismantling of existing services and equipment Identify work space, storage space and access requirements for plant, equipment, components and materials Services trenches, pits, etc. Secondary support steelwork for plant & services, lifting beams, etc. Cutting, chasing, etc. for services Electrical supplies to mechanical plant and equipment Public health systems requirements for electrical services Transportation services requirements for electrical services

Sources of further guidance:


Primary H&S information sources
BS7671 - Requirements for electrical installations (IEE Wiring Regulations) HSE - HS(R)25 Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations BSRIA - Technical Note 9/92 - Space & weight allowances for building services plant: inception stage design BSRIA - Technical Note 10/92 - Space allowance for building services plant: detail design stage BSRIA - Application guide 11/92 - Designing for maintainability HSE - HS(G)150 - Health & Safety in Construction HSE - GS23 - Protection against electric shock HSE - PM53 - Emergency private generation: electrical safety HSE - HS(G)141 - Electrical safety on construction sites BS7375 - CofP for the distribution of electricity on construction & building sites HSC(CIAC) - The control of substances hazardous to health in the construction industry CIRIA - Report 125 - A guide to the control of substances hazardous to health in design & construction HSE - HS(G)5; CS15; EH54; EH55; HSE8; SS15 - Hot work / fumes

Background information sources


HSC - Electricity at Work Regulations IEE - Guidance notes to the Wiring Regulations BS5839 - Fire detection & alarm systems for buildings - Part 1: CofP for system design, installation & servicing BSRIA - AH 3/92 - Fire detection systems: installation, commissioning & maintenance of fire & security systems BS5839 - Intruder alarm systems in buildings Part 4: CofP for planning & installation -

NHS Estates Health Technical Memorandum 2023 Access & accommodation for engineering services BS8313 - CoP for accommodation of building services in ducts HSE - L23 - Manual handling: Guidance on regulations HSE - Contract research report 73/1995 - Dust & noise in the construction process BRE - Digest 358 (Rev) - CFCs and buildings BS8210 - Guide to building maintenance management

WSP Group - Oct96

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DG - ME2

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