Safety: meaning
- Safety essentially means prevention of loss of life and property and avoiding accident.
- ‘Safety’ as a whole may be interpreted as the proper planning of work, proper usage of safety tools, following safety procedures and exercise of good judgment and intelligent supervision. Experience proves that majority of the accidents are preventable.
Safety: for whom
- Own Safety
- Co-Workers’ safety
- Outsiders’ safety
Consequences of Safety lapses
- Accidents
- Loss of life and human injury
- Increase of down time & loss of productivity
Accidents DO NOT “Just Happen”; accident are the results of unsafe conditions or unsafe acts or a combination of both.
Unsafe Conditions:-
- Unguarded equipments such as unshielded moving parts of machines , saws , etc. and un-barricaded work area, un-covered cable trenches and excavation
- Unavailability of proper safety devices and safety PPEs.
- Improper illumination in the work site such as insufficient light or unsuitable location producing glare or objectionable shadows.
- Lack of proper fencing around the switchyard.
- Unavailability/insufficient firefighting equipments in the S/Y and /or in the Control Room.
- Power cable for lighting / air compressor / air conditioner run together with Common switch box and with less capacity switches.
- Control cable and power cable running together.
- Lack of proper earthing of the equipments and structures.
- Lack of Suitable Boundary wall, Main Gate approach road.
- Non-availability of KV wise switchyard and bay identification.
- Non-availability of notices prohibiting use of mobile phones inside the switchyard and entry into the switchyard without helmet.
- Non-availability of distinct identification of equipments and panels.
- Missing / Broken cable trench covers and earth pit covers.
- Non-availability of suitable Tools and Plants (T&P) and measuring equipments.
- Earth resistance and insulation resistance beyond permissible limits inside the switchyard.
- Weeds, bushes and shrubs available in the work area.
- Un-arrested oil leakages from transformer(s) and other equipments.
- Unavailability of oil sump pit and dewatering pump.
- Defunct / bypassed protections in the system.
- Oil drums stacked inside the switchyard.
- Improper switchyard metaling condition.
- Lack of proper housekeeping inside the Switchyard and control room; scraps and unwanted materials thrown here and there.
- SOP for operation and maintenance not displayed prominently.
- Interlocking of Circuit Breaker with Isolator and Isolator with Earth Switch not available.
- Danger Boards not fixed on bays and panels.
- Emergency backup power system including Battery Bank, Battery Charger and DG set not kept in readiness for use during power failure.
- Insulating mat of proper specification not available in front and back of the Control panels inside the control room.
- Light bulk-head fittings, Exhaust Fans and Gun Boots and Aprons not available inside the Battery Room.
- Electric Switches fixed inside the Battery Room.
Unsafe Acts:-
- Working without authority/ or without availing proper Line Clear.
- Working with lack of knowledge on the existing incoming & outgoing Supply system, Bus system, A/C & D/C Distribution system, equipments and earthing position of the Grid.
- Lack of knowledge on existing DISCOM system linked with the Grid.
- Lack of knowledge on the OPTCL Line Clear (L/C) Requisition, Issue & Return Procedure.
- Working in the substation after consumption of alcohol and / or drugs.
- Working without Mobile phone being switched OFF.
- Entering the Switch yard without wearing Safety Helmet, Safety Boot and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as per specific work requirement.
- Working without the work place being distinctly demarcated / cordoned by Safety Ribbon.
- Working without the related permanent Earth Switch closed and proper temporary earthing done at both the incoming and outgoing sides of the respective Line /Equipment.
- Going alone for operation on EHV equipment during L/C issue/return and / or operating unmindfully.
- Knowingly or unknowingly breaching the minimum safety clearance from live line / equipment.
- Working unsafely such as throwing materials or tools, at another worker, jumping from platform/ladders/structures etc.
- Working with small tools in pocket, which have got adequate chances to fall down while working on the top of equipments, structures and lines.
- Taking unsafe position or posture too close to opening and lifting while in awkward position.
- Distracting, teasing, practical joking, horseplay, quarrelling or annoying among each other.
- Using unsafe outfits such as loose, untidy dresses, neckties etc. and/or jewellery, watches etc. while working.
- Asking the subordinate to supervise the work & leaving the work site.
- Being over confident on subordinate/machines & tools.
- Non adoption of the practice that all light equipment and tools to be used in the overhead works , should be raised and lowered by means of hand line and canvas bucket , other suitable container, and men on the ground should be with helmet &stay clear of overhead work to prevent being struck by the falling objects.
- Using unsafe equipment or using improper tools such as dull cutting tools or mushroom head chisels, pipe extensions on wrenches not designed for them, wrong tool for the job, using hands instead of hand tools etc.
- Improper packing and unsafe Loading, Placing or Mixing such as overloading cranes and winches, carrying too heavy load, leaving objects on a top from where they are likely to fall
- Sacrificing safety for speed OR early completion of the work.
- Inability to communicate and coordinate properly before, during and after work execution
RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS
Individual responsibility is to act in such a manner so as to provide;
- Safety to himself
- Safety to his fellow employees
- Protection to the public.
- Protection to the company’s property.
- Every employee is expected to study the safety Manual, familiarize himself with its contents and apply them to his work. Ignorance of rules and regulation may result in accident to him and to his co-workers. Each employee must be very much conversant with the supplied Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Line Clear Requisition/Issue/Receive/Return/Cancellation and the related FORMATS.
- Whenever in doubt regarding any rules and regulations arises, one should consult his supervisor or the person in charge of the work.
- Before starting any work on live lines or equipment, the work should be clearly understood by each one.
- Workers doing live line work should devote their attention to the work in hand. Unnecessary conversation with co-workers should be avoided.
- Where it is necessary for one man to change his working position on a pole or a tower, the other man should not do any work on live conductors until the first man reaches his new position.
- Always Be Careful (ABC). Place yourself in a safe and secure position to avoid slipping, stumbling or moving backward against live conductors or apparatus.
- Make a habit of being cautious. Be on the lookout for danger notice plates, danger flags, warning boards and signals, etc. Warn others when they seem to be in danger near live conductors or apparatus.
- Use of intoxicating liquor or drug and smoking while on job is strictly prohibited
. No employee should be allowed to report for work while he is under the influence of liquor and Supervisor shall not knowingly permit a man to go to work while he is under the influence of liquor / drug.
- Practical joking and house play while on the job is strictly prohibited.
- No employee should distract the attention of other worker from his job unless he thinks that the worker is doing something dangerous or risky either to his person or equipment. Smoking / littering is strictly prohibited in the areas where it may cause fire hazard; specifically, in the areas like battery rooms, and locations where the flammable liquid/materials are stored and used or other areas where combustible materials are kept. Absence of “No Smoking” signs shall not be an excuse for smoking in dangerous places.