1 Safety provisions in the Electricity Acts and Rules Presented by Chief Electrical Inspector (T&D), Orissa

2 Agenda Electrical Safety Electrical Safety Statutory Safety provisions Statutory Safety provisions Reasons of accidents Reasons of accidents Case studies Case studies Provision of penalty on breach of Acts and Rules Provision of penalty on breach of Acts and Rules Suggestions Suggestions Conclusion Conclusion

3 Electrial Safety 53(a) of the Electricity Act (a) of the Electricity Act 2003 – –Provisions relating to safety and electricity supply (1) The Authority may in consultation with the State Government, specify suitable measures for – (1) The Authority may in consultation with the State Government, specify suitable measures for – –(a) protecting the public (including the persons engaged in the generation, transmission or distribution or trading) from dangers arising from the generation, transmission or distribution or trading of electricity, or use of electricity supplied or installation, maintenance or use of any electric line or electrical plant; –(b) eliminating or reducing the risks of personal injury to any person, or damage to property of any person or interference with use of such property ;

4 Electrial Safety 185 of the Electricity Act of the Electricity Act 2003 – –Repeal and saving – –(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, :- –(c) Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 made under section 37 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 as it stood before such repeal shall continue to be in force till the regulations under section 53 of this Act are made.

5 Statutory Safety Provisions I.E. Rule – 3, Sub rule – (6): I.E. Rule – 3, Sub rule – (6): In every registered factory, where more than 250 KW of electrical load is connected, there shall be a person authorised by the management of the factory for ensuring the observance of the safety provisions laid under the Act and the rules made there under, who shall periodically inspect such installation, get them tested and keep a record thereof and such records shall be made available to the Inspector [or any officer of a specified rank and class appointed to assist the Inspector], if and when required. In every registered factory, where more than 250 KW of electrical load is connected, there shall be a person authorised by the management of the factory for ensuring the observance of the safety provisions laid under the Act and the rules made there under, who shall periodically inspect such installation, get them tested and keep a record thereof and such records shall be made available to the Inspector [or any officer of a specified rank and class appointed to assist the Inspector], if and when required.

6 Statutory Safety Provisions I.E. Rule – 3, Sub rule – (7): I.E. Rule – 3, Sub rule – (7): All suppliers of electricity including generating companies, transmission companies and distribution companies shall appoint a safety officer for proper observance of safety measures in their organization in construction, operation and maintenance of power station, sub-station, transmission and distribution lines.

7 Statutory Safety Provisions Rule 3, Sub-Rule (2) Rule 3, Sub-Rule (2) –No person shall be authorised under sub-rule (1) unless he is competent to perform the duties assigned to him and possesses either an appropriate certificate of competency or permit to work. (Many of the accidents involve helpers.)

8 Statutory Safety Provisions Rule 45. Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owners, occupiers, electrical contractors, electrical workmen and suppliers:- Rule 45. Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owners, occupiers, electrical contractors, electrical workmen and suppliers:- –(1) No electrical installation work ……shall be carried out ….. a person holding a certificate of competency and by a person holding a permit issued or recognized by the State Government –(2) No electrical installation work which has been carried out in contravention of sub-rule(1) shall not be energized or connected to the works of any supplier.

9 Statutory Safety Provisions Rule – 9 Records of tests available with the owner for inspection. Rule – 9 Records of tests available with the owner for inspection. Rule – 29 Adequate ratings of the Electrical Installation as per Indian Standards. Rule – 29 Adequate ratings of the Electrical Installation as per Indian Standards. Rule – 30Service line and apparatus of the supplier on consumer’s premises. Rule – 30Service line and apparatus of the supplier on consumer’s premises. Rule – 31 Isolating arrangement by supplier. Rule – 31 Isolating arrangement by supplier. Rule – 33 Earthing system. Rule – 33 Earthing system. Rule – 34Accessibility of bare conductors Rule – 34Accessibility of bare conductors

10 Statutory Safety Provisions Rule – 35 Danger Notice. Rule – 35 Danger Notice. Rule – 36Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus. Rule – 36Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus. Rule – 41 Distinction of different circuits. Rule – 41 Distinction of different circuits. Rule – 42 Prevention of accidental charge. Rule – 42 Prevention of accidental charge. Rule – 43 Protection equipment, Fire buckets, First aid box etc. Rule – 43 Protection equipment, Fire buckets, First aid box etc. Rule – 44Instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric shock Rule – 44Instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric shock Sec 161 of Electricity Act ( The intimation of accidents (forms and time of service notice) Rules, Sec 161 of Electricity Act ( The intimation of accidents (forms and time of service notice) Rules,  Procedures for intimation of accidents.

11 Statutory Safety Provisions Rule – 45Execution of electrical installation works. Rule – 45Execution of electrical installation works. Rule – 46Periodical inspection and testing of equipments. Rule – 46Periodical inspection and testing of equipments. Rule – 63Approval by Inspector Rule – 63Approval by Inspector Rule – 64 to 92 Rule – 64 to 92  Relating to distribution of HT system safety, clearance etc. …. and many more. …. and many more.

12 Other Provisions 47. Testing of consumer’s installation 47. Testing of consumer’s installation 47A. Installation and Testing of Generating Units 47A. Installation and Testing of Generating Units 48. Precautions against leakage before connection 48. Precautions against leakage before connection 49. Leakage on consumer’s premises 49. Leakage on consumer’s premises 50. Supply and use of energy 50. Supply and use of energy 50A. Additional provisions for supply and use of energy in multi-storeyed building (more than 15 metres in height) 50A. Additional provisions for supply and use of energy in multi-storeyed building (more than 15 metres in height) 51. Provisions applicable to medium, high or extra- high voltage installations 51. Provisions applicable to medium, high or extra- high voltage installations

13 Other provisions ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR LOW AND MEDIUM VOLTAGES ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR LOW AND MEDIUM VOLTAGES –60. Test for resistance of insulation –61. Connection with earth –61A. Earth leakage protective device –62. Systems at medium voltage

14 Other provisions OVERHEAD LINES, UNDER GROUND CABLES AND GENERATING STATIONS OVERHEAD LINES, UNDER GROUND CABLES AND GENERATING STATIONS –74. Material and strength –75. Joints –76. Maximum stresses: Factors of safety –77. Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor –78. Clearance between conductors and trolley wires –79. Clearances from buildings of low and medium voltage lines and service lines –80. Clearances from buildings of high and extra-high voltage lines –81. Conductors at different voltages on same supports –82. Erection of or alternation to buildings, structures, flood banks and elevation of roads

15 Other provisions 82A. Transporting and Storing of material near overhead lines 82A. Transporting and Storing of material near overhead lines 83. Clearances: General 83. Clearances: General 84. Routes: Proximity to aerodromes 84. Routes: Proximity to aerodromes 85. Maximum interval between supports 85. Maximum interval between supports 86. Conditions to apply where telecommunication lines and power lines are carried on same supports 86. Conditions to apply where telecommunication lines and power lines are carried on same supports 87. Lines crossing or approaching each other 87. Lines crossing or approaching each other 88. Guarding 88. Guarding 89. Service-lines from Overhead lines 89. Service-lines from Overhead lines 90. Earthing 90. Earthing 91. Safety and protective devices 91. Safety and protective devices 92. Protection against lightning 92. Protection against lightning 93. Unused overhead lines 93. Unused overhead lines

16 Other Rules/Standards Beside above I.E. Rule, the following code of practice as per I.S. & Standards shall be referred for construction. Operation & maintenance of lines / sub-stations. Beside above I.E. Rule, the following code of practice as per I.S. & Standards shall be referred for construction. Operation & maintenance of lines / sub-stations. Code of practice for Earthing (IS3043 – 1966) Code of practice for Earthing (IS3043 – 1966) Code of practice for installation & maintenance of transformer (IS1886 – 1961) Code of practice for installation & maintenance of transformer (IS1886 – 1961) Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of transformers (IS10028 part-III – 1981) Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of transformers (IS10028 part-III – 1981) Specification of insulating oil for transformers and switchgear (IS335 – 1963) Specification of insulating oil for transformers and switchgear (IS335 – 1963) Code of practice for maintenance of insulating oil (IS1866 – 1961) Code of practice for maintenance of insulating oil (IS1866 – 1961)

17 Other Rules/Standards Guide for safety procedure and practices in electrical work (IS5216 – 1969) Guide for safety procedure and practices in electrical work (IS5216 – 1969) R.E.C. safety manual 3/1974 R.E.C. safety manual 3/1974 R.E.C. specifications and construction standards 1/1971 & 1981 R.E.C. specifications and construction standards 1/1971 & 1981 R.E.C. manual 6/1976 installation & maintenance manual for 33/11 KV sub-station. R.E.C. manual 6/1976 installation & maintenance manual for 33/11 KV sub-station. R.E.C. manual 7/1975 maintenance manual for 33 KV, 11 KV lines, medium & low voltage lines. R.E.C. manual 7/1975 maintenance manual for 33 KV, 11 KV lines, medium & low voltage lines. R.E.C. manual 10/1976 manual for design of 33/11 KV sub-stations for rural electrification system. R.E.C. manual 10/1976 manual for design of 33/11 KV sub-stations for rural electrification system.

18 Reasons of accidents Snapping of Conductors. Snapping of Conductors. Accidental contact with live electric wire / equipment. Accidental contact with live electric wire / equipment. Violation / neglect of safety measures / lack of supervisions. Violation / neglect of safety measures / lack of supervisions. Defective appliances / apparatus / tools. Defective appliances / apparatus / tools. Inadequate / lack of maintenance. Inadequate / lack of maintenance. Unauthorised work / Sub-standard construction. Unauthorised work / Sub-standard construction. Others reasons (inadequate knowledge / training of the work force, leakage of current etc.) Others reasons (inadequate knowledge / training of the work force, leakage of current etc.)

19 Snapping of conductors Snapping of Conductors attributed to Snapping of Conductors attributed to –Ageing of conductors / insulators. –Improper sag. –Non-standard spans. –Inadequate supervision during construction and monitoring thereafter. –Inadequate maintenance. –Non-availability of skilled manpower and tools to carry out repair works etc.

20 Snapping of Conductors Remedial measures: Remedial measures: –Proper inspection during construction and before energisation followed by regular monitoring. –History of the line is to be built up as a data base to asses the ageing of conductors / insulators. –Replacement of aged conductors / insulators wherever warranted. –Maintaining the standard spans and proper stringing

21 Accidental contact with live electric wire / equipment This happens to mostly with the employees / operating staff of the utilities. It has been estimated that about 11% of total reported cases / fatalities are due to accidental contact with live system –Operating staff not properly skilled / trained. –Similarly, the work is not being supervised by qualified personnel –Inadequate ground clearance / operational clearance of the live parts. –Ignorance about the discharging line / equipment before starting of maintenance work / repair works. –Error in isolation of supply. –Non-availability of safety tools & devices (as per IE Rule 36) –Absence of clear instructions and supervision i.e. standard codified maintenance manuals should be prepared which will guide the maintenance personnel to follow the standard instruction including line clearance / return procedure.

22 Violation/neglect of safety measures/lack of supervision Formulation of safety policy Formulation of safety policy Training to the workforce Training to the workforce Enforcement of safety practices Enforcement of safety practices Adequate supervision Adequate supervision Fast acting protection relays / releases may be considered for distribution lines. Fast acting protection relays / releases may be considered for distribution lines.

23 Unauthorised work/ defective appliance/apparatus/tools Around 6 to 7% of the reported cases of accidents / fatalities is due to the reason of un-authorised work / defective appliances / apparatus etc Around 6 to 7% of the reported cases of accidents / fatalities is due to the reason of un-authorised work / defective appliances / apparatus etc Unauthorised work should be checked in accordance with the various available legal / mandatory provisions. Unauthorised work should be checked in accordance with the various available legal / mandatory provisions. Scrupulous follow up of various quality control orders of Govt. may help in reducing the large number of accidents caused by sub-standard appliances / equipment. Scrupulous follow up of various quality control orders of Govt. may help in reducing the large number of accidents caused by sub-standard appliances / equipment. The owners of the installation should provide approved type of safety tools and protective equipment to operating staff / workmen and ensure use of safety devices. The owners of the installation should provide approved type of safety tools and protective equipment to operating staff / workmen and ensure use of safety devices.

24 Present Scenario

25 Analysis of Voltage class

26 Case Studies Electrical accident of Mini bus Electrical accident of Mini bus –Due to contact of luggage carrier along with a bicycle with one of the conductor of a 11 KV feeder under SOUTHCO –Low height of the conductor : 3.51m < 6.1m –1 fatal, 15 no-fatal. Electrical accident of villager Electrical accident of villager –Physical contact with live conductor –Low height of the LT line due to damage of pin binding. 1 fatal

27 Provision of penalty on breach of Acts and Rules 142. non-compliance of directions by Appropriate Commission non-compliance of directions by Appropriate Commission. In case any complaint is filed before the Appropriate Commission by any person or if that Commission is satisfied that any person has contravened any provisions of this Act or rules or regulations made thereunder, or any direction issued by the Commission, the appropriate Commission may after giving such person an opportunity of being heard in the matter, by order in writing, direct that, without prejudice to any other penalty to which he may be liable under this Act, such person shall pay, by way of penalty, which shall not exceed one lakh rupees for each contravention and in case of a continuing failure with an additional penalty which may extend to six thousand rupees for every day during which the failure continues after contravention of the first such direction.

28 Provision of penalty on breach of Acts and Rules 146. Punishment for non-compliance of orders or directions Punishment for non-compliance of orders or directions. Whoever, fails to comply with any order or direction given under this Act, within such time as may be specified in the said order or direction or contravenes or attempts or abets the contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine, which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both in respect of each offence and in the case of a continuing failure, with an additional fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which the failure continues after conviction of the first such offence.

29 Suggestions –The divisional office, sub-divisional office and section office shall display telephone nos. of the key persons and area Electrical Inspector / Deputy Electrical Inspectors / Asst. Electrical Inspectors for general public so that information on accidents can be reported by the any public. –Training and skill development of the workforce shall be a mandatory activity of the utilities. –Prepare and follow a maintenance manual for lines and sub-stations. The manual must include the procedure of taking line clearance (LC) & LC returns. –District administration need to ensure electrical safety clearance certificates on every temporary connection given to Melas, Yatras, Exhibitions etc. (The accident like Madhuban (Baripada) fire hazards & fatalities may not be repeated) –All the utilities shall be advised to prepare a safety manual for their activities and specify the functions and responsibilities of each category of involved personnel / Officers. The safety office of the utilities has the responsibilities to oversee to the adherence of the duties / functions. –Avoid misuses of danger board / danger notice. Use in the appropriate places to create the potentially of electricity danger.

30 Need of the hour The accident figures of the past few years indicates a rising trend. The accident figures of the past few years indicates a rising trend. Need to reduce (eliminate) accidents and fatalities Need to reduce (eliminate) accidents and fatalities Detailed study on the subject to identify the causes and adopt remedial measures Detailed study on the subject to identify the causes and adopt remedial measures Un-stinted support from DISTCOS for complying to statutory safety requirements. Un-stinted support from DISTCOS for complying to statutory safety requirements.

31 Neither safety nor accidents happen …....they are both caused by us

32 Thank You