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2 Safe System of Work
A safe system of work protects those working in the vicinity of electricity supply lines. The working party who requires to work in the vicinity of electricity supply lines is responsible for executing the safe system of work.
2.1 The working party's safe system of work
2.2 Electricity supplier's responsibility
2.3 Competent person's responsibility
2.4 Emergency situation
2.1 The working party's safe system of work
2.1.1 The working party6 is responsible for ensuring that those working in the vicinity of electricity supply lines adhere to a safe system of work. This safe system of work has two key elements: reasonable steps and reasonable measures.
2.1.2 Before commencement of works in the vicinity of U/G cables, the working party shall take all reasonable steps to ensure safety, which include obtaining cable plan from electricity supplier, appointing a competent person for cable detection work and ensuring that personnel at the works site are fully aware of the details of the U/G cables.
2.1.3 Before commencement of works in the vicinity of O/H lines, the working party shall take all reasonable steps to ensure safety, which include planning the works, consulting the electricity supplier and ensuring that personnel at the works site and the appointed signaller fully understand all necessary safety precautions to be taken.
2.1.4 In the course of works in the vicinity of electricity supply lines, the working party shall adopt the reasonable measures appropriate to the nature of the works.
2.1.5 The safe system of work, together with the safety guidelines on handling accidents or emergencies, shall be effectively communicated to all persons likely to be engaged in the works in the vicinity of electricity supply lines.
2.2 Electricity supplier's responsibility
2.2.1 The electricity supplier7 shall:
(a) accurately record the as-built alignments of its electricity supply lines and maintain the accuracy of such records as long as the supply lines remain underground or overhead; and
(b) provide the working party with the most updated U/G cable plan or O/H line drawing upon request within the agreed time frame.
2.2.2 The electricity supplier accepts the need for close co-operation with those who carry out works in the vicinity of electricity supply lines. According to the nature of the works, the electricity supplier shall attend site meetings and provide safety advice to the working party as necessary. Additional site patrol will be essential when the electricity supplier believes that the electricity supply lines may be susceptible to damage.
2.3 Competent person's responsibility
2.3.1 A competent person8 shall:
(a) coordinate with the working party to undertake an investigation to ascertain the existence of any U/G cable within the proposed works site and its vicinity, and to determine its alignment and depth; and
(b) provide the working party with a Competent Person Written Report and give a briefing on it as required by the working party.
2.3.2 The competent person shall not delegate the function and duty of the investigation to another person.
2.3.3 The competent person shall seek assistance from the electricity supplier if he encounters genuine difficulty in locating the U/G cables.
2.4.1 In an emergency involving works in the vicinity of electricity supply lines, the working party shall contact the 24-hour emergency service of the electricity supplier by telephone. The electricity supplier shall provide immediate advice as far as practicable by telephone or facsimile. In addition, if the electricity supplier is aware of an imminent danger arising from the electricity supply lines, emergency personnel shall be immediately despatched to the site. The contact information of the two electricity suppliers can be found in Appendix 3 of this Code.
2.4.2 The electricity supplier shall provide cable plans/alignment drawings and safety advice to the working party at site. In case of works in the vicinity of U/G cables, the working party shall arrange for a competent person to ascertain the positions of the U/G cables whenever possible. In an emergency situation, the electricity supplier shall offer assistance to the working party.
2.4.3 If the electricity supplier cannot immediately provide this assistance and yet it is essential that excavation work continue, the excavation shall be under the direct supervision of a competent person and extreme caution must be taken with the assumption that there are U/G cables in the vicinity. In case of an emergency involving O/H line (e.g. O/H line or tower is damaged, etc.), no works are allowed in the vicinity without the consent of the electricity supplier.
6 See Definition in Section 1.3.2.7 [Go back]
7 See Definition in Section 1.3.1.2 [Go Back]
8 See Definition in Section 1.3.1.1 [Go Back]