2. Why TransGrid are changing the Power System Safety Rules (PSSR)
2 /
PSSR Revision 5.3 – 2017, incorporates key changes that have
taken place since the introduction of Revision 5.2 in 2014.
The PSSRs are no different to all other elements of TransGrid’s
safety management system, in that they are subject to periodic
review frequencies and a desire for continual improvement. The
need for revision and the publication of this document, is the
culmination of a number of elements including but not limited to:
• Feedback from and consultation with frontline staff that use
the Rules on a daily basis; and
• Recommendations regarding rule changes that were
determined through the review of incidents, hazards and near
misses
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
3. Why TransGrid are changing the Power System Safety Rules (PSSR)
3 /
The purpose of TransGrid’s PSSR has never changed.
Safety remains our highest priority, with the PSSR being our core
document when managing electrical risks for our authorised
staff and contractors.
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
4. When will the changes happen?
4 /
• Revision 5.3 of the PSSR is effective from Monday 28 August
2017
• The PSSR and its associated documents can be downloaded
from transgrid.com.au
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
5. How do I know if there are changes
5 /
All significant new additions and alterations to Revision 5.2 have been highlighted in this version
by a vertical sidebar.
The following slides highlight the major changes
A full list of the changes can be found on page 86 of the PSSR
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
6. Administrative and General Rule Changes
6 /
Purpose statement updated
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
7. Administrative and General Rule Changes
7 /
Responsibilities updated to
reflect current organisational
structure
Training and Competency
clause updated to refer to a
broader range of pre-requisite
requirements and define a time
limit for use of instructed
persons
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
8. Administrative and General Rule Changes
8 /
Limited Entry Provision
updated to reflect current
businesses processes
In numerous locations within
the Rules the word ‘clearance’
has been replaced by ‘Safe
Approach Distance’
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
9. Administrative and General Rule Changes
9 /
Personal protective equipment
clause aligned with TransGrid’s
HSE procedures
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
10. Administrative and General Rule Changes
10 /
Work involving apparatus of
other organisations point (c)
updated to make the
requirements applicable to all
categories of work
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
11. Administrative and General Rule Changes
11 /
The Authorisations table has been revised:
• Category 1 is no longer a mandatory pre-
requisite for categories 6, 7 and 8
• Addition of category 4.0
• and removal of category 7.6 (unused)
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
12. Administrative and General Rule Changes
12 /
Attachment B: Safe Approach
Distances Table revised including:
• General layout
• SAD for Extra Low Voltage and
Low Voltage revised to current
work practices
• SAD for Vehicles added
NOTE: Safe Approach Distances to
High Voltage have not changed
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
SAFE APPROACH DISTANCES
Distance(m)
Persons No contact 0.25 (250mm)
Persons Insulated contact Insulated contact
Nominal Voltage (V): ELV <50V AC or <120V DC LV >ELV and <1000V AC or <1500V DC
11-33 66 132 220 275 330 500Nominal Voltage (kV):
Persons 0.7 1.0 1.2 1.8 2.3 3.0 3.9
Mobile Plant 3.0 3.0 3.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 8.0
Mobile Plant + 1.2 1.4 1.8 2.4 3.0 3.7 4.6
+
Persons
+
= Persons authorised 4.1, 4.3, 5.5, 6.5 or instructed persons directly supervised by a 4.1, 4.3 or 5.5
Mobile Plant + = Mobile plant operating with restrictive devices applied or an authorised safety observer appointed
Vehicles * 0.7 1.0 1.2 1.8 2.3 3.0 3.9
Distance(m)
Vehicles * = Includes mobile plant stowed for transit
13. Updates to Definitions
13 /
Definition of Extra Low Voltage
(ELV) updated
Definition of Low Voltage (LV)
updated
Definition of mobile plant updated
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
14. Updates to Definitions
14 /
EME Guide added, Site
Management Book removed
Defined terms ‘Prohibited Access
Zone’ and ‘Radio Frequency
Worker Access Zones’ replaced by
terms ‘Exclusion Zone – Red’ and
‘Exclusion Zone – Yellow’
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
16. Category 3 specific changes
16 /
Opening paragraph of Work in
Substations – General updated to
clarify that: High Voltage Areas are
included in the scope of category 3
Opening paragraph of 3.1 updated
to confirm this category is only for
work not affecting substation
apparatus
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
17. Category 3 specific changes
17 /
Wording of Substation Hazard 4
updated
Wording of Substation Hazard 7
updated
Wording of Substation Hazard 15
updated
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
18. Category 3 specific changes
18 /
Rule 3.2 updated to specifically
exclude category 3.2 people from
supervising instructed persons
Rule 3.3.3 updated to clarify that
only unplanned earth grid
breakages need to be repaired on
the same day
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
19. Category 4 specific changes
19 /
Title of Rule 4.3.2 (a) updated to
provide clarity on its purpose
Rule 4.3.2 (b) updated with
additional requirements
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
20. Category 5 specific changes
20 /
Rule 5.1.3 Updated to reinforce the
requirement to enter and leave a
Designated Work Area using the
approved entrance
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
Do Not Opertate
Do
Not
Ope
rtate
Do Not Opertate
Do
Not
Ope
rtate
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
Access
Authority
21. Do Not Opertate
Do Not Opertate
All persons working
under a HV Access
Authority shall:
(a) Participate in a pre-
work risk assessment;
(b) At the start of each
day or shift, or upon
returning after leaving
site, sign on the HV
Access Authority
to indicate that they
understand the
warnings/
demonstrations given
and their responsibilities
under
the HV Access
Authority;
Category 5 specific changes
21 /
Rule 5.2 (n) revised to remove the
discretionary use of bonding leads
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
22. Category 5 specific changes
22 /
Rule 5.5.5 (b) updated with the
requirement for earth bridging
leads to be locked
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
23. Category 5 specific changes
23 /
Rule 5.6.3 revised and approved
earthing methods are now
included in the supporting
document
Rules 5.6.8 and 5.6.9 reworded to
improve clarity and the approval
requirements for defeating
interlocks changed to reflect
business processes
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
24. Category 6 specific changes
24 /
Rule 6.1 updated to allow category
6.1 people to supervise instructed
persons
Rule 6.1.2 updated with reference
to Dial before you Dig
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
25. Category 6 specific changes
25 /
New Rule 6.1.4 added ‘Work on
earthing systems’
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
26. Category 6 specific changes
26 /
Rule 6.3 (k) revised to remove the
discretionary use of bonding leads
Rule 6.3 (m) revised to include
multiple work locations
Rule 6.4.1 (c) ii ‘aerial conductor’
wording changed to ‘HV
conductor’
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
27. Category 6 specific changes
27 /
New Rule 6.3.6 added for Bridging
of Earthing Systems
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
28. Category 7 specific changes
28 /
Rule 7.1.2 removed and
requirements for Dial before you
Dig added to Cables Hazard 2
Rule 7.3 (k) revised to remove the
discretionary use of bonding leads
All references to Rule 7.6 have
been removed
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
29. E.L. 80.0m
E.L. 76.0m
E.L. 40.0m
E.L. 20.0m
E.L. 30.0m
E.L. 0.0m
OPTUS A1
TELSTRA A2
TELSTRA A3
TELSTRA A1
OPTUS A2
OPTUS A3
TELSTRA A4
TELSTRA A5
TELSTRA A6
TRANSGRID 1
TRANSGRID 2
TRANSGRID YAGI
Category 8 specific changes
29 /
‘Prohibited Access Zone’ and
‘Radio Frequency Worker Access
Zones’ replaced by terms
‘Exclusion Zone – Red’ and
‘Exclusion Zone – Yellow’
plus
References to ‘Site Management
Book’ replaced by references to
‘EME Guide’
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
30. Where to from here?
30 /
• Revision 5.3 of the PSSR comes into effect on 28 August 2017
and can be downloaded from transgrid.com.au
Power System Safety Rules, Revision 5.3 Updates
