HSG47 | Avoiding Danger From Underground Services | An HSE Document
Published 26 Jul 2021
HSG47 | Avoiding Danger From Underground Services
A Document from Health & Safety Executive
HSE Health & Safety Executive issued the 3rd edition of their guidelines ‘HSG47 Avoiding Danger from Underground Services’ in 2014. Whilst the basic requirements are still the same, this third edition published in February 2014 brings the guidance up to date from the previously published version 14 years previously in 2000.
The document is freely available from the internet by searching on HSG47 2014. Recommendations regarding Protective Clothing against the hazards of Arc Flash Incidents can be found on Page 26 and two extracts are as follows:
“..clothing made from man-made fibres such as nylon may melt and stick to the skin, increasing the severity of the burns.”
“Advice on the suitability and performance of protective clothing should be available from reputable companies specialising in its supply.”
HSG47 (Third Edition) Summary Extract
This guidance is aimed at all those involved in commissioning, planning, managing and carrying out work on or near underground services. It will also be of use to the owners and operators of such services.
It outlines the potential dangers of working near underground services and gives advice on how to reduce any direct risks to people’s health and safety, as well as the indirect risks arising through damage to services.
It explains the three basic elements of a safe system of work during excavation:
- Planning the work
- Locating and identifying buried services
- Safe excavation
This third edition of HSG47 brings the guidance up to date, but the basic requirements remain the same.
(N.B. Extract taken from Page 1 of the document)
Why ProGARM?
Many garments within the ProGARM product range are now certificated to IEC61482 the European Standard for Arc Flash protective clothing and can offer the protection required for your workforce. Garments are tested to either the European Box test method or the US ATPV test method with some garments, including coveralls, offering certification to both test methods.
➡ See also the range of Electrical Safety Equipment
Awareness of Safety Guidance Ahead of Groundworks (HSG47)
Arc Flash Risks During Construction Groundworks
HSG47 is the Health & Safety Executive’s issued guidance aimed at all those involved in commissioning, planning, managing and carrying out work on or near underground services.
It’s comprehensive in covering the three basic elements of safe systems of work through planning, locating & identifying buried services and safe excavation.
Coveralls | Switching Suits | Polo Shirts | Helmets | Gloves | Garments
The most recent third edition, released in 2014, brought guidance up to date, but still outlines the same potential dangers as those flagged in the first release in 1989.
ONLY 22% OF WORKERS AWARE OF HSG47 GUIDANCE
Yet ProGARM’s Arc Flash Survey in 2017 revealed a staggering 78% of respondents were still unaware of what the guidance included when it came to reducing the risks of Arc Flash incidents.
For three whole years of London’s Crossrail project, eight tunnelling machines were working to create the 42 km of new train tunnels.
We can only imagine the extensive degree of research and planning that must have gone into the location and re-siting of London’s complex array of underground services during this phase of the works to avoid such incidents.
But for every high-profile, major infrastructure project like this, with specialist civil engineers working to incredibly precise risk assessments and method statements, there will be hundreds more smaller scale projects taking place where work is not being carried out with the same levels of awareness, diligence or training.
At ProGARM, we may provide a last line of defence against an Arc Flash in the form of specialist PPE, but there’s no substitute for awareness and proactive steps to minimise the risks of them occurring in the first place.
➡ Thorne & Derrick | Specialist Distributors & Stockists of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment to the Rail industry.
Further Reading
- Arc Flash Risks In The Rail Industry
- Arc Flash Survivor Story – Jason Brozen
- The Arc Flash Risk in Electric Metering
Arc Flash Learning & Resources
Thorne and Derrick are proud to be distributors of ProGARM arc flash coveralls and protection.
We can help – should you require arc flash calculators or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us.
