Electrical Safety

Nuclear Site Pleads Guilty Over High Voltage Injury

Sellafield substation – Photograph shows burn marks at the rear of the substation where the electrical incident took place – Image credit ONR

Sellafield Substation

This Article was originally published in IOSH Magazine, December 2020.

Electrical Incident

The operator of the world’s largest nuclear site has been fined £320,000 after an electrician’s eyelashes were burned off and his shirt caught fire while working on high voltage equipment.

Sellafield was prosecuted following what an inspector described as an ‘entirely avoidable’ incident in which a worker suffered 15-20% burns at the site near Seascale in West Cumbria.

On 24 April 2020 Reece Hudson was assisting in a job to permanently disconnect a three phase 11kV cable known as HTF 148 at a high voltage electricity substation.

Two authorised persons cut the cable and instructed Reece to cap and disconnect it on his own. He removed the cover from the front of the cable box, which had a green label on it indicating that it was safe to work on.

However, he had a limited experience of high voltage cable boxes.

He expected to see three ‘elbow joint’ terminations, but when he looked into the box he saw three cable cores with ‘straight boot’ style covers. This led him to believe that the cable went up into the section above.

He went to the rear of the unit to try to find the terminations. There were no warning labels on the rear to indicate the presence of live conductors behind the covers and he therefore removed one of them.

He tried to remove the back panel but came into contact with the live current and was thrown back against the substation wall. The photograph above shows the burn marks.

His eyelashes were burned off and his shirt caught fire. He managed to beat out the flames and called the control room for help. He was taken to West Cumberland Hospital and then onto the burns unit at Newcastle upon Tyne.

‘IN A NUTSHELL, THE DEFENDANT REQUIRED SOME OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO UNDERTAKE WORK ON HIGH VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT WITHOUT HAVING RECEIVED ADEQUATE TRAINING TO DO SO’

Reece’s burns covered his face, chest, arms and hip and he underwent two skin grafts.

He spent almost three weeks in hospital and has been left with permanent scarring on his arms and wrist. He also suffers with psychological and emotional problems, the ONR’s solicitor advocate, Craig Morris, told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court last week.

Sellafield Ltd was charged under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees, in relation to the risks arising while undertaking high voltage electrical work.

The risks involved in undertaking electrical work include the risk of death and it is vital that safe systems of work are in place to undertake that work and that it is undertaken by appropriately qualified and trained individuals, Craig said.

‘As a shift worker, Reece spent the majority of his time on site working with low voltage equipment and responding to breakdowns,’ he told the court.

‘His limited work on high voltage equipment was made up primarily of non intrusive routine visual maintenance checks on ring main units and transformers, rather than the type of intrusive work that he was being asked to undertake on the 24 April.

‘In a nutshell, the defendant required some of its employees to undertake work on high voltage equipment without having received adequate training to do so and providing them with little in the way of written material or adequate supervision and failing to mark live parts on older equipment with the appropriate warning signs.’

When referring to the Sentencing Guideline, District Judge John Temperley deemed the incident the upper end of Medium Culpability with a level of harm as the top tier, risk of death. As Sellafield is a very large organisation, a fine of £480,000 was imposed, reduced by a third for an early guilty plea.

The Sellafield site is one of Europe’s largest industrial complexes, managing more radioactive waste in one place than any other similar facility in the world and employing thousands of people.

In an IOSH magazine article, Sellafield’s EHS&Q director discussed the significant challenges the site faces daily.

Last year, Sellafield Ltd was prosecuted over employee contamination after a worker was left susceptible to internal radiation exposure.

IOSH magazine is published on behalf of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) by Redactive Publishing Limited

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E-Shark Safety Helmet By PBwel | Personal Voltage Detection

E-Shark Safety Helmet

E-Shark Safety Helmet

Electrical Safety Equipment By PBwel

The TC42ES E-Shark safety helmet is suitable for electrical environment including operation, industry, manufacturing, offices and more. The E-Shark is designed for protection from short circuit and their effects to the operator. The E-Shark safety helmet can be used in conjunction with the ALADIN personal voltage detector.

The safety helmet is constructed by robust polyethylene outer and inner shells and replaceable black textile harness.

The E-Shark safety helmet also features innovative side and central insert allow for the attachment of accessories including TC42ES E-Shark Helmet Ear Muffs, TC42ES E-Shark Helmet LED and TC42ES E-Shark Helmet Torch.

PBwel is also able to supply these attachments upon request.

The TC42ES E-Shark safety helmet also comes with replaceable absorbent antiperspirant headband. Suitable for head sizes 53 – 62 cm. Making the TC42ES E-Shark Helmet an ideal head protector for electrical applications.

TS42ES Protection Helmet with Shield

E-Shark safety helmet

Features & Benefits

• Screen far enough away from the face to allow the wearing of glasses
• Optical quality class 1 screen: better vision during long term work
• The face is fully covered thanks to the size of the screen
• The crash box absorbs shocks up to 40% of the kinetic energy from impact to prevent head contusions
• Screen is easy to manipulate with insulated gloves
• 6-point chinstrap provides an excellent fit of the helmet. Automatic buckle on chinstrap for rapid closing and opening
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Test Standard: Helmet : EN 397 / EN 50365 1000 V Face shield: EN 166 / EN 167 / EN 168 / EN 170 Helmet and face shield : GS-ET-29

PBwel – DISTRIBUTORS, STOCKISTS & SUPPLIERS

PBwel Substation Earthing and Transmission Line Earthing Equipment include line end clamps, earth end clamps, portable earthing leads and operating poles for high voltage substations, overhead power line and transmission line applications – voltages include 11kV, 33kV, 66kV, 132kV up to 400kV.

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of Pbwel substation earthing and transmission line earthing equipment.

In 2018 In 2018 PB Weir joined the Novarc group and re-branded as PBwel and now, through the ESP group of companies, we are able to supply, support and maintain a comprehensive range of Electrical Safety Equipment which includes: Earthing, Insulated Tools, Arc Flash Protection, Personal Voltage Detection Helmets, Insulating Gloves, Voltage Detection, Operating Poles & Lock-Out Tag-out.

ALADIN | Improved electrical safety levels for workers operating near live equipment

Product Spotlight | see Live Line Indicators designed for use upon overhead a.c. rail electrification systems operating at 25kV nominal voltage to indicate the presence of extra high voltages to aid safe working practices.

Further Reading

• MTAG DR 69 kV Multi Voltage Detector Dual Range
• Network Rail Case Study New Overhead Line Equipment
• Substation Suspended Earthing Spigots By PBwel
• Drain Earths | PBwel 50sqmm Arctic Orange Field Drain Earth
• PBwel Transmission Line Earthing Leads 132kV, 275kV, 400kV
• Long Blues | Rail Portable Earthing By PBwel | Network Rail Approved
• PBwel Earthing Leads For Temporary Earthing Of Transmission Line Conductors 132kV, 275kV, 400kV

LV, MV & HV JOINTING, EARTHING, SUBSTATION & ELECTRICAL EQPT

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Proving Cables Dead With MTAG DR 69kV Multi Voltage Detector Dual Range

Proving Cables Dead

Proving Cables Dead

69kV Voltage Detector Dual Range

PBwel MTAG Go NoGo Contact voltage detector is designed for “proving cables dead”, making sure that nominal voltage is actually absent on a circuit of an HV electrical power and distribution system – the two operating ranges are calibrated according to IEC recommendations between 1kV and 69kV:

• The device will detect any nominal voltage in contact with the part of the installation to be tested on overhead lines and substations.
• It will not indicate voltage presence when detecting induced voltages in order to allow grounding operations.

Voltage Detector Advantages

Optimised indication that can be understood clearly in all working conditions when using the voltage detector:

• The visual indication is visible in all usual working environments, in sunlight or fog, with a wide angle of visibility and from the side thanks to an optic ring.
• The 100 dB sound signal is designed to remains audible even in traffic or strong wind, thanks to its acoustic “horn”.

Direct access to the battery and sealed electronics compartment. When the voltage detector battery is replaced, this design prevents the following:

• Accidental interchange of housing or circuitry;
• Damage to electronic circuits;
• Humidity ingress into the device when the battery is replaced outdoors.
• 2 in 1:
  • This dual range detector acts as 2 voltage detectors with 2 separated ranges: lower range and upper range.
  • The presence of nominal voltage within the calibrated ranges is indicated as shown below:

MTAG DR Multi Voltage Detector 1-69 kV

PB WEIR – DISTRIBUTORS, STOCKISTS & SUPPLIERS

PB Weir Substation Earthing and Transmission Line Earthing Equipment include line end clamps, earth end clamps, portable earthing leads and operating poles for high voltage substations, overhead power line and transmission line applications – voltages include 11kV, 33kV, 66kV, 132kV up to 400kV.

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of PB Weir substation earthing and transmission line earthing equipment.

In 2018 In 2018 PB Weir joined the Novarc group and re-branded as PBwel and now, through the ESP group of companies, we are able to supply, support and maintain a comprehensive range of Electrical Safety Equipment which includes: Earthing, Insulated Tools, Arc Flash Protection, Personal Voltage Detection Helmets, Insulating Gloves, Voltage Detection, Operating Poles & Lock-Out Tag-out.

ALADIN | Improved electrical safety levels for workers operating near live equipment

➡ Read More Here: ALADIN Individual Voltage Alarm With Headlamp For MV Overhead Lines 10-69kV

Product Spotlight | see Live Line Indicators designed for use upon overhead a.c. rail electrification systems operating at 25kV nominal voltage to indicate the presence of extra high voltages to aid safe working practices.

Further Reading

• E-Shark Safety Helmet By PBwel
• Network Rail Case Study New Overhead Line Equipment
• Substation Suspended Earthing Spigots By PBwel
• Drain Earths | PBwel 50sqmm Arctic Orange Field Drain Earth
• PBwel Transmission Line Earthing Leads 132kV, 275kV, 400kV
• Long Blues | Rail Portable Earthing By PBwel | Network Rail Approved
• PBwel Earthing Leads For Temporary Earthing Of Transmission Line Conductors 132kV, 275kV, 400kV

LV, MV & HV JOINTING, EARTHING, SUBSTATION & ELECTRICAL EQPT

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Network Rail Case Study New Overhead Line Equipment

Network Rail Case Study New Overhead Line Equipment

Network Rail Case Study

The Successful Trial of the New Overhead Line Equipment (OLE)

Network Rail Training colleagues shine a spotlight on electrical safety after successfully trialling new overhead line equipment (OLE). The alternative socket and adapter combination was tested by workforce development specialists at Walsall training centre looking to improve safety for colleagues carrying out overhead line maintenance and, by extension, passengers and freight users.

A successful trial

Following an incident at the centre during an Authorised Person training course where a delegate was struck by a falling clamp that had come loose in its socket, the supplier, PBwel, was contacted and challenged to provide an engineering solution to reduce the risk of repeat incidents.

Gavin Brandrick, Workforce Development Specialist (Team Leader), listened to the supplier’s advice and immediately set up a trial of a different socket and adapter more suited to the task of attaching specific earthing wires (Long Blue Earths) to overhead lines.

Interlocked Long Blue Earth: specially enhanced to address the potentially fatal procedure of removing the equipment in the incorrect order of use

The trial was conducted by a team of workforce development specialists and OLE Authorised Persons, under guidance from PBwel and a representative from Safety, Technical and Engineering (STE), all of whom deemed it a success.

Gavin Brandrick said, “All feedback was positive with the staff saying they felt more confident that the earth would not fall due to the improved design of the socket. All staff applied and removed the earth without any problems after a quick brief and demonstration”.

The alternative equipment is now being further trialled by STE and, if successful, will be considered for national rollout – a prime example of how the safety of the training environment can be used to develop solutions and new ways of working for the live railway.

Professional curiosity and a passionate commitment

John Partington, SHE specialist and accident investigator, said: “The response to the accident, investigation and prospective solution has revealed a safety culture among the training team at Walsall training centre which is a credit to them and an asset to Network Rail.

“When faced with the challenge of an alternative way of working, the workforce development specialists did not offer barriers to change based on their years of using the existing kit; they showed professional curiosity and a passionate commitment to Network Rail’s drive for ‘better every day’ by not only accepting the possibility of change, but by running with the idea and owning the initiative. This is the type of safety culture to be celebrated in Network Rail.

To our workforce development specialists Robert Brandrick and Steven Urie, who conducted the trial – thank you. There is a real possibility of Network Rail seeing a significant safety improvement due to your attitude – and that is clearly an example of ‘Putting Passengers First’!”

PB WEIR – DISTRIBUTORS, STOCKISTS & SUPPLIERS

PB Weir Substation Earthing and Transmission Line Earthing Equipment include line end clamps, earth end clamps, portable earthing leads and operating poles for high voltage substations, overhead power line and transmission line applications – voltages include 11kV, 33kV, 66kV, 132kV up to 400kV.

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of PB Weir substation earthing and transmission line earthing equipment.

In 2018 In 2018 PB Weir joined the Novarc group and re-branded as PBwel and now, through the ESP group of companies, we are able to supply, support and maintain a comprehensive range of Electrical Safety Equipment which includes: Earthing, Insulated Tools, Arc Flash Protection, Personal Voltage Detection Helmets, Insulating Gloves, Voltage Detection, Operating Poles & Lock-Out Tag-out.

ALADIN | Improved electrical safety levels for workers operating near live equipment

➡ Read More Here: ALADIN Individual Voltage Alarm With Headlamp For MV Overhead Lines 10-69kV

Product Spotlight | see Live Line Indicators designed for use upon overhead a.c. rail electrification systems operating at 25kV nominal voltage to indicate the presence of extra high voltages to aid safe working practices.

Further Reading

• E-Shark Safety Helmet By PBwel
• MTAG DR 69 kV Multi Voltage Detector Dual Range
• Substation Suspended Earthing Spigots By PBwel
• Drain Earths | PBwel 50sqmm Arctic Orange Field Drain Earth
• PBwel Transmission Line Earthing Leads 132kV, 275kV, 400kV
• Long Blues | Rail Portable Earthing By PBwel | Network Rail Approved
• PBwel Earthing Leads For Temporary Earthing Of Transmission Line Conductors 132kV, 275kV, 400kV

LV, MV & HV JOINTING, EARTHING, SUBSTATION & ELECTRICAL EQPT

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.

Earthing Spigots | Substation Suspended Earthing Spigots By PBwel

Substation Spigots

Substation Suspended Earthing Spigots

The PBwel Substation portable earthing equipment range is designed to meet the specific requirements of ENA Technical Specification 41-21.

PBwel offer range of spigots such as Suspended Busbar Spigot, Type A & Type B Aluminium Spigots, Type C Spigot, Type D Spigot and Type H Suspended Busbar Aluminium Spigot.

All PBwel Spigots are designed to be permanently fitted to a new or existing busbar. The PBwel spigots have a proven track record of assurance and quality, which has been fully approved and tested by the National Grid and are in use throughout the UK substations.

Suspended Earthing Spigot

Performance Characteristic

• 1kN Mechanical Load
• 900 Amps Continuous Current Rating
• RIV and Corona Discharge Test @ 400kV Rating
• 80kA/1s Short Circuit Rating including a peak at 200kA
• 40kA/3s Short Circuit Rating including a peak at 100kA

Suspended Busbar types and part numbers

* Note: A Suspended Busbar requires both a body and spigot assembly as shown upon the chart.

Suspended Earthing Spigot Range

• Quick Installations
• Can be set up by one person
• Suitable for existing and new busbars
• National Grid Approved

Substation Spigot Range

Bolt On Corona Shields For Spigots	Suspended Busbar Spigot CE75, CE76 & CE77	Type A Aluminium Spigots	Type B Aluminium Spigots
Type C Spigots	Type D Spigots 63.5 230 Aluminium	Type E Spigots	Type H Spigots Suspended Aluminium Spigot

PB WEIR – DISTRIBUTORS, STOCKISTS & SUPPLIERS

PB Weir Substation Earthing and Transmission Line Earthing Equipment include line end clamps, earth end clamps, portable earthing leads and operating poles for high voltage substations, overhead power line and transmission line applications – voltages include 11kV, 33kV, 66kV, 132kV up to 400kV.

Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of PB Weir substation earthing and transmission line earthing equipment.

In 2018 In 2018 PB Weir joined the Novarc group and re-branded as PBwel and now, through the ESP group of companies, we are able to supply, support and maintain a comprehensive range of Electrical Safety Equipment which includes: Earthing, Insulated Tools, Arc Flash Protection, Personal Voltage Detection Helmets, Insulating Gloves, Voltage Detection, Operating Poles & Lock-Out Tag-out.

ALADIN | Improved electrical safety levels for workers operating near live equipment

➡ Read More Here: ALADIN Individual Voltage Alarm With Headlamp For MV Overhead Lines 10-69kV

Product Spotlight | see Live Line Indicators designed for use upon overhead a.c. rail electrification systems operating at 25kV nominal voltage to indicate the presence of extra high voltages to aid safe working practices.

Further Reading

• E-Shark Safety Helmet By PBwel
• MTAG DR 69 kV Multi Voltage Detector Dual Range
• Network Rail Case Study New Overhead Line Equipment
• Drain Earths | PBwel 50sqmm Arctic Orange Field Drain Earth
• PBwel Transmission Line Earthing Leads 132kV, 275kV, 400kV
• Long Blues | Rail Portable Earthing By PBwel | Network Rail Approved
• PBwel Earthing Leads For Temporary Earthing Of Transmission Line Conductors 132kV, 275kV, 400kV

LV, MV & HV JOINTING, EARTHING, SUBSTATION & ELECTRICAL EQPT

Thorne & Derrick International are specialist distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.