NR NR/L3/ELP/27720 ISSUE 1 PDF

This standard applies to Overhead Line Equipment only.

This standard applies to Network Rail personnel and contractors working on the operational railway with overhead electrification where an Overhead Line Permit to Work is issued as part of an isolation.

It covers planned work, short notice work and emergency scenarios i.e. work required following an Emergency Switch Off.

This standard excludes:

• work covered by an Overhead Line Permit to Work where it is not planned to touch a conductor (as defined in clause 3);

• Test Before Earth;

• when an isolation is being set up such that it can be shortened back later, the initial tests required to prove that the shorter section is de-energised before the initial wider isolation is implemented;

• insulated conductors e.g. high voltage cables;

• aerial earth wires;

• return conductors;

• local (depot) isolations; and

• OLE that is under construction (i.e. not capable of being energised).

To provide a consistent approach for working and managing the interfaces between systems and parties, other Railway Group members may, as best practice, apply this standard to infrastructure they control within or adjacent to Network Rail’s own infrastructure.

NOTE: The term Overhead Line Permit to Work, sometimes referred to as a Form C, will be referred to as the Overhead Line Permit and abbreviated to OLP in the main body of this document.

Purpose

This standard documents the requirements for planning and implementing Test Before Touch actions for Overhead Line Equipment (OLE). It provides information to enable Test Before Touch actions to be identified, implemented, witnessed and recorded in a consistent manner.

It also provides requirements and guidance on when and where Test Before Touch actions are required.

Compliance with this standard will mitigate the risks of electric shock resulting from inadvertent contact with Live OLE.