Live working means working on energized parts, i.e. workers are in contact with bare live parts during the work or are inside the live working zone. This applies to body parts as well as tools, equipment and devices being handled.
Live working requires workers who have a specific training for the working procedure and the appropriate work instructions.
Safety measures shall be taken to prevent electric shock and the effects of short circuiting and arcing. Consideration shall be taken to the various potential differences that may occur at the work location.
Personnel shall wear suitable and adequate PPE. They should wear no metallic items, such as personal jewellery, since these are likely to cause an electric hazard.
If Live working is necessary, then in all cases it shall be demonstrated that:
- It is unreasonable in all the circumstances for the live conductor to be dead
- It is reasonable in all the circumstances for a person to be at work on or near it while it is live
- Suitable precautions (including where necessary the provision of suitable protective equipment) shall be taken to prevent injury
- The work has been approved by the PREI
- A suitable and sufficient documented Risk Assessment and Method Statement has been produced