Scope of Electrical Safety Audit

Introduction

The terms, Electrical energy audits, Electrical engineering studies and Electrical
Safety audits are interchangeably used even by many top technical officials of
industries. Unless the scope of study is well understood, the objectives of the audit
cannot be attained. Defining scope of Electrical Safety audit based on the specific
requirement is the first step in the process of Electrical Safety auditing.

Codes, Standards and Regulations

NFPA 70E – 2018 Standard for electrical safety

IEEE 1584-2018 Arc Flash Hazard Calculations

IS 3043 Indian Standards: Code for Earthing Practices

IE 1956 Indian Electricity Rules 1956

CEA 2015 Central Electricity Authority 2015

cope of Work:

Typical ESA scope of work shall include and cover minimum requirement as per the
Safety Guidelines

 Physical inspection and verification of the electrical installations with respect

to statutory and regulatory requirements, electricity rules etc and suggest for
further measures in case of any gaps
 Study of existing safety measures, procedures and system for controlling
electrical hazards being followed in the plant with respect to statutory and
regulatory requirements, electricity rules etc and suggest for further measures
in case of any gaps.

 Review of protection devices / system in electrical installations (Physical

inspection of the protection devices)

 Review of adequacy of electrical equipment’s rating based on actual load.

 Examination of adequacy of plant lightning protection system as per national

and international standards and suggest recommendations as per applicable
standards.

 Review the EPM (Electrical Preventive Maintenance) programme in the plant

and to examine the documentation, checklists, work permit, test records, etc.
and to suggest recommendations as per applicable standards.

 To identify training needs of the plant employees from the point of view of
electrical safety.

 Checking of the illumination level at various working areas as per the standard
and identifying any gaps/shortfalls if any as per the process / area
requirements.
 Checking of the provision of protective guards and belts covers for all the
rotating equipments.

 To check the provision for the proper ventilation of electrical panel rooms, UPS
and battery rooms etc.

 Checking of the provision of the DANGER/CAUTION/WARNING sign boards

indicating the voltage level at a prominent location of electrical installation.

 To evaluate the earthing system (installation and maintenance) in the plant

based on IS 3043 and to suggest recommendations. Verification of the Earth
Pits, Continuity etc.

 Review of the test records, evaluating the test results and to suggest
recommendations as per applicable standards. (The checking of test
procedures and checking of test result for electrical safety audit and
interpretations are also part of this exercise).

 Identification of the Electrical hazards such as loose wire / cable hanging,

cables not dressed properly, poor terminations of power cables, broken
switches, Plugs and sockets etc will be done.

Note: Generally, all the above inspections, reviews, etc. are carried out on a sampling basis.

 Verification of HT yard safety requirement as per IE rule.

 DG house electrical safety inspection

 Inspection of control wiring system and their layout.

 Checking of electrical inspector’s observation compliance.

 First aid measures in case of electrical shock.

 Checking of main power switch OFF location and their indications.

 Checking of electrical hand tools against NFPA 70E & IS standard requirements

 Verification of PPE used for electrical safety.

 Warning label and its significance

The pre-audit questionnaire for ESA shall include the following aspects:

 Process details
 Electrical Single Line Diagram

 Name plate details of major electrical equipment

 Details of addition / expansion of the plant including electrical installation

 Overview of electrical maintenance system