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Purpose

This guide provides industry good practices on the principles and requirements for the application and the management of permit areas in Switchyards and Stations as defined in the SM-EI.  This guide also includes the good practices relating to the signage requirements that can be used within permit areas of Switchyards and Stations to define the work being undertaken within the permit area.

Background

The marking of permit areas in switchyards by means of permit rope has been a requirement within the Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) after incidents where live equipment was inadvertently accessed with fatal consequences.  The marking used shall be understood and consistent across all sectors of the ESI to achieve the desired outcome of a safe workplace for all workers.

Scope

This guide relates to the setting up and monitoring of work areas within Switchyards and Stations to provide defined boundaries inside of which work on equipment may be carried out.  Hazards will still be present inside the defined boundary but will be controlled by the relevant ‘Worksite Safety Plan’ and the appropriate ‘Work Management’ process.  Defined Permit areas do not apply to towers and poles.

Note:  This guide replaces the Guide to Principles for Permit Areas September 2014 and Guide for Marking Equipment for Access for Work August 2013

ISBN (PDF): 978-1-0670105-4-6

First Published:  May 2025