Professional RAMS for High Voltage & Distribution Contractors
Create comprehensive Risk Assessments and Method Statements for switchgear installation, cabling, and substation works. Fully compliant with EAWR 1989 and Network Operator standards.
Built for Critical Power Infrastructure
RAMSGen understands the high-stakes environment of HV/LV distribution, from grid connections to complex switching operations.
DNO & IDNO Compliance
Generate documents that meet the rigorous standards of UK Power Networks, SSE, National Grid, and Tier 1 infrastructure partners.
Specialised Competencies
Record specific authorizations including AP (Authorised Person), SAP (Senior Authorised Person), JIB/ECS cards, and EUSR SHEA Power.
Critical Hazard Management
Pre-loaded controls for Arc Flash, SF6 gas exposure, electromagnetic fields, and stored energy systems.
Everything You Need for Electrical Distribution RAMS
Move beyond generic paperwork with tools designed for the electrical infrastructure sector.
EAWR 1989 Compliance
Ensure all method statements align strictly with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and HSG85 (Safe working on switchgear).
Permit to Work Integration
Seamlessly reference your Limitation of Access, Sanction for Test, and Permit to Work (PTW) numbers directly within the document.
Arc Flash Mitigation
Specific risk modules for Arc Flash boundaries, calculating incident energy, and specifying appropriate PPE (Arc Rating/Cal rating).
Isolation & Switching
Detailed method statement sections for describing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, proving dead, and earthing arrangements.
Cable Jointing & Excavation
Covering both the electrical risks and the civil engineering aspects like trench support and avoidance of underground services (GS6/HSG47).
Competence Matrix
Demonstrate workforce capability by attaching ECS Gold Card, HERS (Highway Electrical), and compEx details directly to the RAMS.
SF6 & Hazardous Substances
COSHH assessments ready for Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas handling, cable cleaning solvents, and insulating oils.
Emergency Rescue Plans
Mandatory emergency procedures for electric shock response, rescue from switchrooms, and retrieval from poles/towers.
How It Works
Select HV/LV Scope
Choose from pre-built templates for jointing, switchgear maintenance, excavation for cables, or overhead line works.
Assess Specific Risks
Identify site-specific hazards such as live busbars, buried services (HSG47), or working at height on pylons.
Download & Brief Teams
Generate a branded PDF instantly for submission to the Principal Contractor or DNO. Capture digital signatures from your APs and operatives.
High Voltage RAMS: Permit to Work, Authorised Persons, and EAWR 1989 Compliance
High Voltage (HV) electrical work carries the highest fatality rate per task of any electrical activity in UK construction. The combination of stored energy, arc flash hazard, and the potential for catastrophic system-wide failure demands a RAMS standard that is qualitatively different from standard LV electrical documentation — and DNOs, infrastructure PCs, and insurance providers verify this in detail.
EAWR 1989
Regulations 13 & 14 mandate PTW and justification for any live HV working
GS38/HSG85
HSE guidance documents setting the standard of care for HV RAMS
IEEE 1584
arc flash incident energy calculation methodology — required in HV RAMS
SF6
F-Gas certification and COSHH assessment required for SF6 switchgear work
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) underpin all HV safe working practices. HSE Guidance Note GS38 covers the selection of electrical test probes and leads, while HSG85 ('Electricity at work: safe working practices') provides detailed guidance on Permit to Work systems, proving dead, earthing, and short-circuiting. For HV work, these are not optional guidance documents — they represent the standard of care that courts and enforcement authorities will apply when assessing whether your safe system of work was adequate.
The Permit to Work (PTW) system for HV electrical work must be explicitly described in your RAMS. This includes identifying the Authorised Person (AP) or Senior Authorised Person (SAP) responsible for issuing the permit, the specific isolation points to be locked off and proved dead, the earthing and short-circuiting arrangements, and the test voltage to be used for proving dead (typically using a voltage indicator conforming to GS38 requirements). A RAMS that says 'a Permit to Work will be in place' without describing the permit type and sequence is not a safe system of work under EAWR Regulation 13.
Arc flash presents a specific quantified risk that must be addressed in your risk assessment. The arc flash incident energy must be estimated using recognised methods (IEEE 1584 or NFPA 70E methodology), and the PPE specified must have a cal/cm² rating that exceeds the calculated incident energy with an appropriate safety factor. This calculation is rarely performed correctly in contractor RAMS — most specify generic 'arc flash PPE' or 'Category 2 PPE' without the underlying hazard analysis. DNO principal contractors now specifically require evidence of the arc flash calculation in the RAMS for any HV switching or switchgear maintenance.
Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas is used as an insulating medium in HV switchgear and is subject to the F-Gas Regulations (retained UK law from EU 517/2014). SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas (GWP 23,500) and is also an asphyxiation hazard if released in a confined switchroom. Your RAMS must include a COSHH assessment for SF6 handling, reference the F-Gas certification requirement for any operative handling SF6 equipment, and include a confined space risk assessment for work in switchrooms where SF6 leakage monitoring is required.
Key Regulations & Standards for High Voltage & Electrical Distribution RAMS
| Reference | Regulation / Standard | Relevance to RAMS |
|---|---|---|
| EAWR 1989 | Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 | Regulations 13 and 14 mandate safe systems of work; PTW and AP/SAP roles must be documented in HV RAMS |
| HSG85 | Electricity at Work: Safe Working Practices (HSE) | Guidance on PTW systems, proving-dead procedures, earthing, and short-circuiting for HV work |
| GS38 | HSE Guidance Note GS38 — Electrical Test Equipment | Test probe and voltage indicator specification for proving-dead referenced in RAMS |
| IEEE 1584 | Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations | Arc flash incident energy calculation methodology — PPE cal rating must be specified in RAMS |
| CDM 2015 | Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 | Base statutory framework for RAMS; HV infrastructure works are typically notifiable projects |
| F-Gas (UK) | F-Gas Regulation (UK retained law) | F-Gas certification required for any operative handling SF6 switchgear — must be evidenced in RAMS |
Why HV RAMS Are Rejected: The Three Critical Missing Sections
Analysis of rejected HV RAMS submissions to DNO principal contractors identifies three consistently absent sections: (1) the Permit to Work sequence is referenced but not described — the RAMS must detail who issues the permit, the isolation points, and the proving-dead procedure; (2) the arc flash risk assessment is absent or uses generic PPE categories without a calculated incident energy value; and (3) SF6 COSHH assessment and F-Gas certification reference are missing from switchgear RAMS. RAMSGen's High Voltage RAMS template includes all three sections with the correct EAWR, HSG85, and IEEE 1584 regulatory references — built for Tier 2 contractors working on DNO and National Grid infrastructure.
RAMS Templates for High Voltage & Electrical Distribution
Browse trade-specific templates commonly used in high voltage & electrical distribution projects.
Electrical Contracting
Create a UK‑compliant RAMS for electrical contractors in minutes. Covers safe isolation, LV installations, testing, PPE, permits and a practical step‑by‑step method.
View templateConfined Space Entry & Rescue
Build a compliant Confined Space Entry & Rescue RAMS in minutes—UK hazards, controls, permits, and a clear rescue plan included.
View templateWorking at Height
Create a compliant Working at Height RAMS in minutes. Practical steps, HSE-aligned controls, and site-ready checklists designed for roofers, fit-out, M&E, and façade teams.
View templateFlexible plans for every team size
From individual contractors to large teams, RAMSGen provides scalable compliance for every project.
Starter
For contractors producing a handful of RAMS each month who need compliant documents fast.
- 5 RAMS per month
- Unlimited edits
- Company branding
- PDF export
- COSHH assessments
- One-page summaries
Professional
Unlimited RAMS with everything you need to win more work and stay compliant.
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Unlimited RAMS
- Reusable templates
- Digital signatures
- Worker QR sign-ons
Managing a supply chain? See our Principal Contractor plan →
High Voltage RAMS Questions
Yes. Our templates are designed to meet the high standards of Distribution Network Operators (UK Power Networks, SSE, National Grid) and Tier 1 Principal Contractors, specifically addressing safety rules and authorisation levels.
Yes. You can specify the SAP responsible for switching schedules and list all Authorised Persons (APs) and Competent Persons (CPs) involved in the work.
Yes. The system emphasises dead working procedures and prompts strict justification for any live working, ensuring compliance with Regulation 14 of the EAWR 1989.
Yes. We include full modules for excavation, trenching, and cable pulling (referencing HSG47) alongside electrical termination and jointing modules.
Yes. You can specify exact Cal ratings for coveralls, face shields, and gloves rather than generic 'PPE' terms, ensuring your team has appropriate arc flash protection.
Yes. Our templates include mandatory emergency procedures for electric shock response, rescue from switchrooms, and retrieval from poles or towers.