Electrical Safety Rules for Industries in India

Preventing electrical accidents is one of the prerequisites for any business. Whether you are installing any electrical equipment or working with electrical devices, you must follow general electrical safety rules. In India, industries need to follow the Indian Electricity Rules 1956, which was last revised in 2020. 

Electrical safety rules in India for industries

There are many rules under the Indian electrical standards and Indian Electricity Rule 1956. And if you run a business in India, you must have a thorough knowledge of the various legal obligations which are related to electrical safety. But reading all the rules is a time-consuming and tedious process. So, here is a comprehensive list of the most important Indian electricity rules that you need to keep in mind to ensure safe business operations. Some of the points also cover the legalities associated with the rules. 

Read Also: Best Electrical Safety Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

Indian Electricity Rules 1956 – statutory requirements 

Let us check out the statutory rules for electrical safety in India:

• Indian Electricity Rule – 29

All electrical apparatus and supply lines should be of appropriate ratings. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 30

 As per this rule, all wires, devices, accessories, and power supply lines should be kept in safe conditions. They should also be able to supply energy while being free from any kind of danger. 

Underground electrical lines should be well-protected and duly insulated. Industries must also ensure that even if there is any kind of damage to the insulation – chemical, electrical, or mechanical, the line must remain secure under all conditions. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 32

Proper and appropriate identification is a must for a grounded and earthed neutral conductor. Also, the position of the circuit breakers and the switches must be ensured. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 33 

It is mandatory to provide and maintain a suitable earth terminal at an accessible position, preferably near the start point of the supply line. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 34 

Bare conductors are used in many places for different requirements. Industries should make sure that these bare conductors are inaccessible. It is best if they can be fitted with switches so that they can be turned off whenever required. This switch position should be easily accessible. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 35 

All medium, high, and very high voltage installations must have a danger notice written in English or Hindi and the local language of the place. There should also be a skull and bone sign indicating danger in the installation area. The skull and bone sign should be made as per specifications in IS No. 2551. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 36

Any worker working on an electrical device or an electrical power line must use proper safety tools and devices like rubber shoes, gloves, ladders, helmets, seat belts, hand lamps, line testers, and so on. These tools protect against electrical or mechanical injury.  Employers should make sure that these tools are well-maintained and in proper working conditions. 

Along with the required safety tools, no person will work on live electrical supply lines or devices without proper authorization. 

• Indian Electricity Rule- 37

Overhead cranes are very useful but should be used very carefully. Overhead cranes are mostly powered by some external source. There must be an appropriate cut-off switch to cut off voltage at once when required. Also, the complete structure of overhead cranes must be grounded properly. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 38

Industries must refrain from using flexible cables for transformers, electric drills, generators, motors, welding stations, rectifiers, electric sprayers, and similar devices. However, if the flexible cables have strong insulation and adequate protection against mechanical damage, they can be used. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 43

Adequate arrangements must be available for combating electrical fires. Proper fire-fighting devices must be installed and maintained. Industries must ensure the availability of personal protective equipment and a first aid kit. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 46 

Proper testing and inspection of all electrical installations by a licensed electrical inspector should be made mandatory at periodic intervals. The inspection should be scheduled at least every 5 years. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 61A

There must be an earth leakage protection device wherever necessary. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 67

Very high and high voltage installations often have many non-current-carrying parts. All these parts should be earthed effectively to a proper earthing system. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 91

Any overhead line in a public place or any part of the street must be protected with an appropriate device. 

• Indian Electricity Rule – 92

The ground wire of a surge arrester should never pass through any steel or iron pipe. It is best conducted directly from the surge arrester to a separate earth electrode. 

The above list is some of the most important electrical safety rules in India that industries must follow. 

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