VEDN Auditing - a Brief Overview of Everything You Need to Know

 
 

Struggling to understand VEDN audits? Don’t worry, we’ll give you a brief overview of everything you need to know in this article.   

What is VEDN?  

VEDN, or Victorian Electrical Distribution Networks, is a committee of the Victorian Electricity Supply Industry (VESI) that is controlled by the five Victorian Electricity Distribution Businesses, which are:   

 
 

These five distribution businesses have collaborated to develop policies and processes that they will all follow when offering their services, which are documented under the 'VESI' trademark.  

The VEDN establishes a uniform standard for requirements across all five Victorian Distribution Businesses. It's responsible for certifying contractors working in civil aspects of underground electrical infrastructure works such as: 

  • Installation of earthing systems  

  • Installation of bedding sand/backfill/reinstatement  

  • Installation of cover slabs/marker tape  

  • Kiosk substation site construction  

  • Cable hauling  

  • Boring  

  • Installation of conduits/ducts  

  • Excavations  

  • Trenching 

Source: VESI  

Workers that engage in the above-mentioned types of work, including plant operators, are required to complete the approved VEDN Training Package (VEDN Installation of Underground Electrical Infrastructure) prior to undertaking these works.  

Who are VEDN Auditors?  

There are two specific types of VEDN auditors as:  

  1. Systems Auditors (Provided by Certex) 

    These auditors are responsible for:  

    • Auditing the integrated management systems of the contractors.  

    • Conduct worksite audits to verify whether contractors are carrying out their VEDN work in accordance with their integrated management systems.  

    • Providing the IMS Audit report and VEDN Field Audit report to VEDN contractors to submit along with their application for certification or re-certification processes. 

  2. Worksite Auditors (Not provided by Certex) 

    These auditors are responsible for conducting technical compliance audits on every VEDN installation that has been completed by a VEDN-certified contractor.  

What are the minimum requirements to obtain VEDN approval?  

The VESI website lists a few minimum requirements that contractors must meet to obtain VEDN approval. These include:  

  1. Integrated management systems (Health, Safety, and Environment & Quality Management Systems) that meet the VEDN special requirements  

  2. An internal audit program  

  3. Employees that have received training  

  4. Inspection and testing processes  

  5. Comply with legal obligations  

  6. Access to Network Owners Technical Standards  

  7. VEDN training  

  8. Access to necessary plant and equipment  

What will be assessed in field audits conducted by systems auditors?  

The systems auditors will assess:  

  • The work contractors will engage in against the categories that they are accredited for  

  • Plant/equipment that is being used, including equipment that is hired and pre-start information for work  

  • Training and qualifications of the workers engaging in the work  

  • Project information, including approvals to proceed, plans, inspection and testing requirements, etc.  

  • Review site risks and control measures

  • Access to relevant technical and construction standards  

  • Risk assessments on plants and equipment, including service history and operating manuals  

  • Emergency response procedures and access to first aid, spill kits, and fire suppression equipment  

  • PPE kits  

  • Access to company policies and procedures  

  • Access to worker training records  

  • Evidence of appropriate worksite audits completed for the works audited in the field (including a check of the worksite auditor's accreditation) 

VEDN Approval types  

There are 3 main VEDN approval types. They are: 

  1. Interim approval – valid for only up to 3 months 

  2. Pre-qualification – valid for up to 12 months and allows contractors time to get their integrated management systems to be audited in the field 

  3. Accreditation – valid for up to 3 years and must be done within one year of getting pre-qualification approved 

Once accreditation is received, contractors are required to undergo annual reviews during the three-year period that it is valid. For more information, visit the VESI website. 

Get VEDN Accredited with Certex 

Certex is a recognised VEDN Systems auditor. Our experienced auditors can guide you through the process of VEDN accreditation from pre-qualification to ongoing accreditation.  

For more information on obtaining VEDN accreditation with Certex, feel free to get in touch with us. 

Please note we are not an accredited VEDN Worksite Auditor and do not undertake any individual project compliance auditing (civil, electrical, or cable hauling). For more information on VEDN Worksite auditors, visit the VEDN Worksite Auditor Register. 

 

Alicja Gibert