Staying alive: safeguarding those working around electricity
Using the correct tools and processes around electrical equipment safeguards workers and could reduce potential liability. It is essential circuits have been de-energised and properly isolated before work commences, explains Steve Dunning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric.
Reducing the risks themselves, employees and the outside contractors they hire
is one of the most important responsibilities building service managers have to take on. When working with electricity, safe isolation is a vital task which needs to be performed by electrical workers.
It ensures both the safety of those working on the installation and other tradespeople, or members of the public who might be on the premises. It is important that the person who performs the isolation is trained, qualified and up-to-date on the procedures necessary to perform this task. Appropriate equipment is also essential – both testing kit and lock-off devices.
Regulations governing electrical safety and competence
The Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR) 1989 and The Management of Health and Safety Regulations at Work Regulations 1999 stipulate the steps those managing electrical work must take to ensure a safe working environment. It is an EAWR requirement that those undertaking the testing to be competent to prevent danger or injury, or to be under the supervision of someone who is (Regulation 16), and to take adequate precautions to prevent electrical equipment that has been made dead from becoming electrically charged while work is being carried out (Regulation 13).
Safe isolation, and then proving dead, sounds like it should be relatively simple. But establishing real confidence around the procedure, so that those carrying
out work can do so without fear of harm, requires a rigorous approach to the electrical safety process. Isolation, locking off, proving dead and labelling must be performed in a systematic and methodical manner.
Five ALIVE
Nothing is more important than preventing injuries and protecting lives. Martindale, to ensure the critical steps are memorable, has created ‘ALIVE’. ALIVE shines a spotlight on the five vital stages that must be carried out for your own protection and to prevent injury.
• A – Approved Kit Before starting, make sure your equipment meets all legal safety standards (for voltage indicators that is BS EN61243-3).
• L – Lock Out, Tag Out Identify the point of isolation, lock it off, and place warning tags onto the equipment.
• I – Initial Prove Test your voltage indicator against the proving unit to make sure it’s working properly.
• V – Voltage Test Use your voltage indicator to confirm there are no dangerous voltages in the circuit you are about to work on.
• E – Ensure Prove the voltage indicator against the proving unit again to ensure no damage or fault has occurred before you start working on the circuit.
Prepare yourself and your team
We need to acknowledge that, in terms of the safety of individuals, there is a difference between the activities that should take place prior to working, such as gaining permission and permits, and the activities that are absolutely critical in preventing accidents and fatalities. For instance, a risk assessment is an important element of any job, but that in itself will not keep you and your team alive. The same is true for activities that take place after working on an electrical system, such as safe retesting and start-up.
It’s important to choose the right equipment, and a proving unit and lock-off kits should always be available. The point of isolation should be identified – it should be locked off and warning tags placed on all the equipment.
An important point to remember when working on existing sites is that labelling can be misleading. Unqualified or untrained staff could have made alterations. And even where changes are safe the labelling might be incorrect.
Check your indicators
Choosing the correct voltage indicator (VI) is another point to consider. The best VI models use no batteries and have no ranges or switches, such as Martindale’s VI13800 & VI15000, which makes them very user-friendly and reduces the chances of error.
The unit should comply with BS EN61243-3 and be specifically designed to meet this regulation.
Prove it
Testing for dangerous voltages on any circuit conductor, whether single or three-phase, is the next step. The best way to do this is to use a dedicated proving unit. Firstly, test the voltage indicator on the proving unit to ensure it is functioning. Then check for voltage being present on the electrical circuit.
If no voltage is detected and the circuit is dead, then the VI should be retested using the proving unit. If it’s working correctly, then the operator has proved dead. The system is now safe to begin work on.
By incorporating a proving device into an electrical safety process, that process becomes inherently more robust and reliable. Although a relatively straightforward addition, when working with or near electrical systems and equipment, a proving device can significantly reduce the risk of electrical injury to you, your team and others around you.
