Safe isolation procedures & proper equipment save lives

Martindale Electric

Safe isolation procedures & proper equipment save lives

Published: 9 June 2022 · Category: Technical articles

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Safe isolation procedures & proper equipment save lives Using the right equipment is one of the most important parts of the procedure, as failure to do so can result in a circuit inadvertently remaining live, resulting in injury or death. With a wide range of voltage detectors and indicators available, we look at what the requirements are and the reasons why some equipment, such as multimeters, should not be used for this process. It’s also important to be aware of the changes to the standards for two pole voltage indicators which became mandatory in 2013. What equipment is required for safe isolation? Best Practice Guide 2 advises that where using a main switch or distribution board switch disconnector for isolation purposes that “…The point of isolation should be locked off using a unique key or combination retained by the person carrying out the work or the appointed person, and a caution notice attached to the point of Safe isolation procedures are necessary to ensure isolation. that workers on site are not exposed to danger when working on or near live electrical systems. Unfortunately Where more than one operative is working on circuits there have been incidents where failure to use safe supplied from an isolated distribution board, a multi-lock isolation procedures has resulted in the needless loss of hasp can be used to prevent operation…” life. One reported incident involved a large UK electrical contractor, where a circuit had been labelled as not in use. The...