Implementing safe isolation procedures is essential to achieve compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations which are there to ensure that workers on site are not exposed to danger when working on or near live electrical systems. Selecting the right tools for the job is critical to implementing an effective procedure to stay safe during the installation and maintenance of electrical plant and equipment.
The ‘Best Practice Guide 2 (Iss.3 2015) from Electrical Safety First is an excellent reference document when looking to implement safe isolation procedures. In the following article we summarise what this means for selecting the right test equipment and tools for the job. Martindale have always led the way in safe isolation solutions including complete kits for proving dead and locking off circuits that could be hazardous during maintenance.
The essential test tools and equipment needed are a dedicated voltage indicator, a proving unit to verify the voltage indicator, locking off devices with unique keys and a clear method of labelling the hazard.
With a wide range of voltage detectors and indicators available, it’s important to understand 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 recently.
The Martindale VIPDLOK kits provide the simplest solution for implementing safe isolation practices and include everything needed to prove dead, lock off and stay safe. The two kits cover working voltages up to 600V or 1000V CAT IV and exceed the safety requirements of the latest standards for all installation categories.
For more information on making the right choices to ensure safe isolation when installing and maintaining electrical plant and equipment see the full article:
http://martindale-electric.co.uk/safe-isolation-procedures-proper-equipment-save-lives-a-83.html
