What are Safe Isolation Procedures?
RequirementsThe Safe Isolation Procedure is required by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Duties are placed on the employer to ensure that activity on or with electrical systems or equipment complies with the regulations.
Legislation
If someone were to be prosecuted in a court of law, due to an injury being caused because of unsafe working practices or to a fault on a poorly maintained or installed electrical installation; then the legal or statutory body they would be subject to, is the Health and Safety at Work Act. Under this act there is the Electricity at Work Regulations and it is these that have a legal requirement for appropriate safe isolation procedures.
Equipment Always use the right equipment
Each key for locking off must be unique for each padlock
(non contact voltage indicators SHOULD NOT be used)
Procedures (Domestic)
- Establish the correct device for the circuit to be isolated, switch off and lock off.
- Attach a warning notice.
- At the point of work prove that all conductors including the neutral are dead.
Tip: Always get permission from the client before switching off
The fundamental practice for the safe isolation procedure, is that the point of isolation should always be under the control of the person carrying out the work at all times.
NOTE: Never assume that equipment is dead because the isolation device is in the off position!
IMPORTANT TIP
Work on live equipment should only be carried out if these three conditions listed in the regulations are met;
- It is unreasonable in all the circumstances for it to be dead; and
- It is reasonable in all circumstances for him to be at work or near it while it is live; and
- Suitable precautions (including where necessary the provision of suitable protective equipment) are taken to prevent injury
Proving the circuit:
Prove the voltage detector is working, test between all conductors,
- Earth to Line
- Neutral to Line
- Earth to Neutral
- Prove detector again
Procedures (Industrial)
- In principle the isolation procedure is the same for industrial installations, but there's a good chance that you will find many different makes of fuse boards and switch-gear. Therefore the need for a larger range of locking off device will be needed
- Some equipment to be isolated may have more than one source of electrical supply (i.e. in the form of a control circuit)
- Where several people may be working on the same circuit or machine at the same time, a multi-lock hasp must be used to isolate the point of supply
Note: It essential for anyone who may be affected, to know that the electrical supply will be off for a set amount of time, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
- Some sites may have a procedure for storing unique keys called a key safe system, the procedure will be site specific
- If the only way to secure an isolation is by locking a door to the equipment or even the room where it is situated, then the key must be unique.
- If you are unable to maintain an isolation you can disconnect the circuit and label the circuit to make others aware for the reason
NOTE: Danger may not just be from electricity but in some situations, from moving parts in the event of unexpected activation of a machine
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