Clive Sutton points out the problem of getting people to use protective equipment provided ('Hats off?', EMC, June 2003, p5). If the above victim had worn insulated rubber safety gloves to EN 60903, for example, and had used an approved non-contact voltage tester, there is a very strong chance he would be alive today.
Our company supplies insulating switchboard matting for electricians to stand on wherever they are working. It would be interesting to hear if others consider such mats to BS 921 as a desirable legal requirement and how such legislation can be implemented?
We also manufacture and test insulated safety tools to EN 60900, which are supplied to electricity distribution firms. Such tools allow electricians to work safely at live voltages up to 1000 V 50/60 Hz.
An uninsulated spanner dropped onto live terminals of a power supply or battery can and has caused explosions resulting in loss of eyesight. The extra cost of an approved insulated tool is small compared to the irreparable human damage plus the cost of potential litigation and bad publicity.
Our firm makes up safety kits that incorporate rubber or transparent insulating shrouding to customer requirements. We regularly donate samples and supply literature to training organisations to encourage the use of safety products by new or retrained electricians; a display board with matting samples and details of our electrical safety products is available to training organisations on request.
It is sad that our minds should be focused on safety as a result of such an accident. We will be pleased to send interested parties a list of items available for incorporation into a life saving kit, which could include insulated safety rescue hooks, to prevent the rescuer from becoming a victim.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
Postscript
Robin Boddington, Managing director, Boddingtons Electrical, Great Dunmow, Essex
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