Safety

1. Safety Alert 06/95 Committed to Safety Tool Box Talks Background A recent high potential incident highlights the need to alert personnel to the need of conducting a toolbox talk before engaging in hazardous work. The potentially fatal incident occurred when three trained and authorised electricians were removing a fuse from a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker had not been isolated from the main supply. The fuse was accidentally dropped. When the electrician attempted to retrieve the fuse, he accidentally contacted the energised circuits with it. This resulted in an electrical flashover which enveloped the three personnel. All three were injured, one of them seriously. Recommendations to prevent recurrence A toolbox meeting should be conducted prior to attempting any hazardous work. The meeting should include a review of procedures and the hazards. Learning Points Toolbox meetings can serve a great benefit if conducted before a hazardous activity begins, even with fully trained, qualified and competent staff. They offer a break in the activity to review practices, discuss plans and to refresh concentration.