160 likes | 265 Views
Today’s Meeting. The Risk Associated with Isolation, Lockout & Test.
E N D
The Risk Associated with Isolation, Lockout & Test • There are approximately 25 people killed by electricity per year in Australia (average for the last 7 years), 700 people are hospitalised each year with an average stay of 3 days and the longest stay being 182 days. (In most cases it’s the burns that cause the most complications) • Electrical workers are not immune from electrocution, 16% of electrical deaths are electrical workers (4.1 persons per year over the last 8 years) • “Working Live” represents the greatest single risk to electricians, as the outcome is often catastrophic. We are usually exposed this hazard many times per day.
The Legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test All electrical equipment and conductors shall be regarded as energised until isolated and proved de-energised. Work shall not be carried out on or near de-energised exposed conductors until an electrical worker has:
The Legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test Identification The electrical equipment to be worked on and the appropriate points of isolation and all of its energy sources shall be positively identified.
The Legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test Isolation • The electrical equipment to be worked on shall be isolated from all sources of supply either by opening switches, removing fuses or links, opening circuit breakers or removal of circuit connections • Control circuits or control systems (PLC’s, emergency stops, etc.) shall not be used as a means of isolation, e.g. by operation of a stop button. • All other non-electrical sources of energy shall be made safe • Mechanical/Pneumatics/Hydraulic/UPS/Solar/Relays
The Legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test Secure the Isolation • Positive isolation must be achieved at the circuit source by appropriate methods such as locks on circuit breakers, removing a cable from a MCB or device and placing in a connector or removing the fuse links etc. In situations where other people can access isolation points, it is important that the isolation method or system cannot be inadvertently or easily compromised. The securing device need not be an integral part of the switch and may be either; • An additional component such as a clip, screw, • bolt, pin or padlock that will prevent the switch • from being operated; or • A personal danger tag, lock-out or permitted system; or • (c) Some other approved system
The Legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test AS 4836 Clause 3.2.4.2.2 Tags shall be clearly understandable and, where appropriate, dated and signed by all personnel involved in the work AS 4836 Clause 3.2.4.2.5 Tags shall only be removed with the permission of all signatories to the tags or in accordance with an approved procedure (permit system)
The Legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test Lockout isolation of circuits by locking out/tagging control isolators or light switches etc is not permitted as a sole source of isolation UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. The term “control isolators” refers to “Control system components such as emergency stops connected to PLC’s or similar control system devices.
The legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test Proving De-energised Voltage tests used to prove de-energised shall be conducted between all conductors and all conductors and a proven earth Should the worker be unable to verify that the isolation device contacts have opened by visual or testing line and load sides, an additional upstream isolation must be made or the work is treated as ‘Live Work’ An Employee of The business required to work in association with electrical equipment shall be competent in procedures proving de-energisation and in the use of any equipment to do so. Before any electrical work is performed on isolated equipment, a test-for-dead must be performed by the worker in charge, to ensure that the equipment has been positively isolated.
The legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test Proving De-energised The use of testers that detect an electric field surrounding an energised conductor may not be suitable for cables that are surrounded by a metallic screen, cables carrying direct current (DC) and in some other circumstances. Voltage testers shall be tested for correct operation and ONLY USED AS A GUIDE.
The legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test Identify the safe working area Work on de-energised equipment shall only proceed if the equipment is isolated and any other exposed conductors in the work area are either; • De-energised and isolated; or • Separated by barriers or by distance If these requirements are not satisfied the work shall be done in accordance with ‘Live Work’ procedures The Safe Work Area of work should be identified by erecting obstacles or warning signs or another approved method (Use only cones, bollards or other standard warning devices and barricades)
The legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test AS 4836 Section 4 – Re-energisation of the electrical installation & equipment • Continued on next page
The legal requirements for Isolation, Lockout & Test AS 4836 Section 4 – Re-energisation of the electrical installation & equipment
Thank you Could you please ensure you have signed the generic employee acknowledgement form