TestEquipment
Safeas houses I
mplementing safe isolation procedures is essential to achieve compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations. In terms of the wholesaler, this means that customers must be able to confidently and conveniently select the right tools for the job to implement an effective procedure. With around 1,000 serious accidents in the
workplace each year and 16% of all fatalities linked to electricity, it is clear how important it is for contractors to follow simple safe isolation procedures and to use the correct equipment to keep safe and avoid heavy penalties of up to £10m for non-compliance. So what can wholesalers do to ensure they
provide cost-effective tools which respond to these issues, without compromising on quality? Ensuring the right tools are available for the job might seem like common sense, but it’s
Martindale Electric’s Managing Director, Steve Dunning, outlines safe isolation procedures and looks at how wholesalers can respond to help keep contractors and maintenance teams safe.
becoming an increasing issue among customers, who may be potentially putting their lives at risk whilst working with electricity. For example, using a multimeter to prove a
circuit is dead is not permissible when implementing safe isolation procedures as it could easily give a misleading reading if set to the wrong range or the batteries needed replacing. A dedicated voltage indicator with no ranges, switches or batteries is essential for reliably proving dead. Having the right locking off device to hand for all types of common circuit breakers or fuse holders is a must. Being face to face with contractors every
day, electrical wholesalers can help to raise awareness with their customers and stock and display the essential kit to stay safe on site. Any internet trawl or visit to a local retailer
will leave a customer in no doubt that there is definitely no shortage of electrical testing equipment to choose from. However, addressing key developments and providing a
VIPDLOK138 and VIPDLOK150 kits include an industry standard voltage indicator, proving unit, locking off devices and hazard warning labels.
comprehensive solution without compromising on quality, in terms of products stocked, can have a huge impact on customer loyalty and repeat business for the wholesaler.
Making sure test equipment meets current regulations According to Electrical Safety First, using the right equipment is one of the most important parts of the safe isolation procedure. But with such a wide range of equipment available, the choice of product can be overwhelming. However, what is clear to customers is that the essential test tools and equipment needed to lock off and prove dead before carrying out maintenance is 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. Over the last few years many of the
standards have changed to ensure the correct levels of safety. The latest 2015 edition of HSE GS38 guidance note makes it clear what test equipment can and can’t be used to carry out safe isolation procedures and what standards it must meet to stay safe.
Comprehensive kits provide a complete solution Many customers are now turning to safe isolation kits which include all the necessary equipment to lock out the circuit being worked on. Suitable for all installation categories, kits such as the new LOKKITBASE and LOKKIT2PLUS kits from Martindale Electric both include standard miniature circuit breaker (MCB) locking off devices and the miniature LOK10 and LOK11 for when access is limited and there is not enough space for a conventional lock. The kits include a PAD10R padlock with a unique key plus
a marker pen and tags to ensure immediate and clear identification of circuits, work areas and personnel. For added safety, each lock is supplied with just one key, to ensure that a circuit cannot be unlocked by another user. For contractors and maintenance teams working on industrial and
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