PECM Issue 31 2018 | Page 20

NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SAFE ISOLATION? afe isolation procedures are in place to ensure that workers on site are not exposed to danger when working on or near live electrical systems and equipment. Both the standards for the equipment and the potential penalties for non-compliance have changed recently. S With around 1,000 serious accidents in the workplace each year and 16% of all fatalities linked to electricity, it’s clear to see how following simple safe isolation procedures and using the correct equipment can keep your team safe and avoid heavy penalties of up to £10M for non-compliance. Keep up to date with the most recent changes to Health & Safety Guidelines for safe electrical maintenance with the latest ToolBox Talks on Safe Isolation from Martindale Electric at your workplace. Martindale Toolbox Talks will help you and your team stay safe and achieve compliance with the latest standards Providing valuable expertise and advice, the Tool Box Talks cover the practical implications of recent changes to the standards and discuss what it takes to stay compliant with the latest HSE guidelines 20 PECM Issue 31 when installing and maintaining electrical plant and equipment. They are useful refresher for maintenance teams, installation engineers and those responsible for electrical safety and are free of charge The essential test tools and equipment needed to lock off and prove dead before carrying out maintenance are 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. With a wide range of voltage detectors and indicators available, it’s important to understand that some equipment, such as multimeters, should not be used. Martindale voltage indicators for safe isolation are fully compliant with the latest standards and are designed for safety, with no batteries or switches which could lead to false indication. There have been many developments which now make it easier to choose the right equipment and ensure the correct locking off device is always available. These include complete kits with voltage indicators, matching proving units and a comprehensive range of locking off devices for MCBs and fuse carriers. Kits are supplied in combination carry cases to ensure that proving devices are always at hand and provide the simplest solution for implementing safe isolation practices on-site. For more information, please contact Martindale Electric on 01923 441717 or visit www.bit.ly/martindale-talk