Brief help from the industrial guys on required quals (415v)

[Jon T]

Hi all, new here and just dropping by to try and get a few pointers from experienced people already in the trade. Sorry if it seems a bit like a hit & run but this seemed like the best place to get proper advice.

Quick outline - We're an engineering & maintenance company that does a lot of work in quarries & recycling etc. Occasionally it would be helpful to be able to disconnect/reconnect 415v motors on conveyors etc. We don't want/need to be messing about with panels and more advanced stuff, just the basics, albeit in 415v three phase.

Our guys have some 'on the job' knowledge but we obviously don't want to take any risks or break any laws, so we would like to put a couple of the lead mechanical fitters through some sort of training to cover this, but I have very little knowledge in this area and a Google search just pickles my head.

What course or cert would cover this kind of thing? Price not so much an issue as we're interested in working safely and within the law, but just trying to figure out if it's realistic or not.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me/us.

 

[netblindpaul]

PM me? This is something that I can help your company sort out.

 

[Jon T]

Will do, thank you.

 

[Pete999]

You will need to get the staff concerned up to date and competent in "Safe Isolation" procedures before you or any of your staff start messing with Electrical installations, both single and three phase,

And provide the correct equipment to do so, the video is not meant to tell how to do it in this case, just there to show you what is involved. Hope this is informative for you.

 

[Jon T]

Thanks Pete, will have a look, but all our guys are experienced in standard lock off and isolation procedures as we do this daily, but was just exploring the possibility of training a couple of the lead guys in order for them to literally just disconnect and reconnect power when required, if feasible. Just want to keep the guys safe and stay on the right side of the HSE.

Thanks for your help

 

[Pete999]

Are you a fairly large company? if so I would guess you have some sort of engineering department, with someone in charge.
In the outfits I have worked for a "PERMIT TO WORK PtoW" system was in place, whereby you had an AUTHORISING ENGINEER, who appointed AUTHORISED PERSONS, that are doing the switching off and safe isolation, and issuing the PtoW, it's a safe and proven way of insuring electrical safety, if carried out properly.
I would suggest you liaise with the engineering folk in your company, to form a robust safe working system, isolation is something NOT to be taken lightly, seen to many nasties caused by sloppy safety measures, good luck.

 

[Jon T]

Thanks Pete.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

There are some ‘safe isolation’ courses available.
London transport have one called ‘Level 3 Safe Isolation’.
The NICEIC do one for domestic installations.

 

[Jon T]

There are some ‘safe isolation’ courses available.
London transport have one called ‘Level 3 Safe Isolation’.
The NICEIC do one for domestic installations.

Thanks for that, I will do some hunting for that type of course

 

[David Prosser]

If your guys are reconnecting or connecting replacement motors then they should ideally be competent to test the installation.

 

[Jon T]

If your guys are reconnecting or connecting replacement motors then they should ideally be competent to test the installation.

Thanks, that's what I'm after, just certification to prove their competence. They're well versed in the operation of the items, but just wanted to know what they'd need to be able to connect power back to boxes etc. I think, from what I've read so far, that this NICEIC Safe Isolation course should cover it (as suggested by spinlondon). It's obviously all an exercise in keep us covered in the event of being queried by H&S/HSE. If any of the men aren't deemed competent then they're not touching anyway from the get-go.

 

[Pete999]

Thanks, that's what I'm after, just certification to prove their competence. They're well versed in the operation of the items, but just wanted to know what they'd need to be able to connect power back to boxes etc. I think, from what I've read so far, that this NICEIC Safe Isolation course should cover it (as suggested by spinlondon). It's obviously all an exercise in keep us covered in the event of being queried by H&S/HSE. If any of the men aren't deemed competent then they're not touching anyway from the get-go.

All very laudable Jon but the NICEIC course is for Domestic installations I believe, Spin has indicated, which although probably very good it wont be much good for your Lads working on 3 phase stuff.

 

[Jon T]

All very laudable Jon but the NICEIC course is for Domestic installations I believe, Spin has indicated, which although probably very good it wont be much good for your Lads working on 3 phase stuff.

There are industrial/commercial versions

 

[Pete999]

There are industrial/commercial versions

Oh OK then I'll take my comments back, sorry Lads

 

[Bobster]

Isolation training will deem them competent to lock equipment off.

It will not deem them competent to be reconnecting motors.

Yes it's not difficult to physically disconnect a motor and reconnect a new one. However proving it is safe, that the motor protection is ok, are the cables ok etc etc... Just because it was working does not mean it was correct before hand.

You aren't going to find a short course to cover what it sounds like you want.

Also working in Quarries, you know that the electrical work falls under the M&Q ACOP correct? Statutory LAW unlike the normal BS7671 electrical regulations.