Electric Shock

[Darius-parky]

I was working on upgrading a council property. I disconnected the incoming supply, removed the cut-out fuse (I am authorised to do that), removed the tails from the meter, conducted a safe isolation procedure. I was satisfied the supply to the property was dead and work commenced to replace the consumer unit and all sockets and switches. When I got to the last socket of the job I received an electric shock. On further investigation I discovered power was being illegally diverted into the premises by the tenants from the hallway communal supply. I am now being -------ed for this. What did I do wrong?? Should I have been testing each and every socket and switch as I went along as I am being told? After removing the main supply fuse, removing the tails from the meter, ripping the board off the wall, do you still go around with your approved voltage indicator to every point. That is a bit pethatic is it not?

 

[mogga]

I personaly check with voltistick as Iv been caught out with similar when I was a "boy" n served my time with an L.A. could fill forum with the "Alterations" Iv seen done to get free lecky or just plain Bonkers stuff people do

 

[telectrix]

think it's the tenant wants plugging in, not a socket tester

 

[SMB]

we need a 'hall of shame'

 

[Phil]

the tenant wants the book throwing at them. if we are honest a great deal of us after isolating the board the way you did would not then have gone round at each and every point, and i for one am a stickler for safe isolation. don`t forget to get yourself checked out as electric shocks can be fatal after the event.

 

[Geordie Spark]

That is really unlucky mate, its also food for thought.

Most people would have been caught out with that one.

It certainly wasn't your fault.

I bet you couldn't beleive it!

A real 'shock' indeed!

I can't see why your company are having a go at you.

All the best.










I think i might try plumbing.........

Watch what you're doing with the blowtorch bonny lad !!

 

[Marvo]

If I'm working on low current circuits (20Amps or less) I'll usually brush the live against an earth before touching it even though I have the power safely isolated. It's just habit and at least once a year there will be a flash but at least it's not me getting a shock. It would be better to test each point you work but as pointed out there is a time issue. Each to his own methods I suppose.

 

[SMB]

I think a 'volt stick' would be handy?

 

[Guest123]

I dont think I would have bothered 'testing' any points if I'd just ripped the board off the wall......seems totally unfair to me that you are being reprimanded for this.

 

[millwall ken]

I was working on upgrading a council property. I disconnected the incoming supply, removed the cut-out fuse (I am authorised to do that), removed the tails from the meter, conducted a safe isolation procedure. I was satisfied the supply to the property was dead and work commenced to replace the consumer unit and all sockets and switches. When I got to the last socket of the job I received an electric shock. On further investigation I discovered power was being illegally diverted into the premises by the tenants from the hallway communal supply. I am now being -------ed for this. What did I do wrong?? Should I have been testing each and every socket and switch as I went along as I am being told? After removing the main supply fuse, removing the tails from the meter, ripping the board off the wall, do you still go around with your approved voltage indicator to every point. That is a bit pethatic is it not?

Well technically, you're supposed to carry out the isolation proceedure on EVERY outlet of the circuit ain't you (I stand to be corrected here, BUT if you carried out a continuity test before, or had even run around with a martindale after you had isolated the circuit, you would of picked up on it). This is to avoid situations like you have just described, but in reality who would do that? UNLESS you're working on HV.

 

[PC Electrics]

I think that we'd all probably have done the same as you did, but according to safe isolation proceedures you should have checked each point as you worked on it.

Now that I have an apprentice, I am drilling safe isolation into him and having him check every point before working on it. I am, after all, responsible for his safety now.

From your employers perspective, they have no option but to give you a warning for not following safe isolation. They can't be seen to do anything less.

 

[malcolmsanford]

If I'm working on low current circuits (20Amps or less) I'll usually brush the live against an earth before touching it even though I have the power safely isolated. It's just habit and at least once a year there will be a flash but at least it's not me getting a shock. It would be better to test each point you work but as pointed out there is a time issue. Each to his own methods I suppose.

I don't believe that I thought I was the only idjit that did that

 

[RogertheBodger]

Me too, use an old pair of pliers for that job.

Don,t care what go's Bang as long as it's not me!

 

[SMB]

I think that we'd all probably have done the same as you did,

From your employers perspective, they have no option but to give you a warning for not following safe isolation. They can't be seen to do anything less.

Luckly ive never faced such a situation.

Your comment is an unexperienced one.

 

[millwall ken]

I dont think I would have bothered 'testing' any points if I'd just ripped the board off the wall......seems totally unfair to me that you are being reprimanded for this.

Lenny, you are basing your reply to this thread on your own knowledge and experience! I would rarely disagee with you, because you've probably forgotten more than I know, but the idea of carrying out a continuity and IR test BEFORE undertaking ANY work on an installation is a MUST as far as I'm concerned. I'm sorry, but there is no excuse for getting a belt - for not doing something, that will take you half an hour, and give you piece of mind.

 

[SMB]

Im smiling here....

If you pull the fuse you don't expect a belt.