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?

 

[millwall ken]

Im smiling here....

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

Without sounding like I'm offering pistols at dawn here mate, can I ask you to explain why you shouldn't expect a belt when removing a fuse? For the very simple reason that whenever I open the tumble dryer, I do it with some trepidation, knowing that I'm gonna get a static shock off of at least one item of clothing?

 

[domestic spark]

I doubt very much if there is one electrician on this forum, that after pulling the main cut-out fuse and removing the tails for this installation would then expect to find a live socket outlet!! And that's the truth of the matter!!! Testing every outlet after such a procedure?? Why would you?? Hindsight is a wonderful thing!!!

The tenants of this rental property should have the book thrown at them, if they were responsible for the illegal outlet supply. It could have killed the sparky here, undertaking this work...

well said indeed!!

 

[Sintra]

Tumble dryer gets me every time, hate it.

 

[Engineer54]

Not only did the OP pull the cut-out fuse, he removed the ''Tails'' too. Why would anyone expect, that installation would now be anything other than ''Dead''?? Those that say they always use old pliers to cut through cables, well this wasn't the case here, the OP was replacing wall plates and CU, not chopping cables. ....The cause of power being present in this property was by means of a criminal act, and no-one can be held responsible, but those that committed the criminal act.

Now get Real here, all this crap about you should have done this, ...or should have done that, is nonsense and you all know it!! As i said previously, ...Hindsight is always Wonderful thing!!!!......

 

[SMB]

I don't wash my clothes.

 

[SMB]

Just buy new ones innit.......easy life.

 

[millwall ken]

Shut the **** up, you whinging tarts. I was only using the tumble 'bloody' dryer as an example, to ALWAYS follow correct proceedures...... So leave me alone to growl and snap in the corner. LOL.

 

[SMB]

Ken, im on your side mate.

Even if you smell etc..

 

[millwall ken]

Ken, im on your side mate.

Even if you smell etc..

Smell... You cheeky ********!!! I may have the face that a mother could only love, and may look like a Football Hooligan, BUT I don't ******* pen and ink pal! Consider the Gauntlet dropped!

 

[pushrod]

Well it definitely would have got me, but think i'll buy a voltstick and just maybe i might get lucky and escape when i come across it. Thanks for the post.

IMO it is ridiculous to get a boll****** for that!

 

[SMB]

Smell... You cheeky ********!!! I may have the face that a mother could only love, and may look like a Football Hooligan, BUT I don't ******* pen and ink pal! Consider the Gauntlet dropped!

But, i can smell you from here Ken......



Laugh.

Oi....its electric mate, don't touch it.

 

[millwall ken]

But, i can smell you from here Ken......



Laugh.

Oi....its electric mate, don't touch it.

Like I said mush... The gauntlet has been thrown down at your feet. So choose your weapon of choice... Swords or pistols? Unless you wish to forfeit the challenge to a 'right hand man' or offer your sister in marriage?

 

[Geordie Spark]

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.

I agree.

As an ex-employer myself, I can see that our Friend's employer has been caught between a rock & a hard place.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Unfortunately the employer has give a -------ing under his H&S duties, because when the incident is brought to his attention it must be recorded in the accident book and therefore becomes official.
I agree with Superspark33, if I'm doing a board change, I always insist on a PIR first, no PIR - no board change - simple. Otherwise you're likely to reconnect a whole heap of nasties to your new board only finding out about it on EIC if you're diligent or lucky. The customer thinks you're a cowboy and a poor reputation spreads like wild fire! Also from experience its easier to put right the faults from a known reference point and safer, also you're more likely to get paid for it without argument. As it's a board change you're responsible for the whole installation once you sign the EIC. Personally I'm not prepared to take the risk, seen to many sparks 'burned' or killed in my career.

 

[mogga]

Tumble dryer gets me every time, hate it.

Amtico /clothing section Tesco combined with a trolley N I get Blue vissable flash EVERY Time never remember tho n do it again 2mins ltr