Electrician with non insulated tools

[Newbie90]

Hi all,

Just wanted to see people's thoughts on this.

Had an "experienced" Electrician start at my place of work on agency (mainly electrical maintenance)

He claims that he has worked all over the country and done so much.

However, he doesn't use insulated screwdrivers and his argument is that no
one should be working live so they are not needed. He is adamant that he won't use them.

Well, there are some circumstances where you have no choice but to work on a live board (obviously taking the correct precautions). Also he would not be complying with GS38. I have never known another sparky not to use insulated tools.

Any thoughts?

 

[Engineer54]

When i entered the industry the only electricians that were issued ALL insulated screwdrivers (and other hand tools) were those working for the old electricity boards!! The insulation on the screw drivers (especially the terminal screwdrivers) was so thick the electricians stripped the insulation off the ends, lol!!! Our company had a full live working tool kit made up of several sets covering screwdrivers, pliers, spanners sets, socket sets, etc etc, that were held in the stores, they weren't VDE (that classification didn't exist as they are known today) they were made in the States


The company tool kit i was issued, contained standard screwdrivers that some of us insulated with either tape or the early heat shrink tubing, when and if we could get hold of it!!

 

[shanky887614]

When i entered the industry the only electricians that were issued ALL insulated screwdrivers (and other hand tools) were those working for the old electricity boards!! The insulation on the screw drivers (especially the terminal screwdrivers) was so thick the electricians stripped the insulation off the ends, lol!!! Our company had a full live working tool kit made up of several sets covering screwdrivers, pliers, spanners sets, socket sets, etc etc, that were held in the stores, they weren't VDE (that classification didn't exist as they are known today) they were made in the States


The company tool kit i was issued, contained standard screwdrivers that some of us insulated with either tape or the early heat shrink tubing, when and if we could get hold of it!!

yup had to do that to my drivers, couldn't screw the covers on isolators cause of it

 

[Guest111]

I,ve not done any live stuff for ages,not had to but I've still got a set of fully insulated sockets,spanners,saw,stripping knives etc in my tool chest and that's where it stays.It's only for live work and I won't use it on anything else in case it gets damaged.Agree with E54 about tape or heatshrink around screwdrivers though,done it myself in the past.

 

[Dcf]

Ask any spark over 40 and you will find insulated tools are a relatively recent introduction to the toolkit.
they were the lusted after property of the electric board guys only.
i think I got my first set of insulated screwdrivers around 2000
before that it was all in insulated with a bit of tape or if you were posh a bit of pyro PVC cover.
i remember a joiner asking me how all sparks disconnect the earth first from a socket.
well mk and the like had a dirty great earth strap running along the top next to the terminals
which you could short out with your screwdriver if not careful.
uninsulated drivers are better for poking holes in things and general bashing I find
insulated are better for working on live stuff if the need arises

 

[Risteard]

I have to admit my srewlux is not vde, but sure when are you ever going to need an insulated one

Do they even make a VDE Scrulox screwdriver? Mine is the red-handled one like nearly everyone has.

 

[rapparee]

Do they even make a VDE Scrulox screwdriver? Mine is the red-handled one like nearly everyone has.

I don't know, I used to have a couple red ones but the handle would always spin, so they were grinded off to make into an attachment for the drill, I have a bacho ne that came free with a handsaw

 

[jamie-spark]

Hi all,

Just wanted to see people's thoughts on this.

Had an "experienced" Electrician start at my place of work on agency (mainly electrical maintenance)

He claims that he has worked all over the country and done so much.

However, he doesn't use insulated screwdrivers and his argument is that no
one should be working live so they are not needed. He is adamant that he won't use them.

Well, there are some circumstances where you have no choice but to work on a live board (obviously taking the correct precautions). Also he would not be complying with GS38. I have never known another sparky not to use insulated tools.

Any thoughts?

technically he is right.although we all do it XD Have a look at these.

Electricity at work: Safe working practices

Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Guidance on Regulations - HSG25

if anything goes wrong you need to prove you took correct procedures and adequate measures to reduce risks and working live was justified. Or as tony says you will be invited to the --- kicking party

 

[Geordie Spark]

All you need to insulate your tools .... hurry - buy it now!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-of-the-Blue-Elephant/dp/B002SZ0J1K

 

[nickblake]

All you need to insulate your tools .... hurry - buy it now!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-of-the-Blue-Elephant/dp/B002SZ0J1K

I always were one of them just to be on the safe side

 

[jimmymac]

I always were one of them just to be on the safe side

You WERE one or you WEAR one? That's two very different statements!

 

[Besoeker]

You WERE one or you WEAR one? That's two very different statements!

Phonetics rule, oh Kay!!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Phonetics rule, oh Kay!!

Phonetic sex can lead one to frenetic sex. (allegedly)

 

[tidyboiler]

Phonetic sex can lead one to frenetic sex. (allegedly)

:yes: oh yes.

 

[Geordie Spark]

:yes: oh yes.

Blondie - Call me [1980] - YouTube

 

[tidyboiler]

Meri Wilson ~ Telephone Man - YouTube

Hey baby I'm your telephone man!!