First electric shock

[Chrisuk]

Some of the regulars will know I'm in training...slightly confused...all day today I've been sleeving the cpc because none at all had any on and putting connector blocks in choc blocks..15mins before leaving I have my head above the ceiling...power on since where we are working are open and they don't want a third of the store in darkness from killing the mcb.

Had the connector block between finger and thumb..carefully putting it the choc block when I heard it cracking..was tightening the screws when I got a belt.

So I'm thinking could it arc...I didn't see anything...just felt it.....or Is it more likely I just had a brain fart and my thumb touched some exposed conductor?

I
Least I know the rcd kicks in fast

 

[7029 dave]

working live is fine as long as you take certain precautions, first only use vde screwdrivers, hold things with vde pliers/long nose pliers.

yes it will take longer but its safer.

never put hands on chockblock etc with live cables, the cables can fall out sometimes if they didnt bite properly

Don't forget the rubbers, if you must.!! lol

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Don't have the BGB.. first year so was Told I don't need it yet.

You don't need one of the principal sources of reference for your trade? Why ever not? I got my first copy of the regs when I was 8.

I won't give you any agro about the live working thing, it's been covered already! But then, think ahead... even if you've been told that touching the plastic is 'safe' (it's not, it's only single insulation) why would you not expect to find a loose cable that popped out and touched you, or cause an arc that burned or blinded you? Nothing's infallible, especially other sparks' work!

PS the plastic housing is called a Choc Box, not chock blocks, That's slang for terminal block itself.

 

[davesparks]

working live is fine as long as you take certain precautions, first only use vde screwdrivers, hold things with vde pliers/long nose pliers.

yes it will take longer but its

There's a lot more to it than just using insulated tools!

First and foremost is that it is a last resort if there is no other option.

Inconvenience, not wanting to work late, the boss putting pressure on you, you can't be bothered to walk all the way to the DB and back or anything like that are not good reasons!

 

[davesparks]

Don't have the BGB.. first year so was Told I don't need it yet. And again I listened to someone because if I don't how do I learn...I've got to believe what a time served spark says..why would I not...they should know best...if all else fails I come on here and get my --- handed to me haha jk

Yes you have to listen to your mentor, but you have to use your own brain too. You are not a sheep, you don't have to blindly and unthinkingly follow your leader!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

There's a lot more to it than just using insulated tools!

First and foremost is that it is a last resort if there is no other option.

Inconvenience, not wanting to work late, the boss putting pressure on you, you can't be bothered to walk all the way to the DB and back or anything like that are not good reasons!

Or rushing because its beer o'clock:nono:

 

[Sparkie30]

Got 2 sets of vde hand tools and I'll hold my hand up..I had vde long noise pliers in my pocket when it happened...but I was told touching the plastic Is safe..like a plonker I believed it..like I said I'd been working since 8am and must of put 15 connectors in blocks using my hands only touching the plastic

But I'm not thick..message received ppl

just take it as lesson and try not to do it again. it happened to most sparks i know, me aswell.

 

[R G]

I would ensure the guy your working with carries out a proper risk assessment before starting work, this would have to be done before any live working is even considered. this would also lead into the safe isolation as well ,and be for your own personal safety ,,,

 

[Pete999]

working live is fine as long as you take certain precautions, first only use vde screwdrivers, hold things with vde pliers/long nose pliers.

yes it will take longer but its safer.

never put hands on chockblock etc with live cables, the cables can fall out sometimes if they didnt bite properly

The certain precaution would be???? switching off, locking off and testing with an approved voltage indicator as per the ESC guidance wouldn't it. VDE screwdrivers my backside, this is a young Lad starting out on his chosen career and your saying it's OK to work live, get real Shanky

 

[shanky887614]

The certain precaution would be???? switching off, locking off and testing with an approved voltage indicator as per the ESC guidance wouldn't it. VDE screwdrivers my backside, this is a young Lad starting out on his chosen career and your saying it's OK to work live, get real Shanky

real? there are times when you cannot turn the power off, it is best practise to not touch copper unless you know its not connected to anything.

if you are working in a control panel you cant just turn them off because it can cause very bad consequences.
we work in hospitals/ metal wards etc and there not places that can be done out of hours

 

[GMES]

Chris I took to you the 1st time you posted and we have spoken away from the main forum in the past, so It winds me up that you are falling for what this ar$ehole is asking you to do, he knows it is wrong, but more importantly you know it is wrong!!
I know it is hard to stand up to someone who is giving you a chance, but that does not give him the right to put your life at risk!!
Let me know where your working and i will happily pop down and attach said conductors to his Nut's and see how long he can stay on the ladder. You know you can get in touch away from here if you need any advice.
Let this be a lesson now shut up moaning and get the Beer's in.

 

[nickblake]

Thank you very much trev..I don't want to lose this job or opportunity and I do believe stuff he says...why would I question him when I have so much less experience

I only wanted help and advice..not a roasting......I got that earlier

Better than loosing your life !!!!!!!!!!

 

[R G]

I had a sparks and his lad turn up on a job I was on to help out , as the job they went to had blown out , this was back in the 80s , it was remedialls following a periodic , I said to hem you might as well get on with the grommets and sleeving the earth wires on the sockets , I was working on the lighting , I turned my back for one minute and they were only going to do it with sockets still live , I stopped them right away and the sparks said Oh its all right its only the earth wires were touching ,, I couldn't believe it , I had to explain to them that the earth wire has to be considered as a live part also if the circuit is live and that the sockets should be isolated before they start work ,,,and to think he had a lad with him as well ,,,, the lad I had with me couldn't believe it also .

 

[camerabloke]

Chris I took to you the 1st time you posted and we have spoken away from the main forum in the past, so It winds me up that you are falling for what this ar$ehole is asking you to do, he knows it is wrong, but more importantly you know it is wrong!!
I know it is hard to stand up to someone who is giving you a chance, but that does not give him the right to put your life at risk!!
Let me know where your working and i will happily pop down and attach said conductors to his Nut's and see how long he can stay on the ladder. You know you can get in touch away from here if you need any advice.
Let this be a lesson now shut up moaning and get the Beer's in.

You'll be getting a room next GMES. Seriously, your gaffer needs a reminder how dangerous working live can be. If he tells you to do it again tell him to shove it. You can't learn if your dead can you.

 

[telectrix]

the voice of reason..... from a bloody gorilla who's fur is about as conductive as wood. :21:

 

[Chrisuk]

just take it as lesson and try not to do it again. it happened to most sparks i know, me aswell.

Every spark I've met so far said it's happened to them..some numerous times..I wasn't expecting the response I got..thought I'd get maybe...it could of been that..or this etc..I know all about safe isolation and if it's my job I'd have the lights off..it's not my job so..... anyway..I appreciate all that advice
I think it's quite easy for a qualified spark to say I should do this or that but when I tried a year to get employed and now finally are..and getting put through an apprenticeship too...I don't want to do anything to mess it up

 

[nickblake]

###It doesnt matter where you work power can always be isolated, ive worked i hospitals even to the operating theaters it can always be isolated its just a matter of communication and planning , if you are doing as I have read you are, then why dont you load a gun with a bullet and keep pulling the trigger every day because one day it will go off as with electric one day it will get you,I hate to be abrupt but I would also hate to read of a spark being electrocuted due to lack of safe isolation caused by lack of communication and common sense

 

[Chrisuk]

Chris I took to you the 1st time you posted and we have spoken away from the main forum in the past, so It winds me up that you are falling for what this ar$ehole is asking you to do, he knows it is wrong, but more importantly you know it is wrong!!
I know it is hard to stand up to someone who is giving you a chance, but that does not give him the right to put your life at risk!!
Let me know where your working and i will happily pop down and attach said conductors to his Nut's and see how long he can stay on the ladder. You know you can get in touch away from here if you need any advice.
Let this be a lesson now shut up moaning and get the Beer's in.

Fair enough Glenn and tomorrow it won't be happening again....I can't think everything I'm being taught is wrong...can I?
Get the beers in..I'm on the vodka redbull after today ha..only a few...work tomorrow and all

 

[camerabloke]

We've all had shocks by working live *tin hat on* but it boils down to the fact that you should not be taught incorrectly and dangerously. You could kill yourself and others by working live. Show this thread to your boss if he thinks its ok to work live

 

[camerabloke]

Oh and my phone numbers on my avatar if you want him to call me. I will tell him he's a dick

 

[Chrisuk]

###It doesnt matter where you work power can always be isolated, ive worked i hospitals even to the operating theaters it can always be isolated its just a matter of communication and planning , if you are doing as I have read you are, then why dont you load a gun with a bullet and keep pulling the trigger every day because one day it will go off as with electric one day it will get you,I hate to be abrupt but I would also hate to read of a spark being electrocuted due to lack of safe isolation caused by lack of communication and common sense

Nah I know .point taken Nick and tomorrow when I'm continuing where I left off..the circuit will be dead..they will just have to live with it

 

[James-]

Every spark I've met so far said it's happened to them..some numerous times..I wasn't expecting the response I got..thought I'd get maybe...it could of been that..or this etc..I know all about safe isolation and if it's my job I'd have the lights off..it's not my job so..... anyway..I appreciate all that advice
I think it's quite easy for a qualified spark to say I should do this or that but when I tried a year to get employed and now finally are..and getting put through an apprenticeship too...I don't want to do anything to mess it up

You sound like your listening and ignoring. No offence meant at all matey but this really should be a wake up call!

Your Boss Is a complete and utter A ( H 0 L E ) If he tries to make you keep working live.
Did you tell your boss? If so what did he say?
I wouldn't be surprised if you were too proud to tell him or were worried about what he would say or do etc.

Honestly It is not worth it! Let him risk his own skin not yours!

The Industry is picking up now and their are more jobs out there all the time but I appreciate it still favours the employer and It can be hard to find work but just think about how your family would feel If you weren't around to try !

 

[R G]

Fair play Chris , one thing I would say is yes its happened to all of us because its what we work with , but only by accident , not by knowing full well that we hadn't isolated before working on something , accidents do and always will happen , trying to minimise them is what we have to do , but purposefully creating them is something else ..just tread carefully and take in any learning you can but keep in mind the fundamentals of what your working on .

 

[Pete999]

Chris Safe Isolation Simulator ["Electrical Jobs" / Electrician / "Electrical Training"] - YouTube

 

[nickblake]

Nah I know .point taken Nick and tomorrow when I'm continuing where I left off..the circuit will be dead..they will just have to live with it

Spot on mate !! I really hate to be blunt mate , if you really look at it you could loose your life , the boss gets done for unlawfull killing and gets 6 months , stick to your guns mate circuit off, isolated , locked off , you live and prove a point ,

 

[Pete999]

Spot on mate !! I really hate to be blunt mate , if you really look at it you could loose your life , the boss gets done for unlawfull killing and gets 6 months , stick to your guns mate circuit off, isolated , locked off , you live and prove a point ,

Chris http://www.hseni.gov.uk/hsg85_electricity_at_work_-_safe_working_practices.pdfshow

 

[shanky887614]

###It doesnt matter where you work power can always be isolated, ive worked i hospitals even to the operating theaters it can always be isolated its just a matter of communication and planning , if you are doing as I have read you are, then why dont you load a gun with a bullet and keep pulling the trigger every day because one day it will go off as with electric one day it will get you,I hate to be abrupt but I would also hate to read of a spark being electrocuted due to lack of safe isolation caused by lack of communication and common sense

a lot of our work is low power usually 12 or 24v so no danger.

and we are talking doors etc as well here, ok so you would shutdown a whole floor+ for one door because you wouldn't disconect a couple cables in a panel?

 

[nickblake]

a lot of our work is low power usually 12 or 24v so no danger.

and we are talking doors etc as well here, ok so you would shutdown a whole floor+ for one door because you wouldn't disconect a couple cables in a panel?

Not live i wouldnt !!!!

 

[Pete999]

Chris View attachment Best-Practice-Guide-2.pdf

 

[GMES]

If you want a serious shock, try waking up next to our lass without make up argggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Pete999]

I see the thread has lost it's meaning all of a sudden lol:smile5:

 

[Kamikaze]

If you want a serious shock, try waking up next to our lass without make up argggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

It is strange how men always wake up as good looking as they did when they went to bed but women somehow deteriorate during the night. :smile5:

 

[uksparks]

I was told holding the connector is safe...the store won't have power off

Am I supposed to refuse to work then when the main guy says hold the connector block....genuine question

Check out regulation 14 of the EAWR. I appreciate you have taken instruction from someone who should know better, but you should never work live. Live generally means risky and potentially dangerous, it's not worth it. You being the one working on the circuit should really have had it locked off and a key on your person fir your own lock in the hasp.

learn from your experience and dont do it again.

 

[GMES]

I see the thread has lost it's meaning all of a sudden lol:smile5:

You are correct pete sorry I will get back on track, but you should see her ffs :38:

 

[shanky887614]

It is strange how men always wake up as good looking as they did when they went to bed but women somehow deteriorate during the night. :smile5:

yeah they shift from a 5 pinter to a 10 pinter in the morning

 

[Silly Sausage]

You are correct pete sorry I will get back on track, but you should see her ffs :38:

You could update your avatar picture! :smilielol5:

 

[Pete999]

You are correct pete sorry I will get back on track, but you should see her ffs :38:

Got one of my own thanks, not a pretty sight first thing are they?

 

[davesparks]

real? there are times when you cannot turn the power off, it is best practise to not touch copper unless you know its not connected to anything.

if you are working in a control panel you cant just turn them off because it can cause very bad consequences.
we work in hospitals/ metal wards etc and there not places that can be done out of hours

But the places you work will surely have procedures in place to ensure you are working safely and that the patients are kept safe.
I can't imagine they don't operate a permit to work system?

 

[Marvo]

My thoughts are pretty much as Trev said

Yes! When there is a means of isolation then it should be used unless there are incredibly good reason not to. The store owner not wanting the place dark is not a good reason.
How would he/she/the company have reacted if you had been blown off whatever you were standing on and injured yourself or been killed? With the HSE crawling all over them and your employer that excuse would not wash.
Get your gaffer to rig some temporary lighting so that you get to go home at the end of the day, not to a hospital or mortuary. You're a trainee, you probably don't want to question your employer or rock the boat by going against what those above you in the food chain say but for your own sake mate tell this clown that what he's asking you to do is dangerous

Working live should never be a convenience thing, only as an absolute necessity and only if competent to do so and only following a thorough risk assessment and only with the correct equipment and safety procedures in place.

 

[jaypp]

Hi Chris. Agree with previous post re. safe working practices although, we've all (I guess) been guilty at some point. If the lights need to be on, can you not isolate, disconnect at a point, leaving some to give light and then work on next few, livening up a few at a time? You will become used to everyone moaning about losing power or lighting, but as said in prev post there are ways e.g. temp lights, run a lead etc. Just say sorry, we can't work live it's a danger to me, you and anyone else who enters your premises.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Just thought Chris, what did anyone say when you killed the lights?
And if they did, what were their comments about the fact that they went off because you nearly electrocuted yourself?