Safe fused sour isolation palava

[Hisham Al-Bizri]

hi there guys,

I'm a lowly gas man but thought I would put my hand out to you helpful electricians to see if there is a better way to do the following!

I work for a rather large gas service and repair company and health and safety as I'm sure you will know is going a bit bonkers at the minute. Obviously I can see why but nevertheless I think there must be a better way than what they suggest to us.

Whenever I work on a boiler or system even if the spur is directly next to the appliance I have to remove the fuse and mechanically lock off the fused spur holder. At the minute the way we have been told to do it is with a tie wrap. Is there actually a proper item of kit hat will do this job instead of having to cut use cut use cut use tie wraps sometimes 4-5 times when in the house in between testing. It's bonkers I know but we have to do it so fair do's. I know they do a red box that you can fit under the two screws to the fused spur which you then can padlock but again that's adding more time to the situation

Hope someone can point me I the right direction

Kindest regards
Hisham

 

[Pete999]

Removing the fuse from the fused spur, only isolates the Live conductor, which is not a good idea, the fused spur, may have been inadvertently been connected up incorrectly ie reversed polarity, securing the fuse holder is stupid as anyone working with you could easily cut the tie wrap, rendering your companies idea of safe isolation useless, There are kits out there that allow you to isolate the Circuit Breaker (CBs) covering the circuit the fused spur is connected to, and these can be bought from many of the Electrical wholesaler that litter the industrial estates.
There are of course many types of CBs so a more comprehensive selection of locks for varying types of CBs.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...x-b&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=0kfCWezYBNPU8geO9YOwBg
Your company, in my opinion should have sent your engineer's on a safe isolation course, they are paying lip service to your safety.
http://www.----------------------------/mediafile/100370766/Best-Practice-Guide-2-Issue-3-.pdf

 

[Wilko]

Hi Hisham and Welcome to the Forum !

As Pete says, there are opportunities to get zapped with your existing method of isolation. I won't touch something before it's established as isolated (dead) by the proper use of a 2 pole voltage tester. Saved me more than once. You need 100% certainty that every terminal in the boiler is isolated from the supply

 

[Pete999]

Just love to be a fly on the wall when the OP presents his findings to his Boss, the sharp intake of breath will be a wonderful experience, the OPs post is just a sample of how non electrical outfits take electrical safety.
They will probably issue the OP and his colleagues with a poxy volt stick.
Safe Isolation course | JTL - http://www.jtltraining.com/training-courses/technical/safe-isolation/
NICEIC | Practical training courses to enhance your industry knowledge - https://www.niceic.com/contractor/training-courses/online-blended-courses/safe-isolation-online-course

 

[Hisham Al-Bizri]

Hi guys we have to prove isolation with a socket and see once we turn off at fuse then do dead live dead checks if that's what you mean?

 

[Hisham Al-Bizri]

It's British gas by the way so I'm assuming they have tried to think of most eventualities

 

[Hisham Al-Bizri]

It's British gas by the way so I'm assuming they have tried to think of most eventualities

 

[Pete999]

Hi guys we have to prove isolation with a socket and see once we turn off at fuse then do dead live dead checks if that's what you mean?

Do you mean a plug top tester? a complete waste for safe isolation, how do you do Dead Live Dead tests?

 

[Pete999]

It's British gas by the way so I'm assuming they have tried to think of most eventualities

They should know better, mind you it is British Gas

 

[Hisham Al-Bizri]

No we connect the earth clip to the appliance then use a two pole tester one on neutral other on live then turn on spur, do earth loop at appliance on socket and see and then turn spur off to confirm it's supply

 

[Paul.M]

As for locking off a fused spur draw, I use something similar to this
TSA Zipper Lock | TSA Locks | Lifeventure - https://www.lifeventure.com/products/security/tsa-zipper-lock?gclid=CjwKCAjwo4jOBRBmEiwABWNaMWD2CSi0_pl1dgRFduBWxvnwAAe3BakMVDWNMMFU6iGlG75BwfM-ahoC2V8QAvD_BwE

 

[Pete999]

No we connect the earth clip to the appliance then use a two pole tester one on neutral other on live then turn on spur, do earth loop at appliance on socket and see and then turn spur off to confirm it's supply

That aint safe isolation Hisham, what's to stop someone, or you accidentally switching it back on, the supply ust be locked off to prevent accidental switching back on until you have finished your work.

 

[Hisham Al-Bizri]

Your missing the bit where I said once we have proven supply we use a tie wrap wound the spur with the fuse removed

Kindest regards

 

[Pete999]

Your missing the bit where I said once we have proven supply we use a tie wrap wound the spur with the fuse removed

Kindest regards

You mean these jobbies I presume
111-04950 | HellermannTyton Black Nylon Cable Tie, 200mm x 4.6 mm | HellermannTyton - http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/8103845/?grossPrice=Y&cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-PLA_UK_EN_Cables_And_Wires-_-Cable_Accessories_And_Ties_And_Tools-_-PRODUCT+GROUP&matchtype=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIotCi0tuz1gIV4ZztCh32XADgEAYYASABEgKdd_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Hisham Al-Bizri]

Yea they are the ones mate