Working in live enclosures

[industryspark]

TPN switchfuse bolted onto a busbar chamber. Bottom half (supply terminals) live and covered by the manufacturer fitted shield. Cables to be connected to the top load terminals. Some sparks i know would happily work on the top terminals even though the enclosure houses live, albiet shielded terminals.............opinions?

Regards

 

[Marvo]

Apologies Bigdavs, I misunderstood in that case by thinking you were suggesting live testing as being too risky.

 

[bigdavs83]

No harm marvo.

 

[easyfix]

dont see the problem here , any electrician should be qualified enough to conduct this works in a safe manor

 

[Engineer54]

Wow, things must have changed beyond all recognition on the industrial side of things if an electrician is now worried about working on and connecting cables to the isolated side of a TP+N switch fuse.

As for shutting down a factory process plant to do so, ....do me a favour!!

 

[Knobhead]

They’ve not changed that much. Some of us tried to keep the wheels of industry turning.

As I said, we’d sack the OP if he even suggested shutting a part of the plant down because he is worried about making connections in a live panel. He would be of no use to us what so ever.

 

[Pete999]

I know we're not meant to work live, but surely we're electricians and we're Trained to work with electricity! As long as you respect it and be careful! That's my view and I'll continue to do it!

That will be until someone is injured and the HSE are all over you like a rash asking you why you worked live

 

[Pete999]

This has me wondering why we all have insulated drivers etc.?:smilewinkgrin:

Cause they look pretty in your new veto Pro Pac tool tote, not like the Plumber's with rust spanners and bits of wire wool every where, seriously when you check terminals for tightness is one good reason

 

[Pete999]

It's a sad day when electricians can't do live tests. Anything electrical carries risks, it's the job to assess, understand and manage the risks accordingly.

We work live regularly, part of the job. Competence, risk assessment and appropriate PPE are the 3 things we require.

What he said

 

[telectrix]

can't see what all the fuss is about. next thing we know is HSE will be banning us from driving if the engine is running.

 

[Pete999]

can't see what all the fuss is about. next thing we know is HSE will be banning us from driving if the engine is running.

You know what would happen if someone got injured working live when it should have been made safe Tel, tickets pulled etc you know it

 

[Engineer54]

You know what would happen if someone got injured working live when it should have been made safe Tel, tickets pulled etc you know it

HSE are one of the reasons manufacturers in the UK can't compete with overseas companies!! It's become almost a ''Nanny' State'' (like Singapore) to the these holier than thou haven't got a clue faceless ----ers!!

 

[Lucien Nunes]

The HSE are actually fairly sensible, it's more the consultants, H&S managers and insurers that tend to bug me, adding extra requirements and limitations beyond what the HSE consider reasonable. E.g, the HSE haven't banned ladders, their guidance is to find alternatives wherever possible. But some sites ban them altogether, even in situations where the risk is low and exposure short.

My take: Focus on major hazards. Wire outgoing circuit live, unless SF has inadequate guarding. Bank the time saved for when you do need to take steps to make something safe, such as attaching a new set of tails to the busbar.

 

[Andy78]

I was just going say before Lucien did.... I have heard the phrases "It's company policy" or "it's for the insurance" a lot more than "It's required under the health and safety at work act" when ridiculously convoluted working practices have been questioned.

 

[Engineer54]

The HSE are actually fairly sensible, it's more the consultants, H&S managers and insurers that tend to bug me, adding extra requirements and limitations beyond what the HSE consider reasonable. E.g, the HSE haven't banned ladders, their guidance is to find alternatives wherever possible. But some sites ban them altogether, even in situations where the risk is low and exposure short.

My take: Focus on major hazards. Wire outgoing circuit live, unless SF has inadequate guarding. Bank the time saved for when you do need to take steps to make something safe, such as attaching a new set of tails to the busbar.

Unfortunately these are the people that companies have to deal with on a day to day basis... And why overseas contractors (including the British company's) will not employ British H&S officers, they are just too much trouble to have on board.

 

[Badged01]

........, it's more the consultants, H&S managers and insurers that tend to bug me, adding extra requirements and limitations beyond what the HSE consider reasonable......

Think they're know as the jobs worth mob! Bit like grenades, they pop up every now and again, explode over something and leave you to sort out the mess. No comeback on them. Suppose they have to justify themselves somehow.....