Electrical safety remains a critical issue for heating engineers. With safe isolation, the right tools and careful verification, tradespeople can prevent accidents and protect lives, stresses Steve Dunning, Managing Director at Martindale.
Engineers in heating, cooling and plumbing environments routinely face electrical hazards, often without being fully aware of the risks. Whether installing boilers or working close to live circuits, even a minor slip can lead to severe injury.
Because electricity can be an unseen danger, proper safe isolation procedures are essential for anyone working near electrical systems. Effective isolation prevents accidental contact with live parts – protecting both engineers and anyone else nearby – by ensuring all relevant circuits and equipment are fully de-energised before work begins.
Lockout kits
A complete lockout kit is central to carrying out safe isolation correctly. At minimum, it should include a selection of locking devices for miniature circuit breakers and other breaker types, a padlock with a unique key or combination, a hasp for use when more than one person is working on the same system, and a range of lockout tags and warning labels.
The key or code must stay with the person performing the work or an appointed representative, preventing anyone else from removing the lock and accidentally re-energising the circuit. Once the breaker is locked off, a clear warning tag should be attached to confirm that the circuit is isolated and work is in progress.
Proving dead
Correctly locking off the circuit is only part of the process. Before any work starts, the circuit must be proven dead using a dedicated voltage indicator compliant with BS EN61243-3, such as the Martindale VI-13800 or VI-15000. Indicators used for proving dead must function without relying on a battery, eliminating the risk of a depleted battery giving a false reading.
To prove dead, check the voltage indicator on a known source, preferably a proving unit, then test the circuit. After testing, confirm the voltage indicator again on the known source to ensure it has not failed during use. Although a live source could be used, a matched proving unit is safer, more reliable and always accessible.
Kits for gas engineers
To help gas engineers working near electrical systems comply with Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletin 118 (TB118), Martindale Electric offers two dedicated safety kits. The TB118KITA includes the LOKKITGAS1 set of four key locking-off devices, the VI-13800 voltage indicator and the PD440S proving unit for safe, straightforward proving dead.
The TB118KITB contains all items from the A kit, plus the EZ664 socket tester, which can be connected to standard 13-amp sockets or used with flying leads for checking fused spurs, terminals and light fittings. It can also measure earth loop impedance without tripping any residual current device rated at 30mA or above. These kits support engineers working where both safe isolation and earth loop verification are essential.
In a sector where electrical risks are often underestimated, strict adherence to safe working practices is vital. Using appropriate isolation procedures, the correct equipment and reliable verification methods dramatically reduces the likelihood of serious accidents, helping create a safer environment for everyone involved.
Image: Martindale
