Dangers of flimsy or missing guards

[johnduffell]

I seem to remember there was a discussion recently about/guards removable without a tool, and there were comments that people with tools can still put themselves at risk.
Even if switchgear or accessories are open, theoretically the basic insulation and shields should protect you from accidental contact with live parts, but there could be a window of danger when stumbling could be the last thing you do.
http://www.tracksafetyalliance.co.u...B-17_19-Electric-shock-to-member-of-staff.pdf

 

[Andy78]

I'm not sure whether the issue of shields is relevant in the case you have linked to ? In the last paragraph of the overview it seems to allude to parts that were live that should have been isolated. I'm not sure though as it is not very clear.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Thought there were holes in the guards to enable testing without having to remove the guards on those isolators?

 

[johnduffell]

Andy 78, it sounded like they had removed all the shields in order to test for dead, and it turned out it wasn't dead.
But i agree it's not completely clear, but i wonder how much people consider tripping in risk assessments when working on live (ie not proved dead) equipment

 

[Andy78]

Andy 78, it sounded like they had removed all the shields in order to test for dead, and it turned out it wasn't dead.
But i agree it's not completely clear, but i wonder how much people consider tripping in risk assessments when working on live (ie not proved dead) equipment

It's pretty much the first practical thing you get taught as an apprentice related to health and safety. Before any work commences do a visual risk assessment and clear your work area of hazards.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Andy 78, it sounded like they had removed all the shields in order to test for dead, and it turned out it wasn't dead.
But i agree it's not completely clear, but i wonder how much people consider tripping in risk assessments when working on live (ie not proved dead) equipment

“Slips, trips and falls” are the base line hazard for any construction site.
I imagine the same would apply for any maintenance operation.

 

[elsparko]

ever had that urge to reach into those live terminals, they call out to me like saurons ring

almost like a " do not touch this button", finger hovering over the button, does it end the world? is it just a button for something boring?

 

[littlespark]

almost like a " do not touch this button", finger hovering over the button, does it end the world? is it just a button for something boring?

Ask Donald Trump. He's got one of those buttons

 

[pirate]

Haha! Put a cable-tie on a Wagobox, it needs a tool to open it...
Only a complete tool would open it and stick a finger in whether it had a tie on it or not?
sadly, not the case...
But then, we have inquisitive fingers, and careless fingers...
and that's life...

 

[Andy78]

But then, we have inquisitive fingers, and careless fingers...
and that's life...

Worst chat up line ever

 

[pirate]

and George Michael said of a chocolate bar up someone's ar*e,
"It's only a Careless Wispa"

 

[johnduffell]

Put a cable-tie on a Wagobox, it needs a tool to open it...
Only a complete tool would open it and stick a finger in whether it had a tie on it or not?

I went to a temporary exhibition where they used them for all the junction boxes, walking in the door the first thing i saw was one lying on the floor accessible to any passing kids.
Reported it but they didn't do anything about it, but they did strongly warn me not to add zip ties to them myself as it's against their rules to have someone unqualified touching it...