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I have been asked if it is safe for our electricians to work alone on a 3 phase distribution board, what are peoples thoughts please.

Daniel S Robinson

Hi, I work as a Qualifying Supervisor for a company that covers four counties with electricians. Currently in one county there is a requirement that if some one will need to work in a live 3 phase board, two operatives will be present. The thinking being there is some one to watch your back and assist in case of a problem. The other county's have now come and said they don't do this. 

So my question is, if the electrician is carrying out dead tests on the worked on circuit that is housed in a DB that can't be isolated, should two people be present.

Looking at the various documents we have like The Electricity at work Regulations, Electricity at work document from HSE (HSG85) I understand a risk assessment is required and a safe system of work document.

I was just wanting to get an idea of what other company's do, and any guidance relating to such documents.

Thank you for your help and advice in advance.

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  • 0 in reply to Sergio Fernandez
    Sergio Fernandez said:
    Why can it not be isolated?

    Tests for Ze and Zs are by their nature live tests. As are polarity tests.

    Safe isolation itself is a live testing procedure until it's complete.

    But back to the HSR25 guidence on Reg 14 -

    1. is it unreasonable in all the circumstances to for it to be dead? yes, because you can't do the test when dead.
    2. is it reasonable in all the circumstances for him to be at work or near whilst its live - yes because they are competent, qualified and converse with GN3 etc.
    3. are suitable precautions taken to prevent injury? Beyond e.g. GS38 this is very much subject to the individual circumstances. There's a note in HSR25 para 215 about accompaniment which suggests that simple live electrical tests can be done safetly but manipulation of conductors etc can't.

    I'm not sure that doing e.g. a Zs test on a 3 phase DB is substantially more hazardous than on a single phase DB. Many 3 phase DB's are quite well constructed such that there's a substantial cover over the incoming terminals which can help justify working on a DB isolated at its own main switch.

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