Reducing the risks to themselves, employees and the outside contractors they hire is one of the most important responsibilities electrical contractors have to take on. Communication is a key part of this equation – it must be known by all those responsible for, or working with electricity that there are no reasonable circumstances in which you should be working with live equipment.
Martindale has created a new, simplified version of its more extensive and detailed process in the hope that its memorable acronym - “ALIVE” - will help to prevent injuries and save lives. To aid the communication of these key safety messages, we have made resources and information available to anyone with responsibility for health and safety in an organisation via a specific landing page.
In creating our “ALIVE” message, we are distinguishing between good working practice (such as our complete 12 step approach and the Electrical Safety Roundtable’s guidelines) and shining a spotlight on the 5 vital steps that absolutely must be carried out for your own protection and to prevent loss of life.
The 12 step approach will include activities that should certainly take place, particularly in terms of compliance; both sets of process and procedure are valid and, in fact, complementary, but by streamlining the message and focusing on the most vital elements, following the “ALIVE” process is what will, quite literally, keep you alive.”
ALIVE: 5 fail-proof steps to safe isolation
A - Approved Kit
Before starting, make sure your equipment meets all legal safety standards (BS EN61243-3).
L - Lock Out
Identify the point of isolation – lock it off - and place warning tags onto the equipment.
I - Initial Prove
Test your Voltage Indicator against the proving unit to make sure that it’s working properly.
V - Voltage Test
Use your Voltage Indicator to confirm that there are no dangerous voltages in the circuit you are about to work on.
E - Ensure
Prove and re-test the Voltage Indicator against the proving unit to ensure it is working, before you start working on the circuit.
All Martindale electrical testing products will now be sold with a hard copy of the memorable “ALIVE” message to ensure that it is shared as widely as possible and that the handy card remains accessible at all times to anyone working on or near electricity.
Downloadable ALIVE resources for those responsible for health and safety are available on the campaign page at the company’s website: