UETTDRRF06 Perform Rescue from a Live LV Panel

INTRODUCTION: WORKING ALONE

Many tasks require or involve only one worker, but, in an industrial environment, other factors come into play. Tasks
performed in these workplaces benefit from a second person—a qualified observer/spotter, for instance—who could
notice and warn the worker before an incident takes place. Job-hazard analysis and safety planning should consider
when two workers should be present.

Electrical work must be performed only when every effort to minimize danger has been taken. The fact that we
cannot see the electricity creates additional hazards that require proper precautions when working on or near
energized circuits, conductors and components. For this reason, it is always good to have an additional—preferably
qualified—person present when work is performed.

A second person or a person capable of responding to an emergency is required by standards and emergency-
response programs and procedures.

WORKING ON OR NEAR LIVE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

The following information shall be taken into consideration when electrical workers are to work on or near live
electrical installations or equipment. Refer to AS/NZS 4836:2011.

It is the duty of the principle contractor that

- all work shall be planned and organised to minimise the risks associated with the work.
- have PPE with you on site, not to wilfully misuse anything provided for electrical safety
- read instructions, use personal protective equipment
- comply with the instructions for the electrical safety
- not to wilfully place others at risk

This shall be documented in the Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), and signed off by a officer of the company,
before work commences. An assessment shall be carried out at the work site before starting work to assess all risks
that might have the potential to cause harm or damage. If any person is required to work within 3m of energised
exposed conductors or parts, a competent person shall identify appropriate risk treatments. Safety shall not be
compromised because of operational pressures to carry out the work. All workers shall be made aware of the
hazards of the tasks and the control measures required to mitigate them. These tasks and control measures are
detailed in the SWMS.
 RECAP: Safe Approach Distances (SAD)

Designated approach distances are one way of keeping people separated from electrical hazards.

The table below provides the minimum safe working distance for ordinary persons (after consultation), instructed
persons and authorised persons.

Nominal Voltage (kV) *Ordinary persons

after consultation
with Ausgrid Instructed persons Authorised persons
Up to and
including (m) (m) (m)
More than
- 1 1.0 0.5 0.5

1 11 2.0 0.7 0.7

11 22 2.0 0.7 0.7

22 33 2.0 1.0 1.0

33 66 3.0 1.0 1.0

66 132 3.0 1.5 1.5

132 220 4.5 2.5 2.5

220 330 6.0 3.0 3.0

330 - 6.0 4.0 4.0

RECAP: INCIDENT REPORTING

A notifiable incident is when:

 a person dies
 a person experiences a serious injury or illness
 a potentially dangerous incident occurs.

Significant penalties apply if you don’t notify regulatory bodies of a ‘notifiable incident’. You must also notify your
insurer within 48 hours.

Details you may be asked for when you place a call to an authority are:

 an overview of what happened, including date, time and location

 information about anyone who was injured, including their date of birth, contact details and their
relationship to you (worker, site visitor, volunteer, contractor, member of the public)
 information about the injury, including treatment received and hospital details, if they were taken to hospital
 your details, including business information and contact details
 immediate action taken to make the site safe
 further safety action taken, or actions that will be taken, to prevent the incident happening again.

RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS:

 The first priority in response to an incident is to ensure that all affected persons are attended to, and
anyone requiring first aid or medical treatment is provided with treatment as soon as possible.

Emergency Response

If a serious incident occurs that requires emergency services, call ‘000’ and then inform respond. Dialling 112 directs
you to the same Triple Zero (000) call service and does not give your call priority over Triple Zero (000). 112 is an
international standard emergency number which can only be dialled on a mobile phone.

Hazards – Initial Response

The first priority in response to a hazard is to take any immediate precautions or actions to control the hazard, and
inform others of the hazard that may be immediately affected. The actions may include isolating the hazard by tape
or other barriers, or through removing the hazard itself. This may only be a temporary measure and require the
hazard to be reported for a more permanent control or repair.

Scene Preservation

Areas subject to (or possibly subject to) an incident or a hazard investigation must be made safe and preserved int he
event that the scene is required to be attended by Police or the Safety Regulator (SafeWork NSW). The scene may be
barricaded to restrict access if appropriate (eg. by using tape or other barriers). Scene preservation would occur in
the event of a notifiable incident as defined in Part 3 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, and/or an incident of a
serious nature where the scene will assist in determining the cause of the incident.
 Recap: First Aid – Kits

In the event of a serious injury or illness, quick access to the kit is vital. First aid kits should be kept in a prominent,
accessible location and able to be retrieved promptly. Access should also be ensured in security-controlled
workplaces. First aid kits should be located close to areas where there is a higher risk of injury or illness.

If the workplace occupies several floors in a multi-storey building, at least one kit should be located on every second
floor. Emergency floor plans displayed in the workplace should include the location of first aid kits. A portable first
aid kit should be provided in vehicles if that is the closest and obvious space in a workplace. These kits should be
safely located so as not to become a projectile in the event of an accident.

Recap: First Aid – Shock

Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. Shock may result from
trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes. When
a person is in shock, his or her organs aren't getting enough blood or oxygen. If untreated, this can lead to
permanent organ damage or even death.

Signs and symptoms of shock vary depending on circumstances and may include:

 Cool, clammy skin

 Pale or ashen skin
 Bluish tinge to lips or fingernails (or gray in the case of dark complexions)
 Rapid pulse
 Rapid breathing
 Nausea or vomiting
 Enlarged pupils
 Weakness or fatigue
 Dizziness or fainting
 Changes in mental status or behaviour, such as anxiousness or agitation

Seek emergency medical care

If you suspect a person is in shock, call 000. Then immediately take the following steps:

 Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly, unless you think this may cause pain or further
injury.
 Keep the person still and don't move him or her unless necessary.
 Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as not breathing, coughing or moving.
 Loosen tight clothing and, if needed, cover the person with a blanket to prevent chilling.
 Don't let the person eat or drink anything.
 If the person vomits or begins bleeding from the mouth, and no spinal injury is suspected, turn him or her
onto a side to prevent choking.

Recap: First Aid – Electric Shock

An electric shock can be life threatening. Call an ambulance on triple zero (000) if someone has had an electric shock
and has lost consciousness, difficulty breathing or slow or fast heartbeat.

If someone near you receives an electric shock, do not put yourself in danger:

 look first, don’t touch — the person may still be in contact with the electricity, and if you touch them, you
will receive an electric shock
 switch off the electricity at the mains, remove fuses, turn off all powerpoints and unplug all cords before
approaching the person
 if that’s not possible, use material that does not conduct electricity, such as a dry wooden broom handle, to
separate the person from the electricity source
 take particular care if the victim is in contact with water, which carries electricity

When it is safe, check if the person is conscious and breathing. Gently touch and talk to the person. If there is no
response, start CPR.

If there is an electrical burn, you can treat it in the same way as you would any other burn. Put the burnt area
under running water for at least 20 minutes then cover with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or a clean cloth.
Don't use a blanket or towel, because loose fibers can stick to the burns.

Recap: First Aid – CPR

CPR is most successful when administered as quickly as possible. It should only be performed when a person shows
no signs of life or when they are:

 unconscious
 unresponsive
 not breathing or not breathing normally (in cardiac arrest, some people will take occasional gasping breaths
– they still need CPR at this point. Don’t wait until they are not breathing at all).
It is not essential to search for a pulse when a person is found with no signs of life. It can be difficult to find a
person’s pulse sometimes and time can be wasted searching. If CPR is necessary, it must be started without delay.

RECAP: Hazards working on live LV Equipment

Remember that hazards that may be encountered when working on Live LV equipment in an
enclosed small area. These include:

 Lack of escape routes

 Fire
 Low oxygen and gas levels
 Limited access

Switchboard Rescue Kits

LV switchboard rescue kits are required by law in Queensland for any person carrying out live electrical work. The kit
from Extreme Safety complies with and exceeds the applicable standards, containing sufficient, high-quality
contents.

The kit contains, in a brightly coloured bag: insulating gloves Class 0 (1000 V); insulated crook (LV — tested to 15 kV);
fire blanket (1.2 x 1.8 m); multi-trauma (burns) dressing; an ‘isolate here in emergency sign’; and a torch.

Isolate Here In Emergency Signs

 Signs must be placed Before commencing work on an LV switchboard

 Place ‘isolate here’ signs on alternate supply isolation points and/or place insulated
barriers over live parts
 Check your Switchboard Rescue Kits:

Items must be

1. within test dates.

2. Visually checked,
3. For gloves, checked using air to inspect the gloves and check for tears or defects.

Rescue Hooks and Hot Sticks:

Rescue hooks keep the rescuer at a safe distance while remaining insulated from the injured worker who may still be
in contact with live parts. Insulated rescue hooks are used to withdraw an injured worker out of a hazardous area.
Confined spaces, in vaults, or just near electrical cabinets and switchgear are some of the places where In a rescue
scenario, a rescuer breaks a victim’s contact from a live low voltage power source by a Quick sharp blow with the
hook or your hand, using a hook or hot stick, or wearing an insulated glove.
 Isolation Procedures

Before any plant is inspected, maintained, cleaned or repaired, where practi cable, it must be shut
down and its energy sources locked out and tagged as part of an isolati on procedure (oft en called
Lockout Tagout) to ensure the safety of those doing the work. This includes placing signs and
barriers including ‘Isolate here’ signs placed on supply isolation points and/or insulated barriers placed over live
parts. Employers must have an isolation procedure available for staff working on an LV panel.

The aim of an isolation procedure is to:

1. isolate all forms of potenti ally hazardous energy to ensure that an accidental release of
hazardous energy does not occur
2. control all other hazards to those doing the work
3. ensure that entry to a restricted area is ti ghtly controlled.

Carbon Monoxide Risks

How to tell if carbon monoxide is making you sick

Carbon monoxide building up in a confined space can make you sick for a short time, have long-term health effects or
even kill you and your coworkers quickly.

Some of the symptoms are similar to cold symptoms, common in winter. This can make it difficult for a doctor to
diagnose that you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you notice any of the following symptoms, they
could be caused by a carbon monoxide leak:

 Dizziness
  Feeling sick or nauseous
 Headaches
 People and/or pets getting sick at the same time
 Feeling unwell only when you’re at home.

First Aid Treatement – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

 Seek medical attention from a doctor or dial 000 in an emergency

 Leave the confined space immediately and get into the fresh air

▻
Fire Extinguishers

Please view the video below on Fire Extinguisher types, covering the 5 fire extinguisher types you
will find on a workplace: Water, Foam, Wet Chemical, Powder, Carbon Dioxide.

▻
Live Low Voltage Panel Rescue

Please view the video below. There is a flash and your co-worker falls to the ground. Many
dangers are present.

▻
Confined Spaces - Hazards

Please view the video below before proceeding.