Companies, professionals and staff members must know electrical security at work throughout rainstorms
******************************************************************************************
As the rainstorm caution has actually been released by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) advises companies and specialists that they must embrace essential work plans and take ideal precaution to secure the security of their workers when they are performing electrical work or managing electrical plant.
A representative for the LD stated today (May 20) that companies and specialists ought to prevent appointing staff members to perform electrical work (such as electrical arc welding work) or manage electrical plant at locations impacted by rainstorms, and need to describe the “Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and ‘Extreme Conditions'” and the “Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather” provided by the LD.
Even if electrical work is performed or electrical plant is dealt with at locations not impacted by a rainstorm, ideal precaution should still be embraced to avoid an electrical shock as the air would be more damp. Such procedures consist of:
(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical setup are separated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the seclusion from the power supply source should be preserved as long as electrical work is being performed;
(ii) Before performing any electrical work or dealing with any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then check the circuit worried to validate that it is dead and show ideal caution notifications, and provide a work license afterwards;
(iii) Ensure that protective gadgets (such as ideal and appropriate merges and breaker) for the electrical setups or electrical plant have actually been set up and kept in great working order, and portable electrical tools should be double-insulated or effectively earthed;
(iv) Provide ideal individual protective devices such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for workers; and
(v) If live electrical work is inescapable, an extensive threat evaluation ought to be carried out by a skilled individual and the suitable security preventative measures ought to be required to get rid of or appropriately manage the electrical threats included before such work can continue.
In addition, workers must co-operate with the company or specialist to follow the security guidelines and utilize the security devices offered.
The LD has actually released manuals and brochures on electrical work security. These security publications are readily available devoid of divisional workplaces of the department or can be downloaded from its site (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).
Ought to there be any concerns about occupational security and health matters, please get in touch with the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.