ETU Victorian Branch OHS Alerts

An ETU OH&S Representative on a construction site has raised concerns in relation to the potential for exposure to synthetic mineral fibres when electricians take the back off the ovens to connect them to supply.

The synthetic mineral fibre (SMF) used in a particular brand of oven has been identified as GLASSFIBRE. As with any SMF it is important not to work in a manner where the worker can possibly inhale respirable fibres. SMF’s can also cause skin irritation.

By using the “HEIRACHY OF HAZARD CONTROL”, elimination of the risk of exposure is the first priority.

The connection of the oven should be redesigned so that the worker is not required to access the rear of the stove. Providing a terminal box on the outside of the stove or providing a lead on the oven is a way of ensuring that the electrician installing the oven is not exposed to the fibres.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (158KB)

No. 15-MAKITA RECALLS CIRCULAR SAW MODELS 5606B, 5806B AND 5740NB

Further to the South Australian Workplaces Services Hazard Alert provided in the 25 October, 2002 edition of the Update, Makita has now recalled three models of circular saws. We have attached the company's recall notice.

Click here to download Makita Recall Notice file in PDF format (19KB)

Issued 25 October 2002

The recall was also posted on the Australian Federal Government's product recall website on 14 November. To access it, go to:

http://www.recalls.gov.au/recalls_last30days.cfm?rcl_type=recalls_consumer&psa_id=9453

No.14- FOUNDATIONS FOR SAFETY DELEGATES & ALTERNATE DELEGATES

WorkSafe Victoria has received the attached Hazard Alert from South Australia's Workplace Services Construction Team.

It deals with a hazardous design fault in Makita 185 mm (seven & a quarter inch) portable power saws -- Model No. 5806B. It also sets out Makita's arrangements to have all existing saws of this model refitted with a modified safety guard.

I have been advised by the South Australian authority that Makita will be able to commence parts refits in early November 2002.

Your assistance in widely circulating this Hazard Alert would be greatly appreciated. It will also be published in this afternoon's "Construction Safety Update".

PHIL COURT
Operational Strategy Manager
Construction Industry Program
WorkSafe Victoria

Click here to download SA Hazard Alert Makita 51 in PDF format (104KB PDF)

Issued October 2002

No. 13 - CONSTRUCTION WIRING INSTALLED IN CONCRETE SLABS

The ETU has been advised of incidents occurring where construction wiring which has been installed in a concrete slab has been damaged when it has been drilled in to or cut when coring was occurring.

The concern being that generally the cable is a sub-main feeding the field switchboard, and this cable does not have RCD protection which provides personnel protection (30mA) to ensure the safety of the workers involved.

The general principle of the "Industry Standard for Electrical Installations on Construction Sites" is for the cable to be marked every 5 metres. Since this can't be done as the cable is not visible, the cable route is to be clearly identified by permanent marking or by some other method which affords the same level of identification for the life of the installation.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (157K PDF)

Issued 29 August 2002

Alert about unsafe electrical products from the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector (OCEI)

Issued 15 May 2002

NO. 11- TESTING & TAGGING

Issued 29 November 2001

Recently a worker was injured when he came into contact with a damaged cord on a radio.

All electrical equipment on construction sites including radios and battery chargers are required to be electrically inspected, tested and tagged to the requirements of Australian/New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 3760 In service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

On construction sites, all equipment will be inspected to the time frames specified in AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations - building and demolition sites.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (157K PDF)

No. 10 - VOLT STICKS

Issued 15th August 2001
(Amended 11 December 2002)

BE AWARE THAT THE VOLT STICK DOES NOT WORK IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

Many people rely on this equipment to their detriment.

Volt sticks do not work on steel wire and lead armoured cable, M.I.M.S. (PYRO), Direct Current.

Volt sticks may also not work on PVC conduits containing energised cables or on orange circular cable.

Volt sticks are the same as any other test equipment, ensure they are operating properly (See ALERT 9 Test & Testing Equipment)

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (167K PDF)

No. 9 - TESTING AND TEST EQUIPMENT

Issued 15th August 2001

There have been several accidents recently which have prompted the ETU to remind its members that when testing to check if electrical equipment is de-energised:

Test on a known live source
Test electrical equipment (wiring, switchboards etc)
Test on a known live source

All equipment used for testing of an installation must be regularly calibrated to the manufacturers specifications (normally yearly) as required by AS/NZS 3760 In Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (160K PDF)

No. 8 - ANGLE GRINDERS

Issued 15th August 2001 (Updated)

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (132K PDF)

No. 7 - RELOCATABLE BUILDINGS

Issued 14th August 2001

No puncturing of site sheds with any fixing attachments (screws, nails etc) as this can change the integrity of the electrical installation.

No unauthorised electrical alterations to be made to the site shed. Authorisation to be in writing by the hirer/owner.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (149K PDF)

SILICA GEL BREATHERS

Issued 2 April 2001

Cobalt Chloride is used on Silica Gel as a moisture indicator in the breathers in large transformers in the power industry.

It has come to the attention of the CEPU that Cobalt Chloride has recently been reclassified as a Class 2 Carcinogen (possible cancer causing agent).

A hazard exists when handling loose silica gel. The principal risk of exposure is from inhalation of the dust.

The safety precautions required when handling loose silica gel are:

Safety Glasses with side shields.
P1 respirator.
Chemical protective gloves, eg. PVC.
Safety Footwear.
Overalls.
Personal hygiene - washing hands after use.

The concentration of cobalt chloride in silica gel is not high, but precautions when coming into contact with the product are still required.

The process of drying out silica gel in an oven only produces water vapour.

NUMBER 6 DATED 23 August 2000

NO LIVE WORK ON CONSTRUCTION WIRING

Last year it was reported to the Office of The Chief Electrical Inspector that there had been 14 incidents where licensed electrical workers either came into contact with an energised source, or were in close proximity when an incident occurred and an explosion ensued.

Recently one of our members was severely injured in an explosion. The practice of live work must cease before more workers are injured or killed.

The ETU requires that all members not work live.

There should not be any instance where a person would have to work on an energised construction (temporary) wiring circuit. Unfortunately some of our members have a belief that an RCD will protect them in all instances, this is not the case.

An RCD will not trip out where:

the rated trip current is not reached; or
where a person or object is connected to active and/or neutral but not earth.

Don't become a statistic. Work Dead or Be Dead.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (175K PDF)

NO. 5 DATED 22nd June 2000

WORKING LOAD LIMITS

In a number of recent incidents, wrong assumptions about loading of equipment have resulted in workplace accidents.

As a result, a recent meeting of OH&S; Representatives have unanimously supported the following requirements for load shifting equipment.

That the load that is intended to be lifted, has its weight marked on the load (eg cable drums, large switchboards). If the weight is not marked, then it should not be accepted at the workplace.
That all load shifting equipment has been designed and manufactured to the relevant Australian Standard.
That a working load (either SWL- safe working load, or WLL- working load limits) be permanently displayed on any equipment used to support loads. This would include such things as cable stands/jacks and associated bars.
The weight must not exceed the SWL/WLL for the load bearing equipment. If it is exceeded, then it is not to be lifted.
That load shifting equipment is regularly inspected, (as per manufacturer requirements by a competent person) and a readily accessible log kept of such inspection.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (170K PDF)

SWITCHBOARDS ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES

The ETU requires that all switchboards on building and construction sites (including site amenities), have a locked cover over the RCDs and circuit breakers.

This is to ensure that the reason for the fault is positively identified by the appropriately qualified personnel and rectified.

Click here to download this alert in PDF format (153KB)

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