Safe Isolation, Lock Out and Test for Dead Procedure

Purpose. This procedure describes the steps every worker must follow to isolate electrical equipment, secure the isolation and prove the equipment dead before work begins.

1.Planning the isolation

Before isolating, the licensed electrician will identify every source of supply to the equipment, including sub-mains, generators, solar inverters, batteries, uninterruptible power supplies and control circuits, using drawings and site inspection. The isolation points, the affected circuits and the customers or occupants affected will be recorded on the job safety analysis and the customer told before supply is interrupted.

2.Isolating

Open the isolating device for each source and confirm it operated. Where an isolator cannot be locked, remove the fuse carrier or disconnect the conductors and secure them. Multiple supply systems such as solar and battery must be isolated at each source and the sequence in the manufacturer's instructions followed.

3.Locking and tagging

Fit a personal lock and a danger tag to every isolation point. Each worker on the task fits their own lock. The tag must show the name of the worker, the date and the reason. Only the person who fitted a lock removes it, and locks are removed only when that worker's part of the task is complete.

• One lock per worker per isolation point
• Danger tag with name, date and reason
• Keys stay with the worker
• Never remove another person's lock

4.Testing for dead

Prove the test instrument on a known live source, test every conductor to be worked on against earth and against each other, then prove the instrument again. Only instruments from the calibration register with current calibration are to be used. If any test shows voltage, stop, re-check the isolation and do not proceed until the source is found and isolated.

5.Working and restoring

Once proven dead, the task proceeds under the job safety analysis. Before restoring supply, confirm every worker is clear, tools and test leads are removed, covers are fitted and the installation has been tested as required by the testing and certification policy. Remove locks in reverse order and inform the customer that supply is restored.

6.Records

The isolation points, locks fitted, test for dead results and the instrument used will be recorded on the job safety analysis form and attached to the job record.