Work on Electrical Installations and in premises presenting a fire or explosion hazard

Definitions and concepts:

Working from the ground

Both the electrician carrying out the work as well as his assistant must stand on an insulating mat. Both are to wear personal protective equipment.

Working at heights

Before climbing a post or using it to support a ladder, its condition has to be checked. If necessary, it is to be propped up, and if it still does not offer sufficient guarantees, another means of ascent is to be sought.
The wooden supports are to be used to ascend and descend with the safety belt lifesaving lanyard around these.
Any material is to be raised or lowered in the tool bag using the service rope, preferably tied in a loop and using an insulating pulley.
On concrete, metal or wooden posts with earths, LVW is always to be done from insulating ladders. To do so, these are to be supported on the crossbar or fittings (never on the step), in accordance with the General Rules for the Use of Portable Ladders.

Working on underground networks

The utility shafts and trenches where work is to be carried out must be free of water and any object (litter, cloths, etc.) that does not belong to the installation.
The walls and floors of ditches and manholes that may constitute Contact with earth for the person carrying out the work must be covered with insulating mats or vinyl sheets.
To stop insulating mats from slipping, a metal frame is to be used that is to be covered by the mat itself so as to secure it.
MV and LV lines are to be electrically and mechanically protected in a suitable manner.
All metal conduits that penetrate the Work Area must also be insulated.
When the trench or manhole is over 70 cm in depth, insulating ladders suitable for accessing the workplace are to be used.
Depending on the depth of the trench and the characteristics of the ground, slopes with appropriate angles should be left or shoring used to ensure the stability of the walls of the excavation.
The assistant is to be situated outside the trench and is to supply the material by depositing it on an insulating mat for it to be picked up directly by the electrician who is in the trench or, if the material is given to the latter in his hand, he is to be situated on an insulating mat and be wearing insulating gloves.

Working on facades

The part of the wall susceptible to being touched accidentally is to be insulated by means of vinyl sheeting, as is any other nearby conduit whose rated insulation is less than 1 kV or non-electrical.
The points of conductors must be protected by insulating tape or caps.
Work is to be done from the insulating ladder properly supported and secured in accordance with the General Rules for the Use of Portable Ladders.
In the case of the assistant supplying the materials hand to hand, he must be situated on an insulating mat and be wearing insulating gloves. In the case of using a tool bag via the service rope and insulating pulley, it will not be necessary to use an insulating mat and gloves

Design & Programming