Accident Commentaries
IV. Accident when taking measurements with a multimeter
The job consisted in measuring the voltages in a control centre for motors (380 V) and, to do so, the worker used a multimeter.
At some point, the multimeter exploded, causing burns to the worker’s hands and face.
At the time of the accident, the worker was wearing a helmet, goggles and safety footwear, although he was not wearing gloves or a visor.
Why did the accident occur?
- Although the multimeter was sent for analysis to an official laboratory with the aim of determining the reasons why it exploded, the state in which the device was left did not allow any conclusion to be drawn that confirmed whether the cause had been incorrect usage, overvoltage or that the multimeter was faulty.
How could the accident have been avoided?
- In this case, rather than talking about measures to avoid the accident, we should talk about measures to avoid or minimize its consequences.
- Mandatory use of gloves and a visor when carrying out work of this kind and not holding the meter in your hands when taking measurements, using whenever possible) leads with self-fastening ends, instead of points, to do so.
- When there is no alternative other than using points, the collaboration of another person to note down the measurements is required.
