Electrician with non insulated tools

[Newbie90]

Hi all,

Just wanted to see people's thoughts on this.

Had an "experienced" Electrician start at my place of work on agency (mainly electrical maintenance)

He claims that he has worked all over the country and done so much.

However, he doesn't use insulated screwdrivers and his argument is that no
one should be working live so they are not needed. He is adamant that he won't use them.

Well, there are some circumstances where you have no choice but to work on a live board (obviously taking the correct precautions). Also he would not be complying with GS38. I have never known another sparky not to use insulated tools.

Any thoughts?

 

[trev]

The last person I saw with non insulated drivers was 34 years ago when I started my apprenticeship. He wrapped them with insulting tape.
I don't know anyone that would refuse to have them. Why would you?

 

[telectrix]

he's a muppet. one day he'll find something live that should be dead. then he will be.

 

[Newbie90]

O he doesn't use insulation tape. Just the plain Stanley screwdrivers for builders or handymen.

Also I have never seen him with a voltage tester :S

 

[7029 dave]

That is just plain stupid.

 

[trev]

O he doesn't use insulation tape. Just the plain Stanley screwdrivers for builders or handymen.

Also I have never seen him with a voltage tester :S

He's an idiot. Don't spend too much time standing next to him, he'll start dancing the light(ning) fandango soon enough.
Then he'll be a dead idiot.

 

[Newbie90]

O I try not to go near him full stop

 

[jimmymac]

That is just plain stupid in my eyes. If he says he doesn't work live then, ok, but what if something is re-energized accidentally, the VDE driver could be the difference between life & death! On another note, I thought GS38 only applied to test equipment, not tools??

 

[telectrix]

just have a wooden handled broom handy to knock him off the busbar. look after your broom.

 

[Newbie90]

Let him fry!!

 

[trev]

So what about his sidecutters, pliers etc? Are they insulated?
Using his "logic" they shouldn't be

 

[Newbie90]

I haven't seen his cutters or pliers. Maybe he uses his teeth?

 

[Guest111]

It is a requirement of health and safety that anyone working on or NEAR live equipment MUST use insulated tools, when it all goes wrong the hse will have a field day.

 

[Andy78]

What a berk. I can understand someone with the confidence to be working with non-VDE tools, but you would expect such a person to be brimming with AVIs, lockoff kits, and tags.

I know the sort. Been there seen it all done it all and makes sure everyone knows. I bet he has had more belts than a Turkish leather salesman and wears them like a badge of pride. You ask him.

 

[GMES]

He doesnt use

 

[Newbie90]

Funny you should mention belts.

He left his belt behind once so used cable ties

 

[jimmymac]

I can't believe the foreman is allowing him to work!

 

[Newbie90]

Maybe the foreman wants to teach him a lesson

 

[Geordie Spark]

The last person I saw with non insulated drivers was 34 years ago when I started my apprenticeship. He wrapped them with insulting tape.
I don't know anyone that would refuse to have them. Why would you?

That was probably me.

I have a very nice flat bladed screwdriver with a knurled aluminium handle that I made in the school metalwork shop.

I used it for years for anything & everything - including leccy - and I've still got it.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Maybe the foreman wants to teach him a lesson

Maybe he's shagging the foreman's wife?