'Test Before You Touch' Saves Lives of Tradie and Apprentice on Site in Real World Example of Safe Working Procedures

A real-world example of an ECA WA member practicing good safety and 'test before you touch' has potentially saved the lives of him and his apprentice.

Marty Weekes, from Anode Electrical Contractors here in Perth, recently posted a video (which you can see on our YouTube channel) of an improperly wired RCD panel on a domestic installation he and his apprentice were working at.
 
ECA WA contacted Marty and asked him about it, and he said “When removing the escutcheon panel, I noticed that the new main switch and aircon RCDs installed by another contractor only hours earlier were fed from the line side of the main switch. Circuits direct fed (by passing the main switch) were the Oven and two Aircon RCDs.”
 
Essentially, the main switch was not isolating the newly installed RCDs.
 
Not only is this highly dangerous, but it is also a prime example of why you test before you touch – every time, no questions asked.
 
Luckily, there are simple steps to follow which it is clear that Marty followed: Verify the Source, Isolate the Source, Test Again. Never let assumptions cost you or your mates’ lives – always test before you touch, verify, and reverify.

“This was a matter of saving a life” Marty told us via phone on Monday morning. “Thankfully we are thorough, pull fuses and test properly before commencing work – it almost got me and the apprentice today!” He added via social media.
 
The Safe Working Guidelines for Electrical Workers and Apprentices sets out the procedure for test before you touch – including always testing for no voltage before you start work, checking your instruments are working and in good order, checking for presence of a touch voltage, and what to do should you come across something which is energised and shouldn’t be.
 
Note as well – after you take a break – make sure you test again!
 
And when you finish your work, verify what you have done is compliant.
 
“Simple testing of the installation by the other contractor would have identified the error” Marty said. “Clearly it wasn’t done!”
 
Whilst it is disheartening that these things are still happening in the community, it is fantastic to see our members are setting the right examples for industry, and keeping their teams safe through proper safety protocol.
 
Remember – always test before you touch – and remember to also test your equipment as well – it really can, and does, save lives!