ALIVE is Martindale's memorable safe isolation procedure to help reduce electricity-related injuries and fatalities in the workplace
We created ALIVE to spotlight the five vital steps that must always be included in a safe isolation procedure – steps essential for protecting you and your team from injury or loss of life.
Campaigning to prevent electrical injuries and save lives
Reports show that injuries from electrical accidents in the workplace are still prevalent – with true figures likely higher than statistics show due to under-reporting.
Correct safe isolation procedures are critical to ensure the protection of you, your teams, and others.
Prove dead to stay ALIVE
Approved kit
Before starting, make sure your equipment meets all legal safety standards.
Always ensure that the Voltage Indicators (VI) you are using comply with BS EN61243-3 and BS EN61010-1, such as Martindale’s VI13800 voltage indicator, which has been specifically designed to meet the standards.
Lock out, tag out (LOTO)
Identify the point of isolation – lock it off and place warning tags onto the equipment
A basic lock-off kit should include a selection of MCB Lock Off devices, a padlock with a unique key, a hasp if more than one person is working on a system, as well as lock-out tags and warning labels.
Initial prove
Test your VI against the proving unit to make sure it is working correctly.
It is recommended to use a dedicated proving unit matched to the VI to fully test that all LEDs on all ranges are working. A proving unit is safer than the mains and provides a live source wherever you are working.
Voltage test
Use your VI to check for dangerous voltage levels.
The next step is to test for dangerous voltages on the circuit to be worked on, whether single or three-phase. Verify that the circuit you intend to work on, is the correct circuit which you have safely isolated.
Ensure
Prove the VI against the proving unit again before starting to work on the circuit.
Re-test to ensure your VI is functioning and working correctly to make sure that no damage has occurred, or fault has appeared on your equipment.
Other Hazards
Despite the rigorous process of safe isolation, other types of electrical hazards can still be present when working on electrical systems. One such issue is contact with unexpectedly live metal parts caused by a faulty PEN conductor or many other sources.
Our ‘STOP: No Check. No Contact.’ is designed to bring awareness to this safety issue…
Read the articles
We’re part of Safe Isolate
Safe isolation awareness continues to grow, thanks to a collective of companies working together to drive meaningful change across the industry. By joining forces, we’ve made significant strides in highlighting the importance of safe isolation – uniting key organisations and brands to promote this vital safety issue.
Try our quiz
Do you know the safe isolation basics? Test your knowledge with our Safe Isolation quiz – 17 questions, multiple choice – good luck!
Test your knowledge
Michael's story
We all want our loved ones to come home safe and sound at the end of each and every working day, Michael was just 26, when he left home one morning and didn’t return. He died in an entirely preventable electrical incident.
Since Michael’s death, there sadly remain unacceptable levels of accidents and fatalities related to electrical work.
We hope that ALIVE’s five memorable steps to safe isolation go some way toward contributing to safer practices when working with electricity.
Learn more
Because safety starts with awareness
Help us spread the word – we have provided helpful resources for you to download and share amongst your teams.
Protect yourself, your colleagues, your team and your students from avoidable injuries.
We’ve created a range of free, practical resources to help you raise awareness and promote safe isolation practices in your workplace, training centre, or college.
- Posters, flyers, slides
- Step-by-step guides
- Shareable materials for toolbox talks
Download, display, and share them today.
