As industries keep down sizing I find it more and more common to work on electrical systems solo. In the past we have always tried to have two persons working on any live system. We still use two electrician when working on a live system per NFPA 70E, but often we ask asked to perform diagnostic duties (voltage readings, amp readings, troubleshooting), where we work solo. Is this a common practice eleswhere.
Working in pairs
- Thread starter cornbread
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zog
Senior Member
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
Sadly in my experience in industrial plants, yes. Same story, they try to work in pairs but due to reduced staffing are finding that harder to do, especially on 2nd and 3rd shifts.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
most places there are still people around to call 911. just not another electrician. and I wonder how many of the 2 man electrical crews have both men trained in cpr.pfalcon said:
i did do some work once in a plant once that required a safety guy be around whenever outside contractors were in an area. the contractor had to either have his own or pay for the plant to provide it. he was not allowed to do any work, but did have first aid, cpr, and safety training. since i was an outside guy, the plant had a safety guy shadow me the whole day I was there.
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JJWalecka
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
The company I am employed by has a no live work policy. In the aspect of the field that I am accustomed to, 95% of the time a circuit can be shut off with minimum disruption. They have stringent policies regarding PPE. We are very fortunate to have this program.
Please be careful, in those times, around energized equipment! God Bless
JJ
Please be careful, in those times, around energized equipment! God Bless
JJ
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
I'm not sure what the second guy is supposed to do? Tell the coroner exactly what happened? Be party to the injuries too?
stickboy1375
Senior Member
- Location
- Litchfield, CT
mdshunk said:
How about call 911?
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
zog said:
Yes than someone gets hurt, policy changes, mandatory two men, untill next set of mangers wants to cut cost.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
...or that.stickboy1375 said:
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Several years ago had a call to check a MCC that was damaged, the 3rd shift man opened a door and a spring came loose resulting in an arc flash, he laid on the floor for at least 2 hours, before the operation center called 911 after not hearing from him.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
brian john said:
a lot of smaller electrical plants only have two people on duty at night. typically one guy wanders the plant while the other guy stays in the control room, then they switch off.
i was even at a peaker plant one time that only had like 6 employees, who all work first shift. if they need to run it at night, it gets turned on by the operations center that is 500 miles away. if something goes wrong, someone gets called by the operations center.
electricguy61
Senior Member
My apprentice knocked my ladder out from under me as I was frying on 277, saving my life.
jnsane84
Senior Member
- Location
- Virginia Beach, Va.
pfalcon said:
I'll be fine working solo, If something happens I'll give myself CPR until the paramedics (or coroner depending on how well I remember SCPR) arrive.
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