Procedure to Mark Unprotected Equipment


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We will now learn about the procedure to mark unprotected equipment. To begin with, we will look into the industry safety practices.

Industry Safety Practices

Let us now look into the safety practices in the electrical industry.

Intended use

Select the device according to the purpose and use within the specified limit. Do not use the external auxiliary device

Instruction and safety

Contact the technical assistant to ensure how to use the device according to the safety labels and tags.

Installation

Refer Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and understand the processing characteristics of the material. Ground the equipment and install protective devices.

Operation

Use safety devices like guards, interlocks, and protect yourself with Personal Protective Equipment. Ensure that you see the signs of potential in a proper manner.

Maintenance & repair

Do a scheduled maintenance at intervals and confirm the correct operation of the device. If any fault occurs, replace it or repair it.

Equipment safety information

The specific conditions that an equipment can withstand are mentioned in the manual for the equipment or on the equipment. We also need to abide by a few precautions while handling and working with the electrical equipment.

  • Avoid open flame in the site area

  • Check the pressure daily to protect the equipment from wear, damage or leaks

  • Do not point dispensing handgun at anyone

  • Do not remove the molten hot melt cable with bare skin

  • If you encounter a disaster, seek medical attention immediately

  • Shut down the equipment safely as the level of shut down varies from one device to another.

General safety warning and caution

Every equipment comes with warning and caution symbols provided by the manufacturer. It is important that an electrician understand the warnings and symbols and handles the equipment accordingly.

The following table shows a few safety label and their description −

Sr.No. Safety Label Description
1 Electrical Shock

Warning − Risk of electrical shock. It may cause injury or equipment damage if not observed correctly.

2 Cause Serious Injury

Warning − Potential hazardous situation. It can cause serious injury including death.

3 Minor Personal Injury

Caution − Potential hazardous situation. It can cause minor or moderate personal injury.

It is recommended to carefully understand the type of equipment. It is also important to know the placement of equipment and what is to be kept away from it.

  • HM - Hot Melt – Caution: To stay away from the hot surface. If hot metal gets in contact with a hot surface, then it might lead to a disaster.

  • PC - Process Control - Warning: Untrained or inexperienced personnel may lead to equipment damage and personal injuries.

  • CA - Cold Adhesive - Warning: Do not use high pressure. It may release cold adhesive causing personal injury.

Approved symbols present on devices

The following table lists down a few approved symbols present on devices

Sr.No. Icons Meaning
1 Corrosive product Corrosive product
2 Product hazardous to health Product hazardous to health
3 Toxic product Toxic product
4 Product harmful to the environment Product harmful to the environment
5 Explosive product Explosive product
6 European safety requirements Product meets European safety requirements
7 Hazardous Substances in Equipment Restriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical/electronic equipment
8 Safety Extra Low Voltage Safety Extra Low Voltage

Marking at Site

In this section, we will the different marks on a site and understand what they mean.

Barricading and signage

There are different types of barricades use at the location. The following table shows a few barricades −

Type Description Example
Caution Access permitted but caution required. It highlights hazardous area. Caution
Danger Access permitted under the instruction of authority. Restricted area: hot work, falling object, unprotected edge. Danger
Don’t Enter/ Electrical Work Used for switchboard, distribution line maintenance. Electrical Work
Radiation Access permitted under the instruction of Radiation safety officer. Radiation
Incident scene No access for any unauthorized person if an incident has occurred. Incident scene
Barrier mesh/ Bunting flag It is used to highlight the boundary of the work area. Bunting Flag
Solid Barricade This signage means establishing a safe distance from plant or equipment Solid Barricade

Questions

1. What is required to understand about the equipment at the time of installation?

a) barricade

b) Symbols

c) MSDS

d) None of these

Ans: c

Explanation

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is referred before the installation of an equipment.

2. Which barricade is/are required to highlight the boundary of work area?

a) Barrier mesh

b) Radiation

c) Bunting flag

d) Both A & C

Ans: d

Explanation

According to the safety standards, Barrier mesh and Bunting flag are used to highlight the boundary of work location.

3. Which symbol represents the product that is harmful to the environment?

a. Product Hazardous to Health

b. Product Harmful to Environment

c. Corrosive Product

d. Explosive Product

Ans: b

Explanation

Each symbol defines a product such as A represents hazardous to health, B represents harmful to the environment, C represents corrosive material and D represents explosive material.

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